Song Qi'an arrived that evening, before Zhouji Snack Shop closed.

Along with Zhou Xu, who had the weekend off, the mother and her two children got into Song Qi'an's car.

Zhou Xu was the one who talked the most in the car, while Zhou Sui usually remained silent.

But today, Song Qi'an would frequently steer the conversation toward Zhou Sui, making it seem as if Zhou Sui had been talking non-stop the whole way.

"It's getting cold now, so it's not very convenient to ride a bicycle. I have to go to town every day, so you can ride with me then."

The conversation suddenly turned to this: "Let's come back together tonight."

Zhou Sui turned her head to look at him in confusion. Song Qi'an seemed unusually enthusiastic today.

“My car is empty anyway, so I might as well bring you all back with me.” Song Qi’an said calmly in the face of Zhou Sui’s gaze.

“Sister, I think it’s a good idea,” Zhou Xu chimed in. “It’s not winter yet. If it were, we wouldn’t be able to ride bicycles at all.”

"You guys can hitch a ride back with Brother Song. You can talk to him on the way, and he won't be bored while driving."

Zhou Sui didn't know what to say about her silly younger brother. Song Qi'an didn't seem like the talkative person she was with.

"No need, the weather isn't too cold yet, riding a bicycle is fine, it's a good way to get some exercise."

As soon as the first two words were uttered, Song Qi'an felt as if a dull thud had struck his chest.

"You're already so thin, why are you still exercising?" Song Qi'an glanced at her arms hanging down her legs; her wrists were so thin they looked like they could be broken at any moment.

"You're young, so it's not so bad. Aunt Zhao is busy in the kitchen all day, and she still has to spend her energy riding her bicycle home at night."

Song Qi'an was somewhat impressed with himself; he had actually thought of using Li Qiuju as a pretext.

Sure enough, Zhou Sui turned around and glanced at Li Qiuju.

"It's alright, sigh. Before we had bicycles, we used to walk back, which would take one or two hours. Now it's much easier."

Li Qiuju was used to hardship, let alone something that could earn her a lot of money; she was willing to endure it.

Zhou Sui took Song Qi'an's words to heart. Looking at her mother's slightly tired face, she felt guilty.

They said they wanted to give their mother a better life, but instead they made her work hard and struggle.

It seems she should go back and consider her money, buy a house in town, and save herself the trouble of traveling back and forth.

Song Qi'an glanced at Zhou Sui's thoughtful expression and thought to himself that she would most likely agree to this.

After waiting a while, Zhou Sui finally asked, "Can I take a driver's license test in town now?"

She was actually a little afraid of driving, but with her family members—Zhou Dayong was lame, Li Qiuju was not very literate, and Zhou Xu was still in school—if anyone needed to drive, she was the most suitable.

Song Qi'an felt as if a breath was stuck in his throat, unable to come up or go down, making it impossible for him to speak.

"Sis, are you going to get your driver's license and buy a car?" Zhou Xu asked excitedly from the back seat.

"I have that idea." She estimates it will take time to get her driver's license, so she'll have to work hard to earn enough money to buy a car by the time she gets it.

"Wow, sis, you're amazing! If you get your driver's license, you'll be the first girl in our village who can drive."

"Does that mean our family will have to buy a car?" Zhou Xu looked at her expectantly.

When Zhou Sui nodded, his cheers were deafening, and Zhou Sui had to scold him, "Ah Xu, watch out!"

It's fine to shout at home, but we're still in Song Qi'an's car. Isn't shouting like this just annoying?

Zhou Sui glanced at Song Qi'an. Sure enough, Song Qi'an's face was noticeably colder than before. He must be annoyed by Zhou Xu, that loud and boisterous kid.

"Alright, quiet down. We can talk about it when we get home."

Her intention was to provide Song Qi'an with a quiet environment, but she didn't expect that Song Qi'an's face would darken after she finished speaking.

It seemed she really found it noisy, so Zhou Sui wisely turned her head to the side, facing the window, watching the night pass by in an instant.

Song Qi'an was really annoyed. He was about to speak when Zhou Sui turned her head away, leaving only her full back of her head facing him.

An eerie atmosphere suddenly filled the carriage, and even Zhou Xu, usually a carefree person, fell silent.

The silence continued until they reached the Zhou family's door. When they got out of the car, Li Qiuju specially handed Song Qi'an a bag, saying, "These are freshly made meat buns today. Just heat them up in the pan and they're ready to eat."

“Sui Sui packed it up right after it came out of the pot. Take it back for your grandpa and grandma to try.”

Song Qi'an looked at the bag and said, "Aunt Zhao, I've been eating and drinking for free at your shop these past few days, so I'm embarrassed to take these buns again."

"Why are you being so formal, Xiao Song?" Li Qiuju glared at him. They had troubled Song Qi'an quite a bit. "Listen to Aunt Zhao and take the steamed buns back with you."

“If I really bring it back, my mom will say I’m being inconsiderate. It’s one thing to eat at the restaurant, but to bring it home is another.” Song Qi’an’s attitude was more resolute than ever before.

Li Qiuju turned to look at her daughter, unsure of what to do.

Zhou Sui stepped forward and advised, "We're friends, it's normal for us to share food. Aunt Zhao definitely won't say anything to you."

She was puzzled; Aunt Zhao didn't seem like the type to blame someone for such a small matter.

The most important thing is that Song Qi'an is not the kind of person who cares about such trivial matters at all.

That's really strange.

Song Qi'an looked over, and whether it was her imagination or not, there seemed to be a sense of grievance in his deep eyes.

"Since we're friends, we shouldn't stand on ceremony."

Something about this sentence doesn't sound right. Zhou Sui's mind is a little confused. Who is this person talking about?

"That's the right way to think, Xiao Song. Hurry up and take it back. Auntie won't keep you any longer. Come to my house to find Sui Sui and play with A Xu when you're free during the day."

This time, Song Qi'an finally accepted the bag that was handed to him.

"Auntie, please go inside quickly."

"Sui Sui, see you tomorrow."

"Ah, oh, okay, see you tomorrow." Zhou Sui thought he was going to eat at the store tomorrow.

To her surprise, the man waited at her doorstep the next day and, under the pretense of being on the way, took her to town.