"Little sister, why are you here?" Xu Nian’an was sorting out the goods when he saw Xu Nianhua coming alone. He asked curiously, "Didn’t the Su Family send you? Didn’t Yicheng send you?"
"I sent them home. Brother Cheng had some matters to attend to. He offered to give me a ride, but I didn’t let him. I took the bus here alone. It’s fine." Xu Nianhua looked at the familiar shop, feeling very close to it, and said, "Second Brother, let me help you."
"Okay, then help me put these price tags on."
As Xu Nian’an arranged the incoming goods, he asked, "When are you going back to the Su Family? Shall we have dinner together tonight?"
"Su Dad said they’ll pick me up tonight." While sticking on the prices, Xu Nianhua said, "Second Brother, why don’t you come back with me?"
"No, Uncle Su and Aunt Su are too enthusiastic for me to handle. Uncle Su and Aunt Su aren’t easy people. They truly care about you from the bottom of their hearts."
Xu Nian’an stayed at the Su Family’s house last night. The bedroom was spacious, and the bed was comfortable. Su Jinrong and Jiang Wanru were very warm, saying he’s like half a son to them and to speak up if he ever faces difficulties. He could feel the Su Family’s sincerity, but their enthusiasm made him uneasy.
"Yes, seeing Su Mom’s expectant gaze makes it hard for me to refuse." Xu Nianhua really didn’t plan on staying with the Su Family, but facing Jiang Wanru’s expectant eyes, she simply couldn’t refuse.
"If Mom and Dad knew, they’d certainly feel at ease. Uncle Su and Aunt Su have already waited twenty-two years and surely wouldn’t want to waste any more time."
Xu Nian’an paused and said, "In a few years, after you get married, you’ll have even less time to return home."
Get married.
Xu Nianhua suddenly remembered how Pei Yicheng mentioned getting married after graduation today. By calculation, it’d be two and a half years before she had to get married?
"Little sister, what are you thinking?" Xu Nian’an waved his hand in front of her and said, "If Yicheng bullies you, you must tell Second Brother. Second Brother will seek justice for you. If you’re unhappy at the Su Family, also tell Second Brother. Don’t keep it to yourself, okay?"
"Don’t worry, Second Brother. Do I seem like someone who would obediently be bullied?" Xu Nianhua smiled broadly. Perhaps she was before, but now she wouldn’t foolishly let anyone bully her. She said, "By the way, Second Brother, have you stocked the store at the entrance of our school? I saw Sister Wei Hong today, and she said there aren’t many goods."
"Don’t worry, I’ll head over for delivery tomorrow afternoon, there won’t be any shortages then." Xu Nian’an had been busy in the shop since signing up, and he chatted with Xu Nianhua about the shop’s future.
Xu Nianhua said, "It’s a pity neither of us can design. Otherwise, we could create our own products and wholesale them nationwide, which would be quite profitable."
"Little sister, be satisfied. Remember when we couldn’t even afford tuition?" Xu Nian’an was quite satisfied with their current life. With two boutique stores, the earnings were quite substantial. He believed that with proper management, he could earn quite a sum in the future and, with more capital, venture into other businesses.
"Yes, now that I think back, it feels like just yesterday." Xu Nianhua reflected, recalling how she was sent back to the old house upon her rebirth. She still remembered that dark night when the grass in front of the old house was nearly taller than her.