He Aiguo looked around, no one seemed to notice them.
But he knew that everyone was standing there listening intently.
If he spoke carelessly, it would betray Jiang Xiaoxiao’s intentions.
He knew full well, if Jiang Xiaoxiao only gave to them and no one else, others might have opinions.
We’re all going to the same farm later, who knows when we might need help from each other.
This was no time to make enemies for Jiang Xiaoxiao.
She was kind enough to greet them, but they couldn’t be so heartless.
Besides, she’s Jiang Lei’s sister, and has helped his family.
If it weren’t for Jiang Xiaoxiao, he and his father would still be in the dark.
He had always thought of the siblings as his own, enduring silently because they’re family.
The stepmother treated him poorly, but the siblings weren’t wrong.
Continuing , he’d be deceived without being able to bear it.
Now at last, the truth was revealed.
Gratefulness was undeniable.
He couldn’t harm Jiang Xiaoxiao.
"Thank you! Auntie always does this, I feel embarrassed. Jia Shu, hurry and eat. Don’t let Auntie’s efforts go to waste."
He Aiguo decided decisively.
One sentence silenced Jia Shu.
He feared the girl might be oblivious.
If she blurted something carelessly, others might immediately form opinions against them, and they might be isolated later.
Jia Shu didn’t speak, but nodded knowingly and squeezed the box in her hand, taking a bite.
Chinese cabbage, egg, and vermicelli, the taste was delightful.
Jia Shu’s eyes welled up with tears.
Fang Ran curiously observed the three of them.
"Jiang Xiaoxiao, you don’t seem acquainted with Jia Shu, did I see it wrong? That’s what we all thought."
She felt something was off.
The words of He Aiguo seemed like they indeed knew each other.
Their conversation hinted at mutual care.
Especially earlier, when one gave an apple and the other accepted a peach.
It indicated the two knew each other and had a good relationship.
But the Jia Shu who boarded the train, everyone’s intuition suggested that she didn’t know them.
Fang Ran spoke partly out of jealousy.
After all, Jia Shu knew Jiang Xiaoxiao later than they did.
Yet Jiang Xiaoxiao took good care of Jia Shu, even giving her own seat, not to mention offering her homemade brown sugar water.
Don’t think they didn’t notice, before Jia Shu boarded, Jiang Xiaoxiao personally ran over to fetch hot water.
And took brown sugar cubes from her shoulder bag to add in.
Those sugar cubes weren’t few.
Many were envious, thinking this girl was spoiled by her family.
Bringing so much brown sugar for her.
There were many female educated youths on the train, families brought brown sugar, but no one used it like water!
Everyone was jealous.
Unexpectedly, she turned around and offered it to a stranger.
They felt uncomfortable, thinking there’s an order of acquaintance, first come, first served.
They were all from Jingbei, considered hometowns of Jiang Xiaoxiao.
But now, Jiang Xiaoxiao brought out such a delicious treat and gave it to Jia Shu.
Fang Ran felt sour inside.
She wanted to be friends with Jiang Xiaoxiao too.
Jiang Xiaoxiao surely had a good family condition.
Who wouldn’t envy that?
Being friends with Jiang Xiaoxiao might bring some benefits.
In these times of scarcity, having a well-off friend, even an extra bite made a difference.
She sat next to Jiang Xiaoxiao.
But Jiang Xiaoxiao wasn’t overly friendly.
The bag Jiang Xiaoxiao carried was next to her seat.
But from when they sat until now, Jiang Xiaoxiao hadn’t spoken a word to her.
In truth, Fang Ran was just upset.
Jia Shu was taken aback.
Her eyes showed panic, unsure what to say.
She wondered if she was causing trouble for Jiang Xiaoxiao.
Her evasive demeanor made people more suspicious.
Others were watching them.
Seeing this, Jia Shu grew more frightened.
She wasn’t good at lying.
Jiang Xiaoxiao remained calm,
"Jia Shu is the child of a friend of my mother’s, although she doesn’t know me, I know her very well. I know about their family circumstances. Once my mother knew she was going to the same farm with me, she specifically instructed me to take care of her.
So the situation you see, she doesn’t know me but I know her very well."
Jiang Xiaoxiao could choose not to explain, acting indifferent.
But that wouldn’t solve the real issue.
These people were together as educated youths in their past lives.
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s ignorance in her past life offended many, later many worked against her.
This life, Jiang Xiaoxiao thought it unnecessary to make enemies now.
She would no longer be like her past life, comfortable speaking, suffering beneath.
Arrogance wasn’t worth trouble.
The current Jiang Xiaoxiao faced many situations more rationally and calmly.
Not scared, but knowing what was best to do.
Deal with enemies when needed, but against ordinary people, it’s unnecessary.
Pushing everyone to her opposition was foolish.
Fang Ran looked disbelieving, pulled Liu Ge, "Jiang Xiaoxiao, you’re too funny. From how Jia Shu acts, she doesn’t know you at all. You call this a connection? I don’t believe it, do you?"
Liu Ge appeared awkward.
Her good friend, claiming belief was face losing, disbelief pointless interference.
Zhao Meiyun covered her mouth, laughing,
"I say, Fang Ran, really now, does it matter if they know each other? Even if not acquainted, hit it off, willing to associate, doesn’t concern us!
Or are you envious of Jia Shu’s chance to be friends with Jiang Xiaoxiao?"
This person spoke bluntly, like in the past life.
Zhao Meiyun wasn’t friend or foe in the past life to Jiang Xiaoxiao.
Fang Ran turned red, ashamed being exposed.
Zhao Meiyun’s voice was loud, many around heard it.
If misunderstood, they’d think she envied Jia Shu.
"Zhao Meiyun, your words aren’t right. Sure Jiang Xiaoxiao befriends whom she wants, I was merely curious. Just now everyone saw. Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jia Shu didn’t seem to know each other, suddenly the older generation had ties.
I feared Jiang Xiaoxiao might be duped, it’s righteous, what if Jia Shu isn’t the one Jiang Xiaoxiao seeks! Jiang Xiaoxiao admitted they didn’t know each other, mistaken identity isn’t a waste of Auntie’s effort?"
So righteous, leaving others speechless.
Zhao Meiyun chuckled.
"Enough, Fang Ran, don’t overdo righteousness, who doesn’t know who’s who? At our age, don’t take others for fools."
"Jiang Xiaoxiao, look, I care for your good, she speaks ill, thinks I’ve ulterior motives, I genuinely mean well, tell us Jia Shu’s parents’ names, where they live?
Jia Shu whisper to Liu Ge, lest you all think badly of me, stirring trouble. I’m not investigating, genuinely for your welfare."
Persistent to understand clearly.
Fang Ran was astute, she pinpointed the key.
If it were Jiang Xiaoxiao from the past life, she’d be unaware of Jia Shu’s parents’ names, address, even family situation.
Fang Ran’s way to clear herself wasn’t wrong, but the person was misjudged.
Unfortunately, Jiang Xiaoxiao lived two lives.
Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled confidently.
Jia Shu nervously opened her mouth to explain.
Others quietly watched the scene.
Many observed as spectators.