Huang Feiyan patted her round belly and burped, saying contentedly, "That feels good. I wish I could eat such delicious dumplings every day."
Su Xiao sat by the coal stove, warming her hands, and said, "Little glutton. By the way, are you going home for Chinese New Year this year?"
As December arrived, there was practically no work to be done in the fields, and with the heavy snowfall, most of the educated youth in the compound who wanted to return home had already started writing applications.
Huang Feiyan's smile faded, and she said in a muffled voice, "We're not going back, are we? What's the point of going back? Are we just going to be a nuisance?"
Ever since Huang Feiyan disregarded her family's arrangements and secretly signed up to go to the countryside, the Huang family has treated her as if she didn't exist. After going to the countryside, Huang Feiyan wrote a letter back home, but unfortunately, she never received a reply.
Su Xiao sighed inwardly. She couldn't comment on the Huang family's actions, but thinking back to her previous life, she felt that perhaps this wasn't so bad. At least Huang Feiyan had taken a step forward, and her future life shouldn't be worse than her previous life.
"Cao Bing, what about you?" Su Xiao turned to Cao Bing. After several months of hard work, his fair and youthful face had gained a touch of the determination of a mature man.
Despite everything they've been through, Cao Bing's eyes remained clear, a rare quality. He looked at Su Xiao and asked, "What about you? Are you going back?"
Su Xiao remained silent for a while before saying, "I replied."
Although she felt a little awkward going back to face Grandma Su and Grandpa Su, she still had to go back. After all, it was her home, and besides, there were Grandma Hua and Xiaoming next door. She had to go home and see them for her master.
And then there's Grandma Hua's impending death, this winter. Although I've made many preparations, I'd still feel at ease if I could go back and keep an eye on things.
After Huang Feiyan arrived, she started bringing things to Grandma Hua through Shu Bowen and also asked Shu Bowen to help look after the Hua family.
“Then I’ll go back too,” Cao Bing replied.
Su Xiao frowned slightly, about to say something, but was interrupted by Huang Feiyan.
"Oh, you're all going back, leaving me here alone? No, I'm scared. I'll go back too. Xiaoxiao, can I go back with you and stay at your house?"
Huang Feiyan blinked her big, watery eyes and looked at Su Xiao expectantly.
Su Xiao said helplessly, "Okay, either way is fine."
Upon hearing this, Huang Feiyan happily waved her little fist, somewhat excited, and her sadness from when she talked about going home had vanished.
After calming Huang Feiyan down, Su Xiao looked at Cao Bing again, thought for a moment, and said, "Cao Bing, when you go back this time, apologize to your parents properly, listen to their arrangements, and go back to the city if you can."
Cao Bing looked at Su Xiao with an indescribable sense of loss in his eyes.
“You’ve been here for half a year now, and you’ve experienced everything you’re supposed to. There’s really no need for you to waste your time in this rural area.” Su Xiao’s eyes were somewhat unfocused as she looked at the fire, her tone light and casual.
“I…” Cao Bing’s brows furrowed, his voice becoming hoarse, “I just want to stay with you.”
"I don't need you to come with me. You shouldn't have come here." Su Xiao's tone was firm, and her gaze towards him was devoid of emotion.
It's been half a year; we really shouldn't let it drag on any longer.
These days, Cao Bing's silent companionship has made her feel somewhat uneasy. This boy is reserved but too persistent. He shouldn't waste his time and energy in this small mountain village. He has a wider world to explore.
Cao Bing was stunned for a long time and didn't say anything.
Su Xiao added, "Everything I said is true."
Reading Disturbance
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