Little Sweetheart

Xia Guangyu and Peng Ling were both usually busy with work. Especially Xia Guangyu.

When their child was younger, the two would try their best to make time on weekends for the family to have dinner together.

As their son grew older, went to boarding school, university in another city, studied abroad… he became increasingly independent, came home less and less, and the lively atmosphere in their home also dwindled.

Sometimes, when the couple ate together, Peng Ling would inevitably sigh, "Ajun has been married for over two years now. When he has a child and brings them back home to play, the house will be so lively."

Xia Guangyu snorted coldly, "Don't mention him, that unfilial, rebellious son! I might as well not have a son at all!"

"Just keep pretending. Do you think your work can accompany you for the rest of your life? When you retire, others will be enjoying the happiness of grandchildren, and you'll just be a lonely, eccentric old man," Peng Ling said with a look of disdain.

Xia Guangyu didn't back down, "If you want to fawn over them, I won't stop you, but I won't."

"Are you waiting for them to fawn over you?" Peng Ling retorted sarcastically.

Xia Guangyu's beard bristled with anger, "If he's capable, he can pretend I don't exist. Let him do whatever he wants out there."

Peng Ling shook her head, too lazy to continue the argument.

Although Xia Guangyu was stubborn, as a mother, Peng Ling was ultimately softhearted. Unlike Xia Guangyu, who had been in a position of authority his whole life, demanding obedience and brooking no dissent.

After Xia Zhijun left, Peng Ling specifically arranged to meet with Gu Siyi.

Gu Siyi originally had a very good impression of Peng Ling, finding her very kind. Back in her first year of high school, before the early incident occurred, Auntie Peng had been very good to her. She had prepared a special room for her at their home, bought her gifts, taken her out on holidays, and even wanted to make her her goddaughter. People are sensitive and delicate, and she could feel that genuine affection from the bottom of Peng Ling's heart.

It was just that afterward… Gu Siyi always felt a little unable to let go of certain things.

Therefore, when Peng Ling took the initiative to ask her out, she readily agreed.

Neither of them informed Xia Zhijun.

The two met at a quiet cafe.

After exchanging polite greetings, Peng Ling got straight to the point, "I heard from Ajun that you're married. Have you already registered?"

Gu Siyi nodded, "Yes."

A hundred emotions churned within Peng Ling. Looking at Gu Siyi, she actually had nothing to be dissatisfied with. Such a sweet and lovely girl, someone she had watched grow up, and the daughter of an old friend…

Peng Ling said, "Back then, we thought you were young and didn't understand, mistaking infatuation for love. And you were dating at an inappropriate time, and we were afraid it would delay things that were more important in your lives at that moment. So at that time, I was indeed opposed."

"Yes, I understand," Gu Siyi said softly, "We were too rebellious… and caused Uncle and Auntie to worry."

"No, no," Peng Ling denied with a smile, "After all these years, I've come to understand. Ajun has never been a confused or impulsive person. He's so persistent about you, you must be someone he truly loves and absolutely has to marry."

"…" Hearing Peng Ling's tone, Gu Siyi sensed it wasn't one of blame. Her heart relaxed slightly.

Peng Ling then asked, "When do you plan to hold the wedding?"

Gu Siyi replied, "We agreed to prioritize our careers first, so we're not considering that for now."

Peng Ling nodded, "Alright, it's good for everyone to take a breather."

Peng Ling continued, "Ajun had a huge fight with his father when he came home, did you know?"

Gu Siyi shook her head, "He didn't mention it."

He didn't mention it, and she didn't ask, because she knew that if he didn't bring it up, it definitely wasn't good news.

"His father doesn't dislike you; on the contrary, he likes you very much, just like I do. It's just that at the time, neither of us considered you as a potential daughter-in-law. His father's planned life path for him was to marry someone from a comparable family background and have a stable career in government. Your appearance disrupted his plans," Peng Ling said, laughing self-deprecatingly, "Of course, that was his own self-righteous plan."

Gu Siyi smiled, not knowing what to say.

Peng Ling continued, "His father has seen Ajun's persistence over the years, and he doesn't have such a strong grip on his marriage anymore. But his career is his father's last stubborn point… Could you persuade Ajun to give up on starting his own business and work at the research institute? The career is stable, and the prospects are good."

Gu Siyi: "…"

"If you can make Ajun change his mind, his father will be overjoyed. He will also be much more accepting of you as his daughter-in-law."

After Peng Ling finished speaking, Gu Siyi slowly said, "Auntie, I'm sorry, but I'm really powerless in this regard. Ajun has his own ideals and aspirations. Perhaps this path isn't the best for him, but if he wants to walk it, I'll accompany him. I won't interfere with his life; I just want to be by his side."

Gu Siyi's tone was gentle and apologetic, her expression amiable, but her stance was firm, without a hint of compromise.

Peng Ling seemed to suddenly understand why her son was so enamored with her.

She also belatedly realized that trying to make Gu Siyi act as a mediator was a bit absurd. They, as husband and wife, should be united.

Peng Ling smiled with understanding, took out a prepared gift box, and said, "Anyway, since you're married, you're my daughter-in-law. This is my meeting gift for my daughter-in-law."

"Thank you, Auntie!" Gu Siyi beamed.

"Shouldn't you change how you address me?" Peng Ling asked with a smile.

"Thank you, Mom…" Gu Siyi was a little embarrassed. She now understood why Xia Zhijun was so shy when faced with his parents' teasing.

Peng Ling gave Gu Siyi a large red envelope, a set of gold jewelry, and a family heirloom jade bracelet.

Gu Siyi hadn't originally planned to tell Xia Zhijun that she had met his mother, but since the meeting atmosphere was so relaxed, and she had received such generous gifts and gained his mother's approval, she definitely had to tell him. Xia Zhijun wasn't rebellious by nature, and he especially didn't want Gu Siyi to be in an awkward and wronged position because of family conflicts. Since his mother had taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, he immediately reciprocated and called her to express his regards.

The next day, before Peng Ling left, Xia Zhijun arranged a meeting and, together with Gu Siyi, accompanied his mother for a meal. Afterward, he specifically arranged for someone to see her off.

After that, whenever Peng Ling was on vacation, she would make time to visit S City, see her son and daughter-in-law, have a meal together, and chat.

Xia Guangyu went from initial anger and irritation to gradually calming down, and later, whenever Peng Ling returned, he would even casually inquire about their situation.

"Building his own rockets? A joke. Where does he get the ability and confidence to compete with the national team?"

"It's a market supplement, filling the gap where national team rockets are hard to come by, meeting the needs of the currently booming small satellite market," Peng Ling explained, as she often communicated with them and had a certain understanding of what they were doing.

"You think I don't understand? Aerospace is a high-tech, high-investment, high-risk field! Out of all the countries in the world, only a few can independently launch satellites. He, a small private company, wants to reach for the sky? He'll learn his lesson when he fails! Then who will pay off his mountain of debt? The Gu family?"

"You're wrong about that. Ajun's company isn't the amateur operation you imagine. Ajun himself has a doctorate from MIT and interned at a research institute there. Most of his team members are former chief designers and commanders from national aerospace programs, as well as internationally renowned experts with rich experience."

"Easy to say. Just wait and see, it's not that easy! He's so naive and arrogant, he needs to learn a lesson!"

"Then let's wait and see."

Xia Guangyu maintained this view of impossible, reckless spending for two or three years.

Until Sijun Aerospace Technology's self-developed rocket launched—

Peng Ling was the first to send him pictures from the scene, followed by a barrage of news reports, which she sent to him one by one.

Peng Ling: "Old Xia, what did you say before?"

Xia Guangyu: "…??"

He carefully read through the reports, his expression complex.

Peng Ling: "Is your son naive and arrogant? Is he delusional?"

Xia Guangyu: "…" His face really hurt.

Peng Ling: "Siyi Star, successfully launched, it's in space!"

Xia Guangyu: "Alright, I can see for myself, you don't need to keep nagging me."

Peng Ling insisted on nagging, "Secretary Xia, your son walked his own path and did what he wanted to do. What do you have to say?"

Xia Guangyu's face darkened, "This is just the beginning. Don't get carried away. They still need to continue launching. It would be embarrassing if it crashes next time."

Peng Ling laughed, "I'm very confident."

After a while, the news spread, and Xia Zhijun's name, this new tech giant, was frequently mentioned.

Xia Guangyu was inevitably asked about it, especially when people wanted to flatter him, they would first praise his son's achievements for a few minutes.

He remained silent on the surface, but privately, he collected information on Sijun Aerospace, read countless articles on the subject, and gained a general understanding of the current situation. Later, when someone brought it up, he could also join in the conversation, and when faced with the praise of others, the pride on his face was unconcealable.

One day, Xia Guangyu was resting at home, flipping through an aerospace magazine.

When Peng Ling returned home, he immediately put the magazine on the side table and covered it with several books on top.

Then he pretended to be casually reading the newspaper.

During dinner, the two chatted.

Peng Ling said, "They've been married for three years and still haven't had a child. I think it's time for a baby."

Xia Guangyu said, "Have they had a wedding?"

Peng Ling said indifferently, "No. A wedding without the groom's parents would be too awkward for the newlyweds, so it's better not to have one at all."

"…" Xia Guangyu was speechless.

Peng Ling said, "Maybe the reason the young couple haven't had a child yet is because of this?"

Xia Guangyu: "It's time to have children."

Peng Ling: "Then you should at least express your stance and let them have their wedding, right?"

"By the way, I'm going over to have dinner with them tomorrow, are you going?"

"No," Xia Guangyu refused.

"Go. Everyone can talk face-to-face and have a good chat," Peng Ling urged. "It's one thing for you and your son to be stubborn with each other, but if you don't meet with your daughter-in-law, how awkward would that be for Siyi? You have to consider your daughter-in-law's feelings, right? Do you really not plan to acknowledge her?"

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