The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 180 You Are My Family!_1

Chapter 180: Chapter 180 You Are My Family!_1

If it hadn’t been necessary to go back to Nan City to get the proof, she would not have let her parents know and worry them.

Although Huo Yingjie didn’t need to show his face, he had to conduct experiments at the research institute, where not the slightest bit of sloppiness or distraction could be afforded. Any slip could put Huo Yingjie in grave danger.

Ah, He Tiantian wants to talk about what happened with Qi Jianguo but she is too embarrassed to bring it up!

She certainly can’t say there’s a pervert in Qijia Village who is scheming to possess her, can she? Or mention the young man from the city who simply doesn’t like her, is jealous of her and exposes her?

Let’s not mention that even if Huo Yingjie knew, he couldn’t help from so far away. And even if he could help, He Tiantian had already resolved the matter and everything calmed down for the time being.

Now, Qi Jianguo is being well-behaved, tucking his tail between his legs, and he is also being suppressed by Secretary Qi so that he doesn’t dare to make a move. As for Lin Xiaoru, ever since she received a couple of slaps from her, she has also become much more subdued and dodges He Tiantian whenever she sees her.

He Tiantian doesn’t realize that it’s precisely this mindset of hers that made Huo Yingjie angry, sad, distressed, but most of all, guilty!

By the time He Tiantian had finished making breakfast, Third Grandma Qi and Old Man Qi were already up.

The four of them ate breakfast together.

In front of the elders, Huo Yingjie acted just like before, no different.

He Tiantian pouts to the side, thinking about how to coax Huo Yingjie after they’ve eaten.

After breakfast, it was still early. Although the sun had come out, it was still very cold. They would wait until it warmed up a bit before going out together.

Huo Yingjie and Old Man Qi played chess, Third Grandma Qi twisted yarn, and He Tiantian went to scrub the pots and wash dishes, also making some chrysanthemum glutinous rice cakes on the side.

Before long, she had steamed the fragrant and delicate glutinous rice cakes.

The glutinous rice flour was kneaded with water soaked with chrysanthemum and sweetened with sugar. She found the old molds for making pastries at home and made a plate of over a dozen cakes embossed with the character for good fortune. These cakes were best eaten as soon as they were made. Once cold and hard, they could cause discomfort in the stomach.

He Tiantian brought in some snacks and brewed a cup of tea for everyone, just right for sipping tea and enjoying the snacks together.

"Hehe, how long has it been and you’ve already made pastries," laughed Third Grandma Qi, who especially loved these soft and sweet treats.

He Tiantian smiled and said, "It wasn’t long. Brother Yingjie bought some stuff today, so I made some. Everyone, please try them."

He Tiantian served the snacks to Third Grandma Qi, Old Man Qi, and Huo Yingjie.

"Thank you," said Huo Yingjie, very politely, not praising her as usual.

He Tiantian felt wronged inside. With the elders present, she couldn’t act spoiled or cry!

After the snacks, they set off for the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

It was quite far, and by the time they arrived, it was nearly noon. But it was also warmer by then.

Old Man Qi managed to climb the steps himself, while Third Grandma Qi was carried on the back by Huo Yingjie.

He Tiantian was in charge of explaining on the side.

At noon, Huo Yingjie found a place nearby to grab a quick bite, and then rode the tricycle to take everyone home.

By the time they arrived home, it was already past three in the afternoon.

Old Man Qi and Third Grandma Qi drank some ginger tea, sweated a bit, and then went to rest in their rooms.

Now only He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie were left.

"Brother Yingjie, don’t be angry anymore," He Tiantian said, approaching and shaking Huo Yingjie’s arm when no one else was around, hoping to get past this by acting spoiled.

Huo Yingjie had been holding back his frustration all day, but with the presence of the elders, he couldn’t show it, and it hurt!

Huo Yingjie still didn’t speak, just gazed steadily at He Tiantian.

From Huo Yingjie’s eyes, He Tiantian saw helplessness and heartache, and even disappointment.

He Tiantian panicked. She was too afraid of losing Huo Yingjie, tears involuntarily filled her eyes and she choked up, "I... "

Two lines of tears cascaded down He Tiantian’s cheeks to her chin.

Seeing He Tiantian cry, Huo Yingjie felt pain in his heart; it was his fault. Even if he was angry with her, he shouldn’t have made her so upset.

His Sweet Treasure didn’t tell him in order not to affect his work.

His Sweet Treasure had already handled it well, proving how capable she was.

He couldn’t help Sweet Treasure and even got angry afterwards. He was angry with himself for being useless and for making Tiantian cry—how unreasonable of him.

Huo Yingjie embraced He Tiantian tightly, holding her close, his voice hoarse with emotion as he said, "Sweet Treasure, take good care of yourself and wait for me. At most one year, and I will come to get you, so you won’t have to stay there alone."

Time!

Time!

What he needed most now was time!

If it weren’t for his romantic attachment, he’d be in the lab performing experiments. Perhaps then he could have achieved results sooner. Only with significant achievements could he have the qualifications to request that his unit arrange a better place for He Tiantian.

If Nan City and Yanjing were not options, then some other place would have to do.

Huo Yingjie didn’t dare to let He Tiantian stay in Nan City at all.

In Qijia Village, Tiantian was resented and envied by so many people; it wasn’t safe either.

What was he supposed to do now?

If he could, Huo Yingjie truly wished to shrink He Tiantian down and put her in his pocket, to bring her along wherever he went!

"Okay, I’ll wait for you," He Tiantian replied. She didn’t need too many explanations because she believed that in this life, Huo Yingjie always kept his word. As long as she held on, Huo Yingjie would take care of everything else.

He Tiantian felt a tear drop near her ear—her Brother Yingjie was crying again.

After a while, He Tiantian released herself from Huo Yingjie’s warm embrace and said, "Brother Yingjie, you really shouldn’t listen to Liu Lingli’s nonsense. The situation isn’t as serious as she made it out to be."

Huo Yingjie calmed down a bit and grabbed He Tiantian’s arms, saying, "If you don’t want me to get information from others, then you should tell me the truth and not hide anything from me. Even if I can’t leave the research institute, I can think of a way."

He Tiantian quickly nodded, making a cute obedient face. "Mhm, mhm, I understand. I’ll definitely tell you everything from now on. But those were just minor issues, and I can handle them. When I tell you, you mustn’t get worked up. You should focus on your work at the research institute—I’m still looking forward to you taking me away in the future."

"Deal, you’ll be my family member from now on," Huo Yingjie smiled and kissed He Tiantian’s smooth forehead.

Family member!

What a wonderful term!

No matter where she was, He Tiantian knew it wouldn’t be peaceful.

Nevertheless, He Tiantian understood; only by becoming strong and capable herself could she find the main way out of trouble. Protection from others might solve temporary problems, but it wasn’t a permanent solution.

Now in Qijia Village, her popularity and capability had earned her everyone’s praise, and she had also helped the villagers.

This virtuous cycle continued despite the likes of Qi Jianguo, Qi Shuli, and Lin Xiaoru—bastards and spiteful people didn’t matter anymore.

Because now she wasn’t alone; she was a labor model surrounded by a group of supportive people!

In the evening, Huo Yingjie doodled and wrote on paper, making adjustments to plans for the future.

After that, using work as an excuse, he left early and returned late, and it was unclear what he was busy with.

When He Tiantian asked, Huo Yingjie didn’t tell her.

He Tiantian thought it was work-related confidentiality and didn’t insist on asking further.

******

Recommendations from my friend Tian Qing Di Bai: the completed novels "Tang Dynasty Good Prince Consort," "Reborn in the Riverside Family," "Heirloom Treasure," "Double Happiness Yingmen."