Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Reaching her front door, Song Tingnan saw the light on under the eaves, and her heart warmed. It felt so good to have someone waiting for her. Before, it was always her maternal grandmother who waited for her, but later it became her maternal uncle (father).

Song Tingnan pushed open the half-closed door and walked into the main room. The light bulb hanging there was so bright that it brought tears to her eyes. "Why aren't you all asleep?"

"Can't sleep."

"Still early."

"Yali said she wanted to play cards for a while."

Tingnan's mother, Yi Dani, came over and said, "Tingnan, are you hungry? Can I cook you some noodles?"

"Mom, I've eaten and I'm not hungry. Please sit down." Song Tingnan took Yi Dani's hand and sat down with her. Seeing everyone's hesitant expressions, she smiled and said, "Dad, just ask whatever you want to know."

Song Wanli stood up and said, "You must be tired after a long day. Go back to your room and rest."

"dad!"

"Tingnan, as long as you're happy, your parents have no objections and will never force you."

“Brother Nan, he definitely can’t beat you, and he might not be a match for me either. You should choose someone else.” Song Mingfu was the kind of person who couldn’t keep a secret.

This time, neither Song Mingxiang nor Song Mingli scolded him. Song Mingcheng nodded, "Sister, he's probably not good with words either. He's clumsy and won't make you happy."

"Sister, some men aren't right for us. We shouldn't force ourselves. You're so outstanding, you deserve the best. Isn't it said that only those who love themselves deserve to be loved? Always put yourself first." Yali has been reading a lot of romance novels lately.

Song Tingnan asked in surprise, "What...do you all know? What have you heard?" She hadn't told her family, including Jiang Qianqian and Zhao Xiaojuan in the county town.

Song Wanli said irritably, "We don't know anything, and we haven't heard anything, but we're not stupid. You're smiling less and less, always with a long face, and you don't go out anymore."

Song Tingnan touched his face. He was indeed at home, feeling extremely relaxed and completely forgetting about his pretense. No wonder Zhong Shengli fell for it.

“Listen…listen to Nan, if you feel it’s not right, then…just break up. Anyway, things aren’t like they used to be; there are plenty of divorces now.” As soon as Uncle Song Wanxing finished speaking, Song Wanli coughed and glared at him.

Song Wanxing scratched the back of his head and grinned, "I was just talking nonsense, I was just talking nonsense." Now he was honestly pedaling his tricycle to collect recyclables and had experienced the hardship of earning money. Thinking about how his older brother used to support a whole family, with five children and all of them going to school, he felt particularly disgusted with his past self and had the utmost respect for his older brother.

"Ahem, you should cut ties when necessary. Yali is right, you deserve better. I'm guessing that you're turning down excellent options outside because you want to marry someone closer to home so you can take care of the family. Listen to Nan, don't overthink it. We're not your responsibility. Just follow your heart."

Upon hearing this, Song Tingnan paused. Did she have such thoughts subconsciously? Perhaps. She always felt insecure in a foreign country, afraid of being abandoned, afraid of not being able to find her home when she was far away. She thought that Zhong Shengli knew her well, had pursued her before, and was a man she could control.

Yi Dani, sitting next to Song Tingnan, sensed her unusual behavior and said softly, "Tingnan, why don't you ask your godmother and Yali's mother for their opinions? They have more experience."

“Yes, yes, they know a little bit. I’ll take you to the county town tomorrow!” Song Wanxing was very enthusiastic.

The three Song siblings exchanged glances. They were so enthusiastic now, they wish they had known this would happen. But they neither objected nor interfered. Their mother was now decisive and had the financial means, so they could do whatever made her comfortable.

Song Tingnan naturally understood her uncle's intention, but it was really not suitable. "Uncle, you'd better not go. You are the... negative example. I'm afraid you'll get scolded if you go."

"Well, that's true." Song Wanxing was a little frustrated. "Then go by yourself, be careful." He glanced at the three children and sighed. "It's like trying to win back your wife."