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The next morning, Liu Shiye arrived at the Tan family’s house in a carriage to pick up Tan Xiaomei and the others.
Old Tan needed to stay behind to oversee the final tasks at home. The third, fourth, and fifth sons were all heading to school, and the eldest had to look after the vegetable garden and the Lingzhi mushrooms. Therefore, only Tan Xiaomei and Wan Chunmei were going. They each took a child—Little Qiyue and Tan Liujin—onto the carriage.
Throughout the journey, the two little ones were extremely excited.
Tan Liujin, who usually only knew how to eat and sleep, was now trying to stand up and look outside, holding onto the window. Since he still couldn’t stand on his own, Wan Chunmei supported him, laughing, “Look, even our sleepyhead, little Liujin, knows how to watch the fun now.”
Tan Xiaomei, holding Little Qiyue, quickly covered her mouth to laugh. “Sister-in-law, don’t blame little Liujin for sleeping so much. You know, our old tile house had nothing to look at. It was much better to sleep. But now, we’re out, and it’s different.”
Tan Liujin was excitedly bouncing up and down, and if it weren’t for his heavy coat, he might have rocked the carriage with his jumps.
Little Qiyue, noticing her older brother, also looked up and started jumping with him.
Tan Xiaomei quickly helped her up, holding her steady by the window.
At that moment, the carriage hit a bump, and Tan Xiaomei lost her balance, causing her and Little Qiyue to fall backward onto Liu Shiye.
Liu Shiye immediately steadied her, his face full of concern. “Are you alright?”
Tan Xiaomei hurriedly sat up, feeling quite embarrassed, and muttered, “I’m fine, just a little jolt.”
Liu Shiye sighed in relief and pulled up the carriage curtains, calling out to the coachman, “What happened?”
The coachman replied, “A woman was walking ahead, and we almost ran into her.”
Liu Shiye quickly asked, “Is she alright?”
The coachman responded, “She’s fine.”
At this moment, Wan Chunmei, who had overheard the conversation, peeked out from the window. To her surprise, she recognized the woman sitting on the ground in front of them—it was none other than her second sister-in-law, Miao Shi.
She immediately called out to Liu Shiye, “Liu Shiye, I know that person. I know her.”
People outside the carriage heard her voice. One of them stood up, brushing off their pants, and asked, “Is that you, Big Sis?”
Wan Chunmei poked her head out and smiled, “Yes, it’s me.”
“Big Sis?! What are you doing in this carriage?” Miao Shi asked in shock.
Wan Chunmei replied, “We’re going to work at the County Magistrate’s house for a few days, so we’re heading to the county. Liu Shiye was kind enough to give us a ride.”
Miao Shi’s face lit up with joy. “What a coincidence! I’m going to the county too.”
Wan Chunmei looked around and noticed Miao Shi was alone. “Where’s your husband? I don’t see him.”
A flicker of displeasure passed over Miao Shi’s face as she answered, “He’s not coming. I’m going alone.”
Wan Chunmei immediately understood what was going on. She turned to Liu Shiye and asked, “Liu Shiye, the person outside is someone I know. Could you let her join us in the carriage? We’re heading to the county together.”
Liu Shiye, always kind-hearted, didn’t hesitate and nodded. “Of course, she can.”
Wan Chunmei turned to Miao Shi and called out, “Miao shi, come on, get in the carriage. We’ll take you with us.”
Miao Shi was thrilled. In the cold weather, getting a ride in a carriage was such a treat. She thanked them repeatedly and quickly climbed into the carriage.
The journey continued.
Once inside, Miao Shi took a deep breath and sighed. “I’m lucky today. If I hadn’t run into you all, I’d probably have frozen half to death walking to the county.”
She blew on her frozen hands as she spoke.
Wan Chunmei adjusted Tan Liujin in her arms and replied slowly, “We’re also lucky to have met Liu Shiye.”
Miao Shi quickly turned to Liu Shiye and thanked him as well.
Just then, she saw Little Qiyue.
She couldn’t help but adore the soft little girl. “Big Sis, is this your daughter from the twins?”