Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Xia Lan Acts in a Play
“How about this, when I go back, I’ll talk to your Uncle Xia and see about getting you a job at a factory in the county town…” Aunt Xia thought for a moment before speaking.
“No need, Aunt Xia!” Xia Chuyi quickly interrupted Aunt Xia, “There’s no need to bother Uncle Xia any further, I have a plan in mind.”
Aunt Xia sized her up from head to toe before saying, “Alright then, it seems you’ve got a clear plan in your mind. It’s up to you. If you want to find a job, just come and talk to me anytime.”
“I understand, Aunt Xia.” Xia Chuyi felt a warm yet acidic feeling in her heart.
In the past, she had truly relied on her elders for living. From now on, she intended to become the one her elders could rely on.
So she no longer refused the money.
She was indeed in need of money right now.
After staying at Uncle Xia’s place for a while, Xia Chuyi got up to take her leave.
“Aunt Xia, I’ve heard from people in the Provincial City that the weather is especially cold today, and heavy snow is expected in a few days. Please ask someone to tell Uncle Xia that everything is fine at home, and to make sure he stays safe when he’s out running truckloads.”
Xia Chuyi carefully entrusted this message as she was leaving.
“Alright, I will tell your Uncle Xia. His niece is very concerned about him. If I mention that it’s coming from you, you can bet he’ll listen.”
“Make sure you remember, okay!” Xia Chuyi repeated once more, “Well, Aunt Xia, I’m off now.”
Xia Chuyi left Uncle Xia’s home, and as she walked away, she looked back towards the Zhao family’s bungalow.
Aunt Xia would probably take her advice with a certain degree of seriousness but wouldn’t treat it as something very important, as driving a truck always came with risks.
It seemed that before any possible car accident, she had to find a way to persuade Uncle Xia to stop his trucking business.
After making this resolution to herself, she walked back home to the Xia Family against the wind and snow.
In this lifetime, she was determined to change the fate of both families.
For some reason, the Xia family’s house was eerily quiet, as if all the activities and movements of its inhabitants were hidden in the shadows.
Only when she got close to the front door did she start to hear the faintest sounds.
Creaking, she pushed open her own door and immediately saw a person who shouldn’t have been there yet predictably was—Xia Lan.
Xia Lan and Mother Xia were sitting together warmly, with two empty bowls in front of them.
Clearly, Mother Xia had given Xia Lan her own portion.
“Chuyi, you’re back!” Mother Xia stood up and seeing that Xia Chuyi didn’t bring anything from her uncle’s house, she looked disappointed, “You didn’t bring anything back from your uncle’s?”
Mother Xia turned towards Xia Lan and said, “Er Lan, I’m sorry, but your Second Aunt doesn’t have anything nice to offer you.”
The affection in Mother Xia’s eyes was clearly imprinted in Xia Chuyi’s vision.
It was quite understandable. In Mother Xia’s eyes, Xia Lan seemed like another version of her, fragile and pitiful, deserving of sympathy and help.
“Second Aunt, what are you talking about? I came to see you, not for the food!” Xia Lan playfully shook Mother Xia’s arm in feigned annoyance.
“Mhm, your Second Aunt knows,” Mother Xia said gently, smiling tenderly at Xia Lan.
It was a picture of maternal affection and filial piety, and Xia Lan covertly shared a triumphant look with Xia Chuyi.
Xia Chuyi watched coldly from the side.
Her eyes did not reveal the sense of loss Xia Lan had hoped for.
The lack of her mother’s love, the longing for maternal care—it was all part of a distant past life for her now.
Her subdued reaction displeased Xia Lan considerably.