Why did you provoke me?

Everyone seems to be busy again.

Yu Meng was thinking to herself that her parents probably wouldn't let Xiu Jie spend the New Year here.

When they don't know the situation, they might let their child wander outside, but once they have news of the child, how could they possibly let the child stay out there? Even if it's just for the sake of saving face, they will try to bring the child back to their side as soon as possible.

Yu Meng's guess was correct. On the day before the Lunar New Year, Xiu Jie's parents drove over.

It was a military vehicle. And Xiu Jie's parents were also dressed in military uniforms.

When Yu's parents saw Xiu's parents, they immediately felt inferior, as they naturally held a sense of admiration and deference towards soldiers, always believing that every decision they made was correct.

When Sister Xiu saw her parents, she could no longer hide the emotions in her eyes; it was a feeling of filial piety.

Suddenly, another head popped out from the back seat of the military vehicle. "Dad, Mom, is this my sister's house?"

Everyone looked up and saw a girl about the same age as Yu Meng waving to them from the back seat.

"Niannian, come down quickly, this is your older sister," Xiujie's mother called out.

"Mom, I don't want to go down there, this place is so dirty."

Xiujie looked at her younger sister in the car and asked softly, "You're so pretty. May I ask how old you are?"

"I'm nine years old. Do you want to come home with us?" the little girl named Niannian asked innocently.

Sister Xiu said softly, "You're nine years old this year. That means you were born a year after I went missing."

When Xiujie's parents heard what she said, their expressions turned very ugly.

"The situation was a bit complicated at the time. But it's absolutely true that you are our daughter, and we sincerely wanted to bring you back," Sister Xiu's mother said hurriedly.

"Why don't we go inside and talk?" Guo Fangting suggested from the side. "It's too cold outside."

Yu Meng walked up to her mother and hugged her arm. "It's so cold today, Mom, my feet are a little numb from the cold. Let's go inside."

Mr. Yu gestured for Xiu's parents to come inside. Niannian, still inside the car, refused to get out. Xiu's mother had no choice but to let her stay in the car.

Xiujie's father looked around the mud house. The walls weren't very white, and the house was low; stepping inside, a sense of oppression seemed to wash over him.

"It's warm on the kang (heated brick bed), why don't you..." Before Yu's mother could finish speaking, Yu Meng pulled her back. "Mom, do we still have some tea leaves? Let's make some tea for them."

Dali and Guo Fangting went out together. "Sister-in-law, what does 'little sister' mean?"

"Our family is poor, and all we have is tea leaves to serve guests." Guo Fangting deftly poured the tea leaves into the teapot, and then poured in the boiling water from the stove.

"Dali, bring in a few teacups," Guo Fangting called out.

Sister Xiu's expression darkened. She knew what was going on in the family, and it seemed her younger sister didn't think much of her parents.

"My name is Zhao Anbang, and I am your father. Because your mother and I are both soldiers, our leave is limited. That's why we only managed to find time to pick you up today."

Guo Fangting refilled the teacup and pushed it in front of Xiu Jie's parents. "Uncle, Aunt, it's so cold outside, and you've driven a long way. Have a cup of tea to warm up."

Yu's father opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Zhao Anbang took out two thick envelopes from his pocket. "This is a small token of our appreciation; we hope you won't refuse it."

Aunt Yu was stunned. She had a feeling that her own pig had grown up, and someone else was paying for it, so she was selling the pig.

Father Yu turned to look at Sister Xiu. "Sister Xiu, it's your decision. If you want to go back with them, I wish you a good life. If you want to stay, I will treat you like my own daughter."

Xiujie kept her head down and remained silent. Were these really her parents? Didn't they ask her how she had been all these years? Didn't they ask how she had gotten through it all? They just took out money—were they trying to buy her back?

"Sister Xiu, this is your mother. Is this the name you're calling now? When you were little, we all called you Baozhu. Is there anything else you want to take with you? We're really pressed for time."

Xiujie looked at her biological mother, her lips twitched, but she ultimately didn't ask the question.

She nodded and went back to her room.

"Thank you for taking my Baozhu in all these years. These are just a small token of our appreciation." Zhao Anbang pushed the two envelopes towards Yu's father. "We hope Baozhu can live peacefully with us."

Mrs. Yu hurriedly ran to the kitchen, packed some of the rice cakes she had made, and wanted to give them to Sister Xiu. "These are Sister Xiu's favorite rice cakes, please give her some."

Xiujie's mother paused for a moment before pushing the items back, but finally nodded. "These things are available for purchase in the city."

Dali felt uncomfortable after hearing this. "This was made by my mother for Sister Xiu herself. Sister Xiu loves to eat this."

Several adults sat in chairs waiting for Sister Xiu. They didn't ask Sister Xiu about her hobbies, what she liked, or what she disliked. They didn't ask about her past either. They just sat upright in their chairs, as if they were carrying out a mission.

Xiujie came out carrying a small bundle. Yu Meng could tell that the bundle didn't contain the boxes she used to store the beads.

"Sister Xiu, if you're not used to it, you can come back," Yu Meng said earnestly from the side.

Xiu Jie's tears finally fell. "I have to give it a try."

She hugged Yu Ma. "Thank you, Mom, for raising me all these years. I will always remember your and Dad's kindness."

"Sister Xiu, if anyone bullies you, tell me, and I'll stand up for you."

"Sister Xiu, this is a small token of our appreciation from your brother and me. Here, take this as pocket money." Guo Fangting stepped forward, stuffed a bag into Sister Xiu's hands, then hugged her and said softly.

A child's shrill voice rang out from outside. "Mom, I'm freezing to death! Aren't you coming?"

"Your sister will be done soon, just wait a little longer," Xiu's mother called out.

Yu Meng walked up to Zhao Anbang. "Since Sister Xiu is your daughter, you've missed out on love for ten years. I hope you can treat her well."

Zhao Anbang narrowed his eyes. "She's my own daughter, I'll treat her well."

Yu Meng's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Is that so? I hope you keep your word."

Xiu-jie stopped Yu-meng. "I will live well, and we'll write letters then."

Yu Meng pulled Xiu Jie aside and earnestly instructed her, "Although our family is very poor, we have never let you suffer any injustice. Remember that, don't let yourself be wronged."

The children outside are shouting again. Yu Meng glanced at Zhao Anbang, "Your kids have so much energy."