Chapter 176: Double Joy Arrives, Aunt Shen

Staying, or returning to her original post after the training ends, is an incredibly difficult choice for Tian Xianma.

Returning to the original post means comfort and stability, but the cost is limited career development.

Staying in Jingcheng means everything will start from scratch, beginning a drifting life. Yet if she succeeds, the ceiling will be higher.

As for her relationship with Xu Yuexin…

Tian Xianma isn't very confident.

Xu Yuexin is young, handsome, wealthy, and… rather fickle.

If she stays and her career stalls, she can't find a job, and Xu Yuexin later gets bored and abandons her, what then? Those were the questions Tian Xianma pondered before setting out.

Xu Yuexin saw Tian Xianma lost in thought for a long time, silent and without urging.

For a girl fighting alone out there, giving up a stable job isn't easy.

Her current reaction was within Xu Yuexin's expectations, so there's no need to rush.

Anyway, Tian Xianma has come to Jing for training and is staying at his place, so they'll have many chances to spend time together.

Xu Yuexin thought to himself.

After mounting the motorcycle, he took out the key, inserted it into the lock and turned it, then beckoned Tian Xianma to get on.

"It's really cold."

Tian Xianma sat behind him, cupping her delicate hands to her face for warmth, "Drive slower later, okay."

"It's not just the cold."

"Is it because you're embarrassed to hug me?"

Xu Yuexin let a faint smile appear at the corner of his mouth and said.

As he spoke, he deliberately looked into the rearview mirror, wanting to see Tian Xianma's expression.

As expected, Tian Xianma immediately tucked her face down, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of embarrassment.

"Don't talk nonsense."

"I really am cold."

"Alright, got it."

Xu Yuexin said in a teasing tone, and pressed the throttle with his foot.

Back to Guogongfu, take a hot shower and go to sleep.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin went to look for Tian Xianma for a deeper talk, only to find Aunt Shen in her room.

"Hey, Aunt Shen, you're back?"

Xu Yuexin asked, a bit surprised.

Shen Qingru had earlier told Xu Yuexin that she was going to the United States again.

Xu Yuexin had thought Shen Qingru changed her mind and didn't intend to pursue a graduate degree in the country.

He didn't expect to see her here today.

"Well, I handled my PhD withdrawal paperwork in the United States."

Shen Qingru gave a faint smile, glanced at Xu Yuexin's expression, and said, "I just returned recently to enroll."

"I originally planned to see you, and happened to run into Liu practicing in the courtyard, so I stopped by her place."

Fortunately, I'm still back.

Hearing Shen Qingru's words, Xu Yuexin relaxed, moved a chair and sat in front of her and Tian Xianma.

"Liu is a pillar of the Cultural Troupe, we've worked together before. This time she's studying at the Dance Academy and is staying at my house."

"You two should have met, right?"

"Yes, Liu's professional level is very high."

Shen Qingru's beautiful eyes were full of praise as she said, "Not inferior to the performers of the National-level Cultural Troupe."

Xu Yuexin nodded, having no doubt about Shen Qingru's judgment.

Xu Yuexin had personally witnessed how high Tian Xianma's dance skill is.

Even the well‑read Da Yizi had praised Tian Xianma's professional level in front of him.

"Aunt, you're flattering me."

Tian Xianma said shyly, "I still have much to learn."

"You go to Guogong Mansion Main Hall to chat, I'll go buy groceries."

"Let's have a meal together at noon."

During the conversation, Xu Yuexin stood up and said.

"Ride slower."

Aunt Shen reminded concernedly.

"Alright." Xu Yuexin left the house and went to the motorcycle.

At that moment, Xu Yuexin saw the motorcycle's rear trunk open, with Tian Xianma's previously worn pure‑white scarf inside.

She must have been afraid of the cold while riding, so she had put the scarf in the trunk earlier, and opened the lid to make sure she could see it.

Xu Yuexin thought, and when he picked up the scarf, his heart felt warm.

Since early autumn, Jing has already endured two cold spells.

The State-owned Subsidiary Food Company began supplying lamb to the market, and farmers from the suburban Communist also slaughtered their own sheep and hauled them to the market to sell.

Xu Yuexin bought 1.5 jin of lamb, 0.5 jin of beef, plus some greens and button mushrooms, planning to bring them home for a stew hot pot to nourish Tian Xianma and Aunt Shen.

The cold made the fat on the beef and lamb hard as ice, like a coating of frost.

The color of the greens and mushrooms was also very appetizing, instantly whetting the appetite.

Leaving the market, Xu Yuexin stopped his motorcycle at a suburban farmer's stall and bought two slabs of pork.

Whether it's cooking, stir‑frying rice, or using it as hot‑pot base, pork lard is clearly more delicious.

When he returned to Guogongfu with meat, vegetables, and pork lard, Xu Yuexin heard the voices of his daughter‑in‑law and Da Yizi.

"You went to the Dance Academy for further study? That's great; the teachers there are very skilled."

"Mm‑mm, I hope after finishing my studies I'll still have a chance to work with you."

"Don't worry, my sister will definitely book you when she organizes concerts in the future."

"I just talked with Lili; her experience in dance is indeed extraordinary…"

In the courtyard, Chen Qiaoqiao, Chen Yixue, Tian Xianma and Aunt Shen were chatting.

Crisp, dignified, innocent, gentle…

Different voices intertwined, each charming in its own way.

"Open the door, I forgot my key."

Xu Yuexin took off his white scarf, tucked it into his chest, and knocked on the vermilion‑painted main gate.

"I'm here."

From inside came Chen Qiaoqiao's voice, and then she opened the gate from the inside.

"It's so cold, maybe next time don't ride a bike to buy groceries."

At the sight of Xu Yuexin, Chen Qiaoqiao's gaze fell on his bare neck, and she asked with concern.

"It's nothing, just a trifle."

Xu Yuexin got off the vehicle, pushed the cart, and said, "I bought lamb and beef; let's have hot‑pot together at noon."

"I also want to eat barbecue."

Chen Qiaoqiao's eyes brightened, and she said.

"Then you slice the meat, and I'll cut the vegetables."

Xu Yuexin parked the vehicle, took the vegetables out of the trunk, lifted them, and walked with her to Chen Yixue and the others, saying.

"Hot‑pot, right? I'll prepare the base."

Tian Xianma volunteered, saying.

"I'll make the skewers with you."

Even Shen Qingru, who has never even touched the spring water with her ten fingers since childhood, also said.

Among the four, she and Chen Yixue do the least housework.

However, in this lively and warm atmosphere, Shen Qingru's heart was stirred, and she wanted to join in.

Since her parents passed away, she hasn't experienced such a scene for a long time.

"I'll help you pick the vegetables."

Chen Yixue told Xu Yuexin, "This is the only thing I can do."

"Alright, let me wash them first."

After Xu Yuexin finished speaking, he walked with Tian Xianma and the others toward Guogong Mansion Main Hall, and began busily according to their assigned tasks.

Tian Xianma mixed chili, Sichuan pepper, star anise and other seasonings into pork lard to make the hot‑pot base.

Chen Qiaoqiao took out a small portion of beef and lamb, brought it to the kitchen, and sliced it into strips.

Shen Qingru stood beside her, skewering the sliced meat with a bamboo stick.

After Xu Yuexin washed the vegetables, he and Da Yizi selected vegetables together in the Guogong Mansion Main Hall living room.

"When do you plan to go to Xiangjiang?"

After picking two vegetables, Da Yizi asked Xu Yuexin.

(End of chapter.)