Sure enough, when Uncle Xia heard Xia Mian mention his plan to go to Yan City, his first reaction was to disagree. "Why are you suddenly thinking of going somewhere so far away?"
He thought Xia Mian was trying to compete with Xia Li, so he said, "Don't try to imitate Lili. Even if she goes to Yan City, she'll just be working. If you study hard, you'll definitely be better than her in the future."
"No," Xia Mian explained patiently, "The study conditions in Yan City are better, and there's Xiao Feng. As you can see, he's very smart, so I think going to a big city would be better."
She looked at Ning Shaoyun.
"Uncle," Ning Shaoyun said, "I was actually the one who brought this up."
"I don't know if Xia Mian told you that she saved Chenchen and me." Ning Shaoyun still felt scared when she talked about this incident. "If it weren't for Xia Mian, Chenchen would have fallen into the hands of human traffickers. My life would be over."
Uncle Xia looked at Xia Mian in surprise. Xia Mian had just said it casually, and Uncle Xia thought it was a trivial matter. He didn't expect that it could really be considered a life-saving favor.
"I don't ask for anything in return, but I always want to do something for them."
"What a coincidence! We live on the same floor as each other in the staff quarters. I see Xia Mian likes studying, and Xiao Feng is also very smart."
"So I think talking about money is vulgar, but giving children good education is just right. If they learn skills on their own, it's better than giving them anything else. Uncle, what do you think?"
Ning Shaoyun spoke softly and had a convincing aura, and Uncle Xia was obviously shaken.
It has to be said that the desire to help children succeed is a temptation that every normal parent finds hard to resist.
Ning Shaoyun then told her plan, "We have an empty small courtyard in Yan City. There's a high school affiliated with Yan University and a bilingual kindergarten nearby. The teachers are very good, so Xia Mian and Xiao Feng can go to school at the same time."
"Yenda High School has a very good admission rate. Every year, more than a dozen students are recommended for admission to Yenching University. Fifty percent of students can be admitted to key universities nationwide, and the rest mostly go to ordinary universities. Very few fail to get in."
Ning Shaoyun said, "As long as Xia Mian is willing to study, even if he can't get into Yan University, he can still get into a good university."
This attack hit the nail on the head. Except for Uncle Xia who was stingy and unwilling to spend money on his children's education, everyone else in the Xia family worked hard to let their children receive an education.
However, given the educational level in Mingxi County, only a few graduates can get into university every year, let alone key universities and top institutions like Yan University.
Uncle Xia rubbed his hands and said, "Will it be too much trouble for you? Two children always require worry, and there is also tuition. Is the tuition expensive over there?"
Uncle Xia slipped in from the doorway at some point, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but say, "I'm so..." rich...
"Second brother." Xia Wenyue interrupted him expressionlessly, with a warning in her eyes.
Uncle Xia shrank his neck and dared not speak anymore.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief quietly, as they really didn't want to expose their family's dirty laundry in front of the Ning siblings.
Uncle Xia tried hard to save his image, "His second uncle also wanted to say that you are so concerned, it really makes us embarrassed."
"Actually, I don't need to worry about it." Ning Shaoyun said, "Xia Mian is a very capable girl. Look how well she takes care of Xiao Feng."
Everyone agreed with this point. Every time she dealt with Zhang Qiming, she showed that her ability was no less than that of an adult. This was also the reason why Uncle Xia did not deny it immediately.
"To be honest, I have some selfish motives behind this proposal."
Ning Shaoyun smiled and said, "I like Xia Mian very much. She is smart and capable. When she finishes her studies, she can be my assistant."
"Then there's Xiaofeng. Chenchen is an only child, and I don't plan to have any more children. He and Xiaofeng get along well. I want them to grow up together and take care of each other like real brothers."
After Ning Shaoyun said this, the so-called repaying a favor was more like people who got along well helping each other.
The Xia family felt much more relaxed. Ning Shaoyun finally gave them some reassurance, "Actually, it won't cost much for them to go to school. Our country values education, and the high school tuition in Yan City is about the same as in Ming City. Xiaofeng's elementary and middle school education is compulsory, so it will only cost some money for textbooks."
"If they study well, they can get scholarships that are enough to support them through school."
Uncle Xia and his friends had never been outside, and they didn't know that Ning Shaoyun was talking about local students. They only heard that they could afford to go to school, and they felt relieved.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, they do not want their children to accept financial support from others for their schooling. That way, even if the children are wronged, they cannot say anything and will always be restricted.
Xia Mian added, "The money my mother left me is enough for me to go to college. You don't have to worry about Xiaofeng. After Zhang Qiming is sentenced, the factory said that the house will be given to Xiaofeng."
"When the time comes, we can sell the house for 50,000 or 60,000 yuan, which is enough for Xiaofeng to finish high school."
Xia Mian didn't mention the stamp matter. She didn't want to test human nature unless she had to.
"Go!" Xia Wenyue made the decision. She knew too well the importance of studying and opportunities in life.
She said to Ning Shaoyun, "Miss Ning, please take care of Xia Mian and Xiao Feng."
"If they have a promising future, we will let them work hard on their own. If they don't, or if they are not suitable for the job, you can send them back to us."
Then she said to Xia Mian, "When you go over there, just focus on your studies. If you have any problems, call home. No matter what happens, Second Aunt will find a way for you!"
Grandma Xia, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke up. "I think it's not feasible for the two children to go alone. They need someone to take care of them. Since you're all too busy to leave, I'll go with them."
Everyone was stunned and looked at Grandma Xia who was sitting in the middle.
Grandma Xia smoothed her clothes and said to Ning Shaoyun with a kind face, "It's a bit inconvenient for the two children who are not yet adults. We can't trouble you too much. I am their grandmother, and I will go with you to take care of them."
Everyone frowned in unison.
Everyone present, except the Ning siblings, knew what she was planning. It was simply that since the two children were going to Yan City, she wanted to follow them and enjoy the good life.
Xia Mian and Xiao Feng have to study every day, and the Ning family will obviously not treat them unfairly. If she, an old lady, relies on Xia Mian and Xiao Feng's status and acts like an old lady, and acts like an old lady, who will have the nerve to say anything?
Help? Just don't cause trouble.
Uncle Xia didn't want to expose the family's shame in front of outsiders, so he said tactfully, "Aunt, you are so old, and Yan City is not close. When the time comes, the children will have to take care of you, and we are even more worried."
"Yan City isn't far away. Isn't Mianmian going with Doctor Ning and the others?" Grandma Xia said, "I'm strong enough to go up and down the mountain. I usually cook for them and clean the place. It's not too tiring."
I have made up my mind to go.
Xia Mian was about to refuse directly, but Xia Wenyue grabbed her and gave her a look to stop her.
Xia Wenyue didn't want Xia Mian to have a bad impression of being someone who contradicted her elders in front of the Ning siblings, so she spoke up, "Mom, that's great. Please come and help me."
"You know, even though we've separated and are living separately, we're both busy and don't have time to look after our three children. My mother-in-law is always harsh on them, and since they're young and can't talk back to their elders, they just have to suffer. I feel really bad for them."
"I don't need any help from you. Huimei and Huilan can do the heavy work like cooking and cleaning. Huizhu is seven years old and can run and jump. You don't need to worry about her. Just keep an eye on her."
"My mother-in-law is very proud. If she dares to treat my child harshly again, she will definitely not dare to do it once you tell her so."
Xia Wenyue looked at Grandma Xia with a smile, "I have been married for almost twenty years, so let me be filial to you."
Grandma Xia didn't meet Second Aunt Xia's eyes. She lowered her voice a little, but still insisted, "Anyone can help you at home, but it's different for Mianmian and Xiaofeng. They're in Yan City, and there's always someone to take care of them. Especially Xiaofeng, he has to be picked up and dropped off at kindergarten..."
Xia Wenyue's eyes were cold, but she said, "If you say so, you really need someone, but you are too old. When the time comes, your children may have to take care of you. Don't go and cause trouble."
Before Grandma Xia could say anything else, Xia Wenyue said, "That's settled. I do have an idea in mind, but I'll tell you when I've thought it through. Anyway, I'm worried about you, Mom!"
The aunt took the opportunity to say, "Wen Yue is really thoughtful. Okay, the meal is ready, let's eat quickly."
"Doctor Ning must be exhausted after driving for half a day."
"Second Aunt," Qiangqiang suddenly ran in like a gust of wind, "Aunt Huimei and the others are here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, three girls of different ages came in from behind. From their looks, it could be seen that they were sisters.
"Mom." The leader looked to be about twenty years old. She was the eldest daughter Huimei, with a big black braid and worry in her eyes.
The little girl she was holding was about seven or eight years old, with pigtails and red eyes. She burst into tears the moment she saw Xia Wenyue, "Mom, grandma is so mean!"
"Huizhu, mommy's holding you," Xia Wenyue said, her face full of heartache as she took the little girl in and asked, "What happened? Why did you come here?"
The second oldest, Huilan, was fifteen years old and had short hair. She seemed to have inherited Xia Wenyue's boldness and said quickly, "It's grandma! Grandma wants to marry off our eldest sister and she even brought people to block our door!"
Xia Wenyue's face changed. She herself was forced to marry young and suffered a lot, and she was determined not to let her children repeat the same mistakes. "How come it's okay?"
Huilan said angrily, "It's that Hao Youtou who was so persistent in pestering my sister. Didn't you refuse before? His family probably heard that you were away, so they brought a lot of goodies to grandma's house. My grandma was so happy."
Huimei was a little worried, "Mom, the Hao family is the richest family in Ming County. If my grandma..."
Xia Wenyue said firmly, "Even if the world's richest man comes, no one can do anything to you if you can't get past me!!"
Then he asked, "How did you get here?"
"We came here by car," Huilan said. "Grandma wanted to lock my sister up at home and not let her go to work, so we ran away."
Xia Wenyue smiled and praised, "Well, our Huilan is very smart. You must be hungry. Eat something first. Mom will contact your dad."
The eldest aunt-in-law hurriedly went with her eldest daughter-in-law to prepare food for the children.
Seeing that her aunt's family was too busy, Xia Mian took the Ning siblings back to her own home to settle down. Anyway, she and Xiao Feng had already decided to go to Yan City, and the affairs of the Mao sisters might be more important now.
There are two rooms in the Xia family. Ning Shaobai lives in one room, and Ning Shaoyun Chenchen and Xia Mian Xiaofeng sleep together.
At this time, Xia Mian was very grateful to Xia Wenyue for cleaning the house every day, otherwise she would have been embarrassed today.
Thinking of Xia Wenyue, Xia Mian felt a little worried.
After Ning Shaoyun fell asleep, Xia Mian tiptoed out of bed to look for Xia Wenyue.
But they saw the four of them, mother and daughter, sitting in a corner of their uncle's yard. Xia Wenyue was teasing the youngest, Mao Huizhu, who was nestled in her arms and giggling. Mao Huilan was also chattering something to Xia Wenyue, and Xia Wenyue tapped her head lovingly.
If you don't see the worry in Mao Huimei's eyes, you would think they are carefree and have no worries.
But the two little ones probably really have no worries, because Xia Wenyue has provided them with a solid foundation.
Xia Mian left quietly.
In the evening, everyone gathered in Uncle Xia's yard to prepare for dinner. Qiangqiang obviously knew that no matter what he did today, his family would not beat him, so he played very hard.
Xia Hai couldn't believe it when he saw Chenchen and Xiaofeng following Qiangqiang like mud monkeys.
Thinking of how Chenchen, the fair-skinned and gentlemanly young master, had been mistreated by his own son, Xia Hai couldn't help but burst out in disbelief, "Qiangqiang, you little bastard, what were you doing with your brothers?!"
He didn't care about the guests at the moment and was so angry that he turned around and looked for a stick to beat someone.
Seeing Ning Shaoyun's surprised expression, Xia Hai was so ashamed that he wanted to find a hole to hide in. "I'm so embarrassed. I'm going to beat this brat up right now!"
Ning Shaoyun quickly stopped him. She couldn't help laughing and said, "I'm just surprised by your Qiangqiang's infectiousness. My child is very reserved. He can play like this, which shows that he is very happy. I have to thank your Qiangqiang."
Xia Hai knew that people were trying to rescue him, and his face turned red, but he could only let Qiangqiang go for the time being, with a secret warning in his eyes.
Qiangqiang escaped the disaster by shrinking his neck. He didn't care about what would happen tomorrow. He made a face at his father and smiled at Ning Shaoyun, "Thank you, Aunt Fairy!"
Ning Shaoyun was amused by his energetic appearance.
Xia He obviously felt embarrassed by him. He grabbed him by the back of the collar, lifted him up, and threw him into the large basin of water drying in the yard, cursing angrily, "All day long, can't you give me a day of peace of mind?"
"It's fine if you're just being wild, but why didn't you bring your brothers with you?!"
Qiangqiang didn't take it seriously. After Xia He took off his clothes, he raised his hand and splashed water on Xia He's face. Xia He was so angry that he slapped his bare butt a few times.
Chenchen had never seen such a scene before and was stunned. Xiaofeng couldn't help but smile, but when she saw Xia Mian, she felt a little embarrassed, "Auntie."
Xia Mian smiled and touched his little face, "Auntie will find two basins for you, and we will take a bath too."
Chenchen also stole a glance at Ning Shaoyun, "Mom, my brother Xiaofeng and I are going to catch loaches together."
Ning Shaoyun smiled and said, "Did you catch it?"
"We caught it!" Chenchen's face lit up when he saw his mother wasn't angry. "It's so slippery, it just kept sliding out. Brother Qiangqiang is the best! We caught two bottles! We'll eat them tonight!"
Over there, Xia Chuan went to get some hot water. Xia Mian brought two large wash basins from home. After adding water, he said to Chen Chen and Xiao Feng, "Come on, one for each of you, and wash them all."
Chenchen had already found it amusing to see Qiangqiang like that, and now he wasn't opposed to it. He actively ran to the basin and stretched out his hand to Ning Shaobai, "Uncle, wash me."
Ning Shaobai only became somewhat noticeable at this time. After coming here, he spoke very little, and most of the time it was Ning Shaoyun who was talking with the people from the Xia family.
When he doesn't speak, others don't dare to talk to him. This guy just thinks of himself as a driver.
The Xia family also thought that Ning Shaoyun was the one who made the decision, so they felt at ease to hand Xia Mian over to them.
Ning Shaobai pinched the corner of Chenchen's clothes with disgust and took them off. Xia Mian also went to help Xiaofeng.
After a while, the three naked children each took a basin and started taking a bath, and soon they started a water fight under the leadership of Qiangqiang.
Of course, it's mainly Qiangqiang and Chenchen. Xiaofeng doesn't participate. Only occasionally when Chenchen can't beat Qiangqiang, Xiaofeng will suddenly give Qiangqiang a blow.
The three of them were having a lot of fun, but the adults who were giving them a bath were inevitably affected.
Qiangqiang saw that he couldn't splash water on Chenchen, and seeing that Xiaofeng didn't move, he rolled his eyes and scooped up a big spoonful of water and splashed it towards Xiaofeng.
Xia Mian closed her eyes subconsciously, but didn't feel much coolness. When she opened her eyes, she saw Ning Shaobai stretching out his arms to block her.
He turned around and glanced at Xia Mian and said, "Let me wash them. I think your second aunt seems to have something to ask you."
Xia Mian's eyes inadvertently fell on his chest. His white short-sleeved shirt was completely wet and stuck to his body. Xia Mian couldn't help but whistle. She didn't expect that this guy had such a great figure.
Ning Shaobai raised his hand and knocked her, saying disdainfully, "You're so young, why don't you learn well?"
Xia Mian chuckled, "We are all sisters, why should you be shy?"
Then, before Ning Shaobai could react, she stood up and slipped away.
Xiao Feng didn't have any big reaction. It can be seen that he was very relaxed with two little brothers he liked around.
Xia Mian hadn't taken two steps when she ran into Mao Huimei coming over with a towel. She looked at Xia Mian and said in surprise, "I thought you were wet."
As she spoke, she glanced behind Xia Mian and her face suddenly turned red.
Xia Mian looked back at the clear flesh color before she reacted. She took the towel from Sister Huimei and put it on Ning Shaobai's shoulders, "Thank you, but men should protect themselves too."
Ning Shaobai rolled his eyes in anger as he looked at someone who slipped away again.
Although he was worried that she would get wet and expose herself, Ning Shaobai was not talking nonsense. Xia Wenyue really intended to look for her.
Xia Wenyue pulled Xia Mian to the quieter Xia family courtyard, and then expressed her thoughts, "Mianmian, can you take Huimei with you?"
"Second Aunt, after thinking it over, you do need someone to take care of you. You've met your sister Huimei. She's steady and capable. She can cook for you and take Xiaofeng to and from school without any problem."
Xia Mian didn't agree directly, but asked, "What's going on with the Mao family? Second Aunt, what are your plans?"
Xia Wenyue thought she was asking about Huimei's situation and said with a wry smile, "The Hao family is indeed rich and influential in the county. If they really collude with that old hag and use force, Second Aunt has thought about it and has no other choice but to risk her life."
Xia Wenyue sighed, "But I'm afraid that even if I try my best, I still won't be able to protect her. And there are two little ones..."
At this point, Xia Wenyue took a deep breath and smiled brightly, "Well, you're still a child, why is Second Aunt telling you all this? As long as Huimei goes with you, they won't have any choice but to stop making trouble."
"When your grandmother said she wanted to go with you, Second Aunt thought of your sister Huimei, but she didn't expect it to happen again."
"This is probably Second Aunt's selfish motive," Xia Wenyue said. "Second Aunt knows you have great potential. If Huimei follows you diligently, she might also achieve great things in the future."
"Second Aunt's life is ruined. Now her only wish is that my children can grow up without restrictions. As long as Mei, Lan, and Zhu are successful, Second Aunt won't be considered a loser!"
Although Xia Wenyue was smiling, there were tears in her eyes.
Xia Mian really admires this woman. After going through so much hardship, she is not only still optimistic and strong, but can also always give others a sense of security.
People like this deserve better.
"Second aunt, have you ever thought about going with me?" Xia Mian asked.
Xia Wenyue was stunned for a moment, "Huh?"
Xia Mian expressed her thoughts, "Xiao Feng and I are going to Yan City to study, and we really need help. Sister Huimei is too little to go alone, so why not take you and the children with me to Yan City."
"Second Aunt, you are only 37 years old. It's still too early to talk about this life. Nowadays, many men start to make a fortune in their 40s and 50s. You are much more capable than them."
Xia Wenyue laughed, "Stop joking, what can a rural woman like Second Aunt do?"
Xia Mian was not acting on impulse. She explained the plan she had come up with, "Sister Huimei is 20 years old. She can definitely find a job in Yan City. The development of self-employed people is very fast now. It is not difficult to find a job in a big city."
"Sister Huimei is working part-time and attending night school at the same time. Maybe she'll have a good job in the future."
"Huilan and Huizhu, since Xiaofeng and I are studying, it's fine for the four of us to study together."
"Why I wanted to seize the opportunity to go to a big city is because the teaching staff are so inferior."
"You heard what Sister Ning said today about the high school admission rate? Let's talk about Chenchen. He's only in kindergarten, and Qiangqiang is still playing around, but Chenchen already knows a lot of characters, knows a lot of idioms, and can even speak English. There's no way they can be taught in schools here."
"Don't worry too much about tuition. I have some money that should be enough for us to study. Consider it a loan."
"There are many opportunities in Yan City. You can also start a small business, whether it's selling clothes or opening a restaurant. In big cities, self-employed people earn much more than workers, sometimes even thousands of yuan a month. You will definitely be able to pay me back when the time comes."
How could Xia Wenyue not hear that Xia Mian was helping her? How could it be as easy as Xia Mian said for her, an ignorant woman with three children?
But the future that Xia Mian described to her was so exciting.
Especially for the children, she graduated from junior high school and knew too well the importance of knowledge. The future she had longed for was forcibly cut off by her relatives and she no longer had any chance, so she had been gritting her teeth to give her children freedom.
Moreover, with the Mao family's patriarchal ideology and the old lady's tyranny, only when the children make a name for themselves can they confidently control their own destiny.
Xia Wenyue, who has always been decisive, hesitated.
She could confidently suggest that Huimei go along because Huimei could really help, but if all four of them, mother and daughter, went, it would definitely be a burden to Xia Mian...
"Let me think about it carefully..." She needed to think carefully about whether there was a way to have the best of both worlds.
"Don't think about it, just go!" A voice that was difficult to distinguish between male and female interrupted.
Xia Mian turned around and saw a very thin man coming in from the door. It was Xia Wenyue’s husband, the second son of the Mao family: Mao Zhishan.
In this era when men were considered beautiful for their sturdy and masculine appearance, Mao Zhishan was called the "Second Chair" mainly because he had a feminine appearance. His weathered face and thin cheeks barely concealed his former beauty. Coupled with his neutral voice, he was easily mistaken for a woman.
What would be considered a young and handsome man in later generations was ridiculed and despised in this era.
But Xia Mian was a little surprised by Mao Zhishan's words. She thought he would object.
Xia Mian's understanding of her second uncle came from the discussions of her elders. The only positive impression she had of him was when he stood up for her second aunt after she suffered a severe hemorrhage and almost died.
Oh, yes, one more time.
It seemed that Xia Wenyue came back to her parents' home, and her uncle Xia's nature of taking advantage of others did not change, which angered her aunt, and then the two of them started quarreling.
Second Aunt Xia attacked Xia Wenyue directly. After the uncle came, he picked up a carrying pole and beat Second Uncle Xia until his head was bleeding and he was sent to the hospital.
That's why Second Uncle Xia was like a quail when he saw Xia Wenyue, and he didn't dare to provoke her.
Xia Mian had never taken it seriously. Her belated affection, cheap as grass, had imprisoned Xia Wenyue for nearly twenty years. If Xia Wenyue hadn't been strong and optimistic, she would have died long ago. What was the point of making amends like this?
But everything that happened before her eyes told Xia Mian that she might be wrong, and things did not seem to be what she thought.
Mao Zhishan walked up to Xia Wenyue and took out a passbook and handed it to her. "Take the children with you. This money will be enough to support you for a while."
"I'll go back home for a few days and pack up our things," Mao Zhishan said. "Then I'll come find you. When I earn money, we'll definitely hand over the children."
Xia Wenyue didn't look at the passbook, but first looked at Mao Zhishan and said, "Aren't you in Liangjiawan? Why are you here now? There are no cars over there."
Mao Zhishan smiled, his face full of vicissitudes but with a light in his eyes, "I asked the foreman for half a day off, took a ride with a fellow villager, and then walked a few steps to get here. You know, I'm fast on my feet."
Xia Wenyue felt a little distressed, "I'm just telling you, even if you run over here, there's nothing you can do."
Mao Zhishan smiled and said, "I would be worried if I didn't take a look at the children. I was thinking of sending Huimei away, but I didn't expect this opportunity to come."
"If you can leave, all of you should go. The money should be enough."
Xia Wenyue said, "With the little private money you have hidden, can you..."
Xia Wenyue paused when she saw the number on the passbook and exclaimed, "Where did you get so much money?"
"I saved it." Mao Zhishan touched his head and smiled sheepishly, "I started saving it when you gave birth to our Huimei."
"Originally, I thought that once we saved enough money, our family would leave here, but I was always worried about treating you and the children badly. I always felt that the money was not enough."
Xia Mian remembered that Xia Wenyue had a difficult delivery when she gave birth to Mao Huimei at the age of seventeen.
In other words, Mao Zhishan, who had been submissive in the Mao family before, began to plan to leave the Mao family when Xia Wenyue had a difficult delivery.
Although due to the lack of ability, knowledge and the despised social environment, the preparation of this plan took nearly twenty years.
But no one has the right to despise the sincerity of someone who only has one dollar but keeps trying to give you a hundred dollars.
Xia Wenyue's eyes were red. The mother who was omnipotent in front of her children now revealed her vulnerable side in front of her husband, "Zhishan..."
Mao Zhishan was also feeling bad. He raised his hand and patted Xia Wenyue on the shoulder. "It's my incompetence that made you and the children suffer with me. I had thought that Huizhu would be older in the next two years and I could start taking care of things, but I didn't expect to stumble upon such a good opportunity."
Mao Zhishan finally looked at Xia Mian, as if he was a little afraid of embarrassing Xia Wenyue. His expression was a little uneasy, and his voice was a little rougher:
"Mianmian, right? I'll leave your second aunt and the children to you. Once I've settled things here, just tell me the address and I'll go find them. I'll make money, too, so don't worry."
This is also a person who is oppressed by society but still lives seriously.
Xia Mian smiled and said, "That's great. Second uncle, you are a man after all. You can support us. I have always been worried about us having a bunch of women and children. I am always worried."
Mao Zhishan was stunned, his eyes shining, then he nodded heavily, trying his best to suppress his sobs and said, "Well, your uncle will support you when the time comes!"
Mao Zhishan didn't stay long. Before leaving, he rummaged through his pockets again and said, "I just thought I'd ask the foreman for an advance on my wages in case anything happens. You can take it all."
Xia Wenyue pushed the fifty yuan back and said, "Keep this. I've brought all the money from home. I don't have any left. Won't you have to spend money to buy tickets from us later?"
"Poor at home, rich on the road," Mao Zhishan forcefully stuffed the money into Xia Wenyue's hand, "I'm at home and everything is fine. You take good care of the children. There's no way to clean up the things at home. Otherwise, if they find out, it will be troublesome. You can use this money to buy new things."
"As for the rest, wait until you're settled in. Tell me your address and I'll pack it up and send it over."
After Mao Zhishan left, Xia Wenyue looked at the passbook and suddenly burst into tears. She choked up and said, "He is so busy every day, and he has to support the children's education. That old hag has to bother him from time to time. How did he save so much money?"
To be honest, Xia Mian was also shocked when she saw the number on the passbook. Ten thousand yuan. In an era when the average savings of a dual-income family was only a few thousand yuan, a farmer in a county town who only relied on odd jobs and farming to support his family could save so much money. Xia Mian thought about how thin her second uncle was, and it was obvious that he had risked his life.
After deciding to let Xia Mian and Xiao Feng go to Yan City, the Xia family began to prepare quickly. After all, Xia Mian and Xiao Feng both had to go to school and could not afford to waste time.
Xia Mian and Xiao Feng didn't have much luggage, but they did prepare a lot of food. It seems that the elders are not only unified across the country, but also from ancient times to the present.
Before leaving, Uncle Xia forcefully stuffed five hundred yuan into Xia Mian's pocket and said, "You may be poor at home but rich on the road, so don't be too frugal."
"Also, although we did help the Ning family, it's the Ning family's business to remember their kindness. Mianmian, don't take it for granted."
Uncle Xia admonished, "Just like when we see someone fall down, we help them up, or when we see someone's car stuck on a slope, we help push it. These are what we should do. If we remember the favor ourselves, that would be wrong."
Xia Mian nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, uncle, I won't."
"No matter what happens, just call home." Uncle Xia couldn't help but remind him again, "If it really doesn't work out, I'll go and get you back. We have a home, okay?"
"Um."
The car finally started and was on the road. Qiangqiang seemed to know that this was a long journey and burst into tears, "I don't want Xiaofeng to leave, I don't want Miangu to leave!"
Xiao Feng also leaned on the window and looked at Qiang Qiang, crying, "Brother, don't cry..."
Unfortunately, Qiangqiang is not Xiaofeng. He cried even harder. If Xia Hai hadn’t held him, he would have held the wheel and refused to let go.
Xia Mian saw from the rearview mirror that his aunt was secretly wiping away tears. His uncle and three cousins from the Xia family were staring at them. It seemed as if something was growing in his heart.
This is her home, and she has roots in this world.
After returning to Ming City, Ning Shaobai and Ning Shaoyun Chenchen returned to the family compound together, while Xia Mian still took Xiaofeng to stay in a hotel.
Zhang Qiming's incident must have caused a lot of uproar, and Xiao Feng had just recovered. Xia Mian didn't want him to recall anything bad. Although the neighbors in the family compound were all very nice, there were inevitably some who were too thick-skinned and could not take it into consideration.
Fortunately, the two of them were not bored, so Xia Mian took Xiao Feng to play everywhere. The child had never been to anywhere in his life. The previous trip to the zoo was interrupted because he saw Chenchen being kidnapped, and then a series of things happened.
Now everything has been settled, and after knowing that they are going to Yan City, Xiao Feng seemed to have a layer of shackles removed from her body, and she felt relaxed.
Holding Xia Mian's hand, I finally felt a little more lively like a child.
The little guy likes the zoo more than the park. Xia Mian watched the child lying on the railings, staring at the monkeys; running around with the handkerchief Xia Mian gave him to tease the peacock to spread its tail; and then being scared by the big snake in the glass house and crawling into her arms. Xia Mian couldn't help laughing.
When Xiao Feng saw Xia Mian smile, he was no longer panicked. He just clung to Xia Mian's neck and refused to let go. Xia Mian took him to see the pandas to heal his young heart.
The two days of happy time passed in a flash. The day before departure, Xia Mian went to the bank to get the stamp album, and then picked up Xia Wenyue and her two children from the bus station.
Xia Wenyue still looked full of energy, with her three children beside her. Huimei and Huilan, the two older ones, were holding Huizhu, the younger one. The family was in high spirits and had no worries about leaving home at all.
Yes, as long as Xia Wenyue is there, I think they will never be afraid.
Xia Wenyue looked around, took a deep breath, and said with a smile, "The sky outside is different from that in Mingxi County."
Upon hearing this, Huizhu imitated her mother and looked around, then asked in confusion, "Mom, are they the same?"
Xia Wenyue smiled and touched her head, "It's different, you'll know later." She asked Xiaofeng who was staring at her, "Xiaofeng, do you think it's the same?"
Xiao Feng's eyes curved, "It's different." Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "It's so big."
Xia Mian was almost amused by him, "Little boy, I have to send you to kindergarten soon." Otherwise, his vocabulary could not keep up with his romantic artistic cells.
The seven people stayed in the hotel for one night, and the next day two cars stopped downstairs to pick them up.
After Xia Mian decided to take Xia Wenyue and her daughter with her, he told Ning Shaobai that they would take the green train together, after all, one train could not carry so many people.
But Ning Shaoyun said that the Huo family would send a car to pick them up, so that they could accommodate four more people.
Xia Mian thought Huo Xuewen would come to pick them up personally. After all, Ning Shaoyun and Chenchen had suffered such a terrible kidnapping. And if she remembered correctly, Ning Shaoyun had come to Ming City because of a quarrel with Huo Xuewen. No matter how you looked at it, he should come to pick them up personally.
She was still struggling with how to allocate seats. If Xia Wenyue and her mother and daughter were separated, they would probably feel uncomfortable. But after much thought, it was the only option for them to be separated.
Xia Wenyue had been instructing sisters Mao Huimei and Mao Huilan all night, but she didn't expect that the Huo family only sent a driver and a car.
Xia Mian subconsciously looked at Ning Shaoyun. The other party was still smiling gently and there was no sign of unhappiness on her face, but how could she be happy?
Xia Mian sighed secretly. It seems that the ice is three feet thick and it didn’t freeze overnight. Chenchen’s kidnapping in the previous life was just a fuse.
Ning Shaoyun and Huo Xuewen don’t know if they will have the same ending in this life.
But there is no need to worry about the seats.
Xia Wenyue, her mother and daughter rode in the Huo family's car, while Xia Mian, Xiaofeng, and Ning Shaoyun, her mother and son rode in Ning Shaobai's car.
Xiao Feng leaned on the car window and watched the car drive away from Ming City bit by bit. There was a sparkle in his eyes and the smile on his lips never disappeared.
The little body swayed in Xia Mian's arms and began to bubble with joy.
Ning Shaoyun couldn't help but laugh, "It's rare to see Xiaofeng so happy."
"Do you like going to Yan City so much?" Ning Shaoyun asked him.
"I like it." Xiao Feng nodded heavily, his voice clear:
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