Just then, a car entered their view from afar, drawing everyone’s attention away from the Santana and towards the oncoming vehicle. Cars were a rare sight in this rural area. A Santana was enough to draw envy, but the incoming car was much larger.
Wang Zhiqiang exclaimed loudly, “Holy shit, it’s a Benz!”
Seeing the crowd’s attention captured, Wang Zhiqiang immediately began showing off his knowledge, “That’s an imported car, worth millions per unit.”
“Exactly,” Wang Tao chimed in, seemingly explaining to Xia Li, “Not only that, but you also need really powerful contacts to buy one. Last time we went to bid for a project, Boss Liu from Yan City drove one just like it.”
Wang Zhiqiang lit a cigarette, nodding several times, “Are you talking about President Liu from Tengfei? I know him well. I’ve already arranged with Brother Liu, once our project finishes next year, he’ll get one for us too.” He patted his somewhat old Santana, “Then this will be yours to drive, Lili.”
“Really?” Xia Li was overjoyed, “Brother Tao, Brother Zhiqiang, you’re the best.”
Wang Zhiqiang glanced sideways at Xia Mian, waiting to see her regretful expression. However, she didn’t even turn her head, just stared at the Benz. Wang Zhiqiang scoffed, “Some people really aim too high. Big bosses who drive Benzes won’t settle less than a university graduate to marry.”
Xia Mian, thoroughly annoyed by their noise, directly told Xia Li, “You hear that? University graduates can marry bosses who drive Benzes, and a working girl like you only fits with a petty subcontractor who brags about buying a second-hand Santana.”
Wang Zhiqiang was choked by Xia Mian’s counter and was about to retort when the Benz suddenly stopped in front of them. He immediately set aside his rivalry with Xia Mian and hurried forward, rubbing his hands and putting on his best smile, “Hello sir, do you need directions?”
Wang Tao also followed up, blatantly lying, “We know this area well, who are you looking for?”
“…” Xia Mian watched the scene unfold with a raised eyebrow, sighing inwardly: Alas, Xia Li really matches the level of these people. Won’t they soon be awkwardly scratching the ground in embarrassment?
“No need for directions, please make way,” came a rich, deep voice carrying an air of aloofness.
Wang Zhiqiang and Wang Tao didn’t dare say another word, awkwardly retreating to finally reveal the true face of the driver. A strikingly handsome young man, draped casually in a white T-shirt, came into view, his arm lazily resting on the car window. That simple gesture was somewhat enough to make him look stunningly good. Especially charming were those beautiful blossom eyes that seemed to carry a charming allure as they swept over the crowd.
When Xia Li saw the man looking in her direction, her heart nearly leaped out of her chest, “H-hello…”
“Where can I park the car?”
“Ah?” Xia Li was stunned to find the handsome man suddenly spoke to her. As a result, she was too delighted to think straight.
Just as she was trying to organize her thoughts to say something, she heard Xia Mian behind her speak in a casual tone, “Just park by the roadside. Your car is a bit big to enter the alley.”
One good thing about this era was that cars weren’t widespread yet, so you never have to worry about parking spaces.
The handsome driver flashed an OK sign with his well-jointed hand. The car restarted amidst the stunned crowd, and the rear seat window rolled down to reveal two equally exquisite faces, one big and one small.
“Xiao Feng!” Little Chenchen excitedly called out to Xiao Feng.
“Brother Chenchen!” Xiao Feng also happily waved.
Ning Shaoyun saw the gaping onlookers and said nothing, only nodding towards Xia Mian.
As the car reversed into a parking spot, Xia Li murmured in disbelief, “N-no… This can’t be happening…”
As for Wang Tao and Wang Zhiqiang, after their initial shock, they realized they had made fools of themselves. While everyone’s attention was on the Benz, they quietly started their car and drove away. Even so, many people still let out taunting laughs, giving Xia Chuan a moment of vindication.
Xia Mian put down Xiao Feng, who eagerly ran towards the Benz.
Xia Mian spoke to Xia Li for the last time, “This is Dr. Ning. Not only is he a university graduate, but he also holds graduate degrees. As you can see, he is very rich, and he doesn’t need to sweat at the construction site to earn tens of millions.”
“So, don’t tell me again that education is useless. It’s just that you haven’t studied, so you only meet uneducated nouveau riche. Real rich men never need to live on the construction site.” Xia Mian watched Xia Li’s red face, feeling she had done enough. Whatever Xia Li chose to pursue from now on was her own business.
As the Ning siblings and Chenchen got out of the car, Xiao Feng stood nearby, waiting patiently. As soon as Chenchen hopped down, he gave Xiao Feng a thorough look and a head pat, imitating the adults, “Xiao Feng, why have you lost weight?”
“Mom has given me ten days’ worth of chocolate in advance,” The boy took Xiao Feng’s hand, “I’ll give all mine to you later, eat it and you won’t feel sad.”
Xiao Feng’s eyes curved up, “Auntie also bought me chocolate and milk candy, let’s eat them together.”
“Really?” Chenchen immediately perked up.
“Are you two done catching up? If so, we can go,” Xia Mian said, patting the two children’s heads and heading home first with Ning Shaobai and Ning Shaoyun.
Xia Chuan directly dispersed the crowd that wanted to follow, “Aren’t you busy at home? It’s not a spectacle, hurry up and disperse. It’s already noon; go back home and take lunch.”
Entering the gate and seeing the mess in the yard, Xia Mian suddenly felt embarrassed.
Ning Shaobai, seeing the scattered feather dusters and the blood-stained scissors, wondered aloud, “Just finished a fight? No, wait, it’s a regular exercise for you, is it not?”
“…” Can this guy not be sarcastic for even a day?
While Xia Mian was seething inside, Xia Wenyue, who had been quietly following, felt a bit awkward upon hearing this and quickly tidied things up.
Now it was Ning Shaobai’s turn to feel embarrassed. Xia Mian gave him a glare and quickly pulled Xia Wenyue aside, “Second Aunt, don’t fuss, they’re not outsiders.”
Ning Shaoyun spoke softly, “Second Aunt, hello, sorry for the intrusion. We’re familiar with Xia Mian, so we speak quite casually. Please don’t mind.”
Xia Wenyue nervously rubbed her hands, “Ah, of course, of course. Please come in and sit down.”
Fortunately, the house was clean and tidy. However, they didn’t stay long and quickly moved to the eldest uncle’s house, where the rest of the family were waiting.
Chenchen had already gotten acquainted with Qiangqiang through Xiao Feng’s introduction. With Qiangqiang being outgoing, it didn’t take long for the three kids to start playing together. Chenchen took Xiao Feng by the hand and approached Ning Shaoyun, “Mom! Xiao Feng, I, and Qiangqiang are going out to play.”
Ning Shaoyun smiled, “Go ahead. Xiao Feng’s the youngest, so take good care of him.”
Xia Mian looked at Xiao Feng’s back and finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much, Sister Ning. Xiao Feng has been listless these past few days. He is so happy to see Chenchen.”
Ning Shaoyun also felt distressed, “The weight you worked so hard to put on him, it seems like he’s lost quite a bit again.”
“Once things settle down, it’ll get better.”
Xia Mian nodded, “Sister Ning, since you’re here, I’d like to ask for a favor.”
Ning Shaobai and Ning Shaoyun’s arrival was a good thing for Xia Mian. She was planning to discuss with the family about moving to Yan City. Although she had made up her mind to go, she still had to reassure the elders, and the support of the Ning siblings would make her case more convincing.
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