Chapter 551 - 445_1
"I’m not going to the Capital City, rest assured. Last time was an accident; I’ll be extra careful in the future and won’t be careless again. That scared me too. Besides, even if you take me with you to the Capital City this time, what about later, when you set out to sea for Southeast Asia? Are you going to be able to take me with you then?"
Lin Yue hadn’t dismissed the idea of accompanying Zhao Erhu to Nanyang, but with the children still young and the journeys lasting months, she couldn’t bear to leave them. Moreover, her career was in an ascending phase. There were many matters in the family business that the manager couldn’t decide on, needing her to call the shots. And if Zhao Erhu could successfully bring back the craftsmen capable of making colored glaze this time, she would have to immerse herself in her glass-making venture. She was too occupied for accompanying Zhao Erhu overseas.
Given the current circumstances, Lin Yue could only stay at home for the time being. Once the children grew up, and she could put family affairs aside, it would not be too late to follow Zhao Erhu in seafaring pursuits to Nanyang. After all, this business was meant to last for a long time, and there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. For now, taking care of her family and her career was the priority.
Zhao Erhu was rendered somewhat speechless by Lin Yue’s questions. He had been initially intrigued when he first heard her suggestion, but after brief consideration, he dismissed the thought. The conditions at sea were too harsh, and Zhao Erhu couldn’t bear to watch his wife suffer. Besides, her health wasn’t robust enough to endure such rigorous travel, risking her well-being.
With Nurse Xu taking care of her these past two years, and considering her age, Zhao Erhu also planned on having Lin Yue bear him a son. He had made up his mind when his uncle spoke heart-to-heart with him. Although their sons were obedient to their stepmother, having her own child was still essential ‒ blood ties guaranteed more reliable support and peace of mind. First, though, he needed to ensure her health improved. Only after the doctor’s reassurance that she could have children would he want her to bear his child.
Lin Yue hadn’t expected Zhao Erhu to think so far ahead, assuming that although he doted on her, he was still a man of his time and likely harbored reservations about his wife being too publicly visible, hence his silence.
"Why don’t you say anything? If you’re reluctant to bring me along, just forget it. I’ll go by myself when there’s a chance," Lin Yue said with a touch of annoyance, though she wasn’t truly angry inside. After all, Zhao Erhu had already treated her well enough. But if she didn’t seize the opportunity to properly educate him and change his old-fashioned views, how could she accompany him to sea in the future?
Zhao Erhu found the puffed cheeks of his annoyed little wife adorable; they made him want to pinch them, but he resisted and instead began to explain.