Chapter 109: Lifting Da Yizi

"It's fine, just checking on you."

Xu Yuexin walked into the room, sat on the sofa, and asked, "What have you been busy with these past two days since you came back?"

"Nothing much."

Chen Yixue sat down as well, speaking in a low mood.

"Oh, I'm planning to travel out of town. Do you want to come along?"

Xu Yuexin casually fabricated a reason and asked Chen Yixue.

"I'm not going."

Chen Yixue shook her head, her gaze turning sadly toward the window.

"What's up? Is something bothering you?"

Having set the stage earlier, Xu Yuexin now naturally asked, shifting his position to pull Da Yizi into his arms.

Chen Yixue said nothing, struggling hard to break free, yet she did not move away.

Xu Yuexin understood that Da Yizi was in a bad mood and didn't press the issue, simply sitting beside her.

"The only ones who could make you angry are the people in your own family."

"Did Qiao Qiao tell you?"

"Don't worry about that. I just want to tell you to be more open‑minded."

"Hmm, I can handle it myself."

"Alright, I won't say more."

Xu Yuexin stood up briskly, said, and went downstairs to the opposite state‑owned shop to buy two packs of Great Front Gate cigarettes, then turned back to find the security guard of this block of commercial housing.

The few commercial housing blocks around Tuanjie Lake resemble modern residential complexes, also enclosed by a fence at the base of the building, with dedicated security guards and cleaning staff for upkeep.

The entrance at the front of the building consists of two iron gates, with a guard post built between them, where the security guard sits watching.

"Buddy, have you seen a middle‑aged woman around here in the past couple of days?"

Xu Yuexin, with cigarettes in his pocket, walked into the guard post and said, "She's not tall, and there's a mole on her forehead…"

"Let me think…"

The security guard, after hearing his description of the mother‑in‑law's appearance, recalled carefully and after a moment said, "There is such a person; the registration says she's here to see her daughter. What's the matter?"

"Don't let her come next time."

Xu Yuexin replied succinctly.

"No, comrade, if someone's coming to see their daughter, I can't just deny them entry."

The security guard hesitated, "What if she causes trouble for me?"

Xu Yuexin pulled out two packs of cigarettes, placed them on the table and said, "Take them."

"No, buddy…"

The security guard stared at the cigarettes and smiled awkwardly.

Xu Yuexin picked up a cigarette and shoved it into his hand.

Since we're calling each other 'buddy', there's no need for formalities.

The security guard scratched his head, smiled, and said, "Well, I'll try my best to block her for you."

"If I really can't stop her, I'll report it to the police."

"Alright, thanks."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin left the guard post and headed toward the building where Da Yizi lives.

Two packs of cigarettes, to buy her some peace.

Damn! After going upstairs, Xu Yuexin knocked on the door for a long time with no response, so he took out his own key and opened it.

As soon as he entered, Huh, Da Yizi was lying in the bedroom sleeping.

"Huh, the sun is scorching the butt!"

Xu Yuexin stepped forward, lifted the quilt, and instantly felt embarrassed.

It turned out Da Yizi wasn't wearing pajamas today; she only had two pieces of tight clothing on.

Surprisingly, Da Yizi wasn't angry today; she quietly reached for a cup and used it to cover her body.

"Let me have some peace."

Da Yizi sighed, her expression sorrowful, and said.

"I was just about to tell you that I've solved the problem."

Xu Yuexin sat on the edge of the bed, took Da Yizi's hand and said, "From now on the security guard won't let him in."

Chen Yixue looked at Xu Yuexin with some surprise.

She didn't expect… he solved the problem silently.

Thinking of that, the displeasure from having the quilt lifted earlier had mostly faded.

"I still feel cold‑hearted."

Chen Yixue leaned against the headboard, stared blankly at the ceiling and said, "What exactly did I do wrong to her?"

"Parents are not a choice."

Xu Yuexin comforted Da Yizi, saying, "Since you no longer owe her, there's no need to keep it in your heart."

Chen Yixue first nodded, then shook her head, looking extremely conflicted.

"I understand the reasoning."

"But after quarreling with my own mother to this point, I still can't help feeling hurt."

Chen Yixue said with a sorrowful expression.

Xu Yuexin could deeply understand Da Yizi's feelings.

People aren't machines; even after deciding to cut off, some things still trouble the heart.

Especially Da Yizi, who lives alone year after year, is even more prone to being hurt.

"I'll stay here with you for a while."

Xu Yuexin thought for a moment and said.

"No, absolutely not."

Chen Yixue said resolutely, "I still want Qiao Qiao as my little sister."

"It's fine, call her over together."

Xu Yuexin suggested.

The reason he didn't ask Da Yizi to come to his house is that once she leaves, the house feels empty.

If Zhou Zhifeng were to break through the obstacles and come up, only to find no one inside, she might develop thoughts of seizing the house.

Then she could pry the lock and move in, making it very troublesome to evict her later.

After all, she is still the biological mother of sisters Chen Yixue and Chen Qiaoqiao.

Chen Yixue instantly grasped Xu Yuexin's meaning.

"That works, the house is spacious anyway."

Chen Yixue then agreed.

Back home, Xu Yuexin explained the situation and his thoughts to Chen Qiaoqiao, seeking her opinion. Chen Qiaoqiao gladly agreed.

"Alright, I'm also worried my sister feels upset, so I was planning to accompany her."

"Let's pack our things right now."

"Okay, I'll ride my motorcycle to deliver the clothes first, then come back for you."

Xu Yuexin said, and together with Chen Qiaoqiao began sorting the clothes.

When it came to the bunny‑girl outfits, maid costumes, and black stockings, Chen Qiaoqiao firmly stopped him.

"We're going to accompany my sister."

"Don't think about those messy things, okay?"

Chen Qiaoqiao pleaded.

Fine, considering their sisterly bond, I'll agree this once.

Seeing this, Xu Yuexin didn't press further and only packed two white ribbons and meat strips.

Soon, the two finished sorting the clothes, books, and Manuscript Paper.

As for bedding and such, Chen Yixue had everything; she had already prepared a bed for Chen Qiaoqiao.

With a motorcycle, the move went quickly.

In just two or three hours, Xu Yuexin delivered his wife and luggage to Lake Unity, just in time for lunch.

Xu Yuexin chopped vegetables, Chen Qiaoqiao stir‑fried them, and the two worked in an orderly division.

Chen Yixue tried to go in to help, but Chen Qiaoqiao blocked her; at that moment Xu Yuexin gave her a look.

"Select the vegetables."

Xu Yuexin grabbed a handful of vegetables, tossed them into a bowl, and handed them to Da Yizi, saying.

The more Da Yizi's mood is suppressed, the less she can be treated differently.

Otherwise she would feel like an outcast and become even more despondent.

Chen Yixue took the vegetables and carefully selected them.

"She can't do kitchen work."

Chen Qiaoqiao laughed, poked Xu Yuexin, and said.

Xu Yuexin glanced at the sink and instantly felt amused.

Good grief, the leaves with bite‑sized holes were fine, yet she tossed a few good ones away.

Sure enough, she never entered a kitchen after growing up.

Xu Yuexin once again witnessed Da Yizi's remarkable skill, but instead of mocking, he took the vegetables from her hand and began explaining and demonstrating.

Chen Yixue listened attentively beside him, feeling a different emotion inside.

If a mother had been this patient and gentle with her from childhood.

Then perhaps she wouldn't hate the kitchen, right? "Got it? It's actually simple: throw away the yellow ones and those with bugs, keep the good ones, and cut off the stems."

After demonstrating once, Xu Yuexin reiterated to Da Yizi.

"Mm, I remember that."

Chen Yixue felt a bit moved; she thought this man, besides trying to take advantage of her, also seemed quite patient and considerate.

With the three working together, a sumptuous lunch was quickly prepared fresh.

After the meal, Chen Qiaoqiao, who still had a class in the afternoon, left first, leaving Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue alone.

"Xue Xue, are you satisfied with this meal?"

Xu Yuexin lay on the sofa and asked Da Yizi beside him.

"What do you call me? Xue Xue?"

Chen Yixue said brightly, seeming less suppressed.

"Hmm, you don't like it?"

"No, it just feels... very different."

Chen Yixue couldn't find a suitable adjective at the moment, so she said this.

Xue Xue...

She whispered it again in her mind, beginning to like this name that sounds like a little girl's.

"Is it just that it's different? Then I still won't call you that."

Xu Yuexin, seeing a change in Da Yizi's expression, said deliberately.

"No, just call you that."

Xue Xue finally showed a smile and said, "I quite like it."

At that moment, she smiled freely and beautifully.

"Alright, then I'll call you that from now on."

Xu Yuexin said, "Xue Xue, let's play Gobang; I want to wipe away my past humiliation."

"Come on, defeated opponent."

Xue Xue smiled brightly, like the April sunshine outside the window.

Xu Yuexin ran downstairs to the state‑run shop, bought a box of pieces, returned home and started playing with Da Yizi.

Unsurprisingly, it was another round after another round of crushing defeat!

"Fine, my skill is inferior."

When it got to the end, Xu Yuexin scratched his ear and chin and said, "Let me go back and practice more."

"Practice then."

Xue Xue looked at him with a smile.

After finishing the game with Da Yizi, Xu Yuexin sat at the second‑bedroom desk and began pondering what to write for his next book.

The serialization of Great Ming 1566 is nearing its climax, so the next work must be decided now.

Xu Yuexin thought back and forth, and soon got an idea.

Just write a story about that monkey! After all, the vast People have been fascinated by him since ancient times.

From Yuan‑era miscellaneous dramas, to the monumental Journey to the West, and later to countless adaptations such as Great Talk of the West, Journey to the West Sequel, and numerous film and TV productions…

In short, this is a topic that will always stay hot! After deciding, Xu Yuexin picked up his pen and wrote three big characters.

Wukong Legend! This is a Mid-length Novel of 240,000 words, which inherits and innovates upon Journey to the West in content.

The characters are still Sun Wukong, Tang monk, Pigsy, and Sandy.

In the novel's world, there is still the Heavenly Court and gods and demons.

But this time, all characters are given different meanings.

Why are the celestial deities allowed to be aloof, letting their mounts and servants wreak havoc on the world without accountability? Are they truly compassionate and kind?

In the original Journey to the West, no deity has ever been punished for harming the common folk. Mortals are ultimately just weeds in their eyes.

All those countless celestial beings, lofty and detached, are nothing but a swarm of petty opportunists.

Mortals revere them not because they are perfect, but because from a distance the truth is unseen.

Hey, take a hit from old Sun! (End of chapter)