CHAPTER 516: CHAPTER 518

"Mum, I want to study abroad," Feiyue said as he graduated from his master’s program, yet he planned to go overseas for further study.

Xia Xiao naturally supported her son, and Gao Jiaxing had no objections either. If Feiyue wanted to become a diplomat, he would need outstanding abilities, and going abroad was also a test. Thus, Xia Xiao bid farewell to her younger son.

After graduating, Feiyang joined the Special Forces. However, father and son did not serve together; Feiyang did not want to join the unit led by Gao Jiaxing nor the ones with Liu Yuanchao or Yu Shijie. Instead, he applied for a different unit.

Meanwhile, Feiyi had already embarked on his path to becoming a gold medalist. Xia Xiao could not accompany her son, but she watched every game he played.

Feiteng and Feiling were in junior high school, Weilin had graduated and became a radio announcer, and Xiao Mei had enrolled in adult education for fashion design.

While everyone was working hard for their future, Xia Xiao was also busy. Over the years, she had become increasingly excellent at the Geological Department, with many of her research papers yielding impressive results.

Moreover, in the Gambling Stone Industry, Xia Xiao had become very famous. Although she did not own any properties, she was an investor, ranging from the clothing to the jewelry industry, to real estate and the stock market—they all reflected Xia Xiao’s unique insights.

"Xiaoxiao, I suddenly feel like retiring," Gao Jiaxing said to Xia Xiao.

Xia Xiao laughed, raising an eyebrow, "Oh? Our battalion commander wants to retire?"

"I just feel that we’ve been so busy over the years, rarely spending time together. And with you always running around, you don’t seem to miss me," Gao Jiaxing said, looking at the now forty-five-year-old Xia Xiao, who appeared to be in her early thirties. He thought about the comments people made about Xia Xiao—The Queen of Gambling Stones, a business magnate, a geologist; she had no shortage of admirers.

And he, her husband, couldn’t accompany her like a public figure by her side, which filled Gao Jiaxing with a bittersweet feeling.

"Do you really want to give up everything you have now?" Xia Xiao asked with a smile.

Of course, he didn’t want to. Gao Jiaxing had worked hard for many years to reach his current status, and he had cultivated a group of people. He was reluctant to hand over his achievements.

However, the thought of retiring and spending more time with Xia Xiao appealed to him, considering their time apart. He imagined retiring and then being able to travel freely with Xia Xiao everywhere.

"Don’t think too much. I have my own plans too," said Xia Xiao, snuggling into Gao Jiaxing’s arms. "Now you can retire at fifty. Give me another five years, and I’ll stay at home, and then we can travel wherever we want without following the research group’s schedule."

Over the years, Xia Xiao had traveled abroad with the research group, but she had not come across any energy stones with Shitou for several years. She felt that it might be because the research group’s route was restricted, limiting her ability to travel globally. If she were to take the team with her, she had to consider their safety.

Thus, Xia Xiao wanted to venture out on her own, and besides, Shitou was with her. From space, she could traverse freely.

Now women could retire at fifty. Xia Xiao, who was forty-five, thought she could rest easy after another five years when her children would have settled down and started their own families.

Of course, Xia Xiao knew that she had spent less time with Gao Jiaxing, but she had been fortunate enough to be reborn. Having promised Shitou, Xia Xiao wanted to find the energy stone for Shitou. As long as Shitou found the energy stone, she and Gao Jiaxing would never have to be apart again—she could go wherever Gao Jiaxing went.

At fifty-five, Gao Jiaxing thought about himself, considering that once his eldest son had grown up, he could hand over everything to him, and then he would be able to accompany Xia Xiao properly.

"When I retire, I want to open a jewelry store, create a brand, and start a fashion chain," Xia Xiao planned. Currently, as a civil servant, she could invest but not engage in trade. However, once retired, she would have no such concerns.

Gao Jiaxing smoothed Xia Xiao’s hair, watching as she spoke with confidence, knowing well that Xia Xiao was exceptional. Yet he felt surprise mingled with certainty when he witnessed her achievements, confirming his belief in her.

Years went by—1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997—and five years passed. Xia Xiao officially retired from her position as a deputy director.

And that year, Hong Kong returned to China.

At the gala, Weilin, as a host, took the stage, and Feiling also sang alongside celebrities as an invited guest. Feiyi, the gold medalist, also made an appearance.

"Mum, the director behind the scenes at the gala asked if my parents were Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao," said Feiling, puzzled.

Xia Xiao was startled, "Which director?"

"Tao Sheng," Feiling replied.

Upon hearing this, Gao Jiaxing paused. He had heard from Xia Xiao about Ge Lai’s past. He immediately asked, "Where did you run into Director Tao Sheng?"

"Right here." A voice announced.

Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao turned to look and saw Ge Lai waving at them, "Long time no see."

"You finally came back," Gao Jiaxing gave Ge Lai a firm slap and embraced his old friend tightly.

"Brother’s wife, you look so young after all these years, while Gao Er has aged," Ge Lai commented, to which Gao Jiaxing’s temple vein twitched, "It’s been a long time. I wonder if you’ve still got your moves. Let’s practice."

"Ah, I’m naturally not a match for you; no need to spar," Ge Lai shook his head.

"You’re a martial arts star and a stunt coordinator; let’s have a go," and with that, Ge Lai was led away by Gao Jiaxing.

Xia Xiao couldn’t help but laugh, and Feiling said, "Mum, you and dad know Director Tao Sheng?"

"Yes, we met a long time ago," Xia Xiao replied.

"No wonder he just told me there’s a movie role he wants me to play the female lead. I thought he was interested in me for my skills; turns out it’s because of you two," Feiling pouted.

Xia Xiao chuckled, "That also shows my little movie queen’s talent, doesn’t it? Otherwise, why would he want you for the lead role?"

Feiling, who debuted as a child star, won the Best Actress award at seventeen for a movie about human trafficking, "Escape". This marked a successful transition in her career, and her career continued to rise steadily.

"Mum, you don’t know, but Director Tao Sheng is quite proud. His movies are very selective, and even on the mainland, I’ve heard about his choosy reputation," said the twenty-year-old Feiling, standing beside Xia Xiao, arm in arm, looking like sisters rather than mother and daughter.

"Mom," Feiyi called as he ran over, with the gala concluded and everyone dispersing.

"Where’s Weilin?" Xia Xiao asked Feiyi.

"My sister got picked up by Fang Ming."

As soon as Feiyi finished speaking, Feiling said, "Sister and Brother Fang Ming should get married by now, right? They’ve been dating for years, and marathon relationships like theirs don’t often end in marriage. I think they should either just bite the bullet and get married, or break up already; otherwise, dragging it on at their age, they’ll miss their chance to find a new love."