Chapter Seven: Embarking on a New Journey (Part One)

“Bingxuan, why don’t you save two of those buns for the kids? Don’t eat them all at once, or what will the kids eat when they wake up? If you’re still hungry, you can have some steamed bread; there’s freshly made chili sauce in the cupboard,” Yang Xiuling said while busy serving the rice and glancing at Bai Bingxuan.
“What are you saving for? I think she should just be hungry. Look at this time, and she still won't get out of bed? The sun’s already high in the sky. A young girl like her just loves to sleep in. I think it’s all because you’ve spoiled her,” Bai Bingxuan mumbled while wrapping up the remaining buns.
Yang Xiuling: "Oh, dear, just stop complaining. The child just returned from the capital a couple of days ago, so let her sleep a bit more. She’s been working there and probably hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in days."
Bai Bingxuan: "So what if I haven't had a good night's sleep? Young people should learn to endure hardship. If you don't suffer a bit, how will you understand the value of money? 'Only by enduring the hardest hardships can one become a true leader.' Isn't this the core of our educational philosophy over the years? Moreover, when I was seven, I started working in the fields with her grandfather. By eight, I learned to cook, do laundry, sew, and clean—those chores. I was known as the 'go-to person' in the family; her grandfather entrusted me with all the small tasks at home, and I did them excellently. Can you believe that? I was the oldest in the family, and of course, the most favored. Her uncle and little aunt were so worried they almost cried!"
Yang Xiuling: "What are you crying about?"
Bai Bingxuan: "Jealous, of course! With all that love and attention, do you think they aren’t crying?"
Yang Xiuling: "Oh, come on, you’re just boasting. What can a seven or eight-year-old child do? When I was twelve, her grandma only taught me to cook, and it wasn't until I was thirteen or fourteen that I started sewing and doing laundry. Besides, boys aren’t as skilled as girls. And I’ve known you for so many years, but I’ve never seen you sew clothes for me or the kids. Everything in this house is managed by me!"
Bai Bingxuan: "Yes, yes, yes, you’re absolutely right. Over the years, you’ve really worked hard. Teaching and educating outside, then coming home to take care of the kids and manage the household. I haven't really helped you with much; maybe I’ve gotten used to being a principal, my ego has grown, and I just don't think I should be doing these little chores anymore."
Yang Xiuling: "Is that enough for you? Talking about those nonsense things. Now that we are retired and Yang Yang has also been accepted into university, I only have one major thing left unresolved in my heart."
Bai Bingxuan: "What's the big deal?"
"It's about Yangyang's marriage."
"Oh, my dear, that's still a long way off! Why think about that now? Besides, love and marriage are the kids' own matters; as parents, it's better for us not to get too involved."
“No way, I only have one daughter. If she has a partner in the future, I must be involved in that decision. No matter what, I cannot allow her to marry someone far away.”
“You just keep worrying all day long. Let the child make their own decisions about their matters. We should do our own things.”
“You, as a father, seem so carefree every day. I can't be as indifferent as you; otherwise, the child's life could be ruined.”
```html"Hey... I'm telling you..."
The two old folks arguing is really something, each expressing their views and neither willing to give in.
Although Bai Yang still lay in bed, she was not truly asleep. She had been listening carefully to the conversation between the two elderly people, and couldn't help but secretly laugh while also feeling melancholic. She laughed at her parents' playful bickering, but felt sad knowing that in the future, her parents would still worry about her affairs. Although she was already an adult and determined to take responsibility for herself, she clearly understood that in her parents' eyes, she would always be just a child. On countless nights, she had imagined herself transforming into a little bird, soaring freely across the vast sky: flying over majestic and perilous mountains, flying across endless grasslands, flying over clear blue seas, flying through lush green forests... Without fear, without hesitation, without burdens, traveling through countless worlds, admiring rare and beautiful sights, savoring exquisite delicacies. Everything in the world applauds at her fingertips; all beauty is easily within reach. How carefree this must be!```
But reality had to ruthlessly pull her back from her dreams. Fantasy is ultimately just fantasy, and the various constraints in reality told her: she cannot fly freely like a bird, carefree and unburdened. Perhaps in many aspects she can act on her own will and make free choices, but in certain matters, she cannot decide on her own, such as her marriage.
```htmlThere are indeed many beautiful things in this world, but they are not easily attainable. Connections may be deep or shallow, gatherings or separations can happen in the blink of an eye.
Bai Yang suddenly sat up, immediately stopping her meditation, and unconsciously shook her head, signaling to herself to stay awake: “Alright, Bai Yang, stay alert, don’t think about those illusory things. No matter how the future turns out, let’s first grasp the present. Remember, everything in the world follows its own laws; let everything take its natural course!” She rubbed her eyes, hastily put on her clothes, and walked out the door. Under her messy hair, there was a sleepily beautiful face, and her originally lovely eyes were now nearly squinting into a slit, with a few dark circles quietly “lying” at the corners of her eyes.```
Yang Yang's mother, Yang Xiuling, saw her daughter walking out of the room and quickly put down the bowl and chopsticks: "Oh, Yang Yang, you're up? Go brush your teeth and wash your face, it's time for breakfast. Your dad saved you your favorite steamed buns with chive and egg filling; they're still warm. Hurry, go wash up."
“Okay, Mom, I got it, I’ll go brush my teeth and wash my face now.” Bai Yang said weakly, ruffling his messy hair.
Bai Bingxuan: “Why don’t you sleep a little longer? Do you know what time it is? If it weren't for your mom stopping me, I wouldn’t have even saved any dumpling dough for you.”
White Yang: "If you don't want to keep it, then don't. Just finish it yourself; I'm not hungry anyway."
White Bingxuan: "I don’t get how you can be like this, kid. All day you just argue with me and sleep until eight or nine. Don’t you have any self-awareness? Look at those two boys from Aunt Xia’s family; they get up at dawn and run around the village to play. Who sleeps in like you all summer long?"
White Poplar: "Can I compare myself to those kids? Besides, I'm at home; I can sleep as long as I want. What's wrong with that? Don't you sometimes sleep in?"
Bai Bingxuan: "Don't argue with me here, do you really think your dad is still young? Pack your things and get out of here by tomorrow."
Bai Yang: "Fine, I'll leave. You never wanted to see me anyway."
Yang Xiuling: "Alright, stop the noise. Just listen to you two father and daughter arguing early in the morning. No one is willing to give in to the other. It’s inappropriate for others to hear this! Yang Yang, go brush your teeth and wash your face quickly, don’t just stand there foolishly."
```htmlBai Yang: "Oh, got it." Bai Yang immediately grabbed the toothbrush and cup and headed towards the sink, leaving a gust of fresh air in the moment he turned.
Yang Xiuling couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of her husband and daughter; they truly were a pair of lively characters in the family! Despite the small number of people, the rural courtyard was bustling with activity. Thinking that her daughter Bai Yang would be heading to the university tomorrow, a wave of reluctance washed over her: "Bingxuan, our girl is taking the train to Yanshida tomorrow evening for her registration, and the next time we see her might be four months later. Make sure not to argue with her in the remaining time, just talk things out nicely. Don't keep fighting; it will only annoy her." ```
Bai Bingxuan: "Exactly for this reason, I want to argue with her more. Otherwise, we won’t have time later. When we're old and the kids move to the city to study and become more knowledgeable, the topics we can chat about will slowly decrease. If we don’t argue now, it will be difficult to do so in the future.”
Yang Xiuling: "How could that be? No matter where she goes in the future or what she becomes, at the end of the day, she will always be our daughter. This will never change. You don't have to keep overthinking it. Are you really worried that our daughter will forget us in the future?"
Bai Bingxuan: "It's not that I'm afraid; anyway, we should read more books and newspapers at home in the future, keep up with the times, and as long as we don't fall too far behind the younger generation in our thinking, that's good enough."
Yang Xiuling: "Okay, read more books and newspapers. I still have a lot of housework to do every day. By the way, have you eaten enough?"
Bai Bingxuan: "I'm full, what's up?"
杨秀玲：“那行，你一会儿去镇上一趟，给杨杨买点生活用品，看她还缺啥，见样都买点。”
白秉轩：“太多了她也不好带啊，等到学校那边也能买，不差这一块两块的，临走时多给她点钱就行了。”
Yang Xiuling: "Right now it's all about saving where we can. We have things like bed sheets and quilt covers in the town, so go take a look and see if there's anything suitable."
Bai Bingxuan: "Alright, I'll go. It feels like I owe your mother and daughter a lot these days."
Yang Xiuling: "Remember to buy some snacks to bring back for Yang Yang to eat on the way tomorrow."
Bai Bingxuan: "Got it, no need to remind me, I've been thinking about it already."
"Mom, Dad," said Bai Yang, who had just finished washing his face and had overheard the conversation, "there's no need to buy anything. We already have biscuits and bread at home, so don't spend that money."
Bai Bingxuan: "You don't need to ask this; your dad knows how to handle it."
Yang Xiuling: "Yangyang, come eat; your dad knows what to do."
Time keeps passing, and a "novel" world is about to unfold before Bai Yang. She can't contain her inner joy, yet she can't express this joy perfectly; she can only channel it into every smile, every expression, every dance step, and every heartbeat...