Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ning Fengnian and Madam Song hurriedly put down the things in their hands. Ning Anhui also threw away the bowl and rushed towards the door. Ning Ansheng didnât move much, but he accurately grabbed his brotherâs collar and threw him behind him. He rushed to Xiaoxiao first.
âYouâre fine. You didnât lose weight.â
Xiaoxiao:⦠Big Brother, is this a compliment? You wonât be able to find Big Sister-in-law like this. Let me tell you.
The four members of the Ning Family surrounded Xiaoxiao, asking about her well-being and teasing her. This made Gu Changâan and Xiao Ran, who were one step slower than her, a little jealous.
Although their daughter had accepted them, they had only known each other for a short time after all. They still lacked some intimacy. For example, Xiaoxiao would not throw herself into Xiao Ranâs arms and act sweetly like she did with Madam Song.
The parents, who had just taken over, looked at their âseniorsâ enviously. They also wanted to experience the joy of their daughter throwing herself into their arms.
Although they had specially changed into ordinary peopleâs clothes, their presence was so strong that it was difficult for the Ning Family not to notice them.
âWho are these two?â
Gu Changâan and Xiao Ran had been husband and wife for many years, so they had a tacit understanding. There was no need for words or eye contact. They went forward at the same time and bowed deeply to the Ning Family.
Ning Ansheng and his brother hurriedly avoided this bow. Ning Fengnian and his wife reacted a little slower. After receiving the bow, they were about to remedy the situation when they heard the two extraordinary people say firmly, âThank you for raising and protecting Xiaoxiao.â
Ning Anshengâs heart skipped a beat. When he looked at Xiaoxiao and the two of them again, his gaze had changed. He had watched his younger sister grow up. Has she finally found her real family? Was she⦠leaving?
Realizing the similarity between Xiaoxiao and Xiao Ran, Ning Fengnian and Madam Songâs faces turned pale. What they had been worried about for a long time still happenedâ¦
They subconsciously let go of Xiaoxiaoâs hand, but it was quickly held back by Xiaoxiao.
Sadness crept into her heart. Just as she was about to cry, she heard Gu Changâan and Xiao Ran say, âWeâre also her parents.â
They were indeed Xiaoxiaoâs biological parents. Wait, what did âalsoâ mean?
Xiao Ran walked up to Madam Song first. âThis is Big Sister Song, right? Iâm Xiao Ran, Xiaoxiaoâs biological mother.â
Gu Changâan also came to Ning Fengnian. âGreetings, Big Brother Ning. Iâm Gu Changâan, Xiaoxiaoâs biological father.â
The two of them bowed again. The Ning Family couple wanted to stop them, but they did not have enough strength. âWhat are you doing? You canât do this.â Gu Changâan and Xiao Ran said in unison, âYou deserve it! If you canât, no one in the world can deserve this bow!â
The Ning Family couple accepted it helplessly, but they refused to continue standing in front of the two of them, afraid that they would do it again.
They had once thought that when Xiaoxiao found her biological parents, the latter would most likely control Xiaoxiao and cut off contact with her former adoptive parents to prevent affecting their closeness. If it was more serious, it was possible for them to sever ties. However, looking at the words and actions of these two today, they did not seem to be from a domineering family. Then, could they also meet Xiaoxiao occasionally and take care of her?
After getting to know each other, Xiaoxiao helped her parents move many gifts down from the car. Ning Anhui craned his neck to take a look. He was relieved not to see the gold, silver, and jewelry that were written in the book that told the adoptive parents not to disturb them anymore.
Xiaoxiaoâs chattering could not stop. âThis is for Father. When I saw it in the shop, I felt that this color was suitable for Father. Unfortunately, I donât have the skills. Itâs safer to let Mother do it.â
âThis is for Mother. Itâs said to be the best snowflake ointment in the Imperial Capital. Itâs made of some herbs. Mother, rub it on more. From now on, youâll be as fair and tender as a young lady!â
Madam Song blushed and spat at her for talking nonsense.
Xiaoxiao smiled as she took out a box and stuffed it into Ning Anhuiâs hands. When Ning Anhui opened it, he frowned. âSister⦠Xiaoâ¦â He suddenly didnât know what to call her. âWhy did you buy me a girlâs thing? This pearl flower is also for Mother, right? Did you take the wrong one?â
Xiaoxiao smirked. âIâll give it to you for my future sister-in-law. Iâve already asked around. She likes red.â
Good fellow, her words made Ning Anhuiâs face look even more beautiful than a pearl flower. âWhat nonsense are you talking about? W-w-what sister-in-law!â
Xiaoxiao blinked. âThen Iâll take it back?â
Ning Anhui looked up at the sky and hugged the box in his arms.
Everyone was amused by him. Ning Anhui had actually taken a fancy to Shopkeeper Qianâs daughter, Jiaoâer. This was something that no one had expected. However, he always mocked himself and said that Xiaoxiao was the topic eight out of 10 times when Jiaoâer spoke to him. He didnât know if she had taken a fancy to him or him as his sisterâs brotherâ¦
The gift she brought for Ning Ansheng was a set of Four Treasures of the Study. Xiaoxiao did not specifically explain where it came from. She only said that she felt that it was suitable for her brother when she saw it, so she bought it immediately.
It was only after everyone received the gift that they realized that Xiaoxiao had still called them âBig Brotherâ and âSecond Brotherâ as she used to. Wasnât she afraid that her biological parents would be unhappy if she called them âFatherâ and âMotherâ again?
Ning Fengnian and Madam Song had been secretly watching Gu Changâan and Xiao Ranâs reactions. Seeing that they were smiling, they couldnât guess if they really didnât mind or if they didnât show it.
Xiao Ran and Gu Changâan were no ordinary people, so how could they not see their uneasiness? However, this was the first time they had encountered such a situation, and they did not know how to deal with it. They could only look at each other eagerly.
At this moment, the Ning Family actually had a guest.
Although she was a guest, the knocking on the door was not very friendly. Everyone opened the door and looked out, only to see an unexpected figure. âLittle Aunt?â
After knowing Xiaoxiaoâs real identity, County Magistrate Shen couldnât be bothered to waste any more manpower on Little Aunt Ning, and the maid in charge of guarding Little Aunt Ning couldnât stand her ridiculous self-confidence looking in the mirror all day long. She left immediately after receiving the news.
Little Aunt Ning was chased out by the people who took over the courtyard.
She was stunned when she heard from the other party in a daze that the rent for this month had not been paid. âRented?â
She was unfamiliar with the place and no one paid attention to her even if she wanted to make a scene. Her first reaction was to return to Fortune Village.
However, she did not have any money. After rummaging through her luggage, she carried the pearls and jewelry that the scholar had given her to the pawnshop. In the end, the other party smiled as soon as she touched it. âThatâs it? You want to pawn these props for 10 taels of silver? Are you kidding me!â
These words were like a bolt from the blue, striking Little Aunt Ning squarely. After crying for an entire two hours at the entrance of the pawnshop, she could only bear the pain and sell her silver hairpin for travel expenses before following the caravan back to Fortune Village.
She was stunned the moment she returned to the village. This was a big house and a pond. Was it really Fortune Village, which she had lived in for more than 10 years? If she hadnât seen a few familiar faces, she would have thought that she had been deceived again and thrown somewhere by the convoy.
Following her memory, she returned to the old residence first. Things remained the same, but people had changed. After the house became an item to repay the debt, it had long been emptied. Even the roof had been torn off.
Little Aunt Ning walked around like a headless fly with a bitter expression. She realized belatedly that there was no place for her here anymore..