At this moment, Xin He had entered the city and was eager to return home, so she didn’t feel like eating much. After having a quick meal, she and Mu Houchu went straight to Lian’an Town.
The small Qinghe shop was bustling with business at the moment, with customers constantly coming and going. Since it was a small town, most people came to buy pickles or canned food, and less grape wine. While grape wine wasn’t considered valuable in the eyes of those in the capital city who were used to drinking fine wines, it still sold less here.
Ji Dong was busy greeting customers, while Xiao Bei was leaning over the counter, handling the account book and collecting cash.
"One liang five wen cash," Xiao Bei said after fiddling with the abacus, lifting his head to speak to the customer in front of him.
"Oh, this kid is really sensible, calculating so quickly. If my child was half as smart as you, I wouldn’t have any worries," praised the granny, looking at the adorable Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei giggled: "Then granny, please come to our shop more often to buy things."
"Hahaha, from now on, I’ll definitely buy all my pickles from your shop," the granny laughed heartily.
After the customer left, Ji Dong walked over and took the account book from Xiao Bei’s hand: "You’ve been busy enough for today, and you still haven’t done your homework. Go inside and do it. In a while, it’ll be late. We should head home. Your sister-in-law is still at home cooking and waiting for us."
Xiao Bei obediently nodded, jumped down from the stool, and was about to bounce to the inner room.
But as soon as he landed, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure at the door.
Unable to resist, Xiaobei looked over to see Xin He walking in.
"Sister!" Xiao Bei exclaimed in surprise, running happily and throwing himself into Xin He’s arms, "Sister, are you back? When did you come back? Why didn’t you tell us in advance? I thought you wouldn’t come back!"
Xiao Bei was so excited, and hugged Xin He tightly.
Xin He laughed, "With Xiao Bei here, how can I bear not to return? Of course, I have to come back. Did you miss your sister?"
"Yes! I missed sister so much!" Xiao Bei exclaimed joyfully.
Ji Dong was also surprised: "Xin He, you’re back? I - I’m totally unprepared! I thought..."
Xinhe laughed sweetly: "Since I’m coming back in a hurry, I didn’t send a letter to the family. Is everything alright at home, big brother?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"Everything is fine! It’s just that Xiao Bei has been missing you so much, talking about you every day. Now that you are finally back, he must be relieved," Ji Dong said, rubbing Xiao Bei’s head and prying him from Xin He’s body, "You’re a grown-up now; stop being carried and tiring out your sister."
Xin He giggled and held Xiao Bei’s hand, "Sister missed Xiao Bei too, have you been good?"
Xiao Bei nodded vigorously: "Xiao Bei has always been good!"
"Alright, alright, this isn’t the place to chat. Let’s go home now. Xiao Cui is still waiting at home so that you can all have a reunion," Ji Dong laughed.
"Okay!"
It was then that Ji Dong turned his head to look at Mu Houchu, who had been standing quietly to one side. He moved his lips as if to say something but seemed unsure of what to say.
In Xin He’s previous letter, she had mentioned she and Mu Houchu had settled their marriage in the capital. It seemed they had already cleared up their previous misunderstandings.
"Big brother," Mu Houchu spoke first.
Ji Dong nodded, though his expression remained slightly somber, "Now that Xin He has forgiven you, I won’t dwell on the past. But in the future, if anything like that happens again and you hurt her again, don’t blame me for being impolite."
With his usual calm expression, Mu Houchu nodded, "I won’t."
The simple three words were the most sincere.
Ji Dong finally let out a sigh of relief and patted his shoulder, "It’s good to be back. Let’s go home."
On the way, Xiao Bei clung to Xinhe, asking her to tell him stories about the capital city.
Looking at Xiao Bei’s innocent and lively appearance, Xin He’s heart was very warm. Going home seemed to provide her a sense of peace.
"Xiao Bei seems to have grown taller," Xinhe said with a smile as they walked hand in hand, "half a head taller, even."
Ji Dong laughed, "Kids grow fast, eating more and getting taller day by day. He’s eating a lot now and will definitely grow strong in the future."
Xin He tousled Xiao Bei’s hair, smiling, "Xiao Bei should indeed eat more," making up for all the weight that was lost from the difficult times before.
"Xin He, now that you’re back, will you be leaving again?" Ji Dong couldn’t help but ask the main question.
As soon as he spoke, Xiao Bei looked at Xin He with reluctance.
Xin He glanced at Mu Houchu, who said, "If there are no accidents, we won’t be going back."
"What... What’s going on?" Ji Dong couldn’t understand - given Mu Houchu’s identity as a Prime Minister, why would he leave behind the court to settle in such a remote place?
Xin He laughed, "It’s a long story. Let’s talk about it slowly when we get home."
"Of course, Xiao Cui is probably cooking dinner and waiting for us to come back. She will be so happy to see you," Ji Dong laughed.
Xin He winked mischievously, "It seems that big brother and Xiao Cui are getting along well. Won’t my return make me a third wheel?"
Unable to contain his laughter, Ji Dong shook his head, "You, sister, I will always take care of you as your elder brother, alright? I won’t argue with you, my mouth is clumsy, and I might make things worse. I’ll just give you a chance to hold it over me."
Although Xin He had mentioned in her letter about recognizing her relatives in the capital, it had been more than ten years since she and her makeshift family had been together, and they were not blood relatives but were as close as family. In Ji Dong’s heart, Xin He would always be his sister.
When they returned to the village, Xin He deliberately took a horse carriage to avoid causing too much of a commotion and preventing the villagers from getting a good night’s sleep. Moreover, she still needed to spend some time talking with her big brother and Xiao Bei. After the family affairs and arrangements had been made, it wouldn’t be too late to show her face in the village.
Xiao Cui was busy in the kitchen and peeked out when she heard the sound of people entering the courtyard, "You’re back? Dinner will be ready soon. Why are you early today? Go rest for a while, I bought some green bean cakes for Xiao Bei... "
Her words trailed off as she saw Xin He following Ji Dong into the house, and she dropped her basket of vegetables in shock.
The sisters hardly had a chance to see each other, so they spent a while happily chatting.
Dinner was delayed by half an hour due to their reunion, but they eventually ate.
After dinner, sitting together, Xin He formally discussed the reasons for her return and her plans for the future.
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