Era: After foreseeing the future, I changed my fate using spatial abilities.

Chapter 188 Jiang Family
"Sister, I...I'm sorry."

Jiang Xiaotong was deeply moved by his sister's gentle nature, which seemed to accept him completely.

"Although the Jiang family has no blood relation to you, they have treated you like their own child and have never wronged you. Of course, we can understand why you are reluctant to part with your sister."

"Whether you choose to stay or come back to Xiangnan with me, you will always be my dearest person."

After gently patting his head twice, Su Ning took his hand and continued walking back. She couldn't help but smile when she saw that he looked even more troubled because of her words.

Considering his age, she still spoke up and gave him a few clear options.

"If you stay, you can write to me or call me if you miss your sister, or even come to Xiangnan for a month or two."

"If you're worried about the Jiang family if you go with your sister, I'll make arrangements before you leave to ensure they have enough to eat and wear in the future."

"Of course, there is another way that satisfies both sides, which is to take them with us and go back together."

"Is...is this okay?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaotong abruptly stopped in her tracks, staring in disbelief at her newly-born older sister. Her wide, phoenix-like eyes were filled with a look of utter astonishment.

Amused by his adorable appearance, Su Ning couldn't help but pinch his cheek with two fingers.

Her thin face had little flesh, and due to long-term exposure to wind and sun, it lacked the smoothness and even roughness that youthful skin should have.

With tenderness, she changed her pinching to stroking, and only when she noticed the burning heat under her hand due to embarrassment did she clear her throat and naturally withdraw.

“Nothing is impossible. As long as they are willing to leave their hometown, the little bit of what Grandpa left us, even just your share, can support many of them.”

"The brigade leader is a relative of our clan, and there were no problems with the household registration and the approval of the homestead."

"Then, I'll go back and ask my older brother and sister."

"it is good."

Sure enough, once he had a clear direction, Jiang Xiaotong immediately lost the confusion and hesitation in his eyes, and his steps became much lighter.

……

When the two returned to the Jiang family's thatched cottage, it was just getting dark.

Jiang Xiaojun saw the joy on his younger brother's face and in his eyes as he returned. He felt relieved, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

"You're back just in time. The food is ready, and I was just about to go and call you."

Zhang Ze, who had gone to the beach again to try beachcombing, had also returned. He was sitting upright in the yard, looking very confident. When he saw people return, he immediately stood up and couldn't help but look at them questioningly.

Seeing her nod subtly in acknowledgment, a slight smile softened the seriousness on his face.

In the north, near the sea, the nighttime weather feels like a direct transition from autumn to winter.

On the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), there was a small table, and the food on it was the best that Jiang Xiaojun and Jiang Xiaoman could bring from their home to entertain them.

For them, this was a feast reserved for holidays and festivals. The two of them were worried that their younger brother's older sister might think it was shabby and give him a bad reputation.

Seemingly noticing their awkwardness and apprehension, Su Ning smiled even more brightly and said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Jiang and Sister Jiang, this is the first time we've ever eaten so much seafood."

"Yes, it's rare to find fresh river fish, let alone so much seafood. It smells amazing!"

The shrewd Zhang Ze also joined in to ease the tension, and the people in the room gradually showed smiles and visibly relaxed.

"Comrade Su, Comrade Zhang..."

"Just call me Ningning. You are Xiaotongqian's older brother and sister, and so am I. We should be one family. Brother Jiang and Sister Jiang, you don't mind having another younger sister, do you?"

"If you think highly of me, just call me Brother Zhang."

"how come!"

Jiang Xiaojun and Jiang Xiaoman shook their heads in unison, looking rather flattered.

To be honest, both of them couldn't help but worry when they left.

The girl looked like she came from a big city. Putting aside the fact that she was related to the younger brother, she would probably look down on them from the bottom of her heart.

Little did they know, it was all just their own assumptions.

"Brother Jiang, what were you trying to say just now?"

"What I was trying to say was, Su, Ningning, and Brother Zhang, eating more sea cucumber is good for your health."

They exchanged a smile, and Su Ning and Zhang Ze simultaneously picked up their chopsticks and unceremoniously grabbed the sea cucumber from the mixed stew that he pointed to.

As the two moved, Jiang Xiaojun couldn't help but widen his smile, shedding his feigned maturity and appearing somewhat simple and honest.

After the meal, even Jiang Xiaoyuan, who had always been hostile towards her, couldn't help but let her guard down. She even whispered to her little brother next to her, "Your older sister seems to be a pretty nice person."

Not only was she prettier than Xiuqin from the village, but she also had such a good temper, unlike any of the city girls they had met while begging in the city.

He would never forget the arrogant, condescending looks they received, as if they were nothing more than bedbugs in a sewer. So when his friends said their biggest wish was to marry a city girl, he scoffed at them.

Now, if it were someone like my younger brother's older sister...

"Hey buddy, I'm talking to you. What are you thinking about?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing!"

"Why is your face as red as a monkey's bottom if there's nothing wrong?"

"you shut up!"

Seeing the two little ones laughing and joking, everyone's expressions relaxed a bit.

Because the Jiang family's house was small and it wouldn't be convenient for them to stay overnight, Su Ning and Zhang Ze declined their offer and decided to return to the guesthouse in the county town first.

After seeing the two off out of the village and returning home, Jiang Xiaojun finally asked the question he had been holding back.

"Young man, what are you thinking now? What are your plans?"

"Big brother."

Jiang Xiaotong looked up and glanced at his family: Jiang Xiaoman didn't say anything but clenched her fists nervously, and Jiang Xiaoyuan was also looking at him anxiously.

"Brother, I want to change my surname back to Su."

"It's alright, it's just a name. Besides, since you've accepted my sister, it's only right that you change your surname."

Changing his name signifies that he genuinely wants to acknowledge his ancestors and recognize the Su family and his sister.

Knowing that the Su family only had one child, her mother, and now only her older sister, Jiang Xiaotong wanted to tell her this in this way, regardless of whether he returned or not.

From then on, she was no longer alone.

"Big brother, can you come back to Hunan with me?"

"what?"

"Back to Shonan?"

After exchanging bewildered glances, Jiang Xiaojun turned to him and asked, puzzled, "Little brother, why would you think that?"

"I don't want to be separated from you, and I don't want to see my sister alone."

"one person?"

My mother is gone, and so is my father? There's not a single elder left in the family?
"Ah."

That piece of trash is worse off than not having any at all; he'd be better off dead than not being dead!
Jiang Xiaotong nodded emphatically without blinking or hesitating, "They're all gone."

"this…"

No matter how miserable they were, at least they had each other. But Su Ning... who would have thought that someone with such a warm smile was always all alone?

With a mix of sadness and heartache, Jiang Xiaojun sighed, patted his still-tender shoulder, and made a difficult decision.

"Little brother, if you want to go back with her, then go ahead. Don't make things difficult for yourself. If you miss us, you can come back. Our home is right here; it's not going to grow legs and run away!"

"Big brother!" "Brother, what are you saying!"

"So, you two tell me, are you really going to force your little brother to stay? Will he be able to be happy and cheerful afterward? Or are you both willing to go to Xiangnan with him?"

A nest of gold or silver is not as good as your own thatched nest.

Who would choose to leave their hometown unless absolutely necessary?

My family and friends are all here, and my home is here. No matter how reluctant I am, can I really leave for the unfamiliar place of southern Hunan?

For a moment, the room fell into silence until, after a long while, a low sob that could no longer be suppressed could be heard.

……

Back at the guesthouse, Zhang Ze escorted her to her room. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke, "Ningning, judging from Xiaotong's appearance..."

"I know what I'm doing. Brother Zhang, I'll be going out tomorrow morning and I'll be back before breakfast, so don't worry."

"Where are you going? I'll go with you."

"No need. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative as soon as possible to see if I can buy some things. It's just a short walk from this guesthouse, so it's fine. You haven't rested for the past two days, so get a good night's sleep tonight."

Even if she's in good health, she can't keep pushing herself like this. Besides, how can she take things out of her space without anyone noticing if she doesn't go out alone?

Although Jiang Xiaojun and the others didn't raise the copper coins for these kinds of returns, she still had to express her opinion.

Therefore, Suning's statement was firm and unequivocal, leaving no room for negotiation.

Considering that the supply and marketing cooperative and the guesthouse were only diagonally across the street, just a few steps away, Zhang Ze nodded in agreement.