SPMT : Chapter 60: Return

 

At the gate of the Xiao Family, Wang Lu anxiously scanned the intersection.

 

“Mother, they should be here soon,” Xiao Qingyan said to Wang Lu.

 

Wang Lu, full of anger, exclaimed, “Your third brother was actually sent to such a remote place! That scoundrel Liu Xian only gave your brother so little money. How can your third brother adapt to that?”

 

Xiao Qingyan lowered his head, thinking: Xiao Jingting’s personality could use some toughening up. However, he dared not say this in front of Wang Lu. Wang Lu didn’t like Xiao Jinfeng much, but she adored Xiao Jingting. Due to most of the family’s resources being allocated to him, Wang Lu felt she had mistreated Xiao Jingting and felt guilty.

 

Xiao Hefeng stepped out and looked at Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu. “Second brother, second sister-in-law, you’re waiting for someone. The sun is so strong; why don’t you wait inside? Waiting here is exhausting.”

 

Wang Lu waved her hand dismissively and said coldly, “No need.”

 

Wang Lu was most dissatisfied with the main branch. However, despite her feelings, she had no good impression of those who stood by and watched when her son got into trouble. Although she wanted to confront them, the other branches quickly reconciled and united under the patriarch’s mediation. Wang Lu could only suppress her anger.

 

Xiao Chengfeng looked at Liu Xian and said, “Aren’t you going out?”

 

Liu Xian snorted, “Do we elders have to go out to welcome two youngsters? Besides, those two have probably started resenting me. I don’t need to put on a show for them.”

 

“I heard Xiao Jingting has been doing well in Tuchou Village,” Xiao Chengfeng said.

 

“Are you mistaken? That wastrel has actually been doing well outside?” Liu Xian retorted.

 

Xiao Chengfeng squinted and said, “I don’t think so. That guy has indeed changed.”

 

Liu Xian gritted his teeth and said, “Xiao Qingyan alone is troublesome enough. If Xiao Jingting has changed too and they join forces, it will be troublesome.”

 

Xiao Chengfeng shrugged. “Don’t be so pessimistic. Xiao Qingyan isn’t someone who can tolerate others. As for Xiao Jingting, he’s also competitive. We’ll have to wait and see whether they join forces or become enemies.”

 

Liu Xian’s expression changed, but then he flashed a brilliant smile. “You’re right.”

 

In the tavern,

 

Sun Hao sat on the roadside, occasionally glancing towards the street.

 

“Sun Hao, what are you doing?” asked someone.

 

“Today, Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng from the Xiao family are coming back. They should be here soon,” Sun Hao replied.

 

“That guy Xiao Jingting is really unlucky. A fine young master like him was sent to such a place. I heard the women in the countryside are black, thin, and dried up. After a year there, even an ugly woman would be considered a goddess. Xiao Jingting must be going crazy. I bet the first thing he does when he comes back is find a brothel and spend ten days there,” said Zheng Kai.

 

“Come on, are you planning to accompany him?” teased Zhou Mi.

 

Zheng Kai laughed awkwardly. “I’m a married man. How could I go to such a place?”

 

“Oh, really? Our young master Zheng has become henpecked,” Zhou Mi burst into laughter.

 

Sun Hao looked down below. After Xiao Jingting was sent to Tuchou Village, Sun Hao once asked a local ruffian to cause trouble for him, thinking of how annoying Xiao Jingting was to his sister. He had almost forgotten about it, but now that Xiao Jingting was coming back, Sun Hao suddenly remembered.

 

Sun Hao rubbed his chin, thinking: Xiao Jingting is really resilient. He’s managed to survive in the countryside until now. With Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu back, Xiao Jingting might start causing trouble again.

 

Xiao Xiao Xiaofan leaned against the window, watching the vendors along the street with bright eyes.

 

“Big brother, there are so many people on the street! I never noticed before,” Xiao Xiaofan said.

 

Xiao Xiaodong rolled his eyes, thinking: You were always at home before, where would you notice?

 

Thinking back to the days at the Xiao Family, Xiao Xiaodong clenched his fists, feeling a bit uneasy.

 

“Big brother, look at that puppet, it’s so cute,” Xiao Xiaofan said cheerfully.

 

“Don’t stand so close to me!” Xiao Xiaodong said, feeling a headache coming on.

 

Recently, Xiao Xiaofan seemed obsessed with eating smelly food, and he kept eating more and more. Despite complaining, Xiao Xiaodong ended up sharing a carriage with the smelly Xiao Xiaofan after his appeal was rejected due to lack of space.

 

“When we have time, I’ll ask dad to take me shopping,” Xiao Xiaofan said to himself.

 

Hearing this, Xiao Xiaodong also felt a bit excited. In the past, Xiao Jingting was always busy with eating, drinking, and gambling. Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan tried to avoid him as much as possible. Naturally, they didn’t dare to hope that Xiao Jingting would take them shopping. But now… maybe they could look forward to it.

 

Xiao Xiaofan sat back in the carriage and said, “Big brother, when we get back to the city, Dad won’t become like he was before, right?”

 

Xiao Xiaodong shook his head. “Mother-father said he won’t. Hopefully, he won’t.”