Chapter 96: Xingxing is Doing Well

Chapter 96: Xingxing is Doing Well

A matter that had troubled the Yu family for several days was thus easily resolved, and smiles could not be suppressed from appearing on their faces.

When Yu Sanbao returned from his business trip this time, he placed the two taels of silver he had earned on the table and took out a box of beautiful silk flowers: "... This is the latest trend in the prefecture city; it's not expensive, so I bought some for Mother and my sisters-in-law. It’s mainly to try something new."

Yu Sanbao smiled and pointed to a small silk flower in the box, "We have one for our Xingxing too."

Li Chunhua carefully touched the beautiful and intricate silk flowers, her love for them evident as she couldn't stop smiling, "Third Brother, you're so thoughtful!"

Bai Xiaofeng also liked them very much, but after admiring them, she examined the silk flower closely, turning it over and over in her hands, seemingly pondering something.

Wei Pozi also chuckled, "Third Son, there's something I need to discuss with you."

"Mother, what is it?" Yu Sanbao, who was unaware of what had happened at home during his absence, asked.

Wei Pozi sized up her son, noting his weary appearance but bright eyes, before smiling, "I remember you said last time that if we had our own shop, your business trips would earn us more than thirty percent extra?"

Yu Sanbao nodded, "More than that. Thirty percent is a conservative estimate."

Misunderstanding Wei Pozi's intention, he clenched his fist, "Mother, rest assured, I will work hard to earn money and strive to open our own shop as soon as possible."

Wei Pozi replied, "It's not necessary."

Yu Sanbao was somewhat confused.

Su Rouer, with a smile on her face, quietly told Yu Sanbao about how Xingxing had found an exquisite ginseng root and sold it for one hundred and fifty taels of silver.

Yu Sanbao drew in a sharp breath, then his face was filled with disbelief!

Amidst this, there was also a surge of excitement!

He had long wanted to make a big move, but the lack of funds at home, coupled with the setbacks he had faced in the past, had held him back all these years.

Now, thanks to Xingxing, he first had the capital to start trading, and now he even had the means to open a shop?!

"Mother, this... this, really?" Yu Sanbao looked at Wei Pozi, his excitement making him incoherent.

Wei Pozi nodded and smiled, "Of course it's true. If you agree, you and Father can go to the county town in the next few days to look for a suitable shop."

Yu Sanbao nodded excitedly!

The matter was thus settled.

Yu Sanbao looked out at the sunlight flooding the courtyard, feeling a bit dazed for a moment.

It seemed like just half a year ago, their family was so poor they had to split a steamed bun to eat.

Since Xingxing came to their home, their lives had improved dramatically!

...

Yu Sanbao and the old man went to the county town, both to pay the tuition fees for the children and to look for a suitable shop.

Li Chunhua and Su Rouer went to the nameless Taoist temple to fulfill their vows—this was something they should have done earlier, but various matters had delayed them. Then, the unfortunate passing of the children's teacher caused the whole family to worry about where the children would continue their studies for quite some time. Only now did they finally have the chance to go.

Ju Geer also wanted to go, but he had sprained his ankle recently. Although he could walk now, Wei Pozi and Su Rouer thought it best for a child with a sprained ankle to rest more. The mountain path leading to the nameless Taoist temple was not easy to walk, and taking Ju Geer along would not be appropriate.

This time, Li Chunhua and Su Rouer would take Xingxing.

Ju Geer looked pitiful, clinging to the door frame as he watched his mother lead Xingxing out with his aunt.

"Mother~~~" Ju Geer shouted behind them, his voice full of despair.

Su Rouer was speechless.

She was just going to burn incense and fulfill her vow, and her son was shouting as if they were parting forever.

It was somewhat inauspicious.

Ignoring Ju Geer, Su Rouer quickened her pace, holding Xingxing's little hand and walking faster.

Upon arriving at the nameless Taoist temple, the temple was still mostly empty.

This time, Li Chunhua and Su Rouer knew their way around, so they took the incense themselves and began to pray.

Xingxing knelt on the mat, closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and softly prayed for the gods to bless the whole family with happiness.

Li Chunhua and Su Rouer were more devout, holding their incense and praying earnestly.

Xingxing didn't have much to say to the gods, so she secretly opened her eyes and saw her aunt and Third Aunt kneeling on the mats, eyes closed, murmuring prayers.

Feeling bored and unwilling to disturb her aunt and Third Aunt, Xingxing tiptoed out of the main hall of the temple.

Outside the courtyard of the nameless Taoist temple, a cassia tree was planted. Some of its flowers were in bud, while others had already bloomed slightly, emitting a strong and fragrant aroma.

Attracted by the scent of the cassia flowers, Xingxing followed it out of the courtyard and looked up under the tree.

Suddenly, a shoe fell from the tree.

Fortunately, it didn't hit Xingxing's head.

Xingxing was startled.

A head poked out from the dense foliage.

Xingxing recognized him; it was the strange young boy she had met at the temple before.

Xingxing remembered him because he was the most handsome young boy she had ever seen!

It's just... Xingxing couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there seemed to be a misty something in the boy's eyes, making him look perpetually unhappy.

The boy clearly recognized Xingxing as well: "It's you."

Xingxing nodded her little head, not caring what the boy meant by "it's you," and replied, "Yes, it's Xingxing!"

She went to pick up the shoe that had fallen earlier: "Is this your shoe?"

But the boy said, "Don't touch it!"

Xingxing was startled by the boy's sharp tone and stood there, dazed.

"What's wrong?"

The boy, with one bare foot, nimbly slid down from the tree.

He didn't seem too concerned, walking over barefoot, picking up his dropped shoe, and brushing off the dirt from the sole before putting it back on.

Only then did he turn around, sizing up Xingxing from head to toe, and asked softly, "Did you get hurt when you returned from the temple last time?"

He had always been extremely unlucky; even the slightest contact could cause someone to share in his misfortune, leading to minor injuries at best and serious accidents at worst.

Last time Xingxing touched him, she didn't get hurt.

At the time, a glimmer of hope arose in him, thinking his bad luck might have vanished. But later, when he tentatively touched the old Taoist priest, who was usually steady and skilled, the priest still stumbled and fell within a quarter of an hour.

That's when he knew his bad luck was still with him.

So, he guessed that perhaps the little girl had been injured after leaving the temple.

Xingxing looked at the boy blankly, tilting her head slightly: "Injured? No, Xingxing is fine."

The boy fell silent for a moment.

He didn't understand why.

Xingxing thought for a moment and then asked the boy, "Are you worried about Xingxing? Thank you, but Xingxing is really okay."