"Your second brother is really too diligent, isn’t he? The college entrance exams just ended not long ago," Pei Yining said with a frown. It seems like everyone in the Xu Family is always busy.
Uncle Xu is at the furniture factory, leaving early and returning late.
Aunt Ji and the pregnant elder sister-in-law also work at the Chili Sauce Factory.
Eldest brother Xu sells bean sprouts, and also buys chili peppers to sell chili sauce.
Xu Nianhua had just clarified the matters of the Chili Sauce Factory with her brother a few days ago, and for the past couple of days, she has been holding a book, as if translating.
Who would have thought that the second brother Xu would be so diligent as well?
"There’s a saying, ’three parts talent, seven parts hard work.’ If you’re not diligent and don’t work hard, how can you catch up with others?" Xu Nianhua wasn’t surprised at all—her second brother acted as if he wanted to turn one day into two, following Du Chang like a sponge, crazily absorbing knowledge.
Pei Yining lay back lazily in her chair, a cool breeze blowing in, extremely comfortable. She said, "I seem too lazy in front of you all."
"You can also find something to do," Xu Nianhua suggested.
Pei Yining lay in the chair, shook her head comfortably. "Not really. I’ve been tired from studying for the college entrance exams for so long. I want to relax properly for a bit."
"Then where do you want to go to have fun?" Xu Nianhua didn’t say much more. Pei Yining’s family seemed well-off, and they weren’t short of money, so there was no need for her to work as hard as they did.
"I just want to stay with you."
Pei Yining didn’t think Gaoliang County had any fun places to visit. She just wanted to stay by Xu Nianhua’s side. She felt quite comfortable with her and even got to eat delicious food.
Why did she feel that something was off?
Xu Nianhua put down the book she was organizing, sat beside Pei Yining, and asked, "Don’t you find it boring to stay by my side?"
"Not boring." Pei Yining glanced sideways and replied, "You don’t know how it was back at my home—apart from studying, it was more studying. I finally came here and met you; I’m so happy. I feel especially happy every day."
"Nianhua, how about, you find me something to do as well?" Pei Yining suggested.
Xu Nianhua didn’t rush to answer but thought earnestly before saying, "How about we go back to the county? The mung bean jelly made by second brother Xu is really delicious."
Pei Yining loved to eat, and she hadn’t tried this mung bean jelly yet.
That day, they packed their things and went back to the county.
"Little sister, you’re back. I saved some mung bean jelly for you." As soon as Xu Nian’an saw Xu Nianhua return, he immediately scooped up some mung bean jelly from the well. After scooping up the jelly, he then saw Pei Yining who had followed in and was surprised. "That’s perfect. I saved two bowls, one for each of you to share."
"Thanks, second brother."
While divvying up the mung bean jelly into bowls, Xu Nianhua asked, "Second brother, how did you know I would come today?"
The mung bean jelly drenched in brown sugar syrup, still hanging in the well’s water, was the perfect icy-cool treat to beat the heat.
"I’ve been saving some for you every day."
Xu Nian’an’s words made Xu Nianhua smile, her eyes curving more like crescent moons.
Pei Yining buried her head in eating the mung bean jelly, and soon her bowl was empty. With a greedy look, she asked, "Is there any more?"
Xu Nian’an scratched his head and said, "We sold out today."
Pei Yining looked disappointed.
Xu Nianhua comfortingly said, "It’s okay, Yining, tomorrow you can eat as many bowls as you want."
"Really?" Pei Yining’s eyes instantly lit up.