After returning to Ming City, Ning Shaobai, Ning Shaoyun, and Chenchen went back to the Huagang compound, while Xia Mian continued to stay in a hotel with Xiao Feng.
Zhang Qiming’s case had undoubtedly caused a huge stir, and since Xiao Feng had just started to recover, Xia Mian did not want him to recall any unpleasant memories. Although the neighbors in the compound were nice, some could be inadvertently tactless.
Fortunately, they weren’t going to get bored. Xia Mian took Xiao Feng around to various places. The child had never been to many places before, and their previous trip to the zoo was interrupted when they encountered Chenchen’s kidnapping, followed by a series of events.
Now that everything had settled down, and knowing that they were going to Yan City, Xiao Feng seemed to be free from an unseen shackle, appearing much more relaxed. Holding Xia Mian’s hand as they strolled around, he gradually showed the liveliness of a child.
Compared to parks, Xiao Feng preferred the zoo. Xia Mian watched as the boy stared intently at the monkeys from behind the railings, ran around with a handkerchief trying to make the peacocks display their feathers, and later, got scared by a large snake in the glass enclosure and hurried into her arms, causing her to burst into laughter.
Seeing Xia Mian laugh, Xiao Feng calmed down. No longer panicked, he clung to her neck, not letting go. Xia Mian then took him to see the pandas, soothing his shock.
The two days flew by quickly. The day before their departure, Xia Mian went to retrieve Xia Chun’s stamp books from the safe deposit box, then picked up Xia Wenyue and her four children at the bus station. Xia Wenyue still appeared energetic, and the three girls, with Huimei and Huilan holding little Huizhu’s hands, looked excited without a trace of worry about leaving home.
Indeed, as long as Xia Wenyue was with them, they probably would never be afraid.
Xia Wenyue looked around, took a deep breath, and said, “The sky out here doesn’t look the same as in Mingxi County.”
Huizhu, mimicking her mother, looked around and puzzledly said, “Mom, it looks the same!”
Xia Wenyue smiled and patted her head, “It’s different, you’ll understand later.” She then asked Xiao Feng, who was staring at her, “Xiao Feng, do you think it’s the same?”
Xiao Feng’s eyes curved, “It’s different.” He then closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, “It’s big.”
Xia Mian chuckled in amusement, “Well, seems like we should get you to kindergarten soon.” Otherwise, his vocabulary won’t keep up with his romantic artistic cells.
The group made do in the hotel for one night, and the next day, two cars were parked downstairs to pick them up.
After deciding to take Xia Wenyue and her daughters, Xia Mian had originally told Ning Shaobai they would take the train to Yan City, as Ning Shaobai’s car couldn’t accommodate so many people. However, Ning Shaoyun casually mentioned that the Huo family would send a car to take her and her son back, so it wouldn’t be a problem to take four more people.
Xia Mian thought Huo Xuewen would come personally, especially since Ning Shaoyun and Chenchen had experienced something as terrifying as a kidnapping, and she also remembered that Ning Shaoyun had come to Ming City due to a disagreement with Huo Xuewen. No matter what, it was only reasonable that he came personally.
As such, she was worried about how to arrange the seating. Separating Xia Wenyue and her daughters might make them uncomfortable, but she couldn’t think of a better solution.
Xia Wenyue had repeatedly instructed Huimei and Huilan all night, but unexpectedly, the Huo family sent only a driver and one car, with no Huo Xuewen in sight.
Xia Mian glanced at Ning Shaoyun, who was still smiling gently with no signs of displeasure. But of course that was only a facade—who wouldn’t be upset in this situation?
Xia Mian sighed inwardly. It seemed that Chenchen’s kidnapping in the novel was just a catalyst—there were likely numerous other incidents that led to Ning Shaoyun’s complete disappointment in her husband.
However, it was beyond her to tell whether the couple would have the same ending in this life.
Regardless, the seating arrangement was no longer an issue. Xia Wenyue and her daughters would take the Huo family’s car, while Xia Mian, Xiao Feng, Chenchen, and Ning Shaoyun would ride in Ning Shaobai’s car.
Xiao Feng, leaning against the car window, watched as they drove away from Ming City. His eyes sparkled, and his smile never faded. His small body nestled against Xia Mian, bubbling with joy.
Seeing his liveliness, Ning Shaoyun couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s rare to see Xiao Feng so happy. Do you like going to Yan City that much?”
“I like it,” Xiao Feng nodded vigorously, his voice clear: “Buy a house, register as a permanent resident, and enter Auntie’s household registration!”
Xia Mian hadn’t expected that a casual daydream she once shared would become a beacon of hope for Xiao Feng, a symbol of a new beginning. She was relieved that she hadn’t broken her promise.
Although Ning Shaoyun didn’t know the exact reason Xiao Feng said this, she understood it must have been the hope that kept him going during tough times with the Zhang family.
“Do you really plan to buy a house?” Ning Shaoyun asked Xia Mian.
Seeing Xia Mian nod, Ning Shaoyun didn’t question whether she had the funds, but instead asked, “What kind of house are you planning to buy?”
Xia Mian lowered her head and asked Xiao Feng, “What kind of house does Xiao Feng like?”
What was meant to be a playful question for the child took a serious turn when the boy blurted out, “An old house!”
“Ah?” Xia Mian was taken aback.
Ning Shaoyun was curious about this response, “Why do you want to buy an old house? Isn’t a new apartment better?”
Xiao Feng swung his little legs, his eyes sparkling, “Old houses get demolished, and that makes money!”
Xia Mian silently covered her face, vowing to never speak carelessly again. Who knew this little guy would remember everything so vividly—she had even forgotten herself!
Ning Shaoyun laughed, “I didn’t expect our Xiao Feng to understand investments at such a young age.”
Driving in front, Ning Shaobai caught Xia Mian’s embarrassed expression through the rearview mirror. Knowing that this girl must have babbled a lot, he asked, “Besides old houses getting demolished, what else brings in money?”
Xia Mian wanted to intervene, but seeing Xiao Feng so lively and talkative for once, she didn’t have the heart to stop him. So she listened as he chattered away, “Lottery, antiques, stocks—five million!”
Ning Shaoyun looked at Xia Mian with amusement, and Ning Shaobai, also observing Xia Mian’s embarrassed look through the rearview mirror, didn’t let go of the opportunity to tease her, “That must be something your aunt told you, right? Full of ideas.” Always thinking of easy gains.
Xiao Feng, always sensitive to people’s emotions, felt that the comment wasn’t exactly a compliment and looked up at Xia Mian, puzzled.
Little angel Xia Mian was utterly embarrassed. Not to be outdone by Ning Shaobai, however, she straightened up and declared with utmost confidence, “What’s wrong with that? Which of those doesn’t depend on luck? Don’t you know that luck is the greatest strength?”
Xiao Feng immediately nodded earnestly, agreeing to anything his auntie said.
Ning Shaobai shook his head with a laugh. Where did this girl get so many quirky ideas?
“Actually, I think it’s a good approach.” Ning Shaoyun spoke up. “Setting aside whether demolition happens or not, you should still prioritize your studies. The old courtyard house near Yan University’s affiliated school might be run-down and a bit shabby, but they’re close to the school and cheaper than new apartments.”
“Most importantly, we could be neighbors.”
Xia Mian blinked, her heart pounding. Old courtyard houses near Yan University’s affiliated school… run down… Was it really as she imagined?
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