Zhu Yanyi felt that meeting Yan Aohan in this life was her good fortune. She did not want unnecessary reasons to make everyone unhappy.
"Happiness is created by ourselves. I think sometimes, expressing your feelings clearly is not bad. It helps us communicate better. Even if we don't have time to be together, we will miss each other. It also lets the other person know I will never betray our love."
Zhu Yanyi looked very serious. She was not joking. "Many families break up because they are too reserved. Being reserved is for outsiders, not for our own people."
Yan Aohan felt warm inside hearing Zhu Yanyi’s words. He knew she spoke boldly to make him feel safe. He smiled gently. "Ani is right. Being reserved is for strangers. We are family, so we don't need to be reserved."
Xie Zhong and her generation might not understand young people's love. But after hearing Zhu Yanyi, they agreed a little. Indeed, speaking out feelings can strengthen bonds.
"I think Ani is quite right," said Xie Yijun. Living in Shanghai, her work environment made her agree with Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan. "Family feelings can indeed be hurt by being too reserved."
Seeing Xie Zhong’s helpless look, Xie Yijun smiled. "Father, I mean it. I live in Shanghai and see many people. I find Chinese couples' love is not as strong as Western couples."
"Do you envy Westerners?" Xie Zhong asked grumpily. As a Chinese person, he disliked Westerners.
"Of course not," Xie Yijun hurriedly said. "I just think we can learn their way of showing love. I don't mean Chinese ways are bad. But if couples are too reserved, it hurts communication. This is true. Couples spend their whole lives together. This is different from friends. If they express love clearly, maybe they won't fight or hit each other like in some villages."
Xie Yijun was right. Eastern reserve often blocks emotional communication. This was not just talk; it was real.
Xie Zhong understood this too. As an Easterner, she valued reserve. But as Zhu Yanyi said, reserve for outsiders shows good manners. For family, it might block happiness. Different results came from misunderstanding reserve.
"Okay. I must say, young people's thoughts are hard for us old folks to understand," Xie Zhong said, ending the topic.
Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. She spoke only to Xie Yijun. "Uncle Yijun, are you free in mid-lunar March? Come to Beijing for my engagement with Aohan."
"I can't answer now. But tell me the exact date half a month before. If nothing big happens, I will definitely go," Xie Yijun said. He saw Yan Aohan was extraordinary. He wanted to develop his career in Beijing. As the capital, Beijing offered a bigger stage.
"Uncle Yijun is already famous in Shanghai. It is time to develop in Beijing," Yan Aohan said. He appreciated Xie Yijun.
Not just because Xie Yijun was Zhu Yanyi’s uncle, but her talent could succeed in Beijing.
Xie Yijun’s eyes lit up. "Young Master Yan thinks I can develop in Beijing? Is there a future there?"
"Uncle Yijun, don't call me Young Master Yan. Call me by my name. You are Ani’s uncle, so you are my uncle too," Yan Aohan smiled. "Beijing has broader prospects than Shanghai. Shanghai has advantages, like faster contact with Western culture. But Beijing is the capital. Chinese people should look toward Beijing."
Beijing was the capital. Many famous people lived there. Xie Yijun’s career had grown, but for better development, he should go to Beijing.
"I will consider it. If I go to Beijing, please take care of me, Aohan and Ani," Xie Yijun said directly.
"It should be," Zhu Yanyi smiled. This was indeed a small matter.
Xie Jingyu was smart too. From the conversation, he guessed Yan Aohan’s identity was not simple. He looked at Yan Aohan and asked, "Aohan, does Beijing develop very fast?"
What a god-tier topic! Zhu Yanyi was stunned. Xie Zhong’s face darkened. She knew her eldest son’s mind. She was targeting Yan Aohan.
Yan Aohan saw this too. He looked at Xie Jingyu, smiled, and said calmly, "Beijing is our capital. So, to some extent, it develops faster."
"Then there must be many talents in Beijing," Xie Jingyu continued.
Before Yan Aohan could speak, Zhu Yanyi spoke up. "Eldest Uncle, there is a saying in Beijing: You never know who you will meet next."
Zhu Yanyi did not want Xie Jingyu to continue. She added, "As rumors say in Beijing, you might meet a scavenger who turns out to be a bureau chief’s son. You buy a newspaper, and the seller might be a department head’s mother-in-law. So in Beijing, don’t stand out. Be careful. You never know if a brick might hit an important official. If a stranger enters Beijing, they might lose their life there."
Xie Jingyu was slightly stunned. He was tempted. If he went to Beijing, could he meet more officials?
His eyes moved. Xie Zhong knew what he was thinking. "You are doing well at the town veterinary station. Don’t think too much. It is hard to find an iron rice bowl now."
Everyone understood Xie Zhong’s meaning. He wanted Xie Jingyu to stay in Sicheng Town and not seek a future that did not belong to him.