On the way home, An Jing said to Xiao Changyi, "Husband, Xiao Lan’s vitality seems good now, but I still plan to watch her for a few more days. If she continues , we will then set off for the Capital."
"Mm," Xiao Changyi had no objections.
Before they reached their front door, they saw An Fu standing outside the An family’s gate. An Jing and Xiao Changyi exchanged a look, and all was understood without words.
An Fu was much haggard. As they approached, he gave an awkward laugh before saying, "Brother Xiao, An Jing, I’m not one to be shameless. Xiao Lan and I are in such a state, it’s not right for me to continue working at your family’s rice shop. I came today to tell you that I won’t be working at An’s Rice Shop from now on."
An Jing hadn’t expected An Fu to be so perceptive. After exchanging another look with her husband, she simply said, "Alright."
While An Fu breathed a sigh of relief, he also added, "Whether or not you helped our family for Xiao Lan’s sake, the truth is that our family’s life has improved significantly. My parents and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done. Thank you."
An Jing didn’t speak.
Seeing that neither An Jing nor Xiao Changyi made any comment, An Fu said no more, turned around, and limped away.
But after taking a few steps, he couldn’t help but turn back and say, "I know that even if I don’t ask, you will take good care of Xiao Lan and her mother for me, but I still want to entrust them to you. Please, take care of them."
Towards the end, An Fu’s voice was choked with emotion. He truly cared deeply for Shi Xiaolan.
But he, too, was truly unable to allow his family line to end with him.
After speaking, An Fu no longer lingered and didn’t look back, continuing to limp his way back to An Village.
Watching An Fu’s staggering and lonely figure, An Jing didn’t feel pity or sympathy for him, but she did think his state was rather tragic and lamentable.
Eight days later, when Shi Xiaolan truly seemed to have let go and thought of nothing else but raising Yu Yu and Niuniu, An Jing completely put her worries to rest and prepared to start for the Capital.
Before leaving for the Capital, An Jing gave Shi Xiaolan three taels of silver.
But Shi Xiaolan was reluctant to accept it. "The An family has converted my dowry into silver coin for me, and I still have half a tael left. That’s enough for me for more than half a year. When that’s gone, I’ll borrow from you then."
An Jing said, "My husband and I are going to the Capital, and Yu Yu and Niuniu are so young. If they fall ill and need money for a doctor or medicine, and you don’t have enough, we won’t be here. Who will you borrow from then? You’d better keep it. If you haven’t spent it by the time we return, you can just repay us. It’s all the same."
Only then did Shi Xiaolan agree to take it, and she praised An Jing for her thorough consideration.
The next day, An Jing and Xiao Changyi set off for the Capital.
Meng Zhuqing followed with them.
Meng Lanqing was extremely envious to learn that his younger brother Zhuqing was going to the Capital with them. He couldn’t go, as he had to stay behind to manage An’s Rice Shop. So, on the night before An Jing and Xiao Changyi departed for the Capital, he beat up Meng Zhuqing.
Poor Meng Zhuqing, bound by the principle that the elder brother acts as a father, couldn’t retaliate against his brother Lan Qing, and consequently, Zhuqing was left with a bruised and swollen face.
When Meng Zhuqing appeared in front of An Jing and Xiao Changyi with a face as swollen as a pig’s head, An Jing laughed unabashedly.