Chapter 46

Despite the temptation, Chu Jiayun did not agree immediately; she simply kept the matter in mind. In the past, she knew her energy was limited, and once she chose to prioritize her daughter, she simply stopped dwelling on missed opportunities.

However, Xinxin was growing day by day. Her future education, development, and lifestyle would require more investment. Furthermore, the news brought by Bai Jiling forced her to consider the costs of her sister’s treatment.

All of these required money, and not a small amount. Her current income was stable, but only stable; without a bigger breakthrough, the future pressure would not be small.

Even if Yu Sui agreed to share the expenses of raising Xinxin, as a mother, Chu Jiayun wanted to do her best to give her daughter the very best. The stagnation of her career over the years brought her no small amount of regret, though she usually preferred not to think too deeply about it.

Yu Sui had been living there for nearly a week. Chu Jiayun’s cold was completely gone, leaving only an occasional cough. But Yu Sui was becoming more and more settled, seemingly having no intention of moving back.

Xinxin still wanted to be with Chu Jiayun most of the time, so the two had reached a tacit understanding, taking turns looking after Xinxin so they could also take turns completing their respective work.

On this day, after coaxing Xinxin to sleep, Chu Jiayun wanted to go to the study to look over some materials. The friends recommended by President Hu were very demanding, but the compensation they offered was very respectful of her profession.

Yu Sui happened to come out for water, and the two met in the living room.

“Still up so late?”

Yu Sui shook her empty glass: “I have more inspiration for design at night.”

She nudged her chin toward Chu Jiayun’s room: “Is Xinxin asleep?”

“Yes. She played games with you this afternoon and didn’t take a nap. She fell asleep right after her bath.”

Yu Sui played innocent: “It’s a child’s nature to love playing. Missing a nap once in a while won’t hurt much.”

Chu Jiayun didn’t mean to blame her. Since Yu Sui moved in, toys were scattered all over the house. From her initial shock and frustration, she had now reached the point of turning a blind eye.

“You’re working overtime this late too?”

“There are new business opportunities lately; I want to prepare a bit.”

Yu Sui felt that Chu Jiayun had been preoccupied lately, as if she were making a difficult decision. Usually, they were either with Xinxin or working in shifts, leaving little time to properly discuss their own affairs.

“Have a moment to chat with me?”

Yu Sui poured her water and followed Chu Jiayun into the study.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“About you.”

Chu Jiayun wrapped her bathrobe a bit tighter, puzzled: “What is there to talk about regarding me?”

“Have you run into trouble lately?”

“Are you observing me?”

Yu Sui took a sip of water, her tone relaxed: “We live under the same roof. Rather than saying I’m observing you, it’s more like I’m sensing you.”

Chu Jiayun did not deny this. When people live together, unless they deliberately ignore it, it’s impossible not to sense the other’s emotions.

“I am indeed facing a choice.”

“May I have the honor of helping you weigh it?”

Though it was a change in her career, it would inevitably affect Xinxin’s life; saying it had nothing to do with Yu Sui was a stretch. Besides, Chu Jiayun truly wanted someone to consult; carrying everything alone for too long is always exhausting.

“I’ve received a very good job opportunity, but it requires me to read the original at bailiantales.comincrease my working hours and might involve moving to another city.”

“Sounds like a common issue when changing jobs. For it to make you this conflicted, the conditions offered must be very generous.”

Chu Jiayun spoke frankly: “Very generous. In terms of both compensation and business expansion, it’s much better than what I have now.”

“Where is it?”

“Ancheng.”

Yu Sui had thought Chu Jiayun was hesitant because she resisted going back to Jingcheng, but it turned out that wasn’t it.

“Then what are your concerns?”

“I’m worried that if I accept the new job, I won’t be able to care for Xinxin like I do now. And moving to a new city might not necessarily be good for her.”

These were the worries in Chu Jiayun’s heart. She didn’t mind for herself, but she didn’t want her choices to negatively impact her daughter.

“You said it yourself; she’s not made of glass, she won’t break so easily.”

Chu Jiayun still had her brows furrowed: “If you were me, how would you choose?”

“Haven’t you already seen my choice?”

Chu Jiayun was startled.

“I admit I adjusted my previous career plans because of Xinxin, but I never gave up on fighting for opportunities because of it. Not only do I want to work hard to earn money to raise the child, I also hope to be a role model for her.”

“A role model?”

Yu Sui looked at her: “What Xinxin needs now is care in her daily life, but she will grow up and have her own thoughts. As parents, we can’t force her, but we can guide her.”

Chu Jiayun understood Yu Sui’s meaning; it coincided exactly with the answer her heart was leaning toward.

“Actually, I think going to Ancheng is quite good. At least there are far more opportunities than in Licheng.”

From the way Yu Sui spoke, it sounded like she was going too. On second thought, it made sense. Yu Sui came to Licheng for Xinxin; naturally, she would go wherever Xinxin went.

“You’ve only been back in the country for a short while, and now I’m causing you to be uprooted again.”

Yu Sui leaned forward, pushing her glass away slightly: “For ​stolen content​a better life, there is no such thing as being ‘uprooted.’”

With Yu Sui’s encouragement and support, Chu Jiayun began to plan her life after accepting the new job. She had originally moved here from Ancheng, so going back after a few years wasn’t like going in blind.

But the factors she needed to consider this time weren’t just finding a place to live and a new studio; she also had to consider Xinxin’s kindergarten and future schooling.

Yu Sui looked through a pile of kindergarten introductions online, picked a few good ones, and made a comparison chart of pros and cons.

“These five are all good, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s best to go and experience them in person.”

“You’ve been researching this lately? Have you not considered your own place to live?”

Yu Sui put on an expression of feigned surprise: “Do I still need to find my own place to live after going to Ancheng?”

“Otherwise?”

“Is it not good to live together like this, looking out for each other and taking care of the child together?”

Although Yu Sui spoke half-jokingly, they both knew it wasn’t a joke. Chu Jiayun lowered her eyes, treating the topic very seriously. Yu Sui pursed her lips, hoping to further understand her thoughts.

“Yu Sui, I’m not ready yet.”

Yu Sui was a bit disappointed, but at least Chu Jiayun hadn’t firmly refused, which meant there was still a chance later.

She proactively took a step back: “I have a suggestion. This time in Ancheng, let’s buy a big house.”

Chu Jiayun didn’t understand her meaning: “We? A big house?”

Hadn’t she just rejected Yu Sui’s request to live with them? What did she mean now?

Yu Sui pretended not to see the searching look in her eyes and spoke her thoughts seriously: “We can invest together to buy a house for Xinxin.”

Compared to Jingcheng, housing prices in Ancheng were indeed more moderate, but compared to the down-to-earth Licheng, they were still quite high. It wasn’t impossible for Chu Jiayun to buy a large house in a good location in Ancheng, but it wouldn’t be easy or a bargain.

However, with Yu Sui sharing half the cost, it would be much easier.

“Xinxin is still small. Buying a house now, would it be…”

“Housing prices won’t wait for Xinxin. Besides, you’ll need a place to live once you move. Buying early or buying late, you’ll have to buy eventually.”

Chu Jiayun knew she was right and didn’t argue further.

“I also plan to set up an education fund for Xinxin. We’ll deposit a sum of money first, and then add to it regularly every year. That way, by the time she’s ready for university, she’ll have more capital to choose freely.”

Chu Jiayun spoke after a long silence: “You really are thinking far ahead.”

“We are the same; we both want the best for our daughter.”

Xinxin didn’t know what the adults were busy with lately. She only knew that Mom and Auntie Yu were spending more and more time behind closed doors in the study, whispering.

Bai Jiling met Yu Mu at a planning meeting for the Jingcheng University anniversary. She learned that the Yu Group planned to donate to the school again this year, and the school specifically asked Bai Jiling to reserve enough speaking time for Yu Mu at the celebration.

“In recent years, thanks to the support of the Yu Group, our school’s swimming pool and lab building have been expanded. The students are very happy and grateful.”

“Yu Sui and I both graduated from Jingcheng University. Giving back to our alma mater and helping our juniors is only right.”

“Is Yu Sui still abroad? The Yu Group’s new business is growing constantly; she doesn’t help you even when you’re this busy?”

Yu Mu looked helpless: “What can I do with her? Her dreams are more important to her, I suppose. As her older sister, I can only try my best to understand her.”

From Yu Mu’s words, it seemed she didn’t know Yu Sui had already returned to [read the original at bailiantales.com]China, let alone her recent activities.

“I heard that Sheng Nanxi and Ren Xuran are both preparing to return to China after getting their doctorates. I imagine Yu Sui will return in a few years as well.”

Yu Mu wasn’t optimistic about this: “Let’s hope so.”

She could understand Yu Sui’s insistence on changing majors, but the fact that she had remained at a stalemate with Yu Zhongqing until now was something Yu Mu hadn’t expected. Perhaps her sister’s stubbornness was much stronger than she imagined.

As the day to leave Licheng drew closer, Chu Jiayun and Yu Sui decided after discussion to take Xinxin out more often. After all, this was the first city Xinxin had lived in since she had memories.

Xinxin didn’t know the adults’ intentions. Every time, she wore beautiful clothes, was carried by Auntie Yu and Mom in turns, and occasionally hopped along happily between them, holding their hands as they visited her favorite places.

The zoo was her favorite; every time she went, she had to see Nini the giant panda.

She heard from Mom that they were going somewhere else later and wouldn’t be able to see Nini as often. Xinxin was very sad, so every time they came, she asked Mom to help her take a photo with Nini.

Before, they took Xinxin out every Saturday; now they came three times a week. As long as Xinxin wanted to, they tried their best to satisfy her.

On this day, Xinxin leaned against the glass, watching Nini munching on bamboo. Her little hands kept picking at the glass, very reluctant to leave.

“Mom, I want to take a picture with Nini’s bamboo.”

“Okay.”

Chu Jiayun held Xinxin, and Yu Sui held the camera, helping them adjust their position so they could fit Nini and the half-eaten bamboo in her hand into the shot.

But Xinxin suddenly called for a stop, waving at Yu Sui repeatedly: “Auntie Yu, you come too! You come too!”

Yu Sui laughed: “Auntie Yu has to take the picture of Xinxin and Mom. I can’t take it if I come over.”

Perhaps knowing it was the last time she would see Nini, Xinxin was unusually insistent, her little hand waving with more force: “Auntie Yu must join!”

Yu Sui had no choice but to ask a passing tourist for help. She walked over and was immediately hooked around the neck by Xinxin.

Chu Jiayun had to hold her daughter closer to Yu Sui. Xinxin smiled exceptionally brightly between them. Behind them, Nini remained immersed in her meal. This first photo of the three of them was placed in Yu Sui’s wallet and used as the wallpaper for her computer and phone.