WBSGVS Chapter 134 V2

Even babies understood how the world worked.

She sipped her soup, paying him no mind.

The broth her in-laws made was so greasy it made her nauseous—it was supposed to help with milk production. But her daughter’s soup, though not particularly tasty, wasn’t oily, and she could drink it.

Plus, after drinking it, she could feel the difference. It gave her energy—not just empty calories like the ones from her in-laws.

So, even if she wasn’t happy, she still drank the soup Qing Li brought.

Once she finished, Qing Li took the bowl and said casually, “Mom, I booked a flight back to school for tomorrow. I won’t be coming home for a while.”

The moment Yang Qing heard “flight,” she was furious.

“A train ride is only six hours! Why waste money on a plane ticket?! You have money for that but not for me?!”

Qing Li replied with a lazy smile, “A flight is only two hours. It’s more comfortable.”

“You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy life later! What’s the big deal about four extra hours? Just endure it!” Yang Qing muttered.

“After graduation, I’ll have to work, get scolded by clients and my boss, and endure even more hardships. What’s wrong with enjoying some comfort now?” Qingli retorted.

Yang Qing wasn’t as quick-witted as her daughter and was left speechless.

Qingli didn’t stay long. She left the meal container at home, never once glancing at her baby brother, and walked out the door.

Watching her daughter’s indifferent attitude, Yang Qing felt a deep chill in her heart.

She couldn’t help but call her husband.

It was dinnertime when she video-called him. Xia Yong answered quickly, but his voice was weak and lifeless. It was clear that life had worn him down, and he was utterly exhausted. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Can’t I call you just because I want to?” Yang Qing shot back, her tone carrying a hint of playful complaint.

Though they had been married for years, their relationship had started with love. Yang Qing had taken good care of herself in the past, and when they were alone, they would sometimes joke around to keep the spark alive.

But now, the man in the video had a face covered in sweat and grime, his eyes barely open. Even when he looked at his wife’s haggard appearance, he didn’t have the energy to react.

Leaning tiredly against an electric pole, Xia Yong wiped the sweat from his face. In just a few days of working under the winter sun, his previously fair skin had visibly darkened. His voice was rough and hoarse. “It’s not that—I’m just exhausted. If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Yang Qing was a little unhappy with his attitude, but she felt more heartache than anything else. She didn’t drag things out and instead told him about their daughter’s behavior. She sighed, “You used to say Ah Li had a soft heart, but I think she’s cold-hearted. I asked her to help take care of the baby, and she told me it would cost 300 yuan a day!”

“Three hundred?! Why doesn’t she just go rob someone?!” Xia Yong burst out angrily, sitting up straighter. “I’m out here breaking my back for just 300 yuan a day!”

Yang Qing gasped. “Didn’t you say you could make five or six hundred a day?”

Xia Yong cleared his throat and admitted, “I’ve been off work for too long, so I’m behind everyone else. Right now, I can only make 300. Once I get the hang of things again, I’ll earn more.”

Who would’ve thought he’d still be having kids at his age?

In the past, he had lived day to day without worrying about buying a house. Now, he regretted it deeply. If he had started saving money earlier, things wouldn’t be so hard now.

Yang Qing understood completely. She comforted him a little before sighing, “I’ve been out of work for too long too. Being a cashier was so easy, but now that I’m taking care of a baby, I feel exhausted. Sigh… Your parents wanted a grandson so badly, but now they can’t even help take care of him!”

Xia Yong wasn’t happy about it either, but they were still his parents, so he couldn’t complain. He could only offer words of reassurance.

The couple talked for a while before Yang Qing turned the camera toward their son.

Seeing his son instantly filled Xia Yong with renewed strength. For the sake of his son’s future and his ability to marry someday, he had to keep pushing forward!

—

Qingli had no idea how motivated her parents were, but she could feel how their attitude toward her had changed.

They barely contacted her anymore.

When her mother was pregnant, Yang Qing would still reach out at least twice a month.

But after everything that happened over winter break, they had completely stopped contacting her. They probably felt disappointed in her.

Back at school, Qingli quickly fell back into her old routine—a life filled with busyness and purpose.

For a student, achieving financial independence wasn’t easy. Yang Qing and Xia Yong only saw that she no longer asked them for money, but they had no idea how much effort it took for her to reach that point.

Her roommates noticed, though.

Worried that she was overworking herself, they helped in little ways—skipping unimportant classes for her, taking notes, or bringing back food so she could get more rest.

After about a month into the semester, once she had paid her tuition and eased her financial burden, Qingli treated them to a nice meal.

Having good roommates made life at school much more relaxing. At least she didn’t have to waste time and energy dealing with unnecessary drama.

By summer break, Qingli’s financial situation had stabilized, and she even had some savings.

That semester, the only time Yang Qing called her was right before the holidays, asking if she was coming home for the summer.

Of course, Qingli refused.

She was still short on tuition for next semester. Going home would only mean more expenses. It wasn’t worth it.

After hearing her response, Yang Qing didn’t call again.

It wasn’t until the end of the year that Qingli finally returned to her childhood home after a whole year away.

Xia Yong, after a year of hard labor, looked drastically different. His once slightly pudgy figure was gone—he was lean and wiry now, looking at least ten years older. But despite the toll on his body, his energy was high.

At that moment, he had just finished a contract at a construction site. He and a group of coworkers had pooled their resources to start their own subcontracting business. He was going to be in charge of securing new projects.

Coincidentally, this was the exact time when Xia Yong had met with disaster in her past life.

The original Qingli remembered it clearly—after that day, the Xia family’s world collapsed.

Her one-year-old brother, her weakened mother, her elderly grandparents, and her paralyzed father…

It was the nightmare that had forced her to drop out of school.

She had come back specifically to prevent that disaster from happening.

No matter what, she had to keep Xia Yong safe and make sure he lived long enough to be a devoted father.