Chapter 246 We Treat You as Family

Chapter 246 We Treat You as Family

"Ren San, I need to talk to you about something. Come inside with me."

Wang Xiaocui quickly waved at Ren San, "Come in and warm up by the fire. You just got off the train yesterday and have been busy with me all day today. This kid, can't sit still for a day. I told you I could manage alone."

Ren San smiled, washed his hands, and followed Sister An into the house, feeling more energetic.

"Sister An, what do you need to talk to me about?"

Sister An turned her head and looked seriously at Ren San. He had grown a bit taller, was thin and dark-skinned, with bright eyes. Although his gaze towards her was filled with a smile, there was also a hint of nervousness.

Seeing Sister An silent, Ren San's heart pounded even more, constantly wondering what he had done wrong.

"Sit!" Sister An pointed to the stool next to the stove.

After he obediently sat down, Sister An began to inquire, "You've been with our family for over four months now."

Ren San stiffened slightly and immediately responded, "Yes, on October 13th last year, my brother gave me an egg pancake on the train, and I followed him to Ninety-three. We arrived home on the 14th, and Sister An found me on the 21st. It's been four months and seven days now."

Sister An sighed, "You remember it so clearly."

Ren San lowered his head and remained silent.

Sister An continued, "Ren San, you've seen what our family has been through recently. I was sold by my father and stepmother. Zhao Daxing and Xiao Jiliang are bad people. Their previous daughter-in-law was driven to death by their torment."

"Su Jianjun took a large sum of dowry from them, and that money included my life."

"Since you followed me back to Ninety-three, you should know what kind of life my mother and brother had before. Each of us has had a tough time."

Ren San nodded, "I know, Auntie and my brother have had it tough, and Sister An too."

He knew that Auntie had been divorced, couldn't see her own children, and had been constantly exploited. Sister An had also been beaten and scolded while living under someone else's roof, and his brother worked hard in the mines, barely coming home twice a year.

Sister An paused and then continued, "At first, I didn't want to take you in because our family didn't know what our future would hold. Taking care of my brother and mother was already a heavy responsibility."

Ren San looked up, "I know, Sister An, I know. Thank you for taking me in."

"Let me finish speaking," Sister An interrupted Ren San.

"What I just said was about my past situation. I had too much to worry about, and I hope you can understand."

"Honestly, when my brother and mother decided to keep you, I was still a bit reluctant. But people have feelings. Now that our family has overcome our hardships and we've been through so much together, after spending so much time with you, not to mention my mother and brother, I truly consider you a part of our family."

"What about you?" Sister An asked.

Ren San quickly replied, "Sister An, I've always considered Auntie, my brother, and you as my own family. I consider this place my home."

Sister An shook her head, "No, you're not at ease at home. You've been living on edge. I can see that you've been trying hard to please everyone in the family. You're very sensitive, fearful, and anxious."

"You're too considerate and caring. When you hear someone going to the bathroom, no matter if you've just entered, you immediately come out. You ask everyone before taking a bath, and only when everyone has bathed or decided not to, do you dare to get hot water to wash. You're afraid of causing the slightest inconvenience to the family. You manage everything at home like an adult, rushing to do chores. After returning to Fuqing Street, you only eat one serving of rice, no matter how good the dishes are, you don't take a second serving. But I can see that you're not full because at the Zhao's, you would have eaten more. And this time going south..."

Sister An listed a whole series of things.

"Ren San, I'm nineteen, and you're almost thirteen. I've been through your age. Thirteen or fourteen years old, it's not like this!"

"Just like getting off the train, I was so tired I couldn't get up. Don't tell me you're not tired. If my mother were your real mother, would you have gotten up early this morning to go to the stall with her?"

"I understand you don't feel secure, and at the same time, my brother, mother, and I hope you're happy. Since you consider us family, in front of your loved ones, you don't need to live so cautiously. You're our family, we're your closest people. My mother, brother, and I all like you very much. You can have your own joys and sorrows, not force yourself to match our emotions just to make us happy."

Su An adapted the story of a girl she had seen on TV, who was staying at her aunt's house, and told it to Ren San.

"No matter what fate holds in the future, I hope that when you grow up, the impression this home leaves you with is one of happiness, warmth, and genuine comfort, not oppression, pain, or feeling like an outsider..."

Su An patted Ren San's shoulder. "Being too humble can become a disgrace. We all consider you family; Mom and your brother truly care for you. I don't want you to look back when you have the ability to leave this home and feel resentment towards us."

Ren San's stiff body gradually relaxed, and he looked up at Su An. After a long while, he finally spoke like a child who had done something wrong.

"I'm sorry, An An Jie. I know how tough things were for you back then, and I know how shameless it was for me to cling to you like that. I even used some tricks to stay, taking advantage of my brother's kindness. I didn't have any ill intentions—I... I just wanted to survive."

It was freezing outside, and he longed for a house that could shield him from the wind and rain. He never wanted to experience the pain of hunger again.

On the train, it was his first time traveling far from home. Su Ping, his older brother, was the first person to show him kindness in the many years since his father's death—a ray of sunshine piercing through his dark life. So when he was drowning in despair, he clung to that lifeline without hesitation.

The girl An An Jie mentioned could think that way because she had been happy before coming to her aunt's house, living under the sun.

But his situation was different. After coming to this home, no one beat or insulted him anymore. He could enter the house, had clothes to wear, clean and warm blankets, a name, and regular meals. To him, it felt like heaven. How could he possibly resent it?

He desperately wanted to hold onto this hard-earned warmth, so he tried everything to prove his existence was meaningful and irreplaceable to this family. He was too afraid of being abandoned.

Today, Su An's words truly brightened and lightened his entire world.

He would still wake up early to make breakfast for everyone, but it would be out of genuine care for Auntie and a desire to contribute to the family, not just out of obligation.

"An An Jie, thank you for telling me all this. I understand now!"

Outside the door, Su Ping cheerfully pulled back the curtain and strode in.

"An An Jie~, Ren San~"

"Su Ping~"

"Brother."

Su Ping walked up to them, reached out to pat Su An's head, and then pulled out six candies from his pocket, presenting them like precious gifts to Su An and Ren San.

"Today, someone booked the place for a banquet, so we got off early. These are from the guests—two for An An Jie, two for Mom, and two for San!"

Ren San looked at the two candies Su Ping placed in his palm, feeling as if warmth had flooded his heart.

His eyes filled with joy, he picked up one candy and handed it to Su Ping. "Su Ping, you have one too. Let's eat them together!"