Gu Yuxuan laughed cheerfully and patted her chest. "It"s no problem at all! I"ll just be writing my thesis this semester. I don"t really have anything on at the moment. Just leave Niannian to a great idler like me."
Yun Muxi flashed her a grateful smile. "Hm. I"ve already registered Niannian in a kindergarten. She can stay there during the daytime and you"ll just have to help pick and drop her off. Of course, if I have the time, I"ll do it myself."
Gu Yuxuan lovingly caressed Niannian"s head. "Our dearest little princess Niannian is all grown up! You"re about to enter a kindergarten!"
Yun Muxi appeared to have thought of something. "Oh right, I"ll be going to campus this afternoon. I"ll have to leave Niannian to you then. Since I"m done with my thesis, I want to show it to my supervisor. If there"s no issue with it, I"ll just have to wait for my thesis defense and graduation. I"ll be able to make sure of the free time to focus on the filming."
Gu Yuxuan raised her chin to look toward the sky, looking as if she had suffered a great impact. "Is there still any fairness left in this world? I"ve not even got started but you"re already done with your thesis... Sob... Must you crush outstanding heroes so fiercely like this? It"s true that one wouldn"t get hurt if one doesn"t make comparisons! Can you stop yourself from torturing me too much with your super IQ? You"ve already tortured me since young! My life hasn"t been easy! If I"m not as big-hearted as I am, I would"ve long die from spitting out too much blood!"
Yun Muxi could not stop ridiculing her friend after seeing how exaggerated her response was. "You must use your talkativeness to finish writing your thesis. You"ll get enough inspiration if you stop watching so many idol dramas and gaming so much."
Gu Yuxuan denied the logic of Yun Muxi"s words. "I"m just following the trend of youngsters and doing what all youngsters do. Who would want to be like hobbyless like you? You don"t watch television, go out shopping, join gatherings, sing karaoke, watch films, or play games. You don"t even go out to eat! You basically go to and fro from point A to B each day. You"re what the stereotypical retiree look like! No, that"s not quite right! Retirees these days have an even more interesting life than you because old ladies would at least go out dancing in the square, travel, hike, or use social media..."
Bitterness flitted across Yun Muxi"s face. She smiled faintly. "Where would I have the time to do all those things? You need time and money to exchange for such a carefree life."
Gu Yuxuan instantly knew that she had misspoken and a guilty expression appeared on her face. "I"m sorry, Xiao Xi! I shouldn"t say these things to you. Just blame my filthy mouth. I"m just shooting my mouth off. Please don"t take it to heart. I know you"re doing all this for Niannian. You"ve been juggling your studies, work, and caring for Niannian all these years..."
Niannian might not understand the conversation between the adults but she seemed to have sensed her mother"s dejection. She hugged Yun Muxi"s calf with her tiny hands and raised her head, staring at the latter with her large and limpid eyes. Yun Muxi"s heart immediately softened when she saw how clever and sensible Niannian was. But it was also because her heart ached for Niannian. Niannian had always been more sensible than her peers since a young age and rarely threw tantrums or became stubborn. She was particularly easy to care for, giving Yun Muxi peace of mind. With the help of Gu Yuxuan and Mou Yichen, this child turned three in the blink of an eye. Even though the three of them tried their best to shower her with affection, Yun Muxi still felt like she owed Niannian too much.
Yun Muxi squatted down and rubbed Niannian"s little head. "For Niannian, it was all worth it," she said with a gentle smile.
Gu Yuxuan"s heart squeezed as she looked at the mother-and-daughter pair. After a moment of silence, she said, "But it"s so hard on you to be alone like this. You"re only 23 years old and this is your best time. How nice would it be if you can find and marry someone who would love and care for you? There"ll be someone to help you, at least."
Chuckling, Yun Muxi shook her head. "Don"t I have you and Yichen helping me all this while? I"m very content. I think it"s fine just to keep living like this."
Niannian stared at her with her large eyes and said timidly, "Mommy, Niannian wants a father. Can I have Uncle Gong as my father?"
Yun Muxi"s heart fell. She then patiently said, "Niannian, please be obedient. You have Mommy, Mommy Xuanxuan, and Daddy Chen. You can"t be greedy when you already have so many people doting on you. Most children only have two parents, but you have three. Moreover, Uncle Gong will not be your father. Please don"t talk about this anymore. It"s not nice if he hears about it."
Niannian lowered her head dejectedly, wearing such a pitiful expression that no one would have the heart to refuse her.
There was something that Gu Yuxuan wanted to say, but dared not to…
University Z.
Yun Muxi made a beeline for the faculty office as soon as she arrived on campus.
"Thump, thump, thump!" She knocked gently on the Professor w.a.n.g"s office door.
An aged but firm voice came from inside. "Please enter."
Yun Muxi pushed the door open and walked in with a smile. "Professor w.a.n.g."
Professor w.a.n.g was busy writing at the table. He looked up when he heard her voice. "Oh, it"s you, Xiao Xi? Come on in. What brings you here?"
w.a.n.g Xiansheng was an elderly man who was about 60 years old. His salt-and-pepper hair was combed back in a neat fashion and a pair of gla.s.ses with thick lenses decorated his face. Wrinkles lined his forehead and specks of grey could be found even in his eyebrows. Sitting on the tail of his eyebrows was a long, white hair. Even though he appeared wizened, he had a ruddy complexion and gave off the air of a scholar. Moderately-built, he was dressed in a white shirt, corduroy trousers, and round-toed shoes. Though his appearance was simple, he did not look underdressed at all. Professor w.a.n.g had already reached his retirement age but out of boredom at home, he returned to work as a special professor.
Yun Muxi was the student that he was proudest of in his career of 40 years. She had always been seen as well-behaved, clever, witty, diligent, studious, sensible, and quiet. She was unlike many students these days who were p.r.o.ne to exaggeration and lost in life. She was typically rather secretive and would often leave as soon as cla.s.ses were over. She had never been spotted in any place on the campus except the cla.s.ses as well. Even so, she had never done anything improper in her four years in university and was always a good student. She retained her scholarship every year and a top-scorer in all subjects. The top student position had always belonged to her. What teacher wouldn"t like a student like her?
"Professor w.a.n.g, I"m done with my graduation thesis. I"d like your advice on it. I"ll be pretty busy in the following days, so if there"s any revision to be done, I want to finish it as soon as possible," she said, smiling.
Professor w.a.n.g was terribly surprised to hear her words. "Oh? You"re done with your graduation thesis so quickly? There are so many students who haven"t even started yet! You really deserve your top scholar t.i.tle…"