A Couple's Rebirth to 1977 Before Marriage

Leaning back against the bed, Professor Xiao took off his glasses and said to Professor Fan beside him, "What did you think about what that girl said this afternoon?"

"What is there to think? I’m quite interested in what she said. If she wants to do it, let her," Professor Fan said softly, taking the glasses from Professor Xiao’s hand and placing them on the nightstand.

After a moment of thought, Professor Xiao said worriedly, "You and I both know it won’t make any money. That girl is still young. Her idea is good, but..."

"You still don’t get it. That girl knows what she’s doing! Forget her, even Jin Chen knows this won’t be profitable. But this is her dream! I don’t know the specifics of how much Jin Chen’s corporate group earns, but I can tell you, it’s one of the top-ranked in the country. Jin Chen is just spending money to make his girl happy!" Professor Fan said with a laugh.

Glancing at him, Professor Xiao said doubtfully, "That’s a significant amount of money. I know Jin Chen spoils her, but to this extent?"

"Old Xiao, haven’t you realized yet? If your student asked for the stars in the sky, I’m afraid Jin Chen would find a way to pluck them down for her, let alone just spend some money to make her happy! After all these years, you still haven’t seen it clearly!" Professor Fan said, shaking his head helplessly.

Over the years, Professor Fan had seen it all. When it came to spoiling Zhou Lian, if Li Jincheng claimed to be second, no one would dare claim first! He was the type who, if she asked for the stars, would never give her the moon instead. And this was just a matter of spending a little money!

After some thought, Professor Xiao realized it was true. He shook his head with a smile and said, "You’re right. It’s a good thing that girl is inherently good-natured. Anyone else would have been spoiled rotten by him long ago!"

"Alright, let’s sleep. We’re old now, and there’s not much we can do to help anymore. But since the girl has asked, we should do our best to help where we can," Professor Fan said softly. Zhou Lian and Li Xiu respected and treated him and his old partner like their own elders. Of course they understood.

Unaware that her professor and his partner were discussing her, Zhou Lian lay alone on the large bed, unable to sleep. It wasn’t her fault. After all these years, she had grown accustomed to sleeping in Li Xiu’s arms. This sudden loneliness was making it hard to fall asleep.

Since she couldn’t sleep, Zhou Lian sat up and leaned against the headboard, quietly lost in her thoughts. ’This year is almost over, and I’m already in my thirties. Back when I was first reborn, I never would have imagined my life with Li Xiu would turn out like this. I never thought that the simple-minded, hot-tempered, and foolishly filial Li Xiu from my past life would come this far. Did I hold back his development in our last life?’

She had never asked Li Xiu this question. But looking at his progress in this life, while there was no denying that he had the advantage of decades of extra memories, he absolutely could not have reached this point if he weren’t smart enough or cunning enough. ’So what was it in our last life that turned Li Xiu into such an ordinary, mediocre man?’

Comparing the Li Xiu of her past life with the Li Xiu of this one, Zhou Lian sometimes felt like she was dreaming. ’Is this really the same person? The difference is just too great! Even with a good mentor, it’s not like being reborn automatically makes you some invincible male protagonist! That kind of thing only happens in those cliché, over-the-top novels!’

’Does that mean the Li Xiu of my past life was also unparalleled in his intelligence and schemes, but he was just pretending back then? Or was he simply disheartened and disillusioned?’ Zhou Lian had never asked Li Xiu, so she had no idea what the situation really was.

’Thinking about it, Li Xiu is now a major player in his circle. If not quite calling all the shots, he’s at least a mover and shaker. How did he end up here?’ Zhou Lian shook her head with a wry, helpless smile. ’I remember this time last year, I sent Li Xiu and the two kids back to our hometown, hoping he would stop getting involved in the world of fame and fortune!’

’But in the end, he still couldn’t escape this thorny path. I think about Li Xiu... he most admires the free-spirited elegance of the Wei Jin period, yet he has drifted further and further away from it. "To abandon the classics and esteem Laozi and Zhuangzi; to scorn rites and revere unrestrained freedom"—Li Xiu is now moving further and further away from those two lines.’

But considering their current situation, Li Xiu couldn’t just walk away from it all. At this thought, Zhou Lian let out a long sigh. ’Oh, well. Life isn’t easy. After being entangled for two lifetimes, all I really want is to share in both joy and sorrow with Li Xiu.’

Meanwhile, Li Xiu, the subject of Zhou Lian’s thoughts, had already returned to his hometown. Looking at his daughter and son sleeping soundly on the kang, Li Xiu said softly to Grandma Li, "Grandma, are you sure you don’t want to come back to the Capital City with me?"

"Silly boy, you’re a grown man, still acting like a child. Grandma knows you’re a good son, but you also have to understand that it’s hard to leave one’s homeland. I’m already so old. If I go with you to the Capital City and something happens to me, what would you and Zhou Lian do?" Grandma Li said softly, smiling at Li Xiu in the dim light.

Li Xiu frowned slightly and said dismissively, "Grandma, you know Bao’er and I wouldn’t care about that!"

"I know, you and my granddaughter-in-law don’t care, but I do. Besides, your first uncle, third uncle, and your aunt are all here. I’m not going anywhere! You and your wife should just live your lives well. I have sons and a daughter, I can’t just abandon them to go to the Capital City with you. Don’t you worry, I haven’t been wronged in any way!" Looking at her grandson who was still acting a bit like a spoiled child, Grandma Li refused him, her heart full of joy.

In truth, Li Xiu knew his grandmother wouldn’t go to the Capital City with him, but he still wanted to try. He couldn’t help but wonder what he would do if she actually agreed.

"Grandma, I just don’t feel at ease with you living here all by yourself. What if something happens!" Li Xiu said, frustrated.

Grandma Li smiled contentedly and said lovingly, "Silly boy, who told you I live alone? I only sent Li Bo and the others home because I knew you’d be back around this time. Your first and third uncles and your aunt are all good children, you know that. The little ones come home from school every day and stay with me at night, worried something might happen to me and no one would be around to help in time."

"I know, First Uncle, Third Uncle, and Aunt are all very filial. But I’m still a little worried! We just want to do more to honor you," Li Xiu said to his grandmother, rubbing his nose.

She gently patted Li Xiu’s exposed arm and said softly, "Don’t worry. At my age, every day I get is a blessing. Silly boy, it’s enough for me that you and your wife live your lives well."

"Grandma, we’re doing very well, don’t worry. To be honest, I just miss you. Not being able to be by your side and care for you will be my and Bao’er’s biggest regret," Li Xiu said softly to his grandmother, shaking his head.

Hearing this, Grandma Li laughed, a wide, happy laugh. She looked lovingly at Li Xiu and said, "Let’s not even talk about other things. If I went with you to the Capital City, the gossip back home would drive your first and third uncles crazy!"

Sighing, Li Xiu said softly, "I knew it. You’re not coming to the Capital City because of that." But he knew these were all just his grandmother’s excuses. She simply couldn’t bear to leave his first and third uncles, and his aunt.