"Brother, this matter has nothing to do with you," Chuyi said calmly to Xia Chengzong, "If there’s anyone who should feel guilty, it should be me."
"Honestly, if the law would allow it, I would absolutely sever ties with her."
"I can provide for her, I can give her living expenses, but I am not willing to regard this person as my mother anymore."
There not a trace of emotion in Xia Chuyi’s eyes.
After a pause, Xia Chuyu continued, "So, the decision back then to have you adopted was actually my selfishness, I pushed my responsibility onto you."
"Brother, if anyone should say sorry, it should be me."
This last sentence revealed a sincere sense of guilt in Xia Chuyi’s eyes.
She truly felt a bit sorry for Xia Chengzong.
Hearing this, Xia Chengzong’s brows furrowed deeply and he quickly said, "The suggestion for adoption came from me, how could it be considered your selfishness?"
"Chuyi, we all have our selfish desires, you wanted to leave the second branch, I wanted to leave the main branch."
Xia Chengzong said heavily and then fell silent.
The conversation could not go on any further at this point.
Xia Chuyi sighed in her heart, continuing seemed like they were each picking at their own scars.
"Alright, brother, let’s not talk about this anymore, it’s the New Year," Xia Chuyi said to Xia Chengzong with a smile, "Everyone has their own destiny, and look at me now, I’m in quite a good state, aren’t I?"
"To speak of the pitiable, Xia Pan and Xia Ming, the two little ones sold by their own parents, are much more pitiable than us."
"So we should never dwell on our own misfortune, as that will only bring us more."
"We should focus our attention on some of the good things."
"For example, even though our pasts weren’t good, my future will be infinitely bright."
"Look, this year our family has so many people, it will be such a lively New Year!"
As she reached the last sentence, Xia Chuyi’s entire demeanor became cheerful, telling Xia Chengzong, "That person, I’ve long since stopped caring about her."
"So, brother, you don’t have to worry about me."
Seeing her composed appearance, Xia Chengzong felt a little better, and with some reluctance, he nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll take your word for it."
When the New Year came, there were Uncle Xia, Aunt Xia, Xia Chuyi, Zhao Xiaogui, Xia Chengzong, Xia Pan, Xia Ming, and even Uncle Quan who was paralyzed all day long... Just as Xia Chuyi said, the scene was exceedingly lively as the family gathered around the table.
As the firecrackers went off outside, "May everyone have everything go their way in the new year!" Accompanying the Xia family’s blessings, a lively and harmonious New Year’s Eve dinner began amidst laughter and joy.
At this moment, Heshan Village presented a completely different scene.
In the main branch of Xia family, Aunt Xia kept craning her neck to look outside.
Seeing her , Grandma Xia couldn’t help but fume, "What’s the use of looking? Even if your eyeballs fall out, that heartless second son of yours won’t come back to see you!"
Turns out, Aunt Xia was waiting for Xia Chengzong.
Scolded by Grandma Xia, Aunt Xia’s face showed some displeasure, "I was just wondering since he came back yesterday..."
So she thought he might visit the main branch again.
Hearing her words, Grandma Xia spat in disdain, "Look at that vile son of yours, do you see? Even for that newly acknowledged mother of his, he just came to take a glance and has already returned to the county for the New Year!"
"Why do you think that is? Isn’t it because Zhao Minglang’s family is rich! That vile creature clings to them!"
"He’s forgotten even his ancestors, that worthless mutt!"