Koi Fubao: Being loved by everyone on the road to escape from famine

Just as her mood was subtly changing, she suddenly heard the clear laughter of a woman outside the teahouse. The voice had a familiar sharpness that instantly penetrated the noise and reached her heart.

Xiao Zhixue's heart tightened, as if touched by something. She turned around quickly, her eyes passing through the window lattice and focusing on a group of figures across the street.

Those figures were familiar yet frightening. They looked hurried, and their bodies revealed fatigue from the long journey, especially Old Lady Xiao. The bloodstains on her collar seemed to silently tell of the difficulties and extraordinary journey.

Xiao Zhixue raised a meaningful smile at the corner of her mouth, secretly wondering who was this powerful person who dared to go to war with the always strong old lady of the Xiao family?

Immediately afterwards, Second Aunt Wang's loud and passionate rebuke broke the calm around them. Her words were full of anger and dissatisfaction, pointing directly at Xiao Yuyan's betrayal.

Xiao Yuyan quickly put on a flattering smile and was eager to explain.

Wang was merciless and pointed out his selfishness directly, her fingers almost touching the tip of his nose.

Although Xiao Yuyan still had a smile on his face, a hint of imperceptible boredom and impatience flashed deep in his eyes.

Seeing this, Xiao You, who was watching from the sidelines, could no longer suppress his anger and punched Xiao Yuyan in the chest with the sound of wind and thunder.

His movements were quick and decisive, as if he was trying to vent his long-standing frustration and dissatisfaction.

Old Mrs. Xiao witnessed this sudden conflict with a frown on her face and a stern look in her eyes, obviously dissatisfied with Xiao You's impulsive behavior.

"Second brother, let's talk it over nicely. Using violence is not the way to solve the problem. What if you hurt my eldest grandson?"

The old lady's words were majestic, but they also made Xiao You even more angry.

"Mom, look at Xiao Yuyan. He has clearly forgotten his roots. Now he won't even let us into the house. Are you still going to protect him?"

Xiao You's words were filled with tears, full of grievance and confusion.

Faced with this scene, Old Mrs. Xiao sighed deeply, glanced at Xiao You sharply, and said nothing, obviously having no intention of arguing with him.

Then, she turned her gaze to Xiao Yuyan tenderly, "Good boy, let grandma come to your place and sit for a while. Why not have the whole family get together?"

Xiao Yuyan was struggling internally, and the smile on his face was stiff and awkward.

Even though he was extremely reluctant, he did not dare to go against the old man's wishes.

"Grandma, it's not that I'm unfilial, it's just that... our home is poor and small, and there's no room for so many people."

After he finished speaking, he felt a surge of guilt and self-blame in his heart. He realized that his words were too direct, almost cruel, and he couldn't help but feel secretly annoyed.

He hurriedly said anxiously, "Grandma, listen to me, maybe we can arrange it this way. First, please ask the two old people to find a comfortable hotel to rest for a while. When I am lucky enough to become the son-in-law of the mayor's mansion, I will guarantee to buy you a spacious and decent house as soon as possible so that you two can enjoy your old age."

After saying that, Xiao Yuyan slowly took out two gleaming silver coins from the depths of his clothes and carefully put them into the palm of Old Lady Xiao's hand, which was full of traces of time.

"Grandma, it's getting late. I have to go back to the academy to continue my studies. I can't spend more time with you two. I hope you two take good care of your health."

As he finished speaking, a barely perceptible hint of apology flashed across Xiao Yuyan's eyes, and then he turned around resolutely, taking firm and quick steps, and set out on the road back to the academy.

Unexpectedly, Wang saw this and was furious. She pointed her finger at his back and scolded him sharply, "You are an ungrateful bastard who has become stupid because of studying too much! You can't even recognize your own flesh and blood? You have studied so much that you don't recognize your relatives. What great future can you have!"

Her rebuke instantly attracted the attention of passers-by, and everyone cast curious and scrutinizing glances at her.

Xiao Yuyan suddenly felt humiliated. He was a young talent who was about to become successful and had a certain reputation in Jinguan Town, but he was being humiliated by his relatives at this moment. The good image that he had worked so hard to build seemed to be disappearing bit by bit in the whispers of the crowd.

Although he was filled with indignation, he still resisted the urge, paused, slowly turned around, and forced a wry smile on his face.

"Second Aunt, you really misunderstood. In Jinguan Town, who doesn't know the plight of my family? The old house is narrow, crowded, and seriously damaged. It's only with the little money you helped us in the past that we can barely make ends meet. How can we accommodate more relatives by renting a cramped house?"

Xiao Yuyan's words were sincere, but Wang turned a deaf ear to them and looked suspicious.

In fact, the Xiao family's life was indeed extremely difficult, just as Xiao Yuyan described.

However, as time passed, Xiao Yuyan's fate quietly changed as he gradually fell in love with the mayor's daughter and won praise for his diligence and talent in the academy.

Not only does he have a chance to take part in the county's imperial examination, but he also wins the heart of the town mayor, whose daughter is determined to marry him.

The Xiao family has even prepared a magnificent new house for the upcoming wedding, and once the auspicious day arrives, Xiao Yuyan's reputation will be further elevated.

But at this moment, passers-by dared not say anything. They knew very well that to become enemies with Xiao Yuyan would be equivalent to offending the mayor, which would be a big trouble.

Seeing that no one dared to speak for him, Wang's dissatisfaction became more intense. Just as she was about to get angry again, she suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves.

A luxurious carriage stopped silently behind Xiao Yuyan. The curtain swayed gently, revealing a corner. A woman's gentle voice came from inside the carriage, interrupting the argument that was about to break out.

"Xiao Yuyan, you should be studying hard in the academy at this time, why are you standing here?"

This voice instantly soothed the irritability and unhappiness in Xiao Yuyan's heart.

He turned around immediately, and the sadness on his face disappeared, replaced by genuine joy.

He looked at the woman in the carriage with a smile: "Xiang'er, it's you! I just came back from home and didn't run into you. What a coincidence. Look what I brought for you."

As he spoke, Xiao Yuyan carefully took out an exquisite little sachet from his arms and gently handed it to Dingxiang.

Dingxiang took the sachet and gently put it close to her nose. A fresh and elegant osmanthus fragrance immediately filled her nose.

She smiled like a flower, her eyes sparkling, with a hint of playfulness and expectation, and asked Xiao Yuyan beside her in a soft voice: "The fragrance of this sachet is really refreshing, and every detail touches my heartstrings just right. Could it be that you sewed all of this carefully by yourself?"

As she spoke, her fingertips gently stroked the intricately embroidered sachet, as if she could feel the maker's intentions in every stitch and thread.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to respond to this gentle inquiry, a sharp and rapid shout suddenly came from behind, breaking the silence around me.