Wu Manni approached, and Xia Xiao’s younger siblings called out to her, "Sister Manni."
Wu Manni glanced at Xia Chunrong, her face flushed a bit before she awkwardly shifted her gaze away, then it landed on Xia Xiao and was instantly astonished. She smiled at Xia Xiao and said, "You must be Xiaoxiao, I’ve heard from my mom that Aunt Li’s eldest girl is quite pretty."
"Hello, Sister Manni," Xia Xiao returned with a friendly smile.
"Where are you all heading?" Wu Manni asked.
"We’re just wandering around," Xia Chunrong replied.
Xia Jing clung to Wu Manni and suggested, "Sister Manni, why don’t you join us?"
Wu Manni took another glance at Xia Chunrong, agreed, and then began walking with them.
Xia Xiao took several more looks at Wu Manni, wondering what the director’s wife from her previous life looked like. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had the chance to see her up close, and at the annual meeting, they were seated far apart. She didn’t even know the director’s wife’s name or surname, so she couldn’t be certain whether this was the woman Xia Chunrong would marry in the future.
Still, Xia Xiao couldn’t help but gossip with Xia Chunrong, "Brother, are you hiding something from me?"
"No," Xia Chunrong shook his head.
"Are you sure?" Xia Xiao pressed on, and again Xia Chunrong shook his head. Xia Xiao subtly indicated with her chin toward Xia Jing, Xia Hong, and Xia Lin walking ahead—that was unusual.
A flicker of discomfort crossed Xia Chunrong’s face as he said, "It’s just mom and Aunt Guo fussing over nothing."
So there was a situation. Xia Xiao didn’t press further. It wasn’t her place to interfere with Xia Chunrong’s love life—let things take their natural course. She didn’t know what the director’s wife was like, but she had heard the director and his wife had a pretty good relationship.
As they went out, their group aimlessly wandered and looked for treats. Xia Xiao walked with Xia Chunrong between her and Gao Jiaxing, who had Xia Hua perched on his neck.
"Put Xiao Hua down; carrying her like that must be tiring," Xia Xiao suggested.
Gao Jiaxing nodded, as it had been a while. He tried to put Xia Hua down, but she was unwilling.
"Xiao Hua, be good, Brother Gao Er is tired too," said Xia Xiao.
"Big sister hold me," Xia Hua reached out towards Xia Xiao.
"A kid your age should walk on his own," Xia Chunrong stated.
Xia Hua resisted with whining, but Xia Xiao simply picked her up, noticing Xia Hua was still quite thin and light, and felt a twinge of pity. At that time, it was common for people to be skinny, with few plump ones—partly due to diet, partly due to genetics.
The Xia family members were generally of a slender build. After carrying Xia Hua for a while, Xia Chunrong took her and let her walk on her own.
With a stern face from Xia Chunrong, Xia Hua didn’t dare to fuss anymore—she was apparently still afraid of her brother.
As the youngest in the family, everyone doted on Xia Hua, including Xia Chunrong. But seeing that everyone was so indulgent, Xia Hua had developed a bit of a spoiled temperament, and his attitude had shifted.
Xia Xiao thought this was good—if everyone spoiled her, she’d be ruined.
The sisters were still young, with immature thoughts and easily hot-headed. If someone took advantage of that and they acted rashly, it could lead to trouble.
But it wasn’t the right time to lecture her sisters while they were outside, so Xia Xiao held back. She turned to Gao Jiaxing, "Brother Gao, let’s go have some tasty treats; you can try some local snacks from the city."
Gao Jiaxing happily agreed, and they all went to some snack shops. Since it was his first time here, Xia Xiao took particular care of Gao Jiaxing.
Finally seizing an opportunity, Wu Manni quietly asked Xia Chunrong, "Is that Xiaoxiao’s beau?"
Xia Chunrong nodded, and Wu Manni pressed, "Xiaoxiao already has a beau, why aren’t you in a relationship yet?"
Xia Chunrong said nothing, and Wu Manni became impatient, blurting out, "What’s wrong with me that you don’t find me agreeable?"
The owner of the snack shop came over and addressed Wu Manni, "Women can hold up half the sky, but even if you’re dating, shouldn’t you keep some distance?"
Everyone was taken aback and straightened up. Wu Manni’s face reddened, and she didn’t dare to look at Xia Chunrong anymore. Xia Xiao, though a bit speechless—it wasn’t as though they had been sitting that close—said nothing and placed Xia Hua between herself and Gao Jiaxing.
After eating, they quickly left and tried snacks at other shops before finally heading home.
Wu Manni waved goodbye to everyone and took one last look at Xia Chunrong before turning away.
Xia Xiao asked Xia Chunrong, "Brother, it’s obvious Sister Manni has taken a liking to you, what do you think about her?"
Xia Chunrong honestly shook his head, "I don’t know."
"Do you fancy her and want her to be our sister-in-law?" Xia Xiao asked again, but Xia Chunrong still shook his head, "I don’t know."
Xia Xiao was speechless, now realizing that Xia Chunrong was really a closed book when it came to matters of the heart, never knowing how to respond. No wonder the family was anxious for him.
Once home, Xia Jing and the others couldn’t wait to share the encounter with Wu Manni. Li Wenjuan glared at Xia Chunrong as if he were a disappointment, "The girl took the initiative, and you’re just like a bump on a log. I think you might end up a bachelor forever."
Xia Chunrong still said nothing, but Mrs. Xia, who still cherished her grandson, said, "Give Rong some more time. He has always been slow to come around to these things and can’t be rushed."
Li Wenjuan argued with Mrs. Xia, "That girl Manni is talented and skilled, she’s already become a master at the textile factory, and I heard the clothing factory is trying to recruit her. Many men are after her. If it weren’t for Guo Yufeng’s good relationship with me and Manni’s interest in Rong, he wouldn’t have a chance. I’d like to give him time, but he’s not getting any younger, and if Manni starts dating someone else, I’d like to see what he does."
"Our Rong isn’t bad either," Mrs. Xia defended her grandson.
"He’s not bad, but he should find himself a date. If he waits too long, all the good girls will be gone," Li Wenjuan concluded. Then Mrs. Xia turned to Xia Chunrong, "Rong, what your mother says isn’t wrong, you should think about settling down."
"I know," Xia Chunrong responded simply, indicating he understood and then ended the conversation.
"Mom, look at him, so indifferent. I’m anxious to death for him," Li Wenjuan was frustrated, seeing her son become silent whenever the topic of relationships was brought up.