Ye Xiu was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, understanding that where Nan Jin chose to spend the New Year was his own business, and it was none of her concern.
"How could that be? That’s your freedom."
In fact, recently, Ye Xiu had been deliberately and unconsciously avoiding the distance between her and him.
How should she put it? Although Nan Jin hadn’t shown any signs, she always felt a bit awkward. However, given Nan Jin’s open and easygoing demeanor, her deliberate avoidance might make it seem like she was making a mountain out of a molehill.
They soon sat down, and Nan Xi immediately sat next to Ouyang.
"Brother Ouyang, you guys are so amazing, even able to hunt wild boars. I’d be really scared if it were me."
As she spoke, she stuck her tongue out playfully.
Ouyang didn’t respond immediately like he would have before; instead, he hesitated.
Opposing Nan Xi, his feelings were complex. Initially, he was so grateful and touched, but she hadn’t mentioned that someone had treated their wounds before her.
How should he say this? Maybe she knew, or maybe she didn’t know, but when he asked her initially, aside from a moment of hesitation, she had said nothing.
"It wasn’t us who hunted it; we don’t have that capability. It was the villagers who did it together. Xixi, I..." Ouyang wanted to ask about the incident back then.
But, actually, asking or not didn’t matter; he wouldn’t give up on Bai Zhi. And with Nan Jin backing Nan Xi, he naturally couldn’t afford to burn bridges. Let’s see...
Soon all the dishes were served. Wu Wa tasted this for the first time and found it delicious, as did Bai Zhi. The atmosphere made it completely different from something one could make at home.
Even if you made the exact same dish at home, it wouldn’t taste as good. Perhaps that was the charm of the communal feast.
After the meal, Bai Zhi and others helped to clean up. All the dishes were placed inside a shed, and all the hot dishes were stacked in large steamers, one layer on top of another.
Bai Ming looked around at everyone before finally speaking.
"This year, ah, let’s celebrate the New Year together. Those who are willing, sign up, bring your stuff over, and let’s have a happy New Year together. It’s no problem if you’re not willing. You can come over in the evening and take some dishes home."
"Tonight, we have arranged for a movie showing. Let’s watch a movie together!"
Bai Ming’s words made everyone happy. Naturally, they were willing to celebrate together; it would be lively, wouldn’t it?
Bai Zhi and Wu Wa were preparing to head back when Nan Jin stopped them.
"Bai Zhi, Wu Wa, could you help Uncle Nan with a favor?"
Bai Zhi and Wu Wa paused, a bit puzzled.
"Uncle Nan, just tell us. Whatever we can do, we will definitely do. I haven’t gotten the chance to thank you for helping me find the herbs."
Nan Jin was straightforward; he had collected them on the third day himself, enough for seven or eight doses, telling Bai Zhi that in the future, he just needed to let him know whenever needed.
"Silly kids, isn’t that what an uncle should do? It’s been a long time since I came back; can you help us clean up a bit?"
Nan Jin looked at Bai Zhi gently, like a very kind uncle.
Bai Zhi and Wu Wa did not refuse, and as for Bai Xiang and Bai Fei, they were engrossed in playing games.
Bai Zhi and Wu Wa followed Nan Jin and Nan Xi to his house, which looked somewhat worn down. Although the weeds in the yard were dealt with, it still looked uninhabited for a long time.
"Dad, why don’t we live at mom’s place?"
Nan Xi didn’t understand why they couldn’t just live at home instead of coming to this place.
Nan Jin’s face darkened instantly.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How can we live at Ah Xiu’s place?"
Nan Jin, with a displeased expression, looked meaningfully at Nan Xi.
"We have our own house; we shouldn’t live with your mom Ah Xiu, otherwise what would people think? Even though we are friends, we must understand the boundaries."
Nan Jin looked at Nan Xi very seriously, speaking deliberately, word by word.
"Xingxing, Nan Xi doesn’t understand things, please don’t take it to heart."
Nan Jin gave a helpless smile towards Bai Zhi. It seemed like he felt somewhat powerless regarding his daughter.
"If only she could be half as sensible as you, Xingxing."
In the end, Nan Jin spoke helplessly.
"When Uncle Nan says that, it rather belittles me. You should know that Nan Xi is my parents’ little angel, bringing them joy, so how could she be thoughtless?"
Bai Zhi just smiled, seemingly only half-listening to Nan Jin’s words.
Nan Jin glanced at Nan Xi, who was unwilling, but had no choice but to turn to Bai Zhi and speak.
"Sister, I’m sorry it was my fault. Last time, I shouldn’t have let mom and dad misunderstand you. It wasn’t intentional, it won’t happen again. Can you forgive me?"
Seeing Nan Xi’s reluctance, yet being forced to speak, Bai Zhi suddenly felt like laughing.
Who would have thought that there’d come a day when Nan Xi had to apologize, but it seemed that being made to do so by her father Nan Jin was quite meaningful.
"Oh," Bai Zhi responded indifferently.
Bai Zhi and Wu Wa began to clean up, although there wasn’t much to clean, just helping with some things.
"Sister, I really do want to apologize to you. I know I was too petty before, can we get along well in the future?"
Not receiving a response from Bai Zhi, Nan Xi continued persistently.
She had to earn Bai Zhi’s trust, a task assigned by Nan Jin. Nan Xi didn’t really understand why she needed to gain Bai Zhi’s trust.
But Nan Jin told her not to ask why, just to do as told.
"It’s hard for you, but no, I don’t want to get along with you."
Bai Zhi rejected her coldly; it was indeed tough for Nan Xi, who clearly disliked her but had to apologize anyway.
"I’ve already apologized, can’t you pretend a little?"
Nan Xi was frustrated. Couldn’t she even pretend?
"No, I don’t want to force myself to do something I dislike. I hate being with you; it makes me uncomfortable, why should I make myself suffer?"
Previously, she had thought about forcing herself to superficially get along with Nan Xi for the sake of seeing her misfortune, but now she no longer wanted to.
"Aren’t you afraid that with this attitude, you’ll disappoint mom?"
Nan Xi hadn’t expected Bai Zhi to answer like that. She also disliked Bai Zhi, but she couldn’t show this dislike because she needed to be sensible.
Inside she truly despised her, but outwardly she had no choice but to say, "Sister, I’m sorry, sister, I like you," even though she wasn’t happy at all every day.
And yet, Bai Zhi could still easily steal all of Brother Ouyang’s attention from her. Why?
Bai Zhi didn’t respond again but just turned and left. When Nan Jin came in with washed fruit, he found that Bai Zhi had already left.
"Where are Xingxing and the others?"
Nan Jin’s face darkened instantly, weren’t they supposed to be getting along well?
"Dad, this really isn’t my fault. I already apologized, and I said I’d get along with her in the future, but she said she doesn’t want to. What can I do?"