Chapter 68

In the early morning, upon learning that their playmate of over a month was going home, the five children felt an overwhelming sadness.

Shuiqing was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, Fan Jin was cutting fresh grass to feed the cows and harnessing them to the cart.

Fan Jiang sniffled, reluctant to see their friend leave: “Can’t you stay a few more days? We’ve built a new house, don’t worry, with the new house, I won’t have to squeeze you anymore when we sleep!”

Bai Ziqian thought about the camaraderie of squeezing together at night, and tears almost welled up in his eyes.

“Brother, it’s not just about whether it’s crowded when sleeping. Heishi might miss his parents. He’s been away for so long, he should go back and see them,” Yan Qiu, the eldest sister, advised.

Simple-minded Fan Jiang blurted out without thinking: “Maybe Heishi’s parents don’t even want him back. Look, no one has come looking for him all this time. It would be better if he stayed with us and we could play together.”

“Cough, cough, cough.” Fan He suddenly coughed loudly, interrupting, “Big brother, he’s not just here to play with us, he’s here to work!

Think about the days after he returns—riding horses, having servants around, not to mention the food. It’s not like he’s going back to suffer. Why should we be sad?

Besides, we can still see each other in the future. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll meet again.”

His voice trailed off towards the end.

In the future, they would lead completely different lives. Across such a distance, they would gradually forget each other until they couldn’t remember anymore.

Fan Hu burst into tears, tugging at Bai Ziqian’s sleeve, unwilling to let him go.

Xing Hui also wiped tears on the side.

This parting might really mean they would never see each other again.

“It’s okay, it’s normal to part ways. As long as everyone becomes better in the future,” Yan Qiu’s words were remarkably composed, though it would have been better without the choked-up voice.

Bai Ziqian couldn’t hold back his tears any longer, and they streamed down his cheeks.

“Breakfast is ready, come and eat,” Shuiqing called out upon seeing the tearful children.

Holding rough pottery bowls, including Fan Jin, the sweetness of their previous meals was gone. Their eyes were vacant, full of the sorrow of parting.

Shuiqing was afraid to stay any longer; she would start crying too. She stood up with her pottery bowl and walked to the crossroads—she was an adult now, even if she felt sorrow, she couldn’t let the children see it.

Adults should know how to hide their sadness…

Huh?

She looked towards the crossroads.

On the road below the high ground, several carriages approached slowly, completely out of place in the remote and poor village.

These were not open ox carts, not mule carts, not even ordinary carriages with oiled or blue cloth, but luxurious carriages with double horses pulling them, adorned with jade tassels.

A steward-like figure drove the carriage, with old women sitting on both sides of the carriage frame.

Following behind were carriages for maids and servants.

Had the people of Shanshui Village ever seen such a sight?

People craned their necks to watch from their homes, and children cheered and ran ahead, following behind the carriages.

Soon, even adults joined in, forming a long line on both sides.

Shuiqing held her bowl and watched the magnificent carriages head towards the village chief’s house.

Before long, the old village chief was assisted onto the carriage by the steward-like figure, and the carriage slowly departed.

Where could they be taking the old village chief?

Forgetting to eat breakfast, Shuiqing’s eyes widened as she realized they were coming towards her own house!

She hurried back and instructed the seven children who were deeply immersed in their farewells: “Stop being sad! Heishi’s family has come to take him home. Fan Jin, tidy up and go greet them.

Yan Qiu, Xing Hui, they are guests, prepare some tea;

Fan Jiang, Fan He, our chairs are not enough, bring out the bamboo couch for Heishi’s family to sit on.”

Even though the family was poor, basic hospitality was still necessary.

Upon receiving the instructions, the seven immediately set down their bowls and chopsticks and got busy.

Bai Ziqian stood up abruptly, looking lost like a headless fly, and followed Shuiqing, asking, “Auntie, what should I do?”

Shuiqing chuckled at being asked, “Your family has come. What do you think you should do? Go quickly and follow your Uncle Fan to greet them.”

Bai Ziqian exclaimed with relief as if finding his backbone, and quickly followed Fan Jin to greet them.

The carriages had arrived at the open space and stopped. The servants and maids from the carriages came forward in an orderly manner, setting up stools and assisting people.

First to come down from the leading carriage was an elderly woman in her sixties, dressed in fine clothes, with a dignified demeanor, her hands adorned with a string of emerald beads.

Following her, a woman in her thirties or forties alighted from the second carriage, her head, neck, wrists, and fingers adorned with a considerable amount of gold, glittering brightly.

Bai Ziqian stepped forward respectfully, bowing to the elderly woman, “Grandmother, thank you for your trouble.”

He reluctantly greeted the glamorous middle-aged woman beside her, “Aunt, thank you for your trouble as well.”

“My child, you have good food and drink at home, servants attending to you. What else could you possibly lack?!

Even if there’s something not to your liking, you could just vent on the servants. Why run away like this?

Look at the trouble you’ve caused. Your father and grandmother were frantic, searching day and night for you. They almost turned the entire Guangning Prefecture upside down!” Bai Ling’s voice was sharp, reproaching every word.

“All right, all right. The child finally found his way back, it’s all because of you. You invited him to visit, but instead of restraining your family and servants, you spoke harshly!

You forced your only nephew out of the house. How dare you criticize?” Bai Lao Furen retorted directly, with a stern expression.

If he hadn’t run away from her home, she wouldn’t have bothered.

To Bai Lao Furen, her own daughter, no matter how precious, could not compare to her grandson!

After dismissing Bai Ling, she embraced her grandson and cried, “My precious grandson, thank goodness you’re safe!

You don’t know how worried your father and I were. We sent people to every village, fearing you might have been sold to some dark kiln as a laborer~”

At this point, Bai Lao Furen paused, took a step back, and carefully examined her grandson, tears streaming down her face, “You’ve grown darker, thinner… my poor grandson, you’ve suffered!”

Before Bai Ziqian could speak, Bai Ling interjected from the side, “Are these people mistreating my nephew? It seems hardly different from a dark kiln!

Where’s the village chief? Tell me, have they made my nephew work? Have they not fed him enough? If they’ve mistreated my nephew, I won’t let them off lightly!”

She looked around disdainfully, her attitude high and unmasked, “So poor, no wonder my nephew’s good clothes are gone. They must have pocketed them!”

“To save my nephew was just for the sake of a reward, right? Well, here it is. After you take your reward, let’s keep things clear. Don’t try to leech off our Bai family.”

Bai Ziqian’s expression darkened.

The family of Shuiqing’s aunt saved his life and treated him courteously. Is this how his aunt treats those who saved his life?