Chapter 91: Chapter 91

With the words "big villain" practically written on his forehead, Meng Cheng’an looked like a little puppy nobody wanted, which made him appear quite pitiful.

Tian Xiang suddenly couldn’t muster her anger anymore.

His family was already in trouble, and it was a painful time for him. Scolding him would only make him feel worse.

Tian Xiang firmly kicked a pebble at her feet, saying, "Don’t do this anymore. Whatever happens, you need to tell me clearly."

Meng Cheng’an: "Okay."

Tian Xiang: "So, what’s going on with your grandpa now?"

Meng Cheng’an: "I don’t know."

They lost contact after the old man was taken away.

Of course, communication isn’t advanced now, and the old man wouldn’t risk implicating others by calling the factory to find his grandson. He doesn’t like to send telegrams or write letters.

Meng Cheng’an’s depressed state made Tian Xiang feel pain in her heart. She comforted him, "Don’t worry too much. Your grandpa might be back in a few days. There are rapid changes happening above, but I believe they’re getting better and better, and society is always progressing."

They’re even reopening the college entrance exams next year. In a few years, nobody will bother about small businesses. When society opens up, these family issues won’t matter at all.

In the months working on Red Fifth Street, Tian Xiang heard a lot about the Meng Family, and she knew someone in their family was abroad, but she wasn’t clear on the specifics.

Meng Cheng’an was silent. Tian Xiang’s comfort was so powerless it seemed like nothing was said.

Tian Xiang thought for a moment and then asked, "For your grandpa’s matter, has your family thought of any way to help him out of the situation?"

She had a reincarnated person by her side, and if possible, she could bring Tian Chuying over to provide details of the next few years and see if there’s any way to help him.

Meng Cheng’an: "His situation is beyond help."

The level is too high, a place he cannot reach.

"How can there be no way at all? At least you can find out some news, right!"

Tian Xiang thought of Zeng Qingwen and said softly to him, "Do you remember Zeng Qingwen from the factory’s broadcasting station? Her partner works in the city office, and I have some connections with her. How about I ask her about the situation?"

Though it might not help, it’s worth a try.

Meng Cheng’an laughed, "My grandpa isn’t here; he was taken to Beijing."

It feels like the situation is pretty serious. No wonder he said there’s no news or way to help.

Tian Xiang was a bit depressed too and suddenly wanted to ask about his family’s situation.

"Um, who in your family is abroad?"

Meng Cheng’an: "My two aunts."

Oh my, there are actually two of them.

Tian Xiang: "What about your dad and your mom?"

They’d been colleagues for so long, and Tian Xiang had never heard him mention his parents, which didn’t feel right.

Meng Cheng’an paused, "My dad is in Beijing too but can’t come home."

Unable to return home despite being outside, considering the Meng Family’s situation...

Could he be in prison!

Tian Xiang also fell silent; she shouldn’t have asked about such things, as it felt like she was poking at his wounds.

Seeing that the topic was open, Meng Cheng’an proactively mentioned his mother, "After the family was in trouble, my mom cut ties with us and remarried."

There were things Meng Cheng’an hadn’t mentioned.

To protect herself and leave the Meng Family, that person reported some matters, worsening the family’s situation.

Meng Cheng’an: "My grandma died early, before I was born. I’ve always lived with my grandpa all these years."

Tian Xiang looked at him pityingly; she didn’t know about these things before. So pitiful.

Her sympathy overflowed, she patted his shoulder and said, "It’s okay, believe me, society will improve, and everything will pass. If you can’t help, then just wait peacefully. Live your current life well, and stop saying such depressing things, and don’t..."

Tian Xiang paused, "And stop being mad at me."

Her cheeks flushed as she said this.

What tantrums! What she meant was not to push her away because of family issues.

Tian Xiang’s earlier comfort didn’t stir any emotions in Meng Cheng’an. After all, she wasn’t good at comforting, repeatedly saying such bland sentences.

But her last words managed to stir up Meng Cheng’an’s heart.

He stared blankly at the person in front of him, "You don’t mind?"

You’re still willing to be with me?

The latter question was just asked in his heart, as he was too afraid to voice it, fearing disappointment.

Tian Xiang cleared her throat, "When I choose a partner, I value character and temperament more than anything else; everything else is secondary."

Hearing this, Meng Cheng’an’s eyes were passionate, and he trembled uncontrollably.

"If my grandpa can’t get through this situation, I might be sent to the countryside or to a farm. You? Us?"

She couldn’t possibly go with him!

Even if she accepted, he couldn’t bear to take her to suffer in those places.

Going to the countryside wasn’t something Tian Xiang had considered, as she’d heard from Tian Chuying that when the college entrance exams are restored next year, the educated youth in the countryside would start returning to the cities.

Those people are starting to come back; how could anyone still be sent down? This policy will definitely be abolished!

Tian Xiang: "It won’t happen."

Her expression was serious and earnest, "This is not comforting you, nor joking. Such things won’t happen."

A baseless denial as a form of comfort!

Meng Cheng’an’s eyes dimmed, and he sighed, "I trust you."

He didn’t plan on making her endure such hardship originally, and knowing she didn’t despise him made him content.

His expression made it obvious that he didn’t take her words seriously.

Tian Xiang felt a bit stifled. She held Meng Cheng’an’s face, making him look at her seriously, "What I said is true! Meng Cheng’an, do you believe I can predict the future?"

Meng Cheng’an wanted to laugh, but seeing Tian Xiang’s extremely serious demeanor, he held it back.

Tian Xiang’s expression turned grave as she said to him, "What I’m about to say is very, very important. Swear you won’t tell anyone, including your grandpa."

Seeing her seriousness, Meng Cheng’an collected his thoughts, raised his hand, and swore, "I, Meng Cheng’an, solemnly swear that if I disclose what Tian Xiang is about to say to anyone, may I be struck by lightning and die without a burial place."

Oh! You don’t need to swear such an extreme oath.

Tian Xiang was mainly worried that if this were to spread, it might affect social development.

Tian Xiang: "It doesn’t have to be like that, just make sure not to tell anyone."

She began to feel sorry for herself.

Meng Cheng’an smiled, feeling sweetness in his heart.

Tian Xiang said solemnly, "Next year, there will be great changes in society. The college entrance exams will be restored, and it won’t be in the summer; it’ll be in the winter, with spring enrollment. At that time, educated youth will return to the cities, and the countryside policies will also be abolished.

I don’t know the details, but many things happening now will be overturned. Everything will gradually get better, and in a few more years, societal reforms will allow small businesses and such..."