SPMT : Chapter 56: News from the Xiao Family

Mu Shuyu walked to Xiao Jinfeng’s side while holding the child. Although he gave birth to a little ger, Xiao Jinfeng cherished this son very much, which made Mu Shuyu very gratified.

 

“You’ve been drinking again, reeking of alcohol. Your son will start to dislike you,” Mu Shuyu complained with a smile.

 

“How can you blame me? Blame it on the fact that Mu’an’s brewed wine keeps getting better. It’s so comfortable to drink,” Xiao Jinfeng said.

 

Mu Shuyu nodded and said, “That’s true.”

 

The best brewed wine at home was kept for family consumption, while the wine sold outside was the discarded ones. Even these discarded wines caused a huge sensation in Fengcheng. The reason why everyone at home advanced so quickly was because they often drank spirit wine.

 

“Give me a hug,” Xiao Jinfeng reached out to Mu Shuyu.

 

Mu Shuyu handed the baby to Xiao Jinfeng.

 

“Xiao Xiaofu looks so cute! His nose looks like mine,” Xiao Jinfeng said with a smile.

 

Looking at Xiao Jinfeng, Mu Shuyu teased, “Hopefully when he grows up, he won’t turn out to be a drunk like you.”

 

Xiao Xiaofu leaned toward Xiao Jinfeng’s mouth and sniffed lightly. Xiao Jingting said with some pride, “I smell good. Our son likes me.”

 

Xiao Xiaofu slapped Xiao Jinfeng’s face, making Mu Shuyu laugh. He said, “Yes! He likes you, but he also likes hitting you.”

 

While Xiao Jinfeng and Mu Shuyu were chatting at home, the sound of a horse neighing suddenly came from outside.

 

“Where is that horse neighing coming from?” Xiao Jinfeng was puzzled. Such monstrous beasts were usually raised by large families to travel, and there shouldn’t be any in the small town.

 

Xiao Jinfeng walked out and looked at the newcomer in surprise. It turned out to be someone he knew.

 

“Manager Xiao San, why are you here?”

 

“Young Master Jinfeng, I’m here on the order of the Second Master to welcome you and Young Master Jingting back to the Xiao Family.”

 

“The Second Master, my father?” Xiao Jinfeng’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

The news of distinguished guests visiting the Xiao Family spread quickly throughout Tuchou Village.

 

“Father and my maternal grandfather are still alive,” Xiao Jingting exclaimed, surprised.

 

It had been almost a year since Xiao Jingting was sent to Tuchou Village. From occasional letters from Xiao Ping, he knew that there had been intense internal struggles within the Xiao Family and constant conflicts among the four major families in Mocheng. Yet, those who were expelled from the family, like him and Xiao Jin Feng, had been largely forgotten.

 

The original owner’s parents went on a mission with friends but were deceived by their companions and fell off a cliff. Those who returned from the mission reported the unfortunate news of the original owner’s parents’ demise, and everyone believed it. However, after almost a year, the original owner’s parents returned, seemingly having gained some opportunities under the cliff. Both of them had reached the eighth level of Qi Training.

 

Upon their return, the original owner’s parents learned about the mistreatment of their eldest son at the academy, the targeting of their second son, and the expulsion of their youngest son from the Xiao Family. They were furious.

 

Perhaps to assert dominance or to defend Xiao Jin Feng, the original owner’s parents immediately publicly whipped and killed a concubine named Feng Xue’er, accusing her of harboring ulterior motives and seducing the second young master of the Xiao Family. It was said that when the original owner’s mother took action, Xiao Muhong, the original owner’s father, stood by without uttering a word.

 

Xiao Jingting shook his head inwardly. The so-called truth was always written by the victors. With the ongoing internal strife within the Xiao Family, the return of the original owner’s parents would once again shuffle the family’s power dynamics.

 

…

 

Xiao Xiaofan lay on the table, feeling helpless. “I don’t want to go back.”

 

For Xiao Xiaofan, the Xiao Family was not a good place. During his time there, children of the same age always bullied him, and he could only eat leftovers from others. Concerned that Xiao Xiaofan would be bullied, Xu Mu’an often kept him and Xiao Xiaodong locked up together.

 

Xiao Xiaodong lowered his head; he didn’t want to go back either. Although Tuchou Village was not as bustling as the Xiao Family, it was free and easy. Xiao Xiaodong felt that he had been living a carefree life lately, and he had no affection for the Xiao Family, a place full of conspiracies and intrigues.

 

“Why don’t you want to go back, Xiao Fan?” Xiao Jin Feng asked gently.

 

With his chubby hand supporting his chin, Xiao Xiaofan, feeling depressed, said, “There are many bad people there who want to beat Xiaofan.”

 

Xiao Jingting rubbed Xiao Xiaofan’s head and said, “You can fight back.”

 

“But Xiao Fan can’t win,” Xiao Xiaofan said despondently.

 

“Father will help you,” Xiao Jingting said.

 

Hearing Xiao Jingting’s words, Xiao Xiaofan’s eyes lit up suddenly.

 

Xu Mu’an gave Xiao Jingting a helpless look.