Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

Xie Xiao now remembers how tender Xie Qingxiao's gaze was back then, as well as the deep love for his wife in his eyes that he couldn't understand as a child but now realizes in hindsight.

One a teacher, the other a doctor, one almost never having a moment of respite throughout the year.

The other, although only intermittently busy, truly had their work cut out for them when things got hectic.

Xie Xiao heard countless times as a child people saying, "Ah, Doctor Yang is just too busy, how can this be right?"

"Really, a woman should prioritize her family after all. Look at the child, how can they be neglected? That Doctor Xie is so young, and, well, quite handsome..."

"Once you are married and have children, you should put family first..."

Everyone thought that since Doctor Yang prioritized her work, her family must be in complete disarray.

But Xie Qingxiao didn't think so.

Whenever he had free time, he would seize the opportunity to see Yang Lan.

When Xie Xiao was young, his father would carry him on his back and take him along by bus.

Some would teasingly say, "Teacher Xie is truly worthy of being a teacher; you take care of the child better than your wife, don't you?"

He would smile and respond, "What else could be expected? Your wife must envy mine, right?"
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He never felt there was anything shameful about it.

Even when Xie Xiao was a bit older, in middle school, he realized that in most of his classmates' families, it indeed seemed to be the mothers who spent more time looking after the children.

Yet the one who was always by his side since he was little was primarily Xie Qingxiao.

This wasn't to say that Doctor Yang wasn't present, but her free time was never her own.

Oftentimes, a sudden phone call, and she would be gone.

By middle school, Xie Xiao had become sensible, a young teen curious enough to ask his father, "Dad, don't you think it's bad that Mom is like this?"

The smile on Xie Qingxiao's face grew serious, and he looked at Xie Xiao earnestly, saying, "Don't listen to others talking nonsense. Your mother is a great person. Don't you ever start thinking that your mother is not good, do you understand? Your mother is a very great person..."

"Xie Xiao, everyone calls me 'Teacher Xie' and thinks I'm impressive because I teach and educate, but your mother is a doctor who saves lives and aids the injured. I teach one person, but she could save an entire family..."

Xie Xiao was raised by Xie Qingxiao, and his personality resembled his.

Gentle, non-confrontational, seemingly unflustered by anything he faced.

The influence of his family had long since shaped Xie Xiao's character.

Including his respect for his partner.

Now, as he looked at the fine lines at the corners of his father's eyes, he spoke softly to Luo Yanran about his childhood.

He thought that those aunties were wrong; his mother was an impressive person, and so was his father.

It wasn't just women who needed to prioritize their family.

And as their son, he hadn't embarrassed them. He had grown up healthy, with a decent future ahead, without rebellion, and he had not gone astray.

He had also not lacked for any parental love.

His mother loved him and his father too. He knew it, and so did his father.

After dinner, Xie Qingxiao didn't insist on going back with them.

Saying that since the two of them had no luggage, they might as well just take a cab home themselves, and he leisurely drove off to play chess.

"I'll be picking up your mom tonight actually. Are you two having dinner with Xiao Yu, right?" Xie Qingxiao said in the car, "I'll take the opportunity to set up a meeting with her."

There was a proud look on his face.

Xie Xiao gave a wry smile, "Okay, Dad, goodbye."

Eventually, Xie Qingxiao drove away.

The car Xie Xiao had ordered was still three minutes away.

Luo Yanran asked curiously, "I've always wondered, do Uncle and Auntie never fight?"

Xie Xiao thought that was certainly not the case; they had just had a fight not long ago.

"How could they not fight? Of course they fight, but it's indeed not frequent," Xie Xiao recalled, his parents' fights were few and far between, and somehow, they always seemed to be related to him.

"They both are quite emotionally stable people. They just occasionally have arguments, and it might have something to do with me," Xie Xiao said with a laugh, "My mom spoils me a bit unconditionally..."

This was also because Yang Lan felt deep down that she hadn't spent enough time with Xie Xiao as a mother, which led to feelings of guilt.

"So, usually, what happens?" Luo Yanran looked at him eagerly, curious about how they made up.

She simply couldn't imagine what it was like for Teacher Xie and Doctor Yang to argue.

In her family, it was always her mom who unilaterally gave her dad the silent treatment.

And then her dad would go and coax her...

Xie Xiao sighed, "They usually make up the next day. They both calm down, self-reflect, and then criticize each other a bit, but they don't do silent treatments or hysterics."

Xie Xiao found it amusing to picture the couple sitting face-to-face, admitting their own faults, and then those of the other.

"If my mom loses control and starts crying, my dad immediately apologizes!" Xie Xiao said, laughing, "My dad says any man who tries to flaunt his authority or show off in front of his wife and kid isn't a real man. A man should be soft towards his family; otherwise, what's the point of being family?"

Luo Yanran looked at the boy in front of her; he must have always been brilliant, a child raised in such a familial education.

Even Luo Yanran was envious.

The Xie family members were all spiritually wealthy people.

"But my mom also has a great temperament. She's not the type to make trouble without reason. Even though she's very decisive at the hospital, she often coaxes my dad and can be quite affectionate. She even pulls me into it, every time managing to cheer my dad up. She doesn't carry that attitude of always needing the man to apologize if there's a fight; if she thinks she's wrong, she apologizes quickly and is also very soothing..."

When Xie Xiao spoke about his family, his eyes and expression softened, "They never fight in front of me, but they include me when they reflect and promise not to make the same mistakes again in the future."

"Everyone says I have a mild character, but that's all due to my parents' influence."

"I am the product of their love. They both love me very much, and I've known this from a young age."

Xie Xiao squeezed the small hand in his tightly, his voice soft, "In the future, our children will be like this too, and we'll be very happy."

He turned his face to look at Luo Yanran, who was staring straight at him, "Ranran, I will be a good husband, a good father; I will love both you and our baby."

At that moment, Luo Yanran's desire to have a child with Xie Xiao reached its peak.

She wanted a child as gentle as Xie Xiao, be it a boy or a girl; it would surely be a very well-behaved and beautiful baby.

She curved her lips, "Xie Xiao, do you want kids?"

But unexpectedly, Xie Xiao gently shook his head, "Not now, I just want to love you properly. I can't divide my love for a child just yet."

"I'm only mentioning this today because it came up," Xie Xiao leaned over to kiss her gently by the roadside, his eyes brimming with a smile, "By the way, my wife, you have great taste. I am a good man, you know."