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Xingxing crept over quietly and peered at her curiously.

Sufen soon noticed her and rose awkwardly. "Are you thirsty? You'll need to wait..."

Xingxing got flustered and quickly waved her little hands. "No, no, Xingxing just came to look."

Sufen managed a smile, trying hard to show friendliness toward Xingxing. "...Are you called Xingxing?"

Xingxing nodded lightly, replying softly but cheerfully, "Yes, it's Xingxing. Yu Xingxing."

The child, not yet four, had eyes full of innocence.

Sufen's expression softened.

She fed another log into the stove before saying quietly to Xingxing. "...I used to have a child too. Had she lived..."

She suddenly stopped speaking and silently threw in another piece of firewood.

...Had she lived, she would be about this age now.

How had her daughter died?

In those lean famine years, her daughter had been born small, weak, and sickly.

Later, later she fell gravely ill and needed a large sum of money for treatment.

Her husband scrambled everywhere, pleading for loans, but no one would help.

Later, later they did manage to borrow some and bought that costly medicine, but by then it was already too late. Her daughter was beyond saving...

Sufen cut short her memories.

Afraid Xingxing might notice something, she turned her head away and quickly wiped away a tear.

But the tears were like a mountain flood—unstoppable.

After a while, Xingxing fidgeted beside her and stretched out a small hand.

Sufen looked over in surprise.

Xingxing opened her palm, revealing a beautiful pebble.

"Auntie, don’t be sad. This is one Xingxing found—for you," Xingxing whispered.

Sufen tried hard to hold back her tears but didn’t take the little stone. "Thank you, little girl. Such a pretty pebble—you should keep it for yourself... Oh, and by family seniority, you shouldn’t call me 'Auntie.' You should call me 'Fourth Great-Aunt.'"

Seeing that this strange auntie didn’t want the stone, Xingxing didn't push or pout, simply taking it back.

She tilted her head. This auntie looked about the same age as Third Aunt—how could she be a "Fourth Great-Aunt"?

Xingxing couldn’t understand and looked puzzled, not calling her that.

Sufen didn’t press her either, silently continuing to tend the fire.

Wei Pozi came into the yard looking for Xingxing and was slightly surprised to see her chatting with Sufen in the kitchen.

"Xingxing, come to Grandma," Wei Pozi called, worried the little one might get too hot in the kitchen.

Xingxing toddled over on her short legs.

Wei Pozi scooped the little one up and headed for the main house.

Xingxing whispered in Wei Pozi's ear, "Grandma, that auntie told me to call her Fourth Uncle's wife. But she looks about the same age as Third Aunt..."

Wei Pozi paused. According to family tradition, Xingxing should indeed address the woman named Sufen as Fourth Uncle's wife.

But...

The situation between Sufen and Wei Laosi was rather unconventional, and Wei Pozi had never really approved of this match in her heart.

"Do you want to call her that?" Wei Pozi asked Xingxing.

Xingxing shook her head slightly. "She's too young to be called that. I can't say it."

Wei Pozi said offhandedly, "Then let's not call her that for now."

After thinking for a moment, she added, "If your Fourth Uncle marries her in two months, then you can call her that."

Xingxing nodded, not really understanding. But Grandma was never wrong—she would just listen to her!

Wei Pozi carried Xingxing into the house.

Wei Laosi was in good spirits, gave some coins to the woman named Sufen and telling her to buy meat and vegetables to prepare a meal.

He wanted to have a drink together with Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi watched silently as Wei Laosi was spending money so freely.

Noticing her gaze, Wei Laosi laughed heartily, quite pleased with himself. "...Second Sister, your brother has some money now. I can treat my big sister to a meal."

Wei Pozi had nothing to say.

Sufen worked quickly, soon preparing four dishes and serving them.

Seeing how busy Sufen had been, Wei Pozi, despite her lingering wariness, felt somewhat awkward and politely invited her to sit and eat.

Sufen smiled nervously at Wei Pozi, wiping sweat from her brow. "That's alright. I've already put some aside in the kitchen. It’s enough..."

Wei Pozi frowned.

She knew some families didn’t allow women at the table, but neither the Wei nor Yu families had such customs. If anyone tried to stop her from eating at the table, she’d slap them without hesitation!

But Wei Laosi wasn’t bothered. "...It’s better if she doesn’t join us. That way, we can have a proper sibling chat. Second Sister, it’s been over two years since I last saw you..."

Sufen was quick to agree, "Yes, yes, Second Sister, you two talk... I’ll eat in the kitchen."

With that, she made herself scarce.

Wei Pozi’s frown deepened.

Wei Laosi tugged her toward the table. "Come on, Second Sister. The food's getting cold... Here, let me pour you a drink."

In high spirits, Wei Laosi pressed Wei Pozi to join him in drinking.

After the meal, since Jiangdian Village was a good distance from Nantuo Village, Wei Pozi decided to stay overnight at her childhood home with Xingxing and return the next day.

Keeping a cool eye, Wei Pozi noted that while her brother had brought Sufen home before marriage—which was improper—he at least hadn’t crossed the line of living together without proper formalities.

Wei Laosi had Sufen stay in a storage room.

Wei Pozi stayed in Wei Feng’s room, which, compared to Sufen’s quarters, at least had proper bedding and other necessities.