When they arrived at their doorstep, Song Yan looked at Cheng Youfu and Chang Xiaohu and said, "It's so good to have two younger brothers like you."

Their safe return tonight wouldn't have been possible without them. Without Chang Xiaohu, they wouldn't have been able to save them. As for whether the wolf pack will attack them, that's uncertain. After all, the wolves aren't far away.

Guns were something Song Yan held in great awe. Without Cheng Youfu, she would never have thought of borrowing a gun.

If she were to ask to borrow a gun from her old neighborhood because she was worried about safety, everyone would think she was crazy. Besides, there was nowhere to borrow one! Getting a gun would probably land her in jail.

Both of them carried makeshift torches made of pine branches. Chang Xiaohu was embarrassed by the praise.

Cheng Youfu smiled faintly, but his face held an endless sense of desolation. He looked at the Wei family's courtyard, his eyes filled with reluctance. "Sister, you're tired too, go to sleep early!"

Cheng Youfu walked away, turning back every three steps.

When I spoke to my mother with such high hopes…

His mother actually said that if he came looking for Jiang Zhiqing again, she would kill herself in front of him. If the villagers found out about this, his mother would disown him.

My sister-in-law said that Song Yan has been very good to our family, especially to my husband and me. Jiang Xiaoxiao was taken in by Song Yan, so she's someone Song Yan is supposed to protect. If you implicate Jiang Xiaoxiao, you'll be letting Song Yan down. You call Song Yan "Sister Song Yan," so you have to treat her well, right? Our family has to treat her well too.

My second sister-in-law said that if the villagers found out, they would only say bad things about Jiang Zhiqing: Youfu is just a kid, what could he know? Wasn't it Jiang Zhiqing who shamelessly preyed on a kid...?

That's what my sister meant too.

My family says I'm young and unstable, and they might regret it next year. But I'm definitely not like that. I'll never regret it in this lifetime.

Will this incident really embarrass Jiang Xiaoxiao?

She's still young, but she'll grow up eventually. But when she grows up, will Jiang Xiaoxiao be married?

Third Sister-in-law said, "Mother, don't think so much. I think Jiang Xiaoxiao doesn't talk much, but she has her own ideas. I think she treats Youfu like a child. She may not really think highly of Youfu. I'm not saying that Youfu is bad in our family, but Youfu is still a child. Do you think Jiang Zhiqing will take him seriously?"

He didn't believe anything else; he could simply ignore it. But his third sister-in-law's words were too painful to bear.

“You’re about the same age as my younger brother, and I’ve always treated you like one. I never expected you to think this way. My future partner will be someone I can rely on, and I don’t want to find a younger brother to take care of. From now on, just call me Jiang Zhiqing!” This is what Jiang Xiaoxiao said to him.

Cheng Youfu mustered his courage and pretended not to hear anything. He felt he didn't need her care. He could take care of her and be her support. For the next two days, he shamelessly sidled up to her…

My third sister-in-law's words made it impossible for me to even deceive myself.

My second brother said that as long as people don't meet, they'll gradually forget everything.

He hadn't dared to come these past few days. Just now, he really wanted to go in with his sister. Jiang Xiaoxiao must be waiting for her. He could see her as soon as he went inside. But he didn't dare go in.

I guess I won't go there anymore.

It means I'm so sad, there's endless sadness.

He was afraid of nothing if Jiang Xiaoxiao wanted to. But Jiang Xiaoxiao wasn't willing. From the moment she learned of his feelings, she never smiled at him again.

Actually, Song Yan didn't go inside; she looked out through the crack in the door.

Cheng Youfu walked back, and Song Yan felt a little relieved. The child had clearly lost weight, which meant he was going through a difficult time.

The reluctant look in his eyes as he turned to leave—he probably wanted to see Jiang Xiaoxiao!

Unexpectedly, he turned back every three steps. The last time he turned back, he simply stopped.

I've been standing here for at least ten minutes now...

Oh dear, what a mess this has become! Jiang Xiaoxiao has finally moved on from Cheng Yi's affair; Cheng Youfu, please don't drag her into another trap...

Cheng Youfu slowly walked home, unwilling to go back.

As soon as he entered the house, his mother was indeed waiting for him. "Did you go to your Aunt Wei's house?" His mother asked sternly, she hadn't been this strict before.

Cheng Youfu didn't want to talk and shook his head.

"You child... what terrible things have I done..."

"Mother, don't talk about being blessed so late at night."

“I dote on her like she’s my own eyeball; I’ve spoiled her since she was a child. Look at him, always looking so miserable!”

"Mother, Youfu hasn't been to Wei An's house these past few days. He's listening to you. You have to give him some time to recover..." the elder sister-in-law advised her mother.

Gradually, the sound faded away.

Many mothers-in-law in the village mistreat their daughters-in-law, but I've never experienced that in my own family. My three sisters-in-law were all personally chosen by my mother. I originally thought that when they grew up, my mother would find me a wife who would be good at managing a household.

But he doesn't want to now.

His mind was filled with thoughts of Jiang Xiaoxiao. The more his mother talked, the more his family talked, the more he missed her. So he couldn't go anymore; there were too many observant aunties and grandmas who would notice. If everyone talked about Xiaoxiao, he'd regret it terribly…

Cheng Youfu left, and Song Yan went back inside.

Jiang Xiaoxiao's eyes were brimming with tears. "How come I never noticed before? You're capable of anything! You dared to throw a machete at a wild boar. You even dared to charge at a pack of wolves. If you hadn't been right in front of me, I would have thought you'd been replaced. How could you have become so timid before? How did you become so bold now?"

Aunt Wei sat silently to the side, her lips pursed. Her face was filled with disapproval. Aunt Wei couldn't bring herself to tell Song Yan not to go, but she disagreed. At the time, she had held onto Song Yan tightly, refusing to let go.

"Song Yan, have you thought about this? You're your parents' only child. If something happens to you, it won't just be them; what will happen to Wei An and Wei Ping?" Jiang Xiaoxiao said angrily.

Chang Xiaohu huddled to the side like a quail; he hadn't thought about anything before!

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