Chapter 238
Chapter 238 Summer Family
When Xia Xinyan returned, she heard that most members of the Summer Family would be coming back for the New Year this year.
Besides the previously mentioned good familial relationships, there might be a part of the reason related to the upcoming turmoil.
She had heard Xia Jincang mention that the Summer Family was now changing its survival strategies.
However, this wasn’t something she needed to worry about.
The villa’s dining room was quite large, but even with Xia Jincang added, there were only four people dining. This spaciousness made Xia Xinyan feel a bit out of place.
Maybe this was just how things were at a larger scale—she still preferred smaller houses.
Her easygoing mom seemed to notice that Xia Xinyan’s mood wasn’t great, and so she timely broke the silence: “I remember Jincang moved to your place recently, right? Are you both getting along well?”
“Getting used to it,” Xia Jincang nodded with a smile, “After living in one place for a long time, it’s nice to change the scenery a bit.”
“Xinyan isn’t causing you any trouble, right?” her easygoing dad suddenly asked.
Xia Jincang immediately shook his head: “No, no, Xinyan is very understanding.”
“That’s good,” her easygoing dad muttered as he nodded.
The following conversation was all about ordinary family matters, basically lacking any nutrition. Her easygoing mom seemed to want to draw Xia Xinyan into the chat, but Xia Xinyan was rather half-hearted—it’s not that she didn’t want to chat, she just didn’t know what to talk about.
She couldn’t really say she was familiar with this family.
Lunch ended in this inexplicable atmosphere, and Xia Jincang didn’t stay long; after chatting with Xia Xinyan for a bit, he took his leave, and seeing that, her easygoing dad followed suit.
Just when Xia Xinyan was about to head back to her room, her easygoing mom called out to her: “Xinyan, do you have time now? I’d like to have a chat.”
Xia Xinyan paused for a moment, then nodded: “Hmm.”
“Are you… having conflicts with Cousin Jincang?” That was her mom’s first concern.
Without thinking, Xia Xinyan shook her head: “No.”
“But you used to get along differently.”
Hearing this, Xia Xinyan fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking: “How did we get along before?”
“You used to like Cousin Jincang the most, following him around, calling him ‘brother’ all the time…” As she spoke, her mom seemed to get lost in memories, her tone carrying a hint of emotion, “Back then, Cousin Jincang would find you annoying, always trying to avoid you. We taught him to learn how to take care of his little sister.”
“Later on, he grew up, became more understanding, and turned into the most caring brother who would always think of you first whenever something good happened. He often bragged about having such a wonderful little sister…”
Xia Xinyan fell silent for a moment.
To her, these past experiences were simply byproducts of her rebirth; she hadn’t lived through them herself, so even if she had strong feelings with those so-called relatives, it was hard for her to fit into those memories. She couldn’t play the good daughter or good sister they spoke of.
However, this was bound to create a palpable sense of disconnection—especially as these were people once so close to her.
Curiously, she asked: “Don’t you think I’ve changed?”
It seemed that after she started to get used to this family, calling them Mom and Dad wasn’t that hard anymore.
In response, her easygoing mom just smiled gently: “No matter how you change, you will always be our daughter, and that will never change.”
After pausing for a moment, she continued: “I’m not going to force you to do anything, I just want to give you some advice… You should already know that the game you are playing isn’t normal. Perhaps the entire world will be changed by that game in the future, and when that time comes, your dad and I might not have the ability to protect you. But Cousin Jincang and the others are different; they will lead the Summer Family back to the heights of the past in the new era. With them protecting you, we can rest easy.”
Xia Xinyan instinctively asked back: “Since you know this game will have such a huge impact on the future, then why don’t you try to get involved with it?”
Her easygoing mom was silent for a moment.
Then she sighed: “We’re getting old.”
“If we could be young for another ten years, your dad and I might have tried our hand at it, but we just don’t have the energy anymore… The new era is destined to belong to the youth; the order of the old world won’t be applicable for much longer. I don’t have many grand wishes; I just hope you can live a steady life. If you can be well, your dad and I will be at ease.”
Xia Xinyan couldn’t help but observe her easygoing mom for a moment.
The woman before her bore the standard image of a strong woman, but in home clothes, she exuded a touch more warmth.
She noticed the wrinkles at the corners of her mom’s eyes.
No matter how good the skincare, it ultimately couldn’t hide the marks of time.
Actually, Xia Xinyan thought they weren’t really that old—after all, the Summer Family was still controlled by their generation; however, “Realm of Divine Presence” needed not a business acumen, but a strong physique.
Perhaps that could be improved through game development, but at the very least, they needed to have a foundational physique to step over the game threshold.
This was quite the deadlock.
The future world wouldn’t be as peaceful anymore; when that time came, whether it was money or power, one would need enough strength to protect them. While this generation had excellent business minds, they wouldn’t be the main force in the upcoming new era.
Perhaps they understood that too.
Xia Xinyan sighed internally and softly said: “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself, and since I carry the Summer name, I won’t do anything foolish.”
Her mom pursed her lips: “With Cousin Jincang and the others guarding you, we can be a bit more at ease…”
Xia Xinyan said nothing.
Seeing this, her mom didn’t push her: “The young man you’re dating now… have you really decided on him?”
Xia Xinyan nodded: “His future achievements won’t be any less than anyone in the Summer Family.”
“Looks like you have a lot of faith in him,” her mom remarked with a hint of emotion, “I believe in your judgment too; there’s no need to worry too much about what others think. I’ll handle your dad’s work… But remember, if someone bullies you one day, your dad and I will always be behind you.”
“I know.” Xia Xinyan nodded.
“Then I won’t say anything more. You’ve returned now; just enjoy a few days of relaxation since things may not be so leisurely in the future.” Her mom sighed and stood up to leave.
Xia Xinyan watched her figure, somewhat lost in thought.
She could feel that, whether it was her easygoing dad or mom, they truly loved her—rather, they loved her identity as Xia Xinyan.
Even if the underlying feelings had completely changed.
Yet even though she previously felt indifferent towards the Summer Family, being treated so sincerely by them now, it would be a lie to say she felt no emotion at all.
With that in mind… she would also give her own return.
