Cold on the outside but warm on the inside

The conversation between the two elders revolved around Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan. Both of their families were waiting for them to get married and hold their wedding ceremony. Once this matter was settled, it could be said that their concerns were relieved.

Especially today, Shen Ruxin brought Coco over. The little girl is so well-behaved, cute and sensible that she is very likable. Especially Cheng's mother, Cheng's mother and Xin's mother have somewhat different moods. The Cheng family is more eager to have a grandson than the Xin family.

Xin Gan has just graduated not long ago and is still relatively young, so she can take her time.

Shen Ruxin had not yet told Xin's mother that Xin Gan had already booked a flight back for the evening, especially since Mrs. Cheng was still here at this moment.

Mother Cheng was very fond of Coco and brought her a gift. Just by looking at the packaging, it seemed quite expensive. Mother Xin, upon seeing it, immediately stopped her, saying, "This gift is too expensive. Coco is still a child. We can't accept it."

Mother Cheng said, "It's not valuable. Really not valuable. Just a small gift."

This is not appropriate. Such a young child, I can't accept your gift for free. Mother Xin doesn't like to owe others favors, especially Mother Cheng. She feels very embarrassed to accept gifts for no reason.

Shen Ruxin also noticed this and hurriedly returned the gift, saying, "Mrs. Cheng, you are too kind. This gift is too valuable. We really can't accept it."

After making excuses again and again, Mother Cheng smiled gently and said, "We'll be a family soon. There's no need to be so polite to me. A family doesn't care about this. Besides, this gift is really not worth mentioning. It's just my little token of appreciation."

If she refused any longer, it would be a waste of face for Mother Cheng. Shen Ruxin glanced at Mother Xin and said, "That would be too embarrassing."

You're welcome. I really like Coco too. When Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan have children in the future, Coco will also have younger siblings. In the future, Coco still needs to take better care of her younger siblings.

Since they had come to this point, Shen Ruxin no longer made excuses. She picked up Coco and said, "Coco, Grandma Cheng has given you a gift. What do you want to say?"

Coco was very smart and sweetly called out, "Thank you, Grandma Cheng."

Mother Cheng let out a sigh, smiled kindly and waved to Coco, "Come here, Coco. Let Grandma Cheng give you a hug."

Coco waded towards Cheng's mother, fearing that her shoes would dirty her clothes. Coco didn't dare to move and let Cheng's mother hold her in her arms. Cheng's mother sized her up for a while and said, "Coco, tell Grandma Cheng what kind of cake you like to eat, and Grandma Cheng will buy it for you."

Mother Xin and Shen Ruxin were laughing impatiently by the side. Shen Ruxin was afraid that Coco would get carried away with someone backing her up and reminded her, "Coco, tell Grandma Cheng what you like to eat, but don't go too far. There should be a limit."

Mother Xin was drinking tea, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. With children around, the chatting atmosphere became extremely relaxed.

At home, Song Chen doted on Coco very much. Whatever Coco wanted, Song Chen would give it to her. Shen Ruxin was just afraid that Coco would be spoiled at home, not knowing how deep it was, and even smarter than she thought. She was also afraid that Coco would come up with some mischievous ideas and cause trouble for Lady Cheng.

At this moment, Cheng's mother truly liked Keke. Seeing Keke so cute and sensible, she couldn't help but talk about Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan. After thinking for a while, she said to Xin's mother, "Actually, I'm still a little worried about them now."

Mother Xin put down her teacup, let out a soft sigh and said, "When it comes to their matter, I'm also a little worried. After all, times have changed. Nowadays, young people have to make their own decisions about marriage."

Of course, apart from families that have reached a certain height having business alliances, even if two people have no feelings for each other, it is also common for them to marry another person of equal social status due to the family business.

But the Cheng family had no need for it at all. Besides, Cheng Jiu's marriage had long been approved by the old man Cheng. Unless the old man gave in, Cheng Jiu couldn't marry anyone else.

Mother Cheng said, "Xin Gan is a good child, intellectual and sensible. She has just graduated. My main concern is that Cheng Jiu is not good enough for her."

Coco didn't understand the adults' topic and was completely confused. But she could tell that they were talking about Aunt Xin Gan. Because Xin Gan was mentioned several times, she struggled to get off her mother Cheng's body and threw herself onto Shen Ruxin's leg, holding her leg and saying, "Mom, Coco wants to pee."

Shen Ruxin then carried Coco to the bathroom, leaving Cheng's mother and Xin's mother to speak freely.

Cheng's mother's statement that Cheng Jiu was not good enough for Xin Gan was a humble one. She was indeed worried, and also worried that Xin Gan would think that Cheng Jiu was so much older than her. Xin Gan was too young to endure, because Cheng Jiu had no intention of returning to Yongcheng in the past few years. He still had to keep enduring to gain experience and pave the way for his future return to Yongcheng.

Thirty is really nothing in his profession.

It always depends on the long-term development in the future.

So for Xin Gan and Cheng Jiu to get married, it will take several years before they have a chance to make it.

Mother Xin had a bit of an understanding. She nodded, touched the cup and said, "I understand all that you said. Actually, if it weren't for this long-arranged marriage, Father Xin Gan and I wouldn't have intended to get involved in her affairs, especially in terms of emotions."

I understand that Xin Gan studied abroad and received education from abroad. His thinking must be different from ours. This is what a child marriage? It's a marriage arranged by the older generation. Actually, I also think it's quite absurd. But it was arranged by the old man, so I can't say anything.

Seeing that Mother Xin was drinking tea without saying a word, Mother Cheng continued, "At this point, we can only accept it and do our best to handle our own affairs." Besides, I also like Xin Gan very much. It's a blessing for our family that Cheng Jiu married her. So I also want to ask you about Xin Gan's thoughts. If she has any opinions about this marriage, please help and guide her. There's still a long way to go. Besides, the two of them are neither married nor married. If they can truly bring each other together, it's also a good match.

Mother Xin nodded and thought it made sense. So she said, "Alright, I understand. I'll talk to Xin Gan when I get back."

When Shen Ruxin brought Coco back, Cheng's mother received a call from home saying she was leaving. Cheng's mother said sorry several times in a row and made an appointment with Xin's mother to talk again next time. Xin's mother agreed and made another appointment with her. Only then did Cheng's mother feel relieved and leave.

After Mother Cheng left, Shen Ruxin said, "Auntie, what did Lady Cheng tell you?"

Mother Xin sat back on her chair and said, "It's still the marriage of Cheng Jiu and Xin Gan."

"Huh?"

Mother Xin said, "Lady Cheng said she was afraid that Cheng Jiu wouldn't be good enough for our Xin Xin. From what I mean by this, I feel that she's not actually thinking she's not good enough, but rather worried that Xin Xin is young and likely to get into trouble?"

Shen Ruxin was stunned for a moment and said, "What's the reasoning behind this?" Because Xin Xin has been studying abroad since childhood?

Perhaps so.

"What era is it? Xin Xin is not that kind of person. Besides, Xin Xin has never had a boyfriend in all these years. This Lady Cheng is a bit funny."

Shen Ruxin and her mother Xin are family. There are some things that can be said directly, and since her mother Cheng is not here, she is not afraid to speak out.

Mother Xin said, "By the way, how is Xin Xin doing in Beiyu?" Did I tell you?

Shen Ruxin subconsciously scratched her ears. Coco was opening the gift given by Cheng's mother at the moment. She said, "Auntie, I have something to tell you the truth."

Mother Xin still didn't know what was going on and asked her, "What's the matter?"

Xin Xin will be back on the flight tonight.

Mother Xin almost stood up and exclaimed in surprise, "Why did you come back all of a sudden? When did you decide? Why didn't you tell us?" None of us knows!

Auntie, don't worry. Listen to me. Xin Xin is not adapting to the new environment over there. She has skin allergies and can't sleep well. She often gets sick. During the few times I called her, she either had a cough or a cold. I felt sorry for her and asked her to come back first. There's no need to rush to build up feelings in this moment. Besides, Xin Xin has already met Cheng Jiu. Let's talk about the rest when Cheng Jiu comes back. Even if we're going to get married, we should take care of Xin Xin's health first. What do you think?

As soon as Xin Mu heard that Xin Gan was ill, she was worried and asked, "How could it be so serious?"

Auntie, don't you know? Let me tell you the truth. Xin Xin has always been in poor health. Especially in such a harsh place as Beiyu, which is also a plateau, she can't adapt.

After all, she was her own daughter. Mother Xin said, "This is fine. It's also good to come back. Besides, she has been there for some time. It's about time."

When Shen Ruxin heard this, she took a long breath and said, "I think so too."

Then what time is her flight tonight? I'll go and pick her up.

"Auntie, don't worry about it. Song Chen and I'll go pick her up."

"All right then." Mother Xin asked again, "Then Cheng Jiu should know, right?"

It should be known. Shen Ruxin herself wasn't sure because she knew the situations of Xin Gan and Cheng Jiu.

Coco heard Xin Gan coming back and shouted loudly, "Auntie is coming back?"

Yes. Is Coco happy?

Coco nodded vigorously.

Mother Xin was a mixture of joy and worry, her face full of sorrow. On one hand, she was concerned about Xin Gan's health; on the other hand, she felt she owed him a lot, thinking that everything would be fine once she returned to the country. However, she ended up marrying the Cheng family.

...

Xin Gan's sore throat has worsened again. I have no idea where I caught a cold from the wind.

She was very unaccustomed to the environment on Beiyu Island. It was cold one moment and hot the next. Moreover, she had been here for less than two months and had experienced many dangers before and after. Especially the last time she was attacked with a gun halfway in the dead of night, it was the first time she felt that death was so close.

Cheng Jiu had long been accustomed to this kind of life. He had even said that if he died in the line of duty one day and they got married, what would happen to her?

She didn't know. She never thought about it because she never intended to be with him from the very beginning.

Even so, she didn't want anything to happen to him.

Putting aside the matter of emotions, Xin Gan actually remained very calm. She wasn't that averse to Cheng Jiu either. As long as he agreed to break off the marriage, they could still be friends. If they couldn't be friends, they could be strangers as well.

But Cheng Jiu didn't think so.

So Xin Gan was a little upset.

Because of Cheng Jiu's inconsistent attitudes and statements.

But all of this can be discussed when she returns to Yongcheng.

By four o 'clock in the afternoon, Xin Gan was ready to set off for the airport. Cheng Jiu had called ten minutes ago and would come to see her off at the airport, but she had to wait for him a little longer because his car had just been repaired and he needed to go and pick it up.

He had already rushed this way, and Xin Gan couldn't refuse any longer. If they broke off relations, it wouldn't be good for either of them.

She really wants to settle this matter peacefully and not let it go to the point of falling out.

The landlady saw her carrying a suitcase downstairs and took the initiative to go up and chat for a while. She asked about the situation. Just then, Cheng Jiu arrived. The landlady said, "I'll just tell Captain Cheng about this."

Because the rent was paid by Cheng Jiu.

The salary he earns from his job is actually not high. With various subsidies included, although the amount is still acceptable, it is actually not much. Xin Gan didn't want to live and eat for free either. She roughly calculated the accommodation fee for this period of time and wanted to return some to Cheng Jiu, but thinking that he definitely wouldn't take it, she decided to repay him in other ways.

She doesn't want to owe him a favor; otherwise, she always feels guilty.

Cheng Jiu had finished handling it and came over to help her carry the box. Xin Gan wanted to do it himself, but he didn't give him a chance and just carried it onto the vehicle.

Xin Gan thus felt even more guilty.

Although it emerged from nowhere.

After getting into the car, Cheng Jiu was driving. He didn't need to use the navigation and knew the way, but Xin Gan didn't. Subconsciously, she wanted to use the navigation on her phone. When she opened the app, there was a prompt sound saying "Welcome to use xx Map Navigation". She was startled and immediately looked up at the driver's seat. She found that Cheng Jiu wasn't looking at her, but she became even more flustered.

The car drove smoothly towards the airport all the way.

Just as Xin Gan was lost in thought, Cheng Jiu suddenly said, "Are you afraid that I'll take a long detour and make you miss the plane?"

"..." Xin Gan pursed her lips and said, "No."

"I'm not that petty, so sweet." "

"..."

Xin Gan wanted to go crazy. She didn't mean that, but no matter how much she explained, it was in vain. So she simply turned off the navigation and comforted herself, saying that she wouldn't disbelieve him.

Around four or five in the afternoon, the sky was still bright and showed no sign of getting dark. Xin Gan gazed out of the car window at the blue sky and white clouds, as well as the boundless skyline. She was really about to leave. She really couldn't get enough of such a beautiful sky, except that it was a bit cold at night and she wasn't used to it. Everything else was fine.

Cheng Jiu lit a cigarette and was smoking. The smell of smoke filled the carriage. As soon as Xin Gan smelled the smoke, she immediately started coughing. Her throat felt very uncomfortable. After coughing for a while, Cheng Jiu put out the cigarette and threw it away.

It took Xin Gan a while to recover before he felt a little better.

Cheng Jiu raised his eyes and saw Xin Gan's face in the rearview mirror flushed, an unnatural red, looking very listless. He said, "Are you so weak?"

Xin Gan heard the voice and hummed, "What?"

Don't you exercise usually?

Xin Gan: "Is walking considered exercise?"

Cheng Jiu curled his lips and smiled, "You might as well not say anything."

It was you who asked me.

Then what do you think? Walk slowly or fast?

Xin Gan coughed again, covering her mouth, and tears streamed down her face.

Cheng Jiu immediately handed her a bottle of mineral water and said, "Don't come to the plateau area easily in the future. If you want to come, make sure you are in good health before coming."

Xin Gan asked him again, "I came here because of you."

"Oh, do you want to break off the engagement with me?"

It is inevitable to bring up this topic again.

Xin Gan didn't deny it either: "Um."

Cheng Jiu let out a deep breath in his throat and said, "This is not something I can just say to terminate. I also told my family before, and they said it was an agreement made between my grandpa and your grandpa. No matter what the reason is, it can't be terminated."

Why?

You can go home and ask your grandpa.

Can't you say?

I say, will you believe it? Cheng Jiu's expression was not very friendly. "You were also worried just now, so you turned on the navigation."

Xin Gan opened his mouth to explain, but in the end, he couldn't say anything.

Forget it. Anyway, she's leaving too.

Cheng Jiu was also in a bad mood. Especially when she didn't explain and was determined to leave, it seemed as if he had abused her. In fact, he had done nothing. But indeed, she wasn't safe here either. He couldn't take care of her all the time. There had been a lot of things to do recently, and it wasn't safe for her to stay here. Her return to Yongcheng would guarantee her safety.

Thinking like this, Cheng Jiu was not happy in his heart. He was not bad-looking, with a good figure and a good face. Why did Xin Gan just look down on him?

Could it be that I really like He Cheng's kind?

Thinking of He Cheng, Cheng Jiu recalled that Xin Gan would call his name even in her dreams when she was asleep. So, what on earth was the connection? The more Cheng Jiu thought about it, the darker and darker his face became. When he had no expression on his face, he was very serious. The people below were also afraid that he would not smile at all.

Xin Gan was also afraid. How could she not be? She had never come into contact with such a man, so she couldn't figure out what he really meant.

She simply shut up and said no more.