Chapter 34: An Unexpected Reunion

He Xiang Xiang still felt something was off and asked, “Then why are you inviting me to dinner? I don’t even know you!”

Wei Zhi Yuan smiled faintly, “I’m afraid you might file a complaint against me in the capital.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is!” He Xiang Xiang relaxed, realizing her own flimsy excuse had inadvertently convinced someone. It seemed that people were indeed gullible when it came to wealth.

“Then, I won’t be polite!” She picked up her chopsticks and began eating heartily. As she savored the flavors, she suddenly thought of He Miao and Ah Xun, and paused to ask, “Can I take some food to go? I still have several friends who haven’t eaten yet!”

Wei Zhi Yuan found her hearty appetite amusing. This village girl, despite her plain dress and slightly plump figure, had an endearing quality. Her round eyes, button nose, and cherubic face made her look genuinely delightful. Coming from a royal background, he had seen countless elegant ladies who adhered to strict societal norms, none of whom dared to speak their minds in his presence. He had never encountered a girl like He Xiang Xiang; though she might lack the grace and beauty of highborn ladies, there was something refreshing and vibrant about her demeanor.

Turning to a nearby guard, Wei Zhi Yuan instructed, “Go tell the kitchen to prepare an identical meal for her to take home.” Then, he said to He Xiang Xiang, “Why don’t you stay and eat here?”

“Alright!” He Xiang Xiang’s eyes shone with excitement.

Thinking of how He Miao and Ah Xun were still waiting at the cosmetics shop, she rushed to finish about 80% of her meal. Once the new dishes were ready and packed, she carried two large boxes of food and headed off, eager to reunite with her friends.

Watching the chubby girl walk away with the boxes of food, Wei Zhi Yuan felt a strange sense of emptiness inside, a feeling he couldn’t quite grasp.

He Miao and Ah Xun were growing increasingly anxious as they searched for He Xiang Xiang near the cosmetics shop. After some time, just as they were about to give up, they spied her slowly making her way back with the two large boxes in her hands.

“Xiang Xiang! Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!” He Miao rushed up to her.

He Xiang Xiang held out the two boxes, teasingly announcing, “Miaoer, I brought you all delicious food! Let’s hurry back to the guesthouse. There’s still time to eat before we meet with my father at the yamen!”

With a bit of time left before the scheduled gathering, the three of them hurried back to the guesthouse. Upon arrival, they asked the innkeeper Uncle Ding and found that He Shun had got impatient and headed to the yamen early.

They quickly dropped off their food and set out for the yamen. To their surprise, they found He Shun standing near a teahouse, deep in thought.

“Uncle, why did you come alone? Did you see Tie Zhu?” He Miao asked curiously when she noticed He Shun’s troubled expression.

“Yes, I did,” He Shun replied, trying to maintain a calm demeanor, not wanting to raise any suspicions.

He had been lost in his thoughts about Tie Zhu’s serious warnings and the implications they held. It wasn’t something he wanted to discuss with them just yet.

“I saw Tie Zhu, and he confirmed that no one has reported any missing persons in Pingzhou. I asked him to keep an eye out and check with the nearby counties. If he finds any information, he will notify me back in the village.” He composed himself and shared this explanation with them.

Although He Miao had a suspicion that this would be the case, hearing it confirmed left her feeling unsettled. She wished that they could locate Ah Xun’s family quickly so that the matter could be resolved; if she learned that he already had a wife, it would eliminate any lingering feelings she had for him. She had no intention of being involved in someone else’s relationship or intruding upon another family’s life.

In her heart, she quietly hoped that Ah Xun was just an ordinary villager. That would make things so much simpler.

As for Ah Xun, he didn’t burden himself with such conflicting feelings. While he was curious about his own origins, he subconsciously preferred not to delve too deeply into the past. He had wanted to be with He Miao from the beginning, and the old Taoist’s words had only strengthened his resolve.

His only concern was whether He Miao might be too cautious and hold back in opening her heart to him.

“It’s alright! Let’s just wait for news back in the village!” He Xiang Xiang tried to lighten the mood, “Miaoer, at least this time, our big guy is still with us. It’s like the old days, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, Tie Zhu has broad connections. Perhaps we won’t have to wait long for news. If not, we’ll gather enough money and go to the capital to investigate,” He Shun chimed in, noticing He Miao’s downcast expression.

“Enough of this talk! Let’s hurry back and eat,” He Xiang Xiang said, eager to get to the food she had packed.

“Alright, let’s go!” He Miao agreed and turned around to head back when, to her surprise, she spotted a familiar yet somewhat new face.

As her eyes fell on the young man before her, a mix of astonishment, joy, disappointment, and resentment flashed across her face before settling into a calm demeanor. “Gege, it’s been a while; I’m doing well.”

“You…you this Chen Shimei, how dare you talk to Miaoer? Miaoer shouldn’t even be addressing you!” He Xiang Xiang scolded Wu Ni in a huff.

Wu Ni, taken aback by He Xiang Xiang’s words, remained composed. He hadn’t seen He Miao in nearly two years and now noticed how she had blossomed into a graceful young lady; a hint of regret crossed his features.

“Wu Ni, you should come back to the village often. Your mother is alone and struggling. Why not bring her to Pingzhou for company?” He Shun said, a bit displeased by Wu Ni’s past decision regarding He Miao.

“Uncle Shun, the timing isn’t right for that. Please continue to take care of my mother in the village,” Wu Ni replied respectfully, his gaze shifting to He Miao. It was then.