857: Chapter 857: Farewell (3) 857: Chapter 857: Farewell (3) After staying for one night, Zhou Jiang still took Zhou Xiao and Zhou Ying away, however, it wasnât a permanent farewell because the New Year was approaching.
They needed to go back for the ancestral rituals and to pay respects at their motherâs grave, so their return was unavoidable.
But after the New Year, Zhou Jiang would be stationed at the Northern Frontier, and by then he would bring the children back again.
Moreover, now that the children had been found, Zhou Jiang was finally in the right frame of mind to deal with his elder brother and sister-in-lawâs family.
He couldnât just let things end there.
Everyone, though reluctant to part, knew that such a separation was inevitable.
âMengmeng, wait for me,â Zhou Xiao said, holding Sanniâs hand.
âI will come back soon.â
Sanni nodded, âOkay, Iâll wait for you.â
Zhou Xiao smiled, reassured, then she went to Zhou Jiangâs side.
And Zhou Ying was also saying her goodbyes to the younger ones, âSister Mimi, donât forget about meâŠ
Lanlan, Iâll come backâŠâ Finally, she pulled on Xiaofengâs hand, âBrother XiaofengâŠâ
âHere, this is for you.â Xiaofeng placed a small stone in Zhou Yingâs hand.
âRemember to come back soonâŠâ
Zhou Ying immediately smiled, then took off her small purse and placed it in Xiaofengâs hand.
They had found several pretty stones by the riverbank while playing, and later Xiaofeng had drawn on them, so each of the four little ones wore one.
Now hers was exchanged with Brother Xiaofengâs.
Yang Ruxin felt helpless and glanced at Zhou Jiang, âGeneral Zhou, you better leave quickly.
If you let them keep saying goodbye like this, I reckon you wonât be able to depart tomorrowâŠâ Why did it feel like another pair of childhood sweethearts was emerging?
Zhou Jiang was also helpless.
If possible, he really didnât want to separate the children because, although they had only stayed one night and had two meals, he had grown fond of the atmosphere in this household.
He could see how happy the children were here, yet he had to take them back for a visit.
Watching several steeds galloping away, the atmosphere in the small building turned somewhat gloomy.
âDonât you think itâs much quieter at home without the two kids?â Xun Hui glanced at the Feng Family on the opposite side.
âI really miss those kidsâŠâ
âYes,â the Feng Family nodded in agreement.
âThey are two good children.â
âHow could relatives do such things?â Xun Hui sighed once more.
âWhat does being relatives have to do with it?â the Feng Family sighed deeply.
âSome relatives are worse than beasts.â Looking at Xun Hui, âXun sister, you have experienced this deeply yourself, havenât you?â
Xun Huiâs face changed for a moment, then she also nodded, âYouâre right, some relativesâŠâ She paused and sighed, âLetâs not talk about it.â When her stepmother had sold her, her father just stood by, not saying a wordâthat was a relative.
Later, when she went to the Yang Family, they never hesitated to hit her, and they too were relatives.
The Feng Family patted Xun Huiâs shoulder, âExactly, letâs not talk about it anymore.
Our children are doing well now; letâs leave the regretting to themâŠâ
In the townâs Pancake Fruit Shop.
Since it was almost noon, the place was quite bustling with people coming in to eat.
âWelcome!â As soon as someone entered, Jiu Familyâs cheerful voice would say, âWhat would you like to eatâŠ
Oh, my!
Young mistress, why are you here at this time?â This was Yang Ruxinâs directive; whenever someone entered the shop, the staff were required to greet them in this manner,