"Ah, if only Ningbei had them for sale too," Ding Guo lamented.
Xu Nianhua cleared his throat and said, "I remember that Ningbei does sell them; if you want, I can get in touch for you."
"Nianhua, why didn’t you say so sooner!" Ding Guo’s eyes widened as she stared at Xu Nianhua.
Fei Jiayi and the others were also staring at Xu Nianhua with the same accusatory look in their eyes, as if to say, "Why didn’t you speak up earlier!"
With an innocent face, Xu Nianhua said, "You didn’t ask though!"
Fei Jiayi and the others exchanged glances, their eyes wide and bewildered as they all tried to recall, and it seemed they really hadn’t asked.
Who would have thought that Nianhua’s family’s special local products would also be on sale in Ningbei?
After Xu Qinghe and Ji Ying returned home, they briefly shared Xu Nianhua’s opinions and the situation from South City, then went back to the village. Once there, Ji Ying said, "Nianji, drive us home."
Xu Nianji nodded. Returning from Ningbei this time, Xu Nian’an and Xu Nianhua had stuffed them with plenty of Ningbei’s local products, aside from those stored in the county, there was much to be given away to the people in their village.
When they got home, Xu Nianji put the things down, and Xu Qinghe spoke gravely, "Nianji, the Gu Family people wanting to acknowledge Nianhua might have other ulterior motives."
Xu Nianji looked at Xu Qinghe with a blank face.
Could it be something other than acknowledging their biological daughter? What other motives could there be?
Xu Qinghe went over the developments from Ningbei in greater detail, emphasizing Xu Nian’an’s suspicion as well as the fact that the Gu Family indeed had a pregnant daughter, and moreover, this daughter also had Panda Blood.
"Could it be that the Gu Family wants the younger sister to blood in case there’s any mishap with the eldest daughter’s childbirth?" Xu Nianji looked at Xu Qinghe in astonishment. Although he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, with his brother Xu Nian’an putting it this way, he was no fool; it all seemed too coincidental.
For twenty-one years they hadn’t found the younger sister, and now they showed up just as the Gu Family’s eldest daughter was pregnant?
"I don’t know," Xu Qinghe shook his head. Although this was their theory, it was merely a guess until proven otherwise. He said, "Don’t mention this to Xiaohe. It’s not that we’re treating her as an outsider, but I worry she might think less of Nianhua."
Xu Nianji nodded affirmatively. His eyes flickered before he said, "Dad, Mom, how about this—when I go to South City tomorrow, I’ll try to get some information from Shuyuan. Shuyuan has been in South City for so many years; he certainly knows more than us."
"That’s a good idea, but remember, you must not let anyone find out about this," Xu Qinghe cautioned repeatedly.
"Dad, don’t worry, I know what’s at stake," Xu Nianji assured earnestly, nodding solemnly. This involved his younger sister, so naturally he wouldn’t take it lightly.
"Nianhua, here’s a letter for you," Fei Jiayi said, bringing over Xu Nianhua’s mail which she had picked up.
Xu Nianhua was surprised, only recognizing the sender after she opened the letter.
Zou Yaru, who had left with the five hundred yuan she borrowed, went to Yangcheng. This letter was a message to tell them she was safe and had found a job, and she had changed her name to Zou Wa.
Xu Nianhua found this name faintly familiar, then shortly after let out a sigh. Zou Yaru had ruined her own happiness; not all broken mirrors can be mended, and she hoped that Zou would come to terms with it soon.
Xu Nianhua read the letter again from beginning to end; not a single word mentioned Cheng Hao.