Ai Xiaoxia said to Li Shaofen, "Mom, we do business to make a living. It's our job. They're being unreasonable and making excuses. We're not doing anything wrong. Just for the past two days, how can I have the time to go back? Do we have to miss this market just to give them a taste of something new? Isn't that a waste of time? I was thinking that after this market, when our business is settled, I'd go back. But now, I don't have these two bags left to sell. I'll go later to avoid them complaining about our family."
After all, it is a rural area, and Lu Jingshen is also a well-known person in the village. Interpersonal relationships at that time are like this. You can't just ignore yourself. Some things are done for others to see, and you have to do them. Of course, you have to go back and deal with those greedy people.
Li Shaofen nodded repeatedly: "Yes, take these two bags back." Then she became worried again: "Um, Xia, can you go back by yourself? Then you, can't... Then come back early."
She wanted to say something but didn't dare to, but she was really nervous and scared, fearing that Ai Xiaoxia would go back and become the same as before.
Ai Xiaoxia understood what Li Shaofen was worried about. She took Li Shaofen's hand and said, "Don't worry, Mom. I won't be confused anymore. Let's go home first. I have to go back to ride my bike anyway."
With that, the three of them packed up their stall. At this time, someone came over and asked if they had any mung bean crisps. Ai Xiaoxia could only say that they would be available at the next market as they were all sold out today.
After packing up, they said goodbye to the stall owners on both sides and headed home.
The three of them didn't talk much along the way because they were all thinking about something. Ai Xiaoxia recalled some memories of the original owner and thought about what to be careful about. After all, she was going back alone this time and didn't want to be ambushed.
Lu Jingyuan was also afraid and was thinking about whether he should secretly call his eldest brother, but he also knew that his eldest brother was busy with work and that doing so would affect his eldest brother's work.
Li Shaofen was so nervous that she even staggered when she walked.
They walked very quickly and arrived home in no time.
Lu Guojiu was sitting on the steps under the windowsill waiting for them. After all, this was the first time their family was doing business.
Seeing them coming back, their expressions were all wrong. I thought their sales were not good, so I quickly went to greet them: "It's okay if they can't sell. This is your first time doing business, so I guarantee it won't be so smooth."
Li Shaofen finally felt a little relieved when she saw her husband: "Sales are pretty good, but Xiaoxia's sister-in-law saw us setting up the stall. You said that we were so focused on business the past two days that we didn't send some to our in-laws right away. I'm afraid Xiaoxia will be blamed by her parents when she goes back."
Lu Guojiu sighed: "This matter, we have not thought about it enough, but Jing Shen is not at home, can Xiaoxia go back by herself?"
Ai Xiaoxia said to Lu Guojiu, "Dad, I've already told Mom that we didn't do anything wrong in this matter. They're the ones who are trying to find fault with us. We're doing this for a living. If we don't argue, I'm not afraid of what they say when I go back. Don't worry, I'll send the things over. I've shown my sincerity and my words, and I'll come back without letting anyone find fault with me."
Lu Guojiu nodded as if he had made up his mind: "Okay, then come back early."
Ai Xiaoxia smiled and agreed: "Don't worry, I know them too well. Since I want to change, I naturally have ways to deal with the tricks they used to deal with me in the past."
After that, she said to Lu Jingyuan, "Don't call your brother about such a small matter and affect his work."
Lu Jingyuan curled his lips: "How do you know I want to call my brother?"
Ai Xiaoxia smiled and said, "How can you hide two taels of things in your heart? Okay, stay at home with your parents, I'll be back soon." As she spoke, she remembered the money in her pocket and quickly took it out and gave it to Lu Guojiu: "Dad, ask Jingyuan to check the account first, there shouldn't be any big discrepancies."
Lu Guojiu didn't dare to take the money his daughter-in-law handed over: "You keep the money yourself."
Ai Xiaoxia put all the money in Lu Guojiu's hand: "Dad, we are family and we shouldn't share these. I'll go early and come back early." After that, she put the two bags of snacks in the bicycle basket and prepared to leave.
Li Shaofen followed her: "Be careful on the road."
Ai Xiaoxia agreed: "I know, Mom, don't worry, don't send me off."
But after leaving the yard and riding the bike for just two laps, Ai Xiaoxia began to worry about accidents. What if they really attacked her when she got back? Or something like that? She had to have a backup plan, even though the possibility was very small.
So Ai Xiaoxia stopped again, called Lu Jingyuan over, and whispered to him: "If I don't come back in three hours, call your brother and tell him that something happened to me." Because now she trusts Lu Jingshen, and there is basically no possibility of needing help anyway, but it is always safer to have a backup plan.
Lu Jingyuan looked at Ai Xiaoxia nervously: "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"
Ai Xiaoxia smiled and shook her head: "I'm just being on guard against them just in case. I'll try to be back within two hours and comfort my parents at home. Don't talk about this. I'm leaving." After that, she got on her bike and headed towards her mother's house.
In less than half an hour, Ai Xiaoxia entered Dawa Village. She had the original owner's memories of the villagers, so she knew everyone she should know and greeted them politely.
However, Ai Xiaoxia has changed so much that some people can't remember who she is after talking to her.
When Ai Xiaoxia was about to reach her home, a very thin girl wearing a white shirt with small flowers stood on the side of the road and looked at her doubtfully for several times before she stood in front of Ai Xiaoxia crying.
Ai Xiaoxia quickly stopped the bicycle, and the memory of this girl appeared in her mind. This was the original owner's best friend Fang Lan'e. The two had been good friends since childhood. They were both poor people and warmed each other. They were friends in need.
Fang Lan'e married and moved to the next village last winter. She seldom comes back home, so Ai Xiaoxia doesn't know much about her current situation.
When Fang Lan'e saw Ai Xiaoxia stop the car and confirmed that she was her good friend, she went over, hugged Ai Xiaoxia and started crying. She cried so hard that she almost couldn't breathe, but there was no sound. It was obvious that this girl was used to being wronged.
Ai Xiaoxia patted Fang Lan'e on the back and said, "Xiao'e, don't be sad. Tell me what's wrong and we'll face it together."
Fang Lan'e listened to Ai Xiaoxia's words and the unfamiliar tone, and looked at her with some doubt: "Xiaoxia, why do you seem different?"
Ai Xiaoxia touched her nose and said, "People always change. If you're bullied so badly, what can you do if you don't change? Let's go to the roadside and talk."
Fang Lan'e nodded and walked to the side of the road with Ai Xiaoxia.
Ai Xiaoxia parked her bicycle on the side of the road, and then went with Fang Lan'e to a big willow tree on the side of the road.
Fang Lan'e was now in control of her emotions: "Xiaoxia, I can't live anymore. I really don't know what to do. If I hadn't met you, I might have gone to Jinkengzi."
Ai Xiaoxia knew what Jinkengzi was. Someone had dug a big pit several meters deep in the river to pan for gold. Fang Lan'e couldn't swim, so that meant she was going there to commit suicide.
She was really scared. She grabbed Fang Lan'e's hand and said, "Xiao'e, don't do anything rash. Nothing is more important than being alive. As long as we are alive, there is hope. Let's solve everything together. Don't commit suicide."
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