Chapter 326 - 324: Ping’an’s Return Journey
"Shengnan, this pregnancy brain is the real deal, isn’t it!" Ping’an said to his silly wife, covering his face, unable to bear looking at her.
Seeing Liu Shengnan stunned into silence by Ping’an’s words, Zhou Lian, Ping Jing, and the Eldest Young Madam all burst out laughing. ’They really are a pair, one sillier than the next!’
Raising an eyebrow, Li Xiu looked on in confusion at the three laughing people, Ping’an with his face in his hands, and the stunned Liu Shengnan. He shot a questioning glance at Zhou Lian, who gave him a look that clearly meant, ’I’ll tell you later.’
Understanding Zhou Lian’s signal, Li Xiu knew it wasn’t anything important and said to everyone in the room, "It’s getting late. Everything is arranged. Ping’an, let’s go."
The group went outside the small villa and saw a car parked in front, with two people already inside. The captain of the security detail in the courtyard spoke up, "Sir, everything is packed and ready. Have the Young Master get in."
"Yes. I’ve told you everything you need to know, and you just said goodbye to your grandmother. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone take good care of her. As long as you protect the Young Master, you’ll have rendered a great service," Li Xiu said, his expression as serious and earnest as the man before him.
"Don’t worry, Sir!"
After nodding at the captain, Li Xiu turned back to Ping’an and said, "Bao’er had Sister Fang pack you a bag with some food, drinks, and fruit for the road. Go on, get in the car."
Ping’an hugged Liu Shengnan and said gently, "You take good care of yourself. Listen to Eldest Young Madam and Sister. I’ll try to find time to come back next year."
"Just focus on what you have to do. I’ll be in the Capital City with Sister and Eldest Young Madam protecting me. I’ll be fine, so don’t worry!" Liu Shengnan said, her eyes red as she looked at Ping’an, her voice choked with emotion. She didn’t want him to leave, but she also knew this wasn’t the time to be sentimental.
Ping’an nodded vigorously. He hugged Eldest Young Madam and Zhou Lian one by one, took a step back, and gave them a deep bow. Without a word, he ducked into the car. After settling in, he looked back to meet the gazes of Ping Jing and Li Xiu, nodded gently, and then closed the car door.
Everyone present knew that bow was for Eldest Young Madam and Zhou Lian, a silent plea for them to look after the pregnant Liu Shengnan. As the car slowly pulled away, Zhou Lian and Eldest Young Madam flanked Liu Shengnan, supporting her as they walked back inside.
"Sad to see him go?" Zhou Lian asked with a gentle smile, patting Liu Shengnan’s hand.
With a bashful smile, Liu Shengnan said softly, "Mhm, Sister, to be honest, I am. But I know this isn’t the time to be sentimental. Everyone has given so much for the sake of the future. Besides, I’m here with you and Eldest Young Madam looking after me. My situation compared to Ping’an’s... well, it’s like heaven and earth!"
"It’s good that you can think that way. We just need to get through these next two years safely," the Eldest Young Madam said with a relieved smile, looking at the sensible and mature Liu Shengnan.
"Jin Chen, the women in our family are no less capable than the men. There’s no need to keep them in the dark. Tell us what we need to do from here on out," Ping Jing said quietly to Li Xiu after a glance at the Eldest Young Madam. ’Since Ping’an trusts him this much, I, his big brother, will take this gamble right alongside him.’
Li Xiu smiled and said unhurriedly, "Alright. There’s nothing particularly special to do. The previous affair with the Sun Family was a messy business that dragged in a lot of other families; we just need to keep an eye on that. Regarding the Eldest Miss, Eldest Young Madam, you should have a proper talk with your mother-in-law. Sometimes, letting go is another form of protection. As for what’s happening in the garden, besides Elder Ping and his wife, no third person from the Ping Family can know."
"Also, doctors for our sister-in-law have all been arranged, so rest assured. As for everything else, it’s all under control and proceeding according to plan. It’s just that, Big Brother, some things going forward might need to be done in your name."
Nodding, Ping Jing said quietly, "I understand what you’re saying. Our sister-in-law already told me why. We’ll do whatever it takes to get the best outcome. My title as the Eldest Young Master of the Ping Family... if it’s still good for something after all these years, then let’s put it to good use."
"Right. We just need to endure these next two years. But with you working with me now, Big Brother, it’ll be a lot less pressure on me. Eldest Young Madam, I’m leaving our sister-in-law to you and Bao’er. Around the New Year, Big Brother and I might not be able to look after things at home, so we’ll have to rely on you," Li Xiu said thoughtfully. ’As long as we weather next year’s storm, Ping Jing will get the hang of it, and things really will be much easier for me.’
Zhou Lian, too, thought of the turmoil predicted for next year. She pressed her lips together and said, "Don’t worry. You and Big Brother just go do what you need to do. Eldest Young Madam and I are here to handle things at home."
After the five of them had discussed things in detail a bit longer, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian headed back to their own courtyard. Gazing at the clear, moonlit sky, Li Xiu let out a soft sigh. "Bao’er, I’m going to have to trouble you for a while. I’m afraid I won’t be able to pay attention to matters at home or at the company."
"It’s nothing. The two children have Teacher Xiao and the professor looking after them, so it’s not like I can help much there. Sister Fang is at home, so I’m not needed for that, either. That just leaves the company, and I’ve gotten the hang of things over the past few years. It won’t be too tiring, so don’t worry, Jin Chen," Zhou Lian said gently, patting the hand Li Xiu had wrapped around her waist.
’She understood the significance of Ping’an’s return. She had expected him to come back, but no one thought he would dare to just show up like this. Zhou Lian shook her head. The boy was loyal and deeply valued his relationships. Her and Li Xiu’s faith in him had not been in vain.’
’It was just that some of the scenarios she and Li Xiu had originally envisioned would have to be revised. With Ping Jing letting go of his suspicions, Li Xiu couldn’t possibly withdraw now. If Li Xiu wanted to avoid being completely exhausted, he would have to gradually place Ping Jing onto the chessboard, making him both a chess piece and a player.’
"Bao’er, we need to properly thank Teacher Xiao and the Professor. Bao’er, next year the situation will be turbulent. Teacher Xiao will have retired right around that time, but what about the Professor? Will he get dragged into it? With his righteous character, I’m afraid he won’t be able to turn a blind eye," Li Xiu said, his voice laced with worry. ’Professor Fan is sharp and knows how the world works, but he is fiercely protective of his students. I’m afraid he’ll try to intervene when the time comes.’
Nodding, Zhou Lian sighed. "I did overlook that issue. The Professor... I really don’t know what to say about him sometimes. Just one year. If it were one year later... he’d be retiring the year after next anyway!"
"Bao’er, do you think it’s possible for the Professor to take medical retirement?" Li Xiu asked with some hesitation after a moment’s thought. ’It’s the only way to ensure he isn’t implicated.’
Zhou Lian’s eyes lit up, and the corners of her lips curved into a slight smile. "That’s right, he could take medical retirement! Don’t worry, I have a way to get the Professor to agree. But what about Li Guo and Li Cui? They’ll be sophomores then, and that year group is a major force!"
"Don’t worry. When the time comes, the two of them, along with you, will take a leave of absence. Just say a close family member is gravely ill and you have to return home to care for them. That kind of leave is easy to get. As for Huaitai, we’ll have someone keep an eye on him, so he shouldn’t get caught up in it. Yizhen is even less of a concern. Rest assured, I’ll make arrangements for everyone in the family."
"Yes. Once we get through these next two years, everything will be fine."