"Wah wah wah... Little Yama is here again, Little Yama is in the village..." The brat cried even harder this time, wailing loudly with tears streaming down his face. If someone who didnât know better heard him, theyâd think his father was beating him terribly. Xu Yingshanâs wife heard the noise from home, grabbed a rolling pin, and rushed to the small shop.
"Xu Yingshan, you damn bastard, hitting your son again! Iâm not living with you anymore!"
The sound was so loud that Sheng Ning on the phone could hear it clearly and silently lit a candle for Xu Yingshan. Your brat is really difficult; sheâs doing it out of necessity.
Xu Xianxiong and Zhao Lanzi were just waiting for Sheng Ningâs call! In the afternoon, theyâd pulled out a small stool and sat at the courtyard gate. When they heard the sound, the couple quickly ran to answer the phone, ignoring their nephew being chased around the village by his wife. Everyone ran out to watch the commotion.
"Ningning, the tickets are bought for seven oâclock tomorrow morning," Zhao Lanzi said happily.
Sheng Ning calculated the travel time by train, "Great! Iâll pick you up in the afternoon. Is Anâan coming with you?"
"Together, weâve agreed with your dad to leave for the county before dawn and bring Anâan along when we leave."
Sheng Ning almost jumped up with joy; she had been waiting for Anâan for a long time. The original plan was to come after the New Year, but it was delayed for over two months. She felt like she was a sister with no credibility, completely neglectful. That girl loves silent treatment, probably giving her a hard time when she arrives.
"Ningning, I heard your mom doesnât want Anâan to come."
"Yeah, I know! Mom mentioned it when I went home for the New Year."
"If my father-in-law wants us to take Anâan secretly, wonât my mother-in-law be angry?"
"She definitely will!" Sheng Ning was stressed out, "Didnât they communicate properly?" Shen Luhua is a reasonable person and wouldnât stop Anâan from coming to town without reason.
"I heard theyâve talked, but itâs completely useless. Anâan has been giving the silent treatment to her mother-in-law for a month, without any effect?"
"A month of cold war?" Sheng Ning was shocked by the number. Anâan often gets angry, but the longest she had ever gone without speaking was a day. Looks like the problem is serious.
"Iâm just afraid my mother-in-law will be angry when the time comes."
"Donât worry, just follow my dadâs plan now, and Iâll explain to my mom later." Sheng Ning thought it over and remained determined to bring Anâan to the city. In this lifetime, she has to change Anâanâs fate, not marrying a fool is the true change. She can only see a better future if Anâan learns more, has broader horizons, and gains greater courage.
"Alright, itâs decided then."
******
For the seven oâclock train, Xu Xianxiong and his wife got up at four oâclock, while it was still dark. They had packed everything in advance, boiled a dozen eggs to eat on the way, and set off. The elderly couple sneaked to Sheng Ningâs village and waited at the agreed threshing ground for Sheng Laosan.
From half-past four to five oâclock, no one showed up, and Xu Xianxiong started to get anxious.
"Shall I go knock on the door and take a look?"
"No, we agreed to wait here, so weâll wait here. Once you knock on the door, even if nothing happens, something will happen." Zhao Lanzi disagreed.
Xu Xianxiong was getting uneasy, "Standing here stupidly isnât an option, is it? We look like thieves."
Zhao Lanzi glared at him, "Werenât you a thief before?" Referring to when Xu Xianxiong was young and stole his familyâs grain.
"Hee hee hee..." Xu Xianxiong chuckled embarrassedly, "Thatâs because your family were landlords back then!"
While the two were talking, suddenly the village dogs started barking, which is why they hadnât gone into the villageâto avoid alarming dogs and drawing attention.
"Theyâre coming!" Xu Xianxiong stood on the stone used for threshing grain and indeed saw two figures heading his way. One of them had trouble with his leg and was struggling to run, limping heavily.