Chapter 7

Making a Big Move to Vent for Dad

Summer Mother kept cooking until two days before Xia Wanyang was set to leave. Knowing her daughter’s abilities, she would cook during the day and teach her while doing so. In the space, she would make rice and steam buns, even pulling her into the space at night to continue steaming buns and making dumplings until both of them were too tired to keep their eyes open.

In the villa of Xia Wanyang’s space, Summer Mother specially arranged a room to store the cooked food, with each box labeled clearly. If Xia Wanyang ate alone, she could easily survive for three years without any issues!

The day before leaving, all the seeds Summer Mother had collected were delivered, and Xia Wanyang was once again amazed by her mother’s actions, her mouth almost wide enough to fit an egg.

Summer Mother lifted her chin and closed her mouth. “Country bumpkin, is it that surprising? At over forty, your mom knows hundreds of people, not to mention all the rural relatives. What’s the big deal about collecting some seeds?”

Xia Wanyang heard the “country bumpkin” comment a few more times in the days that followed. Her lips twitched. “Mom, you used to say I was like a delicate little doll. Am I really that country now?”

“I said you lack experience, not that you’re country-looking!” Summer Mother clicked her tongue. “Tsk, why couldn’t you inherit my intelligence? Must’ve gotten all your looks instead!”

After saying that, she shook her head and walked ahead.

Xia Wanyang: “…”

That night, mother and daughter entered the space together. Xia Wanyang planted the seeds in the ground with her thoughts and watered them using the stream water. Summer Mother, meanwhile, began preparing fried noodles with soybean paste. As soon as she finished chopping the noodles, Xia Wanyang pulled her out of the kitchen. “Alright, Mom, you’ve already made plenty. You’ve worked hard these past few days. Come on, I’ll take you to the stream. You’ll feel something different!”

At first, when the black mud came out, it scared Summer Mother, making her jump up. Later, she realized it was just waste being released from her body. After thoroughly cleaning herself, all the tension, arm soreness, and sleep deprivation from the past days vanished. Even her chronic back pain felt completely relieved!

“Ah, if only your dad could soak in this, too. He has too many hidden injuries. Sometimes he sleeps with a furrowed brow.”

Xia Wanyang immediately fetched several large barrels, filled them with water, and used her thoughts to place them in her room. “This works, doesn’t it? After I leave, you can find an opportunity to let Dad soak in it too. Whether you tell him the truth or just fool him, it’s up to you, Mom!”

Summer Mother nodded. “I should tell him the truth, but we’ll have to wait a little while. Lately, he’s been under constant watch. It’s been making him moody. If I bring this up now, it could distract him when he’s already in a bad state.”

Xia Wanyang blinked her eyes. “I’m going to the countryside, and there’s still someone watching Dad? Ugh, who are these people?!”

“They’re fighting for position. If they push your dad down, they’ll have a chance,” Summer Mother sighed.

Xia Wanyang whispered a few words in her mother’s ear. Summer Mother shook her head. “No, that’s too dangerous!”

Xia Wanyang casually picked up a stone from the grass and squeezed it. The stone turned to dust.

Summer Mother: “…”

“I’ve been soaking in this every day, and I don’t know what’s happening, but I’ve gotten much stronger!”

Summer Mother was happy about it. Now, besides the secret garden, her daughter had another form of protection!

Finally, unable to resist her daughter, mother and daughter quietly went to the Xu family’s house under the cover of night. Summer Mother stood nearby to watch, while Xia Wanyang used her tools to secretly pry open the door. As soon as they entered and closed the door, they heard a stern voice. “Who’s there?!”

Xia Wanyang quickly retreated into the space. Xu Zhengguo turned on the light but found nothing. After checking the door, he went back to sleep.

When Xia Wanyang emerged from the space, she went straight to the study. Just as she was about to get to work, Xu Zhengguo came out again.

Xia Wanyang had to retreat back into the space but saw Xu Zhengguo take out a small box, open it, glance at it, and then carefully return it to its place before heading back to bed.

Xia Wanyang immediately understood—whatever was in that box must be the most important thing to him if it kept him up at night.

“My dear daughter, you’re out now!” Xia Wanyang covered Summer Mother’s mouth and jogged back home.

Once back in the room, Xia Wanyang placed the small box on the bed, raised her eyebrows, and wore a look that seemed to be asking for praise.

Summer Mother touched her little face. “Oh, my precious daughter has grown up. Now you can help your parents solve problems. What use is a son? All they do is come to collect debts!”

After a moment of praise, they opened the box. Inside were several letters. When Summer Mother opened the first letter, she was so furious she started trembling. “That bastard Xu Zhengguo! To get a promotion, he’s willing to do anything. He even dared to collude with spies to set a trap for your dad!”

“Don’t be angry, Mom. We’ve got the evidence now! These things are now in Dad’s hands. He can deal with them however he wants! Tell Dad to wait a couple of days before handing them over, let Xu Zhengguo stew over it for a bit. After all, such important things went missing—he probably can’t even sleep now!” Xia Wanyang said, soothing her mother while speaking.

Summer Mother paused and said, “Right, let your dad thoroughly look over these letters, and then occasionally tease him a bit to make him feel the same kind of stress!”

“That’s more like it!” Xia Wanyang agreed.

The next day, Xia Wanyang and Summer Mother woke up early. Today was the day she was heading to the countryside. The train was in the afternoon, and Summer Father had specifically exchanged her ticket for a sleeper, knowing how boring the two-day journey would be. She intentionally got up early to board the train and sleep more on the way.

Xia Wanyang took out a box of money. “Mom, keep this for emergencies. I know your salary is enough, but just in case something urgent comes up and I can’t come back to help, don’t bury it in the same place as before. Spread it out around the house. I’ll lock the room when I leave, and you can keep the key. This way, it’ll be more convenient for you in case of an emergency.”

Summer Mother nodded in agreement. The mother and daughter hid quite a bit under the bed, in the wardrobe, and in the drawers of the desk. At the end, there was still some left, so Summer Mother said, “I’ll take the rest and sew it into the thick blankets when I have time.”

“The Northeast gets terribly cold in the winter,” Summer Mother continued. “Put away the thick blankets for now. You’ll need them before winter comes. It’s not practical to carry them when you’re taking the train alone, so travel light and just bring the essentials. The quilt I sent to you a few days ago should be ready by the time you arrive. You can pick it up directly when you get there.”

When everything was packed, Xia Wanyang stood there in shock. Didn’t they say travel light?

What were these three large packages and one big box?

Summer Mother scratched her nose. “Why don’t you pack your clothes and just carry the empty boxes? No one will open them. When you need something, just take it out. For the time being, put something light in one of the packages.”

After a family breakfast, Summer Father took half a day off. “Daughter, I’ll drive you to the station in the afternoon. Make sure to check if you’re missing anything. If something’s lacking, buy it quickly. Don’t worry about the money—I can afford to take care of you. I’ve already called your friend in Shenshi. When you have time, visit him. He’ll take good care of you. Here’s his address and phone number—keep it safe!”

Xia Wanyang’s eldest brother, Xia Shuqian, gave her a gentle hug. “Little sister, I couldn’t get time off to take you, so your sister-in-law will take you instead. Write us often. If you need anything, just call me at the office.”

“Ah, what’s the point of sending me off? Taking leave won’t cost you any salary! I’m not leaving forever. I heard that people hibernate in the winter in the Northeast, so maybe if I do well, I’ll come back for the New Year—who knows! And no, big sister-in-law, second brother, and second sister-in-law, no one else needs to send me off. I’m not here to create a scene at the train station!” Xia Wanyang said with a look of distaste.

Second Brother Xia Shuhan poked her small nose. “Look at you, all skinny like a monkey, and you think you’ll get to go home for the New Year? You’re lucky if we don’t deduct your work points!”

The two sisters-in-law each handed her an envelope. Second Sister-in-law Liu Yue said, “Yanyang, big sister and I saved up quite a bit of money for you. Take it! If I hadn’t already married, I would have accompanied you to the countryside myself. Since I can’t, just be extra careful while you’re there!”

Xia Wanyang smiled. “Yue Yue, didn’t you always wish to marry my second brother? Now that you’ve married him, are you sure you’re still okay with sending me off?”

The entire family burst into laughter. Liu Yue’s face turned bright red. “You little rascal! Stop teasing me! Hmph, I won’t talk to you anymore! Give me back the envelope!”

Xia Wanyang quickly hid the envelope behind her back. “What envelope? I didn’t see anything! Alright, if we don’t leave now, you’ll be deducted pay for being late. Let’s go!”