Su Xiaomei got married half a year ago.
The couple were so in love, they wished they could be together every moment of the day.
Whenever Su Xiaomei had a moment of free time, Huo Sinian would want to be with her.
Coupled with Shen Zizhen's research project reaching a critical stage, Su Xiaomei was naturally extremely busy.
Su Xiaotian hadn't seen Su Xiaomei for quite some time.
That was why Su Xiaotian said what she did.
"You little girl, you're getting naughtier by the day," Su Xiaomei said, smiling as she tapped Su Xiaotian's forehead.
"How dare I be naughty? You are my esteemed teacher's wife!" Su Xiaotian playfully retorted, becoming even more mischievous.
Su Xiaomei was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
This girl, so soft, cute, and adorable when she was little, had become less so as she grew up!
She even teased her own elder sister!
After a few rounds of laughter and playful banter, Su Xiaotian invited Su Xiaomei to eat the sweet and sour pork ribs.
This was a new flavor that Grandma Su had recently concocted: sweet and sour pork ribs with plum flavor!
Su Xiaotian loved this flavor so much that she could eat it endlessly.
Su Xiaomei washed her hands before sitting opposite Su Xiaotian to start eating.
"This flavor is delicious, I like it too!"
After taking a bite, Su Xiaomei comfortably narrowed her eyes.
"Grandma made quite a lot today. If Sister Xiaomei likes it, I'll pack a lunchbox for you to take home when you leave."
Su Xiaotian was usually very generous with her family.
Su Xiaomei never thought of herself as an outsider. Hearing Su Xiaotian say that, she immediately agreed.
"Then I won't be polite."
"Sister Xiaomei, did you come today for any other reason?"
Su Xiaotian was curious. For Su Xiaomei to make a special trip, there must be something else. It definitely wasn't just to eat pork ribs with her.
"Xiaotian, I really do have something I need your help with today."
As she said this, a hint of shyness flashed across Su Xiaomei's face.
This made Su Xiaotian very puzzled.
It was just asking for her help, was it that difficult?
Why would Sister Xiaomei show such a shy expression?
Moreover, it was a shy expression mixed with a hint of sweetness!
"What is it? Sister Xiaomei, just tell me!"
Su Xiaotian didn't think much of it, picking up another piece of sweet and sour pork rib and munching on it as she spoke.
Su Xiaomei sat up straight and spoke with a serious expression.
"The research project is at a critical juncture, and I need to go to the South. But I... I want to ask you to go to the southern base!"
"Sister Xiaomei, I still have school. Why don't you go yourself?"
Su Xiaotian, buried in eating the ribs, didn't consider the implications.
If she remembered correctly, this project had always been managed by Sister Xiaomei and Third Brother, with Uncle Shen mostly providing guidance.
Since it was a critical stage, why didn't Sister Xiaomei want to go herself?
"Xiaotian, my dear sister, if I could go, I would definitely go myself, but I can't go right now."
Can't go?
Su Xiaotian looked up at Su Xiaomei in confusion.
Su Xiaomei continued, "After thinking about it, you are the most suitable. If anyone else goes, they might just be a burden!"
Sister Xiaomei's expression was very unusual!
Sister Xiaomei, who had always done things herself, was now saying she couldn't go?
In fact, by asking her to go, she was essentially handing over the project!
After carefully observing Su Xiaomei from head to toe, Su Xiaotian suddenly realized something and stared at Su Xiaomei's belly.
"Sister Xiaomei, could it be that you're pregnant?"
Su Xiaomei smiled shyly and said, "Yes, I just found out. The doctor said it's best to rest during this period! That's why I wanted to ask for your help!"
"But, Sister Xiaomei, is it appropriate for me to go?" Su Xiaotian still felt that it was somewhat inappropriate for her to go.
Besides, she hadn't participated in this research project. If she went rashly, what if she didn't do a good job?
Moreover, the preliminary work was all done. Wouldn't it be like picking the fruit before it was ripe if she went now?
"Xiaotian, you know, this project has always been handled by me and Third Gong, with Father as the supervising professor. I can't go now, and letting Third Gong handle it alone would definitely be too much for him."
"Sister Xiaomei, are you sure you won't regret handing over your project to me like this?"
"People always need to make choices, and I won't regret it. Xiaotian, I truly have no other suitable person to ask."
Su Xiaomei pleaded with Su Xiaotian.
She knew that Xiaotian was still studying and that taking extended leave would be difficult, but there was no other way.
This research project was of great importance. If it weren't for Xiaotian, she truly wouldn't feel at ease.
Seeing Su Xiaomei like this, Su Xiaotian knew that there was indeed no other choice.
Otherwise, Sister Xiaomei wouldn't have traveled so far just after finding out she was pregnant.
"Is Teacher's Wife planning to ask for leave for me from the Professor? Isn't this considered abusing one's position for personal gain?"
Su Xiaotian said playfully, teasing her.
Su Xiaomei glared at Su Xiaotian, thinking how mischievous this girl was!
However, her words implied that if she were granted leave, she would be willing to go?
"Don't worry, as your Teacher's Wife, I can't ask for leave for you, but your Uncle Shen can!"
After saying this, Su Xiaomei felt that something was slightly off.
This girl was really mixing up the generational order.
After Su Xiaomei left, although Su Xiaotian hadn't officially received notification to go south, she began to quietly prepare.
This trip would definitely not be a one or two-day affair, so she needed to prepare more things.
On Monday morning, Su Xiaotian returned to school and attended classes as usual.
On Wednesday, Huo Sinian found Su Xiaotian and explained the situation.
It turned out that Shen Zizhen had personally intervened to get Su Xiaotian twenty-five days of leave from Beijing University.
The leave was granted, but the school's requirement for Su Xiaotian was that she must return before the mid-term exams and participate in them normally.
They also required Su Xiaotian to pass all her exams and rank in the top three. She was not to slack off on her studies just because she was on leave!
It was no joke; as a genius student like Su Xiaotian, they wished she could become a benchmark for Beijing University. How could they allow her any possibility of not studying diligently?
Su Xiaotian thought about having to take exams upon her return and achieving good grades, which was truly a bitter prospect.
She wondered if it was too late to regret it and not go.
Wasn't it more pleasant to focus on studying at school?
At that time, it wouldn't be impossible for her to achieve first place, let alone the top three.
But the matter was settled, and it had even been registered with the Ministry of Agriculture. It was impossible not to go now!
Su Xiaotian went home that evening.
Grandma Su was very surprised by her granddaughter's sudden return.
Why had this child returned so suddenly?
What had happened at school?
Just as Grandma Su was about to ask Su Xiaotian, she saw Su Sangong also return.
"Why have you two siblings returned so suddenly? Rest for a bit, and Grandma will make something delicious for you!" Grandma Su said happily.
Now that the children were all at their respective schools, only the adults were left at home during the week, which felt rather dull.
When Su Sangong returned, he brought Su Xiaotian's train ticket with him.