Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Alix froze and Junxi looked up with that reaction. Her head slightly tilted questioningly.

How does she know about it?

The only way was Lin or Cai but she was sure they wouldn't have met. But Jin had dropped a visit to the cemetery and she knew that Lin…

Why couldn't Jin have just stayed back at home!

"Is Alix here? Oh you are!"

Ren Cuifen beamed as she peeked into Alix's room followed by Xie Nuying who had tagged along with her. The two women hopped in, their faces shining with joy upon seeing little Junxi.

"Oh dear she is so beautiful," Ren Cuifen couldn't hold her tears back.

Alix shifted uncomfortably. She was aware that the Ren family were invited too but she wondered what they were thinking by not seeing her with everybody else outside? Her marriage with Jin was already a source of concern for them.

"Alix was just like this when she was born…" she sniffled. "So pretty and delicate. Her cheeks were chubby just like this. Now you have grown into such a beautiful woman."

Xie Nuying nodded. "I understand your feelings. My Ai was just as cute and adorable. It seems…" her eyes watered, "like my granddaughter has inherited those genes…Oh yes!"

She brought some small packet out of nowhere and handed it to Alix. "I have baked some apple cookies. I am steadily improving upon my baking skills," she nodded. "I didn't see you outside so I personally wanted to give you. It's a popular belief that with the presence of certain forces in this house, food happens to magically disappear."

Nana's brow twitched. She let out a cough. "You did the right thing, Miss. Xie. We cannot trust anybody with such delicious cookies."

"Oh and don't worry dear. Jin has his own share of cookies so you don't have to share with him."

"Thank you…"

Xie Nuying took a seat and happily watched Junxi cradled and rocked in Alix's arms. Then she looked up at Alix and something occurred to her.

"Oh yes. Ailun and the kids told me how you teach them with their essay homework."

"...Just in passing."

"I think you are underestimating yourself, dear. The kids couldn't talk enough about you. It's very fun to learn from you they say very eagerly."

"Well…"

Her head tilted. "Have you considered taking up teaching as your career?"

Alix blinked. "What? Teaching?"

"Teaching?" Ren Cuifen was similarly confused.

Her gaze alternated between the mother-daughter duo.

"Well, yes. Your sister is handling the family business and from what I heard, you don't seem to be much interested in doing business or a corporate kind of a job. So when I heard the kids talk, I thought you can be well suited to be a teacher."

Nana beamed. "Ah! I get where you are coming from. That's such a good thought, Miss. Xie. Alix is indeed very adept in handling children."

She nodded. "That's what I thought after listening to the kids. They looked like small ducklings following their mother duckling."

Her brow twitched. It was the same comparison Nian had accused her of.

Ren Cuifen, on her side, wasn't much aware of Yahui's interests but she had indeed noticed her fascination with books and literature in general. Her room was filled with all kinds of books and she had even mounted an extensive book shelf. The original Alix didn't have that same enthusiasm and she was sure teaching as a career choice would have been the last thing on her mind.

"It's also upto Alix which grade of students she is more keen to teach - elementary, middle, high school or college. I think Alix will flourish as a professor whatever she chooses."

Xie Nuying shifted her chair closer to Alix's side, hope shining on her face and stars glittering in her eyes.

"Will you consider it? I will help you with everything you need to know about this career. I wish Ai could have taken up teaching. She had all the right aptitude, but she chose writing. Of course I'm very happy for her. So don't worry. I'm definitely not trying to push my unfulfilled expectations onto you."

Which means you are exactly doing that, Alix inwardly coughed.

Ren Cuifen asked, "What do you think, Alix? You don't have to decide right away."

"I…don't know," Alix genuinely was at a loss. "Teaching or professorship never occurred to me."

Xie Nuying said, "I understand that. Isn't it why we parents are here? It's our responsibility to understand what our child excels in, what their interests are and guide them in the right direction. Ultimately, it's upto you. I just suggested what I thought could suit you. You are very talented. You will do great in whatever field you choose."

She then let out a light cough and mumbled. "...But there is no harm in giving teaching the first priority."

Nana held in her laughter.

Miss. Xie is very cute.

Nana looked at Alix. "Mrs. Ren is right. You can think about it. There is no hurry or pressure."

Junxi gurgled at that moment and was close to crying that signaled she was hungry.

"Aiya, somebody is hungry. I will take her back to Ai."

Alix carefully handed her over to Nana. She smiled. "Miss. Xie and I should take our leave. You two would have a lot to talk about."

"Thank you, Mrs. Liu."

As the two gingerly left, Ren Cuifen glanced back at Alix. She gently held her hands.

"I was really worried at first. The circumstances of your marriage…But seeing the Liu family, meeting Jin again, I know that you are in good hands."

Her gaze expressed how the burden of her daughter's wellbeing had lifted from shoulders. She gently squeezed her palms and smiled.

"But don't forget about us too, okay? The Liu family is more than enough to give you all the love in the world but…your parents are here too. At any point if you feel you have any grievances, please don't hesitate the come to us. I…"

Tears slightly brimmed her eyes. "I know you remember your past and so you must miss your real family too."

Alix stiffened.

"Luoyang or I don't intend to replace your parents. It's impossible and we know that. But we also want to let you know that we are here too. You can count on us just like you would have depended on them because you will never be alone."