Chapter 138: The Only Sister

“Chang Qing, what are you looking at?”

Wei Jing Yi nudged his shoulder.

“Nothing!”

Lu Chang Qing quickly shifted his gaze.

He bent down and took a few Bing Ling Hua flowers from someone’s hand, planting them with a practiced air.

Wei Jing Yi, seeing this, thought to himself that this guy was good at reading, but surely he wasn’t much better than him at work?

Reluctantly, he bent down and started working as well.

Halfway through planting the Bing Ling Hua flowers, Ye Xin Ran called for everyone to take a break and drink some water.

Lu Chang Qing walked over to Xiao Huai’an’s side.

“Brother-in-law!”

He deliberately called out to try to startle Xiao Huai’an.

However, Xiao Huai’an didn’t react in surprise. Instead, he calmly asked, “What’s the matter?”

Had he already figured it out?

But when had they found out?

The thought that Ye Xin Ran had known all along that he was her brother, yet still treated him like a stranger, made Lu Chang Qing feel uneasy.

It seemed that his sister truly didn’t want to acknowledge him.

“Since you already know my sister’s identity, shouldn’t she stop doing all this work? She is the young lady of the Marquis’ household, she shouldn’t be working so hard.”

“I know you care about her.”

Xiao Huai’an paused from his work and looked at Ye Xin Ran, still working not far away. “I care about her even more than you do. In the future, I’ll make sure she doesn’t have to worry about anything.”

“Men’s words are the least trustworthy!”

Lu Chang Qing said disdainfully. “Don’t keep saying ‘in the future’! She shouldn’t be doing so much work right now!”

Seeing the arrogance in Lu Chang Qing’s eyes, Xiao Huai’an wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he smiled. “I can’t decide that.”

He looked at Ye Xin Ran with warmth in his eyes. “This is something she enjoys doing. I have no right to stop her. If one day she doesn’t want to do it anymore, I can support her. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“But my sister could be living a better life! It’s because of you that she’s stuck here.”

Lu Chang Qing still wished Ye Xin Ran would leave with him.

“Have you sorted out your family matters with the Lu family? I heard that you’re not particularly favored at home.”

Xiao Huai’an spoke casually.

Lu Chang Qing’s eyes widened in shock.

How did he know about his family matters?

How did he know he wasn’t favored?

Had he investigated the Lu family?

But how could a hunter have such capabilities?

Or was it that he wasn’t really a hunter at all?

Then what was he?

Lu Chang Qing carefully studied Xiao Huai’an, but he definitely didn’t recognize him.

“You yourself are not living a good life. Can you guarantee that after Xin Ran returns to the Lu family, she won’t be harmed? Can you guarantee she’ll be happy?

What if your father wants to punish her? What will you do?”

Xiao Huai’an bombarded him with a rapid-fire set of questions, and Lu Chang Qing was completely silenced.

It was too harsh, every question felt like a sharp stab to his heart.

With his current abilities, he truly couldn’t guarantee that his sister would have the happy life he imagined after going back.

But,

“Don’t think you’re so great!”

Lu Chang Qing refused to admit defeat. “My sister doesn’t have to go back, but I’ll stay here and see how she’s doing.”

“Fine.”

Xiao Huai’an agreed without hesitation.

“Just in time, Chang Sheng went to study at the academy, so you can squeeze in with Chang An and Chang Ping.”

“How many children do you have exactly?”

Lu Chang Qing was furious.

His wonderful sister shouldn’t have to go into the household and become a stepmother to so many children!

“They aren’t my children, they are my nephews.”

Xiao Huai’an quickly clarified.

This kind of misunderstanding couldn’t be allowed.

“Squeeze then!”

Lu Chang Qing said determinedly. Although life in the Marquis’ household might not be perfect, it would certainly be better than here!

However, soon, he wasn’t so sure.

After planting the Bing Ling Hua, they were heading home.

Xiao Huai’an and Ye Xin Ran had no problems, but Lu Chang Qing and Wei Jing Yi were already so exhausted they could hardly lift their feet.

He thought that once they got home, Ye Xin Ran would still need to wash clothes, cook, and do housework, and at that point, he could make his sister face reality.

But to his surprise, as soon as they entered the yard, a young boy came out holding a basin of water. “Second Uncle, Aunt, you’re back, come wash your hands.”

The boy was quite handsome, with a bun hairstyle and dressed in a neat robe, looking just like a little scholar. He was quite adorable.

The boy looked at Lu Chang Qing and Wei Jing Yi, his tone puzzled, “We have guests? Let me go get a basin of water for them too.”

After washing his hands, Lu Chang Qing noticed another boy in the yard feeding the chickens and geese. He was dressed similarly to the other child, though he appeared taller.

“Aunt, I saw you and Second Uncle weren’t back yet, so I already washed the rice, and I also washed the cabbage and green celery. I also filled up the water in the tank. You should rest before cooking.”

Chang Ping walked over and greeted the two guests.

Hearing this, Lu Chang Qing blushed a little.

He had thought that all the household chores needed to be handled by his sister, and that she must be exhausted from taking care of so many children.

Who knew, each of these children was more sensible than the last.

He no longer dared to think about taking his sister out to enjoy a life of luxury.

If they lived together, he wouldn’t be able to do more than these two kids.

In the end, Lu Chang Qing didn’t help with anything.

Instead, he and Wei Jing Yi were treated to a meal at the Xiao family.

And the meal was delicious.

It was much better than what his family’s cook made.

After dinner, Wei Jing Yi pulled Lu Chang Qing to leave.

“Dr. Ye, Brother Xiao, it’s getting late, we’ll take our leave.”

“Better head back before it gets dark,” Ye Xin Ran reminded. “Be careful on the road, and Chang Qing, you’re tired today, remember to take an extra pill tonight.”

Lu Chang Qing felt useless.

He hadn’t been of any help and had only become a burden.

This was not how he had imagined it.

“I’m not leaving. Jing Yi, go back and tell Aunt, I’m staying here.”

Lu Chang Qing said.

Wei Jing Yi was taken aback.

“Chang Qing, you’re being too headstrong! How am I supposed to explain this to her?”

“Aunt already knows. She will definitely agree,” Lu Chang Qing insisted.

In the end, it was Ye Xin Ran who persuaded him. “You should go back for now. If your family agrees, then you can come stay for a few more days.”

Lu Chang Qing had been determined to stay, but upon hearing Ye Xin Ran’s words, he reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I understand.”

Back at the Wei family’s house, Lu Chang Qing told Madam Leng everything that had happened during the day.

Madam Leng was also very surprised. “So Xin Ran knew about it already?”

“Yes!” Lu Chang Qing nodded. “She knew even before I did! So Aunt, please let me stay for a few days. My sister has already agreed.”

Madam Leng had no choice but to agree. The reply from the capital hadn’t come yet, and she also wanted to go visit Ye Xin Ran and have a proper chat.

The next day, Wei Jing Yi once again accompanied Lu Chang Qing to the Xiao family.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the gate, they ran into an unexpected guest.