Second Uncle has now moved into town, and there’s a Second Aunt too. With them gone, things at home have become a bit easier; it took a while before Grandma finally agreed to let Mom come to the city to find Dad.
Chiang Caijiao naturally also insisted for a long time before Song Xiyun agreed to bring her along.
This was also because Song Xiyun was feeling a bit anxious herself, subconsciously seeking companionship. After all, it was her first time traveling so far. For many in the village, heading to the county town definitely qualified as a long journey.
Song Xiyun had also noticed Chiang Xiao looking over. She felt a bit nervous at first, but then let out a small sigh of relief, grabbed Chiang Caijiao, and said, "Come on, let’s go find her."
"Mom, aren’t you scared of Sister Xiao Xiao anymore?"
"Why should I be scared of her? Why would I need to be scared?" Song Xiyun said she wasn’t afraid but the grip on Chiang Caijiao’s hand tightened.
Chiang Xiao narrowed her eyes slightly, watching the two people approaching from the distance.
She had never expected to encounter Song Xiyun and Chiang Caijiao in the county town.
But then she remembered that Chiang Baoguo was in the county town and felt that it wasn’t so strange to run into them after all.
Her own life path had undergone earth-shaking changes, yet up until now, Chiang Baoguo had been following the same trajectory as in his previous life.
Seeing Song Xiyun now, she suddenly felt that perhaps Chiang Baoguo’s life was about to change too.
She scooped up a bite of red bean ice and said to Yu Hang and Xi Minghui, "You two can go back and think it over. A hundred thousand, I can give you five years to pay it back. I guess that’s all we can discuss for today."
"Five years? Wait, I mean, Chiang Xiao..." Xi Minghui was about to say something more when Yu Hang, noticing where Chiang Xiao had just been looking, also glanced out of the window and saw Song Xiyun and Chiang Caijiao.
It was clear at a glance that this mother and daughter were from the countryside.
Although their clothes were relatively new, the rural aura was immediately palpable. Moreover, their skin was somewhat darkened, and the younger girl looked malnourished with curiosity and apprehension filling her eyes, indicating unfamiliarity with their surroundings.
"Someone you know?" he asked Chiang Xiao.
Chiang Xiao took another bite of the red bean ice and then stood up. "Mhm, I’m going to head out first. I’d rather not damage the store’s property and end up paying for it if a fight breaks out later."
Xi Minghui couldn’t help but burst out laughing again.
Yu Hang slapped him on the shoulder and said, "You’re paying," before hastily following Chiang Xiao out.
Chiang Xiao left the shop without giving Song Xiyun and Chiang Caijiao a second glance.
Song Xiyun and Chiang Caijiao called out to her at the same time and ran towards her, blocking her path.
Yu Hang, who had followed them out, stood by.
Since Chiang Xiao clearly knew the mother and daughter, he stood aside for the moment to watch.
However, the younger girl immediately turned to look at him and asked naively, "Sister Xiao Xiao, is this your friend? He’s not your brother-in-law, is he!"
Chiang Caijiao calling Meng Xinian ’brother-in-law’ was surprisingly smooth.
Chiang Xiao glanced over, and Yu Hang touched his nose, saying to Chiang Caijiao, "I’m her classmate."
"Oh, big brother, hello, I’m Chiang Caijiao, Xiao Xiao’s sister!" Chiang Caijiao immediately greeted him with a smile.
She appeared very affable.
Song Xiyun pursed her lips and sized up Yu Hang. She could tell that this boy came from a well-off family. His clothes, the bag he carried, and his clean fingers—it was clear he didn’t have to do any chores at home.