Lan Tian slipped into the old alley, looked around to see no one coming, tucked the items into his Sleeve Universe, activated the Light Body Skill, and dashed towards Mo Village. Passersby only felt a gust of wind, which messed up the items displayed on the stalls. In less than two hours, Lan Tian reached the entrance of the village and rushed home.
In the courtyard, Zhao Li was still chatting with Grandma Sun about how Lan Tian fared in the county town, whether he knew the way, what would happen if he got lost, or what if he followed strangers, or whether he had eaten. Her concerns were endless, pitying the universal worries of parents.
At that moment, Lan Tian’s voice came from outside.
"Grandma, Auntie, I’m back." Lan Tian pushed open the courtyard gate and strode in.
"You’re back, have you eaten?" Grandma Sun put down her work, picked up a broom under the eaves, and walked over to Lan Tian, sweeping him up and down, "You’re back so early, didn’t you go to the city?"
Grandma Sun had just come back from Mo’s fourth son’s house and heard Zhao Li talking about how early in the morning the girl insisted on going to the county town alone, so they let her go alone. Grandma Sun didn’t know what to say, uneasy yet letting her go, and had been worrying all day at home.
It wasn’t just Zhao Li; Grandma Sun was worried too, the only one untroubled in the courtyard was Mo Yuanle.
At home and outside, Lan Tian was in two extremes, lively and clever yet somewhat haughty at home, but always aloof outside. Now, Lan Tian obediently stood there, spreading his arms for Grandma Sun to sweep off the dust. In reality, having formed a spiritual energy shield and used the Wind Control Skill to return, there was not a speck of dust on him.
After Grandma Sun finished sweeping, Zhao Li had already brought over some water. Lan Tian moved forward to wash up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, wrung the towel dry and hung it on a rope, then went to sit under the camphor tree.
"I went. The county town is so big, much bigger than our town. There are more people on the streets, more buyers, more sellers, many things that our town doesn’t have. It was my first visit, I couldn’t distinguish east from west, the streets would turn into alleys every few steps, it’s easy to get lost, I didn’t know where to buy, thought I would at least roam till evening before returning."
Zhao Li nodded; this was what she worried about.
"Nothing happened, did it?"
Grandma Sun gave her a look, usually quick-witted, why utter such foolish words, those who knew understood her concern was from worry, those who didn’t would think she wished something bad upon the girl.
Lan Tian shook his head, "No, what could happen. Mo Junhua is about to return to the army, he was afraid I would get lost and accompanied me, I didn’t agree as I was afraid he might miss his train. He said it was an evening train so no worries, we shopped till noon, bought the goods, and I came back."
They still trusted Mo Junhua’s character, being a soldier, he was very upright and righteous, so there were no concerns. Lan Tian sipped the cooled boiled water Zhao Li handed her, waved her hand, and a pile of stuff landed on the ground, all items bought for the home like meat, fish, sauces, vinegar, etc.
Grandma Sun and Zhao Li put away their work, came over to sort things out, "Buying so many things, where did the money come from?" Zhao Li lifted a heavy grass carp and asked Lan Tian, hoping the girl hadn’t done anything foolish.
"I spent the New Year’s money you gave me." Lan Tian answered nonchalantly.
"You were supposed to save it, you need to go to school next semester in the county, how can you do without money..." As the girl grew older she made her own decisions, Zhao Li wanted to lecture further, but Grandma Sun patted Zhao Li, gesturing her to look at Lan Tian, busy as ever, not hearing her words, Zhao Li, seeing her buzzing like a busy bee, dropped the subject.
Lan Tian was organizing her things, putting notebooks and pencils needed for school into a newly bought school bag, placing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for practicing writing on another side, there were also three cotton fabrics on the ground, black for Mo Yuanle, deep blue for Grandma Sun, and white with black spots for Zhao Li, Lan Tian grabbed them and handed them to Zhao Li, "Grandma, Auntie, Uncle, one set each for you."
"With a bit of money and such spendthrift habits, how will you manage in the future." Zhao Li finally understood where all the money had gone and wanted to say more, but Grandma Sun quickly pulled her aside, "Enough, it’s the girl’s intention, quickly accept it, see your mouth almost splitting to your ears."
Grandma Sun chided Zhao Li, but her own mouth was nearly splitting to her ears as well, carefully touching the fabric, afraid of spoiling it, Mo Yuanle looked over in their direction, a glint of amusement crossed his eyes as he continued weaving his cover.
Zhao Li carefully held the fabric, touching it over and over, still muttering about Lan Tian, "We’re not out of clothes at home, you really can’t squander money in the future."
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