“Auntie,” Xu Qingqing began, feigning innocence, her eyes glinting with triumph. “I wasn’t bullying my cousin. I just saw her with Huo Chen and was worried she might get hurt.” She imagined Xu Ying’s reputation in tatters. That ‘wolf cub’ was trouble; marrying him would surely lead her to a hard life.
Mother Xu didn’t immediately jump to conclusions about Huo Chen. Instead, she shot a suspicious glance at her daughter, then turned back to Xu Qingqing. “What was she doing with Huo Chen? Besides, there are so many people here today. If that boy dared to bully my daughter, I’d skin him alive!”
Xu Qingqing, believing Mother Xu was enraged, inwardly gloated. “Auntie, is my cousin dating Huo Chen?” she pressed, her voice dripping with feigned concern.
Mother Xu’s gaze flickered back to her daughter. It wasn’t just Mother Xu who was curious; despite the movie’s loud noise, Xu Qingqing’s voice had carried a loud tone . Everyone present widened their eyes and strained their ears, eager for this juicy gossip.
Some couldn’t hold back. “Qingqing, you can’t just talk nonsense! How could Yingying be in a relationship with Huo Chen?” the woman exclaimed, her voice incredulous. The two were a complete mismatch. One was fair, beautiful, and sweet, raised in a prosperous family. The other was fierce, dark, like a block of iron, an orphan. One was capable in her work, the other a rough countryman. Though he could hunt and earn money, he was far beneath Xu Ying. If these two were dating, the sun would surely rise in the west!
Under the nervous gaze of the entire crowd, Xu Ying simply nodded. “Yes.”
“Look, I was just saying, how could Xu Ying…” The woman’s words caught in her throat, her eyes widening in horror. “What? They are actually dating!”
Xu Qingqing was equally stunned. She’d expected Xu Ying to vehemently deny it, but instead, she had admitted it with casual nonchalance. Xu Qingqing looked at Xu Ying, a smug satisfaction returning to her face. It would be a miracle if her parents ever agreed to her being with that ‘wolf cub’ beinmg there son-in-law .She just waited to see Xu Ying get a good beating.
But to her surprise, Mother Xu’s expression merely turned a little solemn. “Really? You’re not lying to your mother?” she pressed.
Xu Qingqing knew a storm was brewing between them . The others in the crowd also looked on, with a hint of sympathy for Mother Xu in their eyes.
“No!” Xu Ying declared, her voice firm and unwavering.
Seeing this, Mother Xu swiftly grabbed Father Xu and pulled her daughter away, heading straight home.
If Xu Qingqing had a tail, it would be wagging furiously with delight seeing this scene. This was it! Xu Ying was surely in for a beating. Even if Mother Xu was usually protective, this time, there was no escaping it. Father Xu, a man who valued his reputation, certainly wouldn’t resort to violence in public.
Father Xu was unceremoniously dragged home by Mother Xu, with no chance to protest. As soon as they were inside, he burst forth with curiosity. “What happened? I haven’t finished watching the movie yet!”
“What is there’s anything good to watch in that damn movie,” Mother Xu retorted, her face unreadable. “Something big has happened to our daughter—she’s dating now!”
Father Xu’s initial annoyance vanished, his eyes widening in astonishment. He turned to his daughter, suspicion clouding his face. “You’re dating someone? Who is he?”
“From our village!” Mother Xu replied, her voice surprisingly calm, devoid of any obvious emotion.
Father Xu’s eyes lit up. “It couldn’t be Huo Chen right ?”
Xu Ying nodded without hesitation.
A wide grin spread across Father Xu’s face. He and his wife had always thought Huo Chen was a good match for there daughter . Before, they’d worried that their daughter’s previous heartbreak would prevent her from finding love again. Now, hearing that she was dating, it proved their daughter was indeed fine.
But his joy was short-lived as Mother Xu suddenly wailed, slapping her thighs. “Oh, my precious daughter! Tell me, you never told your family you were in love. If it hadn’t been for that Qingqing girl finding out, we would have been kept in the dark until now! Fine, fine, I’ll tell you this: I have no objection to you two falling in love, but you are not allowed to get married early!” Mother Xu cried, tears streaming down her face, a mix of relief and something else. If her daughter hadn’t been dating Huo Chen, she would have hoped they would. But hearing they were, she felt a sudden pang of discomfort. This meant her daughter would soon be leaving her, becoming someone else’s wife. The thought was unbearable for Mother Xu.
Xu Ying, sensing her mother’s reluctance, hugged her tightly, clinging to her arm and speaking in a sweet, coaxing voice. “Mom, I definitely won’t get married early. I want to spend more time with you and Dad. But even if Huo Chen and I get married, we’ll still be in the same village. I can come here whenever I want!”
Yes! Mother Xu hastily wiped away her tears. She was from this village; she could visit Huo’s house whenever she missed her daughter.
“You, promise? ,” Mother Xu said, though a hint of disappointment lingered in her voice.
“What’s wrong, Mom? Are you crying?”Big Brother Xu, having returned from helping his wife, saw the scene, his face filled with panic and worry.
Mother Xu waved a dismissive hand. “It’s nothing. It’s just… your little sister will get married someday, and the thought makes me feel a little uncomfortable.”
Sister-in-law Xu understood perfectly. When she got married, her own mother had held her and cried for several nights. But understanding didn’t change the inevitable. Thankfully, she’d be able to return to her parents’ home soon enough.
“Alright, hurry up and go to bed. Make sure you wake up early tomorrow,” Mother Xu said to everyone , her face composed now, as she turned and headed back into the house.
Xu Ying glanced at the time; it was already half past ten. They usually went to bed around eight or nine, so this was quite late for them. So the physical exhaustion began to set in, and Xu Ying also went back to her room to sleep.
After washing up and getting into bed, Xu Ying remembered her bankbook. Lying there, she couldn’t resist taking it out of her hidden space. Gazing at the numbers, she clutched it to her chest, with a joyful smile on her face. Soon, she would herself became a hundred thousand yuan household! Though most of it had been given by her partner, they were going to be married, so it was all hers now.
Xu Ying closed her eyes and quickly drifted into a dream. In her dream, she lay on a bed of gold, with hundreds of dollar bills stuffed beneath it. She rose and went to eat, opening the refrigerator to find it, too, was filled with hundred-dollar bills.
“Little sister, little sister?” Third brother Xu who returned for the new year couldn’t help but check on his younger sister early in the morning. Seeing her giggling in her sleep, a strange feeling washed over him. Soon, big brother and second brother Xu also entered the room, each holding a red envelope.
“Third brother, what are you doing standing here ?” big brother Xu hadn’t realized his younger sister was still asleep. He’d only heard laughter and thought he was too late to surprise her. To his astonishment, he found her with her eyes closed, grinning from ear to ear. “What’s wrong with her?”
Second brother Xu took a look, a doting expression on his face. “She’s just dreaming. I wonder what my little sister is dreaming about?”
“She must have dreamed of picking up money!” Father Xu and Mother . Xu exclaimed simultaneously. Their little sister had always loved money, always digging in whenever she saw it.
“What are you doing! Get yourselves together and go eat as soon as you wake up. Let your little sister sleep a little longer,” Mother Xu scolded, seeing her sons gathered around.
The three Xu brothers immediately bolted from the room. Second brother Xu was so quick that he stumbled, nearly falling. The commotion instantly woke Xu Ying from her deep slumber . She rubbed her eyes, looked around, and saw not a single penny. Than her gaze landed on Second brother Xu , and a wave of anger washed over her. Where was her money!