During the cold days of the first month, the villagers ate dinner early, fearing the waste of lamp oil, and went to bed early.
After nightfall, several figures quietly entered the village and soon appeared outside the Hao Familyâs courtyard.
The Hao Familyâs courtyard wall was only a little over a meter high. Those people didnât exert much effort before climbing over.
Because Yu Erlili had given birth to a son, each member of the Hao Family had their own thoughts. Although the lights were off, voices could still be heard inside.
Those people were obviously prepared. Someone fiddled by each window for a while, and then the house fell silent.
After more than ten minutes, someone walked into one of the rooms in the dark.
Soon, someone emerged holding a child: "Letâs go quickly."
The next day, when the daylight was bright, a heartbreaking scream rang out from the Hao Family courtyard: "My child."
This sound startled everyone who was still sleeping in the other houses of the Hao Family.
They rushed out of the yard without properly dressing: "Whatâs wrong, whatâs wrong?"
All the Hao Family members immediately ran towards the room where Yu Erliliâs piercing scream came from.
At the same time, at Yilan County Hospital, Qian Xuekaiâs wife, Liang Baozhi, gave birth to a son.
Qian Xuekai looked at the swaddled son, his face full of joy.
He said to his wife lying on the bed with a bandage wrapped around her forehead: "Now we have both a son and a daughter. Letâs live our lives well."
The woman on the bed had a smile on her face, but a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.
However, when she looked at the child in the manâs arms, a proud smile appeared.
*
Xinyan, the sister-in-law, followed custom by helping her newlywed second brother and sister-in-law by serving the chamber pot the next morning. After receiving the red envelope, she returned to school.
Jiang Peiqin saw her arrive: "Xinyan, Zhao Xiaoxue came looking for you earlier."
Hearing this, Xinyan had an inkling.
Before she could speak, Zhao Xiaoxueâs voice was heard from the doorway.
Xinyan turned to look at the entrance: "You were looking for me?"
Zhao Xiaoxue smiled: "Yes, I wanted to return the thirty dollars I borrowed from you before."
Xinyan was indeed surprised that Zhao Xiaoxue came to repay the money as soon as school started. It seemed this personâs character was reliable. Noticing the mix of bills returned: "Are you returning all your money to me?"
Zhao Xiaoxue hesitated a little, embarrassed: "I gathered all the money I had, managed to make it a round figure, and didnât manage to change it into whole bills. Iâm really sorry."
Xinyan waved her hand: "Donât say that, whether itâs small bills or big bills, itâs still money. It can all be spent, and smaller bills are actually more convenient for use."
Zhao Xiaoxue didnât expect Xinyan to not mind the small bills at all, her smile becoming more sincere: "Xinyan, Iâll find a way to repay the remaining seventy dollars to you as soon as possible."
Xinyan was a bit puzzled: "Wasnât the money spent by your cousin? Why are you repaying it?"
Upon hearing Xinyanâs question, Zhao Xiaoxue sighed: "My cousinâs in-laws thought the medical expenses were too high and refused to take on this external debt. My uncle doesnât have the means to help my cousin either.
My family complained because I helped my cousin on my own. After all, I caused this problem, so I must take responsibility. I canât break my promise to you."
Hearing Zhao Xiaoxueâs words, Xinyan then offered: "If I can find a place for you to work part-time on Sundays, would you be willing to go?"
Zhao Xiaoxue was momentarily confused by Xinyanâs words: "Xinyan, I didnât quite understand."
Xinyan smiled: "I can offer you a chance to earn some pocket money by working on Sundays."
Zhao Xiaoxue knew Xinyan wouldnât joke about such matters, and her eyes lit up with joy. She replied excitedly: "Really?"
Seeing her reaction, Xinyan knew she had agreed: "However, it might require waiting for a while."
Zhao Xiaoxue was eager to earn money to repay the debt: "Itâs fine, as long as thereâs such a job, I can repay your money sooner."
Xinyan suddenly had a thought, maybe by accident, she found a treasure for herself.