The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 543: Chapter 543: A Person Must Also Have Poetry and Ideals

Everyone’s perception is limited.

For instance, Mrs. Chen had always believed that Western countries were far superior to Hua Country.

She thought that with Hua Country’s backwardness, it was impossible for it to ever catch up to the West.

Furthermore, her experiences in her early years had led her to hold many misconceptions about Hua Country.

And most importantly, she believed in the freedom and democracy of the outside world and distrusted the system back home.

Mr. Chen remained silent, but he was carefully considering his son’s words.

He could see the sincerity in his son’s eyes.

”Wenxuan, you’re really... Darling, you should try to talk some sense into Wenxuan too.”

Unable to win the argument, Mrs. Chen turned to her husband to persuade Chen Wenxuan.

Mr. Chen smiled. ”Our son is grown up and has his own ideas. We should let him live his life his own way. What we think is best isn’t necessarily what Wenxuan thinks is best.”

He still remembered how some of his business partners abroad had looked at him differently after the successful tests of the atomic and hydrogen bombs.

Mr. Chen recalled the feeling from that time. It was all because there were so many sincere people back home, striving to make the country strong.

Mrs. Chen grew anxious. ”I asked you to help me talk him out of it, and here you are, switching sides!”

Mr. Chen took his wife’s hand and said earnestly, ”The boy is grown up. He has his own mind. We should learn to let go.”

”Hmph!” Mrs. Chen sighed and fell silent.

Mr. Chen looked at Chen Wenxuan. ”Wenxuan, after you return to Hua Country, life might not be as vibrant as it is here. Will you be able to adjust?”

Chen Wenxuan smiled. ”Dad, you can’t keep looking at Hua Country with the same old mindset. The per capita income there is low, but so are the prices.”

”After we go back, we’ll be key talents cultivated by the state. We won’t have to worry about material things. Besides, Xiao Jing and I don’t care about that anyway.”

”And if worse comes to worst and we fall on hard times, we still have my sister and brother-in-law, don’t we? So you don’t need to worry about us financially. The country won’t let us down, and neither will my sister and brother-in-law.”

”Think back to the older generation of researchers. They struggled through such harsh conditions to create the ’Two Bombs, One Satellite.’ They are the backbone of us Hua Country people.”

”That generation of researchers is getting old, and now it’s our turn to step up. I still remember the awe I felt when my professor and I went to Northwest Polytechnic University for an academic exchange and saw the ’Forging the Sword for the Nation’ statue.”

”That spirit of working hard in obscurity, without seeking fame or fortune, just for the sake of the country and its people... ’To fall behind is to be vulnerable.’ If we don’t strive, future generations could very well face the danger of annihilation.”

”A person can’t just see money, can’t just see the mundane struggles of the present. We also have poetry and ideals. This has been my aspiration since I was a child, and it’s the driving force behind my life’s work. It won’t change for anyone or anything.”

Mrs. Chen’s breath hitched. She sighed. ”Fine, do whatever you want! But if you want to live a good life, you can’t just rely on your sister and brother-in-law. It’s not like the Chen family has nothing to offer!”

Mr. Chen also nodded. ”Starting a family and a career means you have to provide for them! It would be one thing if we, as your parents, couldn’t support you. But since we have the financial means, we won’t let you and Xiao Jing live a hard life.”

”After you and Xiao Jing have your wedding, I’ll call your younger brother and sister over! We’ll take the opportunity to divide the family assets. Since you and Xiao Jing are determined to be in Hua Country, the Chen Mansion in Shencheng and all our investments there will go to you and Xiao Jing.”

Hearing this, Chen Wenxuan waved his hands dismissively. ”You really don’t have to do that. Xiao Jing and I truly don’t have strong material desires! We’re people who strive for our ideals; we don’t care about these things.”

Mrs. Chen’s heart sank with frustration when she heard that.

”Oh, you’re so noble. You can ignore material things for your ideals. But have you thought about your future children? Are you going to bring them into this world just to make them suffer? What’s the point of all your hard work then?”

”Your father and I left our home and came to Germany, struggling to build a life here in Europe. Do you think we did it just for our own enjoyment? Of course not! We did it to create a better environment and future for the next generation.”

”It would be one thing if your father and I didn’t have the means, but we do, so of course we won’t let you live a difficult life! As long as you still acknowledge us as your parents, you will listen to us on the matter of dividing the assets.”

Mr. Chen agreed wholeheartedly. ”Wenxuan, you and Xiao Jing need to listen to your mother and me on this. We won’t interfere with your and Xiao Jing’s work or future plans, but you must accept the educational fund and material foundation we are providing for the Hua Country branch of the Chen family.”

Seeing his parents’ firm attitude, Chen Wenxuan knew they were doing it for his own good. ”Thank you!”

’In this lifetime, I will do everything in my power to show my parents that my decision was the right one.’

After they finished talking, Mr. Chen said with a smile, ”Your mother’s previous behavior was indeed improper. Your in-laws are here now, so I’ve booked a table at the hotel. We’ll apologize to them when they get back.”

’His wife had indeed been in the wrong before. Although she hadn’t said anything explicit, her subtle actions behind the scenes would certainly have annoyed the bride’s family.’

’Now that the situation was unchangeable, they just had to accept reality.’

Chen Wenxuan called Han Xiaoqing.

Han Xiaoqing told her sister about the invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Chen. ”Sis, should we go?”

Han Xiaorui nodded repeatedly. ”Of course, we should go. Since they’ve offered an olive branch, we should take it.”

”After all, my goal isn’t to break you and Wenxuan up, but to back you up and make sure you have more control in the relationship.”

”They are Chen Wenxuan’s parents, after all. Even if you don’t interact with them much in the future, you still have to keep up appearances.”

”If there’s anything you find difficult to say directly to your father- and mother-in-law, you can have Chen Wenxuan pass it on, or you can just tell me, and I’ll communicate with them.”

With her sister by her side, Han Xiaoqing said, ”Thank you, Sis. You’re the best!”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Silly girl! You’re my sister, one of the people closest to me. Of course I have to stand up for you in certain matters, just like you would rush to the front lines for me without a second thought if I were in trouble.”

Han Xiaoqing nodded eagerly. ”Of course! You’re my sister, the person I’m closest to in this world!”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”So let’s not be so formal with each other! What did Professor Ai Wen say? Is he willing to go to Hua Country with us?”

Han Xiaoqing replied, ”Professor Ai Wen is very interested in the project and also wants to see Hua Country for himself! But he’ll need an official invitation from a relevant organization in Shencheng, otherwise he won’t be able to get a visa.”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”That’s actually easy to handle. When I get back, I’ll just talk to Expert Wang. His organization is a hospital, an official institution. Their research area overlaps with Professor Ai Wen’s, so there’s potential for collaboration.”

Han Xiaoqing agreed completely. ”Yes! That’s why Professor Ai Wen agreed to let me return to Hua Country after getting married without it interrupting my studies.”

”That’s wonderful!” Han Xiaorui said with a laugh. ”You seem to be in great physical condition. If you keep it up, there shouldn’t be any problems.”