Entertainment from Divorce

The night of the sixth day of the first lunar month was like a soft, dark silk ribbon, gently covering the villa area of ​​Ruishan Community.

In Tan Yue's dining room, the warm yellow chandelier illuminated the dining table, and the food on the table was still steaming.

Slices of braised pork hock from the north are arranged on a white porcelain plate, while steamed sea bass from the south gleams with a glossy sheen. In the center sits a bowl of steaming pork rib soup, garnished with a few sprigs of bright green scallions. This is the last dinner for the two families to enjoy together during the Spring Festival.

Tan Yue sat in the main seat, with Chen Ziyu on his left and his father Tan Zhaohe on his right.

Li Yulan and Chen's mother sat side by side, while An Nuan sat opposite them with Tan Xin. The family sat together, their chopsticks occasionally clinking against the porcelain plate, making a crisp sound, but it didn't sound noisy at all. Instead, it conveyed a gentle feeling of parting before their separation.

"You're leaving tomorrow, so eat more today and take the taste of Beijing back with you." Chen Ziyu put a piece of sea bass on his mother's plate. The fish was tender, with few bones and delicate flesh. "I bought this fish at the seafood market yesterday. It's very fresh. Please try it."

Mother Chen took the fish, put it in her mouth and savored it carefully. She nodded with a smile, "It's delicious. It's even sweeter than the fish from Hangzhou. This trip to Beijing has not only been fun, but I've also eaten a lot of delicious food. I'm afraid I'll gain several pounds when I get back."

Li Yulan smiled and said, "That's right. Ziyu's mother's osmanthus cake is sweet but not greasy. I tried to learn from An Nuan several times, but I still couldn't get the timing right. When I get back, I'll think about it some more and try to make sure you can taste my osmanthus cake next time you come to Jishui."

An Nuan quickly waved her hand: "Auntie, you've done very well. It's just that I'm clumsy and haven't learned it yet. This time, I came to Beijing with you and Uncle, and not only did we visit the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, but I also learned a lot of cooking skills. I can cook more delicious food for Tan Xin when we get back."

With her mouth full of ribs, Tan Xin mumbled, "An Nuan's mom's cooking is the best! I also drew a lot of pictures during this trip to Beijing. I'm going to show them to my classmates when I get back and tell them how beautiful the Forbidden City is!"

The whole family laughed as they listened to Tan Xin's words.

Tan Zhaohe took a sip of wine, put down his glass, looked at Tan Yue and said, "Seeing how well you and Ziyu are doing in Beijing this time, and how well the company is doing, puts our minds at ease. You'll be starting your training class the day after tomorrow, so no matter how busy you are, please take care of your health and don't stay up too late."

Tan Yue nodded and poured some wine for his father: "Dad, don't worry, I'll be careful. The company's plan for this year is almost complete. Next, we'll mainly focus on pushing forward a few new projects. With Engineer Wu and the others helping out, I can relax a lot."

Chen Ziyu added, "Yes, Dad, Tan Yue is more aware of the importance of balancing work and rest now, and he won't work as hard as before. After you two go back, please take good care of yourselves. When the weather gets warmer, go out for walks more often and don't stay cooped up at home all the time."

Looking at Chen Ziyu, Chen's mother said with relief in her eyes, "Ziyu, you too, don't always worry about the company, take better care of yourself. I stayed a few more days this time, and seeing how well you and Tan Yue get along, I feel relieved."

As we chatted, the topic gradually shifted to recent everyday matters.

Li Yulan talked about her neighbors back in Jishui, Chen's mother chatted about the new dishes at Chen's Catering, An Nuan shared interesting stories from school, and Tan Xin excitedly planned the painting competition after the start of the new semester.

Laughter filled the restaurant, and the warm atmosphere was like a bowl of hot soup, soothing everyone's hearts.

Before we knew it, the night had deepened and the food on the table had gradually cooled down.

Li Yulan glanced at the time and said with a smile, "It's almost ten o'clock. We were so engrossed in our conversation that we forgot the time. We have to get up early to catch the train tomorrow, so we should get some rest."

Chen's mother nodded, but then suddenly remembered something. Looking at Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu, she said gently, "By the way, there's something your mother and I would like to talk to you about. You're both in your thirties now. What are your plans regarding having children?"

Li Yulan chimed in, "Yes, we're not pressuring you, we just want to know your thoughts. If you want to have children soon, we can come and help take care of them; if you want to wait, we support that too, after all, young people are under a lot of pressure these days."

Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu exchanged a glance.

Chen Ziyu looked at her two mothers and spoke first: "Mom, we've also considered this. There are indeed a lot of things going on at the company right now, but we plan to put this on the agenda this year. Once we finish the projects in the first half of the year, we'll prepare properly."

Tan Yue added, "Yes, we also think it's time. But the exact timing depends on the situation, and we may need your help then."

Chen's mother and Li Yulan both laughed when they heard this.

Chen's mother patted Chen Ziyu's hand: "It's no trouble at all. We're more than happy to help you take care of the child. Don't feel pressured, just let things take their course. We respect your wishes."

Li Yulan also said, "That's right, you can have it whenever you want, we support you. As long as you are doing well, we are at ease."

After chatting for a few more minutes, the family members went back to their rooms to rest.

After washing up, Chen Ziyu sat in front of the dressing table, looked at herself in the mirror, and suddenly fell into deep thought.

Both she and Tan Yue are in their thirties and have been busy with their respective careers.

She was busy expanding Brilliant Entertainment's business, while Tan Yue focused on film creation. Before they knew it, they had reached the age where they should be thinking about having children.

She recalled what her mother and Aunt Li had just said, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

Over the years, she has always considered herself a strong woman and was used to being able to handle things independently in the company, but she rarely took the time to think about her family and children.

But as she grew older and saw her friends having children one after another, and seeing Tan Xin's innocent and carefree nature, she gradually developed the idea of ​​wanting a child herself.

"What are you thinking about?" Tan Yue came in after washing up and saw Chen Ziyu sitting in front of the dressing table in a daze, so he went over and gently hugged her from behind.

Chen Ziyu snapped out of her reverie, leaned against Tan Yue's chest, and whispered, "I was thinking about what Mom and the others were saying earlier. We should really start thinking about having children, after all, we're already in our thirties."

Tan Yue lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his voice gentle: "I know. After we sort things out at the company this year, we'll prepare well. But don't put too much pressure on yourself, just let things take their course. With you by my side, whether we have children or not, we'll live a very happy life."

Chen Ziyu nodded with a smile, her worries gradually dissipating.

She knew that Tan Yue had always been supportive of her ideas, and that he would stand by her side no matter what decision she made. With such a lover and such family, what did she have to worry about?

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Yulan got up and began packing her luggage.

Tan Zhaohe also got up early to help pack things, putting the specialties from Beijing that he had bought yesterday into boxes. There were poria cocos cakes, donkey rolls, and roast duck for his neighbors back in Jishui.

An Nuan also helped Tan Xin get up. Tan Xin rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked at her grandparents packing their luggage, her eyes full of reluctance: "Grandpa and Grandma, when will we come to Beijing again? I still want to go to the Temple of Heaven with you."

Li Yulan walked over, patted Tan Xin's head, and said with a smile, "When summer vacation starts, we'll come to Beijing. We'll take you to the Temple of Heaven and the zoo, okay?"

Tan Xin nodded vigorously: "Okay!" Chen Ziyu and Tan Yue also got up and helped pack their luggage.

Chen Ziyu prepared thick scarves and gloves for Li Yulan and Tan Zhaohe, and instructed them: "The Ji River is colder than the capital. You must take care to keep warm on the road and don't catch a cold."

Tan Yue prepared breakfast for An Nuan and Tan Xin, which were their favorite soy milk and fried dough sticks: "Eat up, and we'll take you to the high-speed rail station after you finish eating."

After breakfast, everyone picked up their luggage and left home.

Tan Yue drove everyone towards the high-speed rail station.

On the way, Li Yulan kept reminding Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu to take care of their health, while Tan Zhaohe chatted with Tan Yue about company matters. An Nuan and Tan Xin looked excitedly at the scenery outside the window, feeling reluctant to part but also full of anticipation for the future.

Upon arriving at the high-speed rail station, everyone bid each other a reluctant farewell. Li Yulan hugged Chen Ziyu, her eyes slightly moist: "Ziyu, take good care of yourself, and also take good care of Tan Yue. We'll call you often after we get back."

Chen Ziyu nodded, her eyes also a little red: "Mom, don't worry, we will. You and Dad should also take good care of yourselves after you go back."

Tan Zhaohe patted Tan Yue on the shoulder: "Work hard, live well, we're waiting for your good news."

An Nuan, along with Tan Xin, also said goodbye to Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu: "Thank you for taking care of me during this time."

Tan Xin waved her little hand and said, "Goodbye, uncles and aunties! I'll come back to Beijing to visit you again during summer vacation!"

Only after watching An Nuan, Tan Xin, and Tan Yue's parents disappear into the entrance of the high-speed rail station did Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu turn and leave.

Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall of the high-speed rail station, bathing the two of them in a warm and gentle glow.

Back home, the two tidied up briefly and then began preparing to take Chen's mother to the high-speed rail station that afternoon.

Chen's mother had already packed her luggage and was sitting in the living room, looking at the photos on the coffee table. They were group photos taken during her trip to Beijing, including snow scenes at the Summer Palace, the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City, and a family reunion dinner.

"Mom, what are you looking at?" Chen Ziyu walked over and sat down next to her mother.

Chen's mother smiled and handed the photos to Chen Ziyu: "Look at these photos. You took a lot of nice photos during this trip to Beijing. You should organize them properly and put them in an album when you get back."

Chen Ziyu took the photos and looked at them carefully, her eyes filled with memories: "Yes, I had a really happy Spring Festival this year. Although it was short, it was very fulfilling."

Looking at her daughter, Chen's mother said gently, "Ziyu, Mom knows you and Tan Yue are both very busy, but you also need to take care of yourselves. Don't rush into having children, just let nature take its course. When I get back, I'll also look up some tips for preparing for pregnancy. If you need anything, just call me anytime."

Chen Ziyu nodded, her heart filled with gratitude: "Mom, thank you. Don't worry, we'll be careful. When you get back, please take good care of yourself, don't worry about the company all the time, go for walks with Dad more often, and enjoy life."

At 2 p.m., Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu took Chen's mother to the high-speed rail station.

On the way, Chen's mother kept reminding Chen Ziyu of everything, from work to life, down to the smallest detail. When they arrived at the high-speed rail station, Chen's mother hugged Chen Ziyu tightly, reluctant to let go: "Ziyu, come back to Hangzhou more often when you have time. Mom will cook your favorite dishes for you."

Chen Ziyu nodded, tears welling up in her eyes: "Mom, don't worry, I will. Please be careful on your journey and let me know when you arrive in Hangzhou."

Tan Yue also said to Chen's mother, "Auntie, please take good care of yourself when you go back. Chen Xiang is helping with the company's affairs, so you don't need to worry too much."

Chen's mother smiled and nodded, "Okay, I understand. You should go back now, and be careful on the road. You'll be starting your classes the day after tomorrow, so you'll be busy. Go back and get some rest, don't overwork yourself."

Only after watching Chen's mother's figure disappear into the entrance of the high-speed rail station did Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu turn and leave.

As the sun sets, golden sunlight spills onto the high-speed rail station plaza, bathing everything in a warm glow.

When I got home, the house fell silent instantly.

Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu sat on the sofa in the living room, looking at the empty room. They felt a little lost, but also full of expectations for the future.

"Finally, it's quiet down." Chen Ziyu leaned on Tan Yue's shoulder and said softly, "Although this Spring Festival was busy, it was also very happy. Seeing my parents all happy makes me feel very content."

Tan Yue held Chen Ziyu's hand and patted it gently: "Yes, this Spring Festival was indeed very meaningful. But now, we should also get back to work and prepare for tomorrow. The company has a lot to do this year, and there's also our planned child, all of which require us to move forward step by step."

Chen Ziyu nodded, sat up straight, and said with a determined look in her eyes, "Okay, let's work hard together. We'll start class tomorrow and review this year's work plan again, so we can achieve even more this year."

The two stood up and began tidying up the house, putting away the decorations from the Spring Festival, folding the bedding in the guest room, and organizing the photos in the living room.

Although I was a little tired, I was full of energy.

In the evening, the two had a simple dinner and went to bed early.

Lying in bed, Chen Ziyu looked at the ceiling and whispered, "Tan Yue, do you think we'll have a little life to spend next year's Spring Festival with?"

Tan Yue turned around, hugged Chen Ziyu, and said gently, "Yes, we will. As long as we work together, everything will get better and better."

Chen Ziyu smiled and nodded, leaning against Tan Yue's chest, and gradually drifted off to sleep.

The night outside the window was peaceful and gentle, and the moonlight shone through the window, falling on the two of them like a thin veil.

The next morning, Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu got up early, packed their things, and headed straight to the company.

A new year, a new beginning. The days ahead will be full of challenges, but also full of hope.

As long as they work together and join hands, there are no difficulties they cannot overcome.

The warm memories of this Spring Festival will become their driving force, accompanying them through every ordinary yet wonderful day. (End of Chapter)