1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 273 Once you make the wrong choice, you'll regret it for life.

Why not?

Seeing that her expression was off, her grandmother, out of concern, blurted out, "Did Gu Bin upset you? Does he look down on you for not having a job?"

"not him."

Lin Xiyu's eyes darkened, and she sighed deeply again.

"Who else could it be but him?"

Grandma frowned deeply: "Could it be his maternal grandmother?"

"Not at all."

Lin Xiyu shook her head in denial.

"Who is that?"

Grandma was taken aback, a little puzzled.

Lin Xiyu raised her head and looked at her pitifully.

"Uh."

Grandma suddenly realized what was happening and couldn't help but laugh in exasperation: "You little rascal, you were actually complaining about Grandma."

"I didn't complain."

Lin Xiyu cried out, feeling wronged: "I just want to ask, what are you thinking? Do you think that running a training class isn't a proper job, has no future, and makes people look down on you?"

"How can this be?"

Grandma, mindful of her feelings, decisively denied it: "Grandma isn't old-fashioned and looks down on business people. Your cousin also runs her own company and makes a lot of money."

Lin Xiyu pouted and muttered, "Since you also think doing business is a good thing, why are you urging me to go back to work?"

“You’re not like your cousin.”

Grandma said matter-of-factly, "She didn't have a job to begin with, so she has no choice but to work hard herself."

"I have a job."

Lin Xiyu looked dejected: "Can't I just do what I like?"

"You girl."

Grandma finally realized what was going on: "After all that, you're still talking about paper cutting, aren't you?"

"Ah."

Lin Xiyu snorted through her nose.

"You want to give up your job for paper cutting?"

Grandma wasn't confused; she figured it out immediately.

"May I?"

Lin Xiyu raised her head, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Silly girl, you need to think this through."

Grandma's expression changed slightly, and her brows furrowed tightly: "Grandma doesn't object to you doing charity work, but that stuff can't put food on the table. If you like it, that's fine as a hobby, but if you really have to give up your future for paper cutting, Grandma is really worried that you'll regret it."

"I'm thinking."

Seeing that her grandmother hadn't explicitly expressed her opposition, Lin Xiyu could tell the whole story clearly, so she forced a wry smile and tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"This matter must be handled with utmost care."

Grandma solemnly instructed again: "You must think it through carefully."

"I will."

Not wanting her grandmother to worry, Lin Xiyu obediently agreed and got up to leave.

Unable to receive the comfort and support she had imagined, she left her grandmother's house somewhat dejectedly and wandered aimlessly through the streets alone.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at the gate of No. 1 Middle School.

At this time, it was the time when high school students were leaving school in the afternoon. Students in school uniforms were coming and going at the school gate, playing and laughing.

After a moment of stunned silence, she found herself moving involuntarily toward the gate of the school.

-

Gu Bin knew perfectly well that no one would remain calm when faced with such a major life decision.

Therefore, he did not offer any special comfort or advice, but instead silently expressed his support, letting his beloved wife go out alone to clear her mind and sort out her thoughts.

He thought that with four babies at home, constantly on his mind, where else could a mother go? She could just go out for a stroll, find a place to vent her emotions, and naturally come back when it was time to eat.

However, things always take unexpected turns and occasionally go off track.

For example, this time, it got dark and it was time for dinner. I waited and waited, but the person still didn't come back. I called their cell phone, but it was switched off.

Unable to reach the person, even someone as composed and calm as him was starting to get anxious.

After calling all his relatives and friends but still failing to find the person, he finally couldn't sit still any longer and went out to look for him himself.

-

Perhaps because she had been a teacher, Lin Xiyu naturally possessed a scholarly air about her.

She arrived at the gate of the No. 1 Middle School and walked in leisurely. The security guard at the gate mistook her for a teacher and let her in without stopping her.

The school remains largely unchanged from the past, except for more complete and well-equipped teaching facilities. It looks much the same as I remember.

Looking at the familiar teaching building and basketball court, she was overwhelmed with emotion, and her mind kept flashing back to the scenes of her time studying at this school.

-

She entered the No. 1 High School at the age of sixteen, and it was at that time that she met the father of the babies.

He was the school heartthrob of his time at No. 1 High School and a renowned top science student.

She still vividly remembers the first time she met Gu Bin.

Back then, he was young and full of vigor.

Representing all the new students, he took the oath under the national flag, his whole being seemingly bathed in sunlight, shining brightly.

At that moment, she thought, "That boy is really handsome!"

What kind of girl is lucky enough to meet him, fall in love with him, spend her life with him, and grow old together?
Even now, she still feels a little dazed, as if she's dreaming, and can't believe that she was the lucky girl.

The basketball court erupted in enthusiastic cheers, as if a game was underway. This court, brimming with youthful energy, holds many fond memories.

She couldn't help but move and walked towards the basketball court.

-

Gu Bin rode his electric scooter along Black Tiger Spring, the moat, and Daming Lake, wandering through all the streets and alleys of the old city, but still couldn't find anyone.

After the sun set, a cool breeze blew, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

"Today's basketball game was amazing! That handsome guy from Class 6, he truly deserves to be called the school's heartthrob. He's not only good-looking, but he's also a great basketball player."

"I haven't seen such a wonderful game in a long time. The three-pointer comeback in the last minute really excited me. I almost shouted myself hoarse."

"You're hopeless at being a fangirl; you can't move your legs when you see a handsome guy."

"Don't just talk about me, you're enjoying it too."

"I'm waiting for you."

"Come on, you were even more excited than I was during the match. Your eyes were practically glued to the other person. Don't think I didn't know."

"Nonsense, I didn't."

"You have."

"I do not have."

"You have it, and that's it. There's no use in trying to deny it."

"I'm not talking to you anymore, I need to go home right away, or my mom will go ballistic."

"Hey, wait for me! Why are you riding so fast?"
"Ride faster, stop dawdling."

"I'm coming"

It was completely dark.

Two girls in school uniforms rode past him on bicycles, and the familiar school uniforms made his pupils shrink.

The next second, without the slightest hesitation, he turned the handlebars around and rode towards the No. 1 Middle School.

-

Lin Xiyu followed the direction in her memory to the basketball court, intending to find an inconspicuous place to stay quietly for a while, enjoy the basketball game, clear her mind, and not suppress her emotions too much.

Unexpectedly, I ran into an acquaintance as soon as I arrived.

"Lin Xiyu?!"

Ms. Jia, the former homeroom teacher, was cheering for her students outside the field when she glanced at her unintentionally and was momentarily stunned.

"Teacher Jia?"

Lin Xiyu recognized Teacher Jia and quickly stepped forward to her side.

"Is it really you?" Teacher Jia asked in surprise and delight. "Weren't you in Shanghai? When did you come back?"

"I've been back for a while now."

Lin Xiyu hadn't contacted Teacher Jia for a long time, and smiled apologetically.

"Classmates, come on, let me introduce myself."

Without asking any further questions, Ms. Jia happily introduced her prized student to her students: "This is your senior, a graduate student in the English Department of East China Normal University."

"Damn, English major, awesome!"

"East China Normal University, my dream school."

"The senior is beautiful and academically excellent; she's a true winner in life."

High school students admire academically gifted seniors the most, so the mention of graduate students makes them excited, with many having stars of admiration in their eyes.

"Does the senior have a boyfriend? Do you think I'm good enough for her?"

Some people tried to stand out by trying to get attention from the beautiful female senior, which resulted in a chorus of vomiting.

"You should also learn from your seniors, strive to get into your ideal schools, and bring honor to your alma mater."

Teacher Jia seized the opportunity to motivate everyone, waving her arms in a very inspiring manner: "Come on, students, let's strive for our ideal universities!"

"come on!"

The students were also very supportive, shouting in unison.

"Alright, alright, everyone disperse, let's go watch the game."

Teacher Jia was very satisfied with the result and was beaming with excitement.

"Let's watch the game! Let's watch the game!"

Upon hearing the command, the students scattered like birds and beasts.

"Xi Yu, what brings you to school?"

After chasing away the bunch of brats, Teacher Jia finally had some free time to talk and chat with Lin Xiyu.

"I have something to do, just passing by the school gate."

Lin Xiyu didn't want to reveal her feelings, so she made up a perfunctory excuse: "I saw the door was open, so I thought I'd come in and take a look."

"You came at just the right time, just in time for the competition."

Without giving it much thought, Teacher Jia pointed to the students competing on the court with a proud look on her face: "This year's students are very similar to your year. There are a few outstanding ones. Do you see that boy shooting the ball? His name is Si Haoming. His grades are among the best in the entire grade. He is handsome and plays basketball well. He is quite similar to Gu Bin back then."

"Who is it?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiyu's eyes lit up, and she also became somewhat interested in the boy.

"It's the one wearing the black T-shirt, and the number 4."

Taking advantage of being the homeroom teacher, Ms. Jia rudely pushed aside the two male students blocking her way and excitedly pointed them out to her.

"Oh, I see it."

Seeing that the two unlucky guys dared not speak out in anger, Lin Xiyu suppressed her laughter and squeezed through the crowd.

Just then, the boy dribbled to the basket, banked the ball in, and made the shot, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

"The teacher is right, isn't he?"

Teacher Jia became even more excited and clapped her hands and cheered loudly.

"It's a bit like that."

Lin Xiyu nodded in agreement with a serious expression, but in reality, she was nearsighted by more than 200 degrees and couldn't see people clearly from a distance.

"Si Haoming, Si Haoming!"

That boy was really good at it; he made another shot in no time.

The scene erupted even more, with the girls' excited screams piercing the eardrums.

"It's great to be young!"

Lin Xiyu looked at the familiar scene and smiled slightly.

You're not that old either.

Teacher Jia chuckled and joked, "Why do you speak so maturely?"

"I'm already thirty."

Lin Xiyu was both amused and exasperated: "There's already a generation gap between us and those who are seventeen or eighteen. Youth is fleeting, and we can never be young again."

"Compared to your teacher, you look younger."

Teacher Jia, as expected of a homeroom teacher, knows how to do ideological work: "Thirty is the prime of life, the time to strive, and an important turning point in life. At this age, it is easiest to gain the attention of leaders and be promoted. Even if you encounter some setbacks, you will have the opportunity to make a comeback and achieve success."

Is it a significant turning point in life?
Lin Xiyu's mind stirred, and she took those words to heart.

-

The excitement on the basketball court continued, and Mr. Jia, drawn by the intense competition, refocused his attention on the game.

Lin Xiyu was lost in thought, her gaze seemingly fixed on someone, but her mind was wandering far away.

Inside the basketball court, Si Haoming was surprised to find someone staring at him. He turned his head to look at them with some astonishment.

In that split second of hesitation, the opponent snatched the basketball, drove to the basket, and scored two points.

"Si Haoming, what's wrong with you?"

"Why are you getting distracted while playing ball?"

"Have you gone mad from looking at pretty girls? You can't even play ball anymore."

Some of his teammates complained, while others noticed a small detail and teased him playfully.

"You talk too much nonsense."

Si Haoming retorted irritably, but his ears turned a suspicious blush.

"Defense, defense!"

A new round began, and the shouts of the opposing players brought the players' attention back to the game.

Si Haoming also cleared his mind of distractions and focused entirely on the game.

"Xi Yu, you seem to have something on your mind?"

Teacher Jia noticed something was amiss and waved her hand in front of Lin Xiyu's eyes.

"what?!"

Lin Xiyu snapped out of her thoughts and blinked her eyes in a daze.

"What are you thinking?"

Teacher Jia looked at her with amusement: "You can get distracted during such a wonderful match."

I was thinking about what you just said.

Lin Xiyu smiled awkwardly: "Perhaps I am at a turning point in my life right now. If I make the wrong choice, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

"I'll just say it."

Teacher Jia realized: "Why did you suddenly appear on campus? You must have something to tell me. How about this, wait for me for a while, and we can talk in detail after the competition."

Lin Xiyu: "."

Can she say it?

Coming here was truly a coincidence.

She really didn't come looking for anyone on purpose!
-

Teacher Jia is a warm-hearted person, and she is even more enthusiastic towards her favorite student. After the competition, she insisted on dragging Lin Xiyu to her office.

Lin Xiyu couldn't refuse, and besides, she did have something on her mind that she needed to confide in, so she went along with her wishes and told her everything on her mind.

"Teacher Jia, do you also think that my decision to resign from my job in Shanghai and dedicate my life to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage is just asking for trouble?"

"Xi Yu"

When Teacher Jia first heard about this, she was stunned for a long time before sighing, "You've really given your teacher a big problem."

Lin Xiyu smiled wryly: "I was having a hard time making a decision, so I thought I'd come out to clear my head."

"This is a really difficult question to answer."

Teacher Jia was both amused and exasperated: "I admit I was a bit hasty. I shouldn't have taken on so much and thought I could help you."

"Teacher, just tell me what you really think."

Lin Xiyu smiled understandingly and comforted her in return, "It's okay, I can handle it."

"You really want to hear this?"

Teacher Jia asked tentatively.

"Yes."

Lin Xiyu gave a very firm answer.