Chapter 12: Sister Ya, have I changed

The smile at the corner of the son-in-law's lips seemed to indicate serious contemplation. After a moment, he said, "If I don't pass the exam, and our son Heng does, then you should arrange a grand celebration for him."

"Son-in-law, I underestimated you before. You've already made up your mind," Mrs. Wu said. If she still didn't understand by now, she would have wasted half of her life.

Realizing she had been seen through, the son-in-law didn't show any resentment. She simply said, "Mother-in-law, after all, Heng is also your grandson. If he passes the exam, it will be a joyous occasion for the Chen family. You shouldn't show too much favoritism."

"I agree."

"Good, then let's wait for the exam."

After saying this, the son-in-law prepared to leave. Before leaving, she turned towards the inner room, but didn't enter. She just stood at the doorway and said, "Ping'an, since you've become the top scholar, don't forget to tutor your nephew when you have time."

"I won't forget, sister-in-law," Chen Ping'an replied, even though he knew his sister-in-law was being deliberate.

After that, the son-in-law left, and Mrs. Wu sat in her chair, gripping the armrest tightly as if trying to extract something from it.

She believed in her son, but she couldn't swallow the son-in-law's attitude.

In the inner room, Chen Ping'an sat in a chair, and Jiang Yar stood beside him. She noticed that he was wearing thin clothes, having taken off his outer garment when he entered the room.

Looking around, she found Ping'an's outer garment and draped it over him. Suddenly, Ping'an grabbed her hand.

Jiang Yar flinched, wanting to pull away. Ping'an had never made such a bold move before, especially with his mother-in-law outside. If she were to see it...

She whispered, "Ping'an," trying to remind him to let go of her hand.

But Ping'an seemed oblivious, as if he hadn't heard her. "Your hands are so cold," he frowned.

These days, Ping'an had always been caring towards her. Jiang Yar replied, "I just went out, and it's chilly outside. If you're going out later, you should wear something warmer."

Her hands were so cold, yet she was still concerned about him. Ping'an's slightly furrowed brows relaxed a bit, and he softly said, "Yar, you should get yourself a warmer coat."

Although Ping'an was looking out for her, there was no extra money at home to buy her a new coat. She smiled sweetly, content with Ping'an's care. "I have enough clothes. It's you who needs warmer clothing."

Ping'an's smile faded slightly. "Yar, I'm a man. I can endure the cold better than a woman. Besides, I have enough clothes."

"I have enough too," Jiang Yar echoed.

Ping'an never let go of Jiang Yar's hand. He had been trying to keep her warm all along. Although his hands were small, they were enough to hold hers.

As if thinking of something, Ping'an's smile slowly faded. "Yar, do you think my top scholar title is undeserved?"

"No, Ping'an, you earned it with your own abilities," Jiang Yar said without hesitation.

She thought of the son-in-law's words and knew that Ping'an had taken them to heart. "Ping'an, the sister-in-law didn't mean anything by her words."

"Yar, you don't need to comfort me. Some words should be heard, and some shouldn't. I know," Ping'an said, sounding more relaxed.

Hearing him say this, Jiang Yar breathed a sigh of relief. She was always naive and clumsy, not knowing how to comfort others. In the past, Ping'an had been critical of this.

"Ping'an, no matter what, I believe in you," Jiang Yar said, looking at Ping'an with a serious tone, as if making a solemn vow.

Ping'an knew that when she said this, she wasn't lying. This silly girl had just committed herself for a lifetime.

"If you believe in me, how could I let you down? I will definitely pass the top scholar exam," Ping'an said, as if making a promise.

Tears welled up in Jiang Yar's eyes. It was the first time Ping'an had made her feel so important. Despite this, she simply said, "Then your mother-in-law will be very happy."

"Yes, they will definitely be happy. Yar, are you happy?" Ping'an asked, determined to make her happy in this lifetime.

Jiang Yar was taken aback. She replied, "I am happy. If your mother-in-law is happy, then I am happy too."

"If you're happy, I will do everything I can to pass the top scholar exam," Ping'an said, determined to fulfill his promise.

"Ping'an, I believe in you," Jiang Yar repeated once more.

"Yar, do you think I've changed these days?" Ping'an asked. Jiang Yar had grown up in the Chen family and was always observant.

The people in the Chen family only saw her as a silly girl, but Chen Ping'an, who had lived two lifetimes, saw through it. Indeed, Jiang Yarou's hand stiffened for a moment, and then she replied, "You have always been Ping'an, haven't you?"

Ping'an had naturally changed, and she had noticed it early on. However, after Ping'an changed, she became even better to her, so she didn't pay much attention to it.

"Yarou, you are lying," Ping'an's keen eyes were as bright as torches, even though he wasn't looking at Jiang Yarou's eyes at the moment.

But Jiang Yarou heard the authority in his voice, and her body trembled slightly. She took a deep breath and said softly, "Ping'an, you are who you are. How could there be any change? In Yarou's eyes, you are Ping'an, and also my husband."

"Yes, I am your husband, your Jiang Yarou's husband alone." With this statement, Chen Ping'an made a lifelong commitment. Whether he had changed or not was not important.

At this moment, Jiang Yarou's hand was still held by Chen Ping'an. When she tried to pull it back, Chen Ping'an didn't let go. She said softly, "Ping'an, I need to go make lunch."