Mother Xia faced condemnation and threats after Xia Chuyi and others left, but they were completely unaware.
Even if they had known, they probably wouldn’t have bothered.
"Chuyi, how is your business doing in the city? Are you tired?" Uncle Xia asked Xia Chuyi.
Uncle Xia’s foot injury hadn’t healed, causing him to walk slowly. Xia Chuyi and Aunt Xia supported him from each side as they strolled leisurely through the village.
Xia Chuyi shook his head and answered with a smile, "Not tired at all, as long as I’m making money, I’m not tired."
After saying that, he grinned mischievously and chuckled.
Uncle Xia shook his head, unable to suppress a smile.
But how could he not know the hardships of running a business?
Especially a food business, getting up early and going to bed late, it’s extremely tough.
This child Chuyi has always been sensible since he was young, painfully so.
But the Chuyi of the past was rather inflexible, not knowing how to compromise, often hurting others and himself. After the broken engagement, he matured and understood more... and became even more endearing.
Not wanting to worry him, he simply said, "Chuyi, if you find it too tough, just come home and rest."
Xia Chuyi felt a warmth in his heart and nodded with a smile, "Yeah, don’t worry, Uncle, I understand."
"While business is important, don’t neglect your studies. When school starts, make sure to enroll, and take that half year to prepare well. I believe you can definitely get into college," Uncle Xia continued affectionately.
As long as he gets into college and leaves this place, no one will be able to hold him back again.
"Yeah, I understand, thank you, Uncle," Xia Chuyi sincerely thanked his uncle.
She was immensely grateful to her uncle for choosing her side over that of Mother Xia.
Uncle Xia looked at her, sighed, and said, "Just remember, your uncle is always here for you."
"Yeah," Xia Chuyi responded.
The uncle and nephew talked some more about the business.
Throughout their conversation, no one mentioned Mother Xia.
Amidst this warm atmosphere, they eventually arrived at Uncle Xia’s house.
"Chuyi, are you going to stay in the village tonight, or are you heading back?" Uncle Xia suddenly asked at the doorstep.
Without thinking, Xia Chuyi immediately replied, "I have to go back. I need to prepare things for tomorrow."
Uncle Xia nodded, a bit disappointed yet somewhat relieved.
This child has really grown up.
"Yes, that’s how it should be, consistent and persistent," Uncle Xia praised.
After praising, he said to Aunt Xia, "You go see Chuyi off."
Aunt Xia didn’t respond for a while.
The two quickly looked at her, only to see Aunt Xia with her head down, staring at the ground, silent.
Uncle Xia called again.
Aunt Xia didn’t move.
"Aunt?" Xia Chuyi called out.
Hearing her voice, Aunt Xia finally slowly lifted her head, her eyes red, clearly having cried secretly.
Uncle and nephew exclaimed together.
"It’s nothing... nothing! Just some dust in my eye," Aunt Xia wiped her eyes and composed herself, letting go of Uncle Xia, and took Xia Chuyi’s hand.
"Chuyi, running a business is tough, if you don’t want to do it, then don’t. Your uncle and I can support you."
"If you want to study, as long as you get admitted, no matter if it’s Beijing or Shanghai, no matter the cost, even if we have to sell everything, I’ll support your education."
"As for the Xia family, if you don’t want to acknowledge them, then don’t! No matter who advises or talks from behind, such cold-hearted people, we can just disown them!"