Then he went out of the room, walked under the eaves, and shouted outside:

"Aqing, I'm in the Qin family's young master's courtyard. Come this way, the gate isn't locked!"

Upon hearing this, the Chi family members who had followed all moved in this direction.

However, apart from Chi Qing, no one else went in.

Chi Qiao was stunned when she saw the other members of the Chi family through the door that Chi Qing had opened.

She vaguely remembered that the people who came down the mountain with A-Ye before were not these people.

Also, how did Aqing get here? He arrived even faster than Aye and the others.

Could it be that we're taking a shortcut?

Thinking this, she hurriedly asked, "Aqing, why did you come here? Did something happen in the village?"

How are your parents and aunt? Are they alright?

Seeing that Qin Mu didn't seem to be there, and that Aye's mother was wearing a bandage on her head and didn't seem to be in a good position, Lin and Zhang Yue thought for a moment and then went inside.

Before Chi Qing could speak, Madam Lin said:

"Sister-in-law Zhou, don't worry. Everyone in the village is fine, and Xiaoyu is doing well too."

This time, we came with Aqing to accompany Brother Qingshan.

He divorced Huang, and we took her back home, while also settling accounts with Huang's family.

The path down the mountain is difficult to walk on. I wanted to go back the way you were going, so I came here.

Chi Qiao breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the two of them and heard these words.

As long as nothing happens in the village, and nothing goes wrong with Xiaoyu and the others, then it's fine.

"Aqing, your elder brother and the others will arrive today."

There's no heated kang (traditional brick bed) next door, but I figured your older brother and his family are young and energetic, so they should stay there.

Since you're all here, let's squeeze in together and make do for a couple of days.

Two days later, we set off back together.

I have already prepared rice, flour, firewood, bedding, and charcoal over there.

Take your people there now, make some food first, and then rest for a while.

Your older brother and the others should arrive by this afternoon at the latest!

Upon hearing this, Chi Qing nodded, and only then did he understand why the door next door wasn't locked.

After saying this, Chi Qiao turned to Zhang Yue and Lin Shi and said:

"My two younger siblings, please rest here for now. When Brother Qin returns, I'll ask him if you can stay here."

If that doesn't work, she'll have to find another place for the two of them to stay.

This is not her home after all; she herself stays at other people's homes, so she cannot overstep her bounds and make decisions for others.

Clearly, Zhang Yue and Lin Shi also understood this principle.

The house next door is big, but it's too cold, and with Ah Ye and the others who came along, there will be more than twenty people.

The two women were not allowed a room to be provided for them.

Therefore, upon hearing Chi Qiao's words, he quickly said, "Okay! Then we'll take advantage of your presence today and have a warm room to rest in."

Once the three entered the heated room, Chi Qiao immediately tore off the covering from her head.

Then, with her hair all messy, she looked at Mrs. Lin.

“Ah Tian’s mother, I’m going to get my hair cut short today. I remember you’re a good hairdresser.”

I can't see it clearly myself, could you cut off the rest for me?

Lin and Zhang Yue were both startled when they saw her hair, which only reached a little below her shoulders.

"Sister-in-law, don't do anything rash..."

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong? How come you suddenly..."

Oh my god, what's gotten into Aye's mother? Why is she so upset that she wants to cut off her hair?

Is she going to sever all ties with Ah Ye's father by cutting her hair?