Xia Mian stayed with Xiao Feng in a hotel for the night, and early the next morning, they took a bus back to Mingxi County. As soon as they arrived, they saw the family coming to pick them up. Eldest Uncle Xia was visibly emotional seeing the two children, “You’re back, you’re back.” As he walked towards them, his legs almost gave out, and Xia He and Xia Chuan had to support him from both sides.
Xia Mian hurried forward, her nose tingling, “Uncle.”
Eldest Uncle Xia held Xia Mian’s shoulders and asked anxiously when he saw the hat she was wearing, “What happened to your hair? Is the scalp burned?”
“…” Now Xia Mian genuinely wanted to cry. That’s her sore spot!
Over the past few days, Xiao Feng had become aware of his aunt’s concern about her hair. Hearing Eldest Uncle Xia’s question, he quickly patted Xia Mian’s neck to comfort her.
Xia Mian knew that her uncle was genuinely worried about her, so she assured him, “It’s nothing. Only my hair burned.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” Eldest Uncle Xia sighed in relief. “Burned hair can grow back, but a burned scalp would be much worse.” He then carefully checked Xiao Feng from head to toe. “Xiao Feng must have been terrified,” he said, finally sighing in relief after confirming the two children’s safety, but his voice was full of lingering fear, “Thank goodness you’re both okay. Heaven must be watching over you.”
Second Uncle Xia also squeezed in from behind, “What’s going on? Is it true that Xia Chun was killed by Zhang Qiming? He even wants to kill you guys?”
The matter of Zhang Qiming’s arrest for the possible murder of Xia Chun and his attempt to kill Xia Mian and Xiao Feng couldn’t be concealed from the family, especially since Xia Mian was still a minor. Her closest relatives were her grandmother and second uncle, but Grandma Xia, being elderly, left the matter entirely to her son, so Second Uncle Xia was the first to learn the details.
Xia Mian quickly covered Xiao Feng’s ears, “Second Uncle, let’s discuss this at home.”
Second Uncle Xia sighed deeply, looking at Xiao Feng with pity, “Poor child.”
At last, he said something sensible—Xia Mian mused inside. However, just as she sat down with Xiao Feng in the small vehicle that Xia Chuan had driven over, Second Uncle Xia opened his mouth again, “Zhang Qiming did such a thing and got 40,000 yuan in compensation. Shouldn’t that money go to us?”
“And what about the house in the city? Shouldn’t it belong to Xiao Feng? Will the Zhang family try to take it? Have you asked the factory how they’ll handle it?”
“Chengyao!!” Eldest Uncle Xia shouted angrily, “The children just got back. Can’t you let them rest first?!”
Even Xia Chuan was fed up with him and immediately started the car.
Second Uncle Xia reluctantly shut up, but when it came to money, he could never hold back. After a while, he opened his mouth again, “What about Xiao Feng? He’s still so young. Who’s going to take care of him? If we take him in, we’ll need child support, right?”
Xia He, irritated, snapped, “Zhang Qiming will soon meet the firing squad. Where are you going to get child support from?”
Second Uncle Xia insisted, “Even if Zhang Qiming dies, doesn’t he still have a mother? Isn’t Xiao Feng her grandson?” Suddenly realizing something, he slapped his hands together, “Oh, we must not delay this. Zhang Qiming has another son, doesn’t he? That surnamed Huang is greedy for money. She might try to take the house.”
Xia He sneered. Dare he say others are greedy? Why doesn’t he look in the mirror first?
Xia Mian could guess what Second Uncle Xia would say next, but she didn’t have the energy to deal with him. There were too many things to take care of. Second Uncle Xia was the type who would turn meek after learning a lesson, so Xia Mian planned to deal with him later. Unexpectedly, she soon encountered someone who could handle him for her.
Xia Chuan drove them directly to Eldest Uncle Xia’s house, where Eldest Aunt-in-law was already waiting. Seeing Xia Mian and Xiao Feng, her eyes immediately welled up with tears. Wiping them away, she said, “You’re back? You must be exhausted. The noodles are ready; I’ll serve them right away. Come inside and wait.”
As the curtain in the main room lifted, an elegant elderly lady stepped out. Despite the wrinkles on her face, one could see traces of the beauty in her youth. This person was Grandma Xia. She was already over seventy, but standing next to Eldest Aunt-in-law Xia, they could be mistaken for the same generation. At this moment, Grandma Xia’s eyes were also red from crying. Seeing Xia Mian and Xiao Feng, she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, “Good children, come inside quickly.”
As Xia Mian walked by with Xiao Feng in her arms, Grandma Xia reached out to pat him, “Xiao Feng has grown so much.”
Xiao Feng was a little surprised and clung tightly to Xia Mian’s neck. It wasn’t surprising that Xiao Feng didn’t recognize Grandma Xia. Even Xia Mian found her a bit unfamiliar. In her memory, ever since ‘Xia Mian’s’ father passed away, she and her mother had rarely seen her grandmother.
Her impression of Grandma Xia, even when Xia Mian’s father was alive, wasn’t very positive. Grandma Xia wasn’t a typical evil mother-in-law, but she was exceptionally indulgent with herself. She would buy whatever she wanted to eat or wear, even on credit, expecting Xia Mian’s father to pay the bills regardless of the family’s financial situation.
Even during the two years when Xia Mian’s father was ill, the family was clearly struggling, but Grandma Xia didn’t change her ways much. Xia Mian suspected that Second Uncle Xia’s miserly nature was a result of being raised by such a mother in his childhood.
After the death of Xia Mian’s father, Grandma Xia was supposed to live with Second Uncle Xia. But she knew his stingy nature and must have realized she couldn’t expect much from him. Instead of complaining, she found herself a new husband and continued to live well.
When her second husband passed away, she found another one. This third husband lived in a neighboring county, which was why Xia Mian had never seen her during their last two visits.
Regardless, Xia Mian didn’t care much about Grandma Xia. Whether this person was selfish or indulgent was not of her concern—as long as she didn’t cause trouble for her and Xiao Feng, she would treat her like a stranger.
Grandma Xia didn’t mind Xiao Feng’s shyness, only sighing and saying, “I am your great-grandma.”
Feeling Xia Mian’s comforting pat on his back, Xiao Feng peeked out and softly called, “Great-grandma.”
Grandma Xia smiled kindly and led Xia Mian and Xiao Feng to the dining table. Eldest Aunt-in-law soon brought in the noodles, and Xiao Feng’s eyes lit up immediately. This little guy had clearly been smitten by Eldest Aunt-in-law’s noodles. Despite being car sick earlier and unable to eat, he now eagerly waited for the food.
Seeing his eagerness, Eldest Aunt-in-law Xia was delighted. She brought out a new bowl with Donald Duck on it, saying, “This is a new bowl your uncle got for Xiao Feng. It’s yours now.”
Hearing that it was his, Xiao Feng touched the bowl and happily swung his legs.
Xia Mian was also famished. She and Xiao Feng ate voraciously, and all the worry and exhaustion of the past few days seemed to melt away at the familiar and flavorful taste of the noodles.
Grandma Xia, watching them eat with such gusto, said, “Seeing them eat so well makes me hungry too. Xiang’e’s noodles are always delicious.”
Xia Chuan lifted the curtain and came in, carrying a bowl. He said with a half-smile, “I knew you’d be thinking about it, so we made some for you too.”
Grandma Xia smiled, “Xiang’e is always so thoughtful.”
Xia Chuan quietly rolled his eyes.
After finishing the noodles, Xiao Feng, now relaxed, grew sleepy. Xia Mian carried him to bed and then joined the adults in the living room to discuss serious matters. She recounted what had happened, omitting only the most dangerous part of the fire. Even so, the eldest uncle and the others were filled with lingering fear.
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