With the portrait in hand and the Escort Agency’s influence expanding, it was only a matter of time before his sister would be found. The current situation was much better than when they started.
The carriage soon arrived at his uncle’s house, and Yang Ming quickly alighted. He missed his wife and headed straight into Granny’s room.
Xiaoxiao was there telling Granny a story. Seeing Yang Ming, her eyes lit up with bright light. He had finally come to pick her up. She had been talking until her mouth was dry and her tongue was numb. If he had not come sooner, she feared her throat would have become hoarse. Joyfully she called out, "Husband, you’re here."
With one look at his wife, Yang Ming knew she was struggling to hold up, so he turned to Granny and said, "Granny, we’ll be leaving now."
The old lady didn’t want them to leave and hurriedly asked them to stay for a meal, "Don’t go. Eat here."
Seeing the fatigue on his wife’s face, Yang Ming quickly refused, "No, Granny, my wife just made a narrow escape from the Gate of Hell; she needs to go back and rest."
The old lady thought about it and then nodded in agreement, "Then come over another day."
Finally able to leave, Xiaoxiao smiled and coaxed Granny, "Granny, we’ll take our leave now. I’ll come back and tell you stories when we have time."
The old lady waved them off, saying with concern, "Go back and rest."
Finally free from Granny’s, Yang Ming and Xiaoxiao boarded the carriage, and Xiaoxiao started to complain, "Husband, why did you come so late? My throat is sore from all the talking."
Yang Ming looked at her with eyes full of empathy, "Wife, you’ve worked hard."
Without his wife, the relationship between their relatives wouldn’t have become so harmonious. She was the great hero.
They soon arrived home, and Yang Ming hurriedly got his wife some water to soothe her throat.
"That’s more like it."
At dinner, Yang Ming announced the decision he had discussed with his wife earlier.
"Dad, Mom, Xiaoxiao and I have discussed it and decided to buy a homestead and build a house."
The whole family was invigorated by the news. They had grown tired of their shabby house. Their home was an old house, much worse for wear than others in the village—cold in winter and hot in summer, hardly suitable for living.
Moreover, they knew that Xiaoxiao had silver, and with that, building a house was definitely achievable. Everyone began discussing enthusiastically.
"Great, it’s about time we got a new house, this one is really too shabby."
"Auntie, can Guangguang have his own room to sleep in then?"
"We should build a brick house just like the Village Chief’s, to make them envious."
"This house really does need to change; it’s not soundproof at all, you can hear every word spoken."
Aiyo, could the second sister-in-law not mention the issue of soundproofing? Xiaoxiao really wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Because of this, they absolutely had to change houses.
"Everyone, listen to me."
"Stop talking, everyone, let’s hear what the third brother’s wife has to say." Old Man Yang interjected to stop the buzz of everyone’s discussions.
Xiaoxiao continued, "I earned five hundred taels from selling underwear this time; I didn’t give everyone spending money. Don’t overthink it. I was planning to use this money to build the house—fearing it might not be enough. After we earn more, I’ll give you spending money."
"..." Everyone was taken aback. Building a house that five hundred taels might not cover? What kind of luxurious house was the third brother’s wife planning to build?
Old Man Yang asked, "Third son, third son’s wife, what kind of house are you planning to build that needs five hundred taels?"