At Xia Uncle’s house, Xia Chuyi and her second brother settled Mother Xia.
As for Uncle Jun, his anger was already at its peak. His face stern, he remained silent but stayed by her side.
Xia Uncle’s house had rooms reserved for Mother Xia and Xia Chuyi when it was built. Additionally, since Xia Uncle and Aunt Xia had just moved to the city recently, the house was well-equipped, making the settling-in process relatively quick.
However, there was naturally no room reserved for Xia Chengzong, which prompted Mother Xia to anxiously ask, "What about Chengzong? Where will Chengzong stay?"
In fact, Xia Uncle’s house did have spare storage rooms, but they needed some tidying up before they could be used for living.
"Maybe Chengzong could stay in Xiao Gui’s room for now? After all, Xiao Gui is injured and won’t be back anytime soon," Mother Xia suggested in a negotiable tone to Xia Chuyi.
She knew that the girl was familiar with her uncle’s house.
However, the first to respond was Xia Chengzong.
"Do you know about Xiao Gui’s injury?" Xia Chengzong abruptly asked.
"Ah?" Mother Xia was stunned for a moment before replying, "Yes, I heard about it from someone."
"It’s said that you were the one who came back and reported the news that day! It seems you really have a connection with our branch of the family!"
Having a "son" had significantly lessened the sorrowful and pitiable air about Mother Xia, and her speech carried more cheerfulness.
"Since you know, then why... didn’t you go to see him?" After hesitating, Xia Chengzong couldn’t help but ask.
"Ah?" Mother Xia was stunned again, "I... visiting Xiao Gui wouldn’t help much."
Mother Xia spoke very sincerely.
Hearing this, Xia Chengzong looked at Xia Chuyi with a complex expression.
Xia Chuyi knew her second brother must feel that her mother was less reliable than his own.
Xia Chuyi smiled faintly, then suddenly said, "Second Brother, have you thought about joining the military?"
This question took both Xia Chengzong and Mother Xia by surprise, "What?"
"Second Brother, joining the military can distance you from many troubles," she hinted.
Agreeing to let her second brother be adopted into another branch was her selfishness—it was a way to control Mother Xia.
But she didn’t really want her second brother to actually face Mother Xia.
Her second brother felt indebted to her and wanted to repay her kindness, so he joined another branch... but he completely misunderstood how exasperating a person Mother Xia could be.
This woman could treat others with genuine kindness, even better than her own daughter.
Mother Xia valued the few boys who could carry on the Xia family lineage the most, followed by the "gentle" Xia Lan, and lastly, her, Xia Chuyi.
Sometimes, she felt like she was adopted.
Because only this explanation perfectly explained why Mother Xia didn’t like her.
Unfortunately, life couldn’t be based on assumptions, and this exasperating and unbearable woman was her mother.
"Brother Shi Qian, do you think my second brother could join the military?" Xia Chuyi turned her head to ask Huo Shiqian.
Huo Shiqian slightly furrowed his brow, replying, "Given your second brother’s physical condition, there shouldn’t be a problem."
"Really?" Xia Chuyi was somewhat surprised, then she asked again, "But he was associated with Li Qiang..."
"No worries, the case files for Li Qiang’s case do not include him," Huo Shiqian said.
"That’s truly wonderful!" She was very pleased and turned back to ask Xia Chengzong, "Second Brother, would you be willing to go?"
At that moment, Xia Chengzong was completely stiffened and momentarily at a loss for words.