"Xiao Ning, you've suffered a lot out there." Seeing her grandson so composed, Grandma Sun didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

Xiao Ning shook his head, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar with this home. His aunt used to beat and scold him and his sister. In order to make a living, he had no choice but to sell himself into slavery. He didn't know if his aunt beat his sister again when he wasn't at home.

Xiaoman was picking at the noodles beside him, finishing off everything in the pot. "Sister's noodles are delicious too! Xiaoning, eat more, sister made them especially for you!"

The quick-witted and lively Xiaoman immediately eased the slightly tense atmosphere in the room with her words, "After we finish eating, let's go help our sister feed the pigs."

"No, the steward only gave me half a day off, and I have to rush back before dark." There was a hint of disappointment in Xiao Ning's eyes, along with some envy. She envied Xiao Man for being able to stay by her sister and grandmother's side and enjoy her sister's cooking every day.

"Xiaoman, go outside and help Grandma." Sun Miao'er knew that Xiao Ning had something on her mind and was very proud. Seeing that Grandma Sun had gone to the yard to wash the dishes, she deliberately sent Xiaoman away.

Once only the two siblings were left in the kitchen, Xiao Ning suddenly jumped off the chair, approached Sun Miao'er, and pulled out a small purse from her bosom. "Sister, this is for you."

Sun Miao'er took the money bag, emptied it out, and saw that there were dozens of copper coins inside. "Where did this come from? Xiao Ning, don't do anything foolish behind your sister's back."

She froze on the spot. If this child went astray outside, as the eldest sister, she would have a responsibility, as he was like a mother to her.

"Sister, this money is all that I saved up," Xiao Ning explained.

Sun Miao'er knew that Xiao Ning was not paid for selling herself into slavery. The money from the sale had already gone into Jin's hands when the contract was signed, and the original owner and Old Lady Sun had never even seen a trace of the money.

Xiao Ning placed the money pouch in her sister's hand, her brows furrowed slightly, as if she had a lot on her mind. "The young master's page in the manor fell ill a few months ago and was taken home. I used to sweep the floor in the young master's room and eavesdrop on the teacher's lectures, so I learned a few words. After the steward found out, he made me a page for the young master. Sometimes when the young master is in a good mood, he will give me money as a reward. I was thinking of saving it all for my sister and grandmother."

"Keep this money safe, your sister doesn't need it." Sun Miao'er couldn't possibly accept his money; it was absolutely unacceptable.

Xiao Ning got a little annoyed and spoke faster, "Who said my sister doesn't need it! I see there's no grain left in the rice jar at home, and the sleeves of my sister's clothes are half too short. Grandma doesn't look well either; she must not have taken her medicine for a long time!"

Sun Miao'er looked down and realized that the original owner's clothes had been patched three or four times and were so worn that the original color was no longer visible. The sleeves barely reached her wrists, but since it was summer, she didn't feel cold, which was why she hadn't noticed it before.

But Xiao Ning saw all of this and kept it in mind.

"Don't worry, I can take good care of myself. Look, the corn was planted yesterday, and the piglets are fat. Our family will get better and better!"

Sun Miao'er pushed the money bag back, "Xiao Ning, I'm trying to save money now. Once I've saved enough, I'll go and redeem you, and our family can live a good life together."

Xiao Ning looked at her sister with a hint of surprise in her eyes. Her sister seemed the same as before, yet something about her seemed different.

"Sister, don't worry about me. Since I became the young master's page, my meals have been much better than before. So, if you don't want to, I'll share the food with you."

Xiao Ning took half of the copper coins from his purse and kept them in his own hand. He knew that his sister couldn't bear to accept his money, but he couldn't bear to see his sister and grandmother's lives getting harder and harder every day.

"Then consider it a loan from your sister. I'll give it back to you when I earn the money."

Xiao Ning is different from Xiao Man. If she keeps refusing, Xiao Ning will definitely overthink it.

No more, no less, exactly twenty coins. I knew that twenty coins was no small sum for this dilapidated family.

After the siblings had a heart-to-heart talk, Sun Miao'er's worries were resolved. She had been worried that Xiao Ning was not doing well, but at least now it seemed that the family had not treated him badly. If she had more time, she would definitely bring Xiao Ning home.

After noon, Grandma Sun chatted with Xiao Ning for a while, mostly about taking care of her health and being careful when doing things for others.

"Alright, Grandma, Xiao Ning isn't going to stay away forever. There's plenty of time in the future. It's almost time. I should take Xiao Ning to the village entrance to wait for the oxcart to go to town. If we're late, we won't make it to the county town today."

"Yes, yes, I'm really getting senile. There's still a long life ahead of me, Xiao Ning. Don't worry, my sister and I will take care of things at home."

Grandma Sun talked to herself, as if she were comforting herself or reassuring her grandson.

The thought of being plagued by illness for a long time, not knowing how much time he had left, and that he would see Xiao Ning less and less often, made him feel sad and distressed.

At the village entrance, on the east side of the road.

"Sister, I'm waiting for you to take me home."

Xiao Ning turned around and wrapped her arms around Sun Miao'er's waist. Her sudden act of coquetry stunned Sun Miao'er. These words seemed to have become a promise between the siblings.

"Okay, you stay here and behave yourself. I'll bring Xiaoman with me to pick you up later."

It seems that the young master of that wealthy family is about the same age as Xiao Ning, but their circumstances are vastly different. Fortunately, Xiao Ning is exceptionally talented and has been chosen for a good job. When he returns from the mansion, he can go to the scholar's house to study with Xiao Man.

On the oxcart, Xiao Ning waved to Sun Miao'er. Sun Miao'er felt something poking her waistband. She reached down and touched it, only to find that the boy had been so affectionate just now in order to secretly slip the rest of the money back to her!

After dropping Xiao Ning off, Madam Jin was already waiting at the door. "I've done what I promised you, you wouldn't lie to me, would you?"

“My aunt is getting scared now. I thought there was no one in Fushui Village who could control her.”

Sun Miao'er knew she was extremely anxious, so she decided to tease her even more.

"You little hussy, don't push your luck! Let me tell you!"

Jin was embarrassed and lost face. When has she ever bowed her head to a junior like this?

Sun Miao'er assumed it was a desperate act, "Auntie, don't be angry! I haven't thanked you yet for all the good things you said for me at Village Chief Li's house!"

"What did I say?" Jin asked guiltily.

"Auntie, stop pretending to be deaf and dumb. Everyone knows perfectly well what's going on. That kid from the Li family suffered a bit yesterday before he told me!"

When Sun Miao'er exposed her true colors, Jin hurriedly denied it, her face turning pale. "That's not true! I didn't say anything! It's just that the Li family boy is ignorant and believes everything he hears! What does it have to do with me?"

"Whether it matters or not, Auntie will find out later."

Sun Miao'er's tone was neither too light nor too heavy, but it felt like a thousand pounds were pressing down on Jin Shi's heart. How could this stupid girl have suddenly become so clever?