Before Ye Qiu headed to Jing City after the new year, he returned to the Ye Family once more, but the outcome was clear-cut. He was still unwelcome, eventually driven out by Ye Peilin, who even threatened that the family wouldn’t care for him in the future no matter what happened.

Without expectations, there was no sadness. He packed his bags, and amidst the He Family’s Parents’ reminders, he embarked on the journey back to Jing City with He Xixian.

After returning to Jing City, he maintained his old habit from his student days of calling home to check in monthly. But either the calls would be directly hung up, or he’d hear Han Hui urging him to break up with He Xixian. Ye Qiu just listened and let it be. Now, he was simply fulfilling his duty as a son; even parents have no right to interfere in his life’s major decisions.

In June, He Xixian received two certificates in one month: a graduation certificate and a marriage certificate. The wedding preparations were being organized smoothly. Ye Qiu was now a budding young entrepreneur, and with He Xixian’s exceptional academic performance and beautiful looks, the news of them marrying immediately after graduation became a celebrated story. Even some teachers close to them were proactively asking for invitations.

"Senior Brother Ye Qiu is truly a life winner. He accumulated a substantial amount of capital while studying and started a business upon graduation. Within a year, the apps his company developed grabbed a significant share of the market, and many big companies are eager to collaborate with Senior Brother Ye."

"Indeed, they say campus couples often break up upon graduation, but Senior Brother Ye Qiu and Senior Sister He Xixian got married immediately after. What sort of immortal love is this? Is it not impulsive? Why not wait a couple more years?"

"Why wait? Since the two are in love and have a certain economic foundation, I think getting married now is the most romantic."

"But it feels a bit early. Senior Brother Ye Qiu is only twenty-three, and Senior Sister He Xixian is just twenty-two."

"Compared to today’s college students, the marriage age might be early, but they’ve reached the legal age for marriage. My mom had me when she was twenty-two, so it’s not strange. If the feelings are deep, it doesn’t matter when they marry."

"True, I’ve heard it’s better to have kids when younger. It makes me think of quickly finding a reliable boyfriend and marrying right after graduation, just to avoid being rushed into marriage later."

Listening to the students’ discussions on the campus path, Ye Qing felt uneasy, especially when they talked about being rushed into marriage and having kids; it made her even more agitated.

She was twenty-nine this year. Though her dad and uncles weren’t in a hurry, her mom had already started organizing blind dates for her. Even her grandparents frequently advised her to find someone suitable to marry.

She knew the longer she dragged on, the more she’d be at a disadvantage as she aged. Higher-risk in childbirth and harder recovery for elderly mothers were concerns, but where were all the suitable options?

The ones pursuing her either had poor conditions or lacked education. One even came from the countryside, wanting to be a wild dreamer aiming for the impossible. She refused to marry a Phoenix Man.

As for those introduced by Mom, while they had good conditions, there was always something off about them that didn’t meet her expectations. She wasn’t about to hand over her life lightly.

Moreover, Ye Qiu was adamantly marrying He Xixian against the family’s wishes. That woman loved to sow discord, and now with her brother Ye Qiu’s career flourishing so brilliantly, if she didn’t marry an accomplished man, would her voice be heard in the family in the future?

She took leave and secretly came to Jing City without telling her parents. Ye Qiu sent the wedding invitations back home and even called personally, but Dad forbade the family from attending. After contemplating, she decided to come. She believed her brother was heartless, but she couldn’t be; she hoped by giving him a way out, he won’t hold such a deep prejudice against her.

But only she knew her true intention behind coming to Jing City. Did she really have no hidden motives? Did she just come to reconcile?

Can someone selfish for nearly thirty years change overnight?

"What’s wrong?" In a villa in the suburbs, He Xixian wore her wedding dress and gently descended the stairs. Though not wearing makeup today, the blush on her face served as the best decoration.

Ye Qiu was almost stunned. He approached her full of warmth and support: "You’re beautiful; you’re the most gorgeous bride I’ve ever seen."

"It’s not as exaggerated as you say. Aren’t there many stars who look better than me?" She said this, but her lips remained uplifted.

Mrs. He had tears in her eyes. She had cherished her daughter for over twenty years, and soon she was to be married away, feeling both happy and bittersweet.

But she was extremely reassured to marry her daughter to a son-in-law like Ye Qiu, given how unreliable her daughter’s in-laws were.

"Are you sure your parents really aren’t coming?" she asked with a sigh.

Ye Qiu’s eyes showed remorse: "I’m sorry, Mom and Dad, for causing you and Xixian inconvenience, but my cousin and other relatives said they’d come."

"Ah, this isn’t your fault. As long as you treat Xixian well in the future, that’s what matters."

"I vow I will never let her down for the rest of my life."

"We’ve long seen your sincerity. We know your capabilities and believe you won’t be confined by this small company. We only hope that you maintain your integrity as you soar higher."

Regarding their son-in-law’s decision to transfer all non-share assets to their daughter’s name, He Family’s Parents didn’t know how to comment. They could only say that aside from their son-in-law, they hadn’t met another man capable of doing this.

"Mom, Xixian is now quite the rich woman. I’m just living off her; I’m even afraid she’ll abandon me!" Ye Qiu joked.

"Stop joking." He Xixian glared at him, then sweetly smiled and unconsciously placed her hand on her belly. Since setting the wedding date, they hadn’t been taking precautions at night, and though she hadn’t been checked, she hadn’t had her cycle for a month.

Ye Qiu seemed to have noticed something too, not letting her touch cold water or be reckless at night recently.

He Xixian always felt she was still young, even though having a child was in her life plan, she didn’t expect it to come so soon. She felt she was still a child herself! Could she really take care of both her and Ye Qiu’s child?

Furthermore, classmates and friends advised her to not immediately get pregnant after marriage, suggesting she work for a few years first to avoid losing touch with society.

But since the child was already on its way, there was no way she’d give it up. Even if she could bring herself to do it, she didn’t want to cause Ye Qiu sadness, knowing how much he longed for a child.

Besides, she wouldn’t encounter the difficulties they mentioned, right? After all, Ye Qiu loved her deeply, putting almost all the assets in her name. Raising a child could be learned gradually from now on. Anything unknown could be asked of her parents. What was there to worry about?