Chapter 439 - 381: New Classmate
Chapter 439: Chapter 381: New Classmate
Once school started, free time became scarce. Xiao Man had to make time to visit the Gu family and other relatives and friends. On the third Sunday after returning to Beijing, she finally brought some specialties from the South to visit Weiwei’s family.
Lu Jianling and Yang Liu’er were overjoyed. Neither of them went to their shop, instead staying home to make dumplings and other delicious food for Xiao Man. Weiwei absolutely loved the large pears and assorted dried fruits his Aunt Xiao Man brought. The big pears were, of course, the local pears from Grandpa’s courtyard. Xiao Man had kept them in her space, so they were as fresh as if they’d just been picked. They were also infused with Spiritual Energy, making them even sweeter and more refreshing.
Having been warned by Dad Tang, Xiao Man no longer took out whole fruits grown in her space. She only served them to her family at home, cut up on a fruit platter. As for the dried and preserved fruits made in her space, she only gave them out selectively.
Besides the fruit and some pickled vegetables, dried fish, and dried bamboo shoots, Xiao Man also brought two jars of honey for Lu Jianling and Yang Liu’er. Hearing it was not only nourishing but also good for one’s complexion, the two of them immediately treasured it and hid their respective jars away. For Weiwei’s grandpa, there was a two-jin jar of rice wine brewed using traditional methods from a small village distillery. Weiwei’s grandpa immediately broke the seal, poured a cup, and sipped it slowly, smacking his lips with immense satisfaction. The house filled with the aroma of wine, and its rich scent drifted out into the courtyard. From the other side of the courtyard wall, they could hear neighbors shouting, "What fine wine! Whose house is that? The smell alone is intoxicating!" A few old neighbors followed the scent and came knocking on the Lu Family Courtyard gate. But Weiwei’s grandpa couldn’t bear to share such a good thing. He copied Lu Jianling and Yang Liu’er, quickly hugging the wine jar and running to his bedroom to hide it. He looked just like someone hiding from bandits, which made the young women roar with laughter.
After eating dumplings at the Lu Family’s home, Xiao Man said her goodbyes and headed back to school. Yang Liu’er took Weiwei’s hand and walked her out, chatting as they strolled through the small alley.
Yang Liu’er really had used Xiao Man’s connections to get into that university through the back door, choosing to major in business and trade. The school wasn’t far from the Lu Family’s home, and Yang Liu’er used those same connections to apply to the school administration for permission to live off-campus. Like a primary or middle school student, she went to school early every day and returned home in the evening.
This made it much more convenient for her to manage her business, and it was also something Weiwei could accept. The two were now as close as a real mother and son. If Weiwei couldn’t see Yang Liu’er, he would cry his heart out, and Yang Liu’er had no desire to leave Weiwei either.
"It’s a good thing you came today, Manman," Yang Liu’er said. "Otherwise, I was planning to bring Weiwei to find you."
Xiao Man patted Weiwei’s head and smiled. "Now you see how tight your schedule is, don’t you? Trying to study and make money at the same time, you have no time to spend with Weiwei, let alone come hang out with me whenever you feel like it."
"I wasn’t looking for you just to hang out. I have something serious to tell you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Who else? The Bai Family! They’re crazy, always looking for trouble!"
"They came looking for you again?"
"Yes, more than once," Yang Liu’er said resentfully. "The Bai family has noses like bloodhounds; they found out where I was living very quickly. First, they sent my aunt, Shun Ma, and then Bai Qingyue and Bai Yifen showed up. I was worried about causing trouble for the Lu Family, so I told Uncle Lu that I wasn’t really related to them. After that, Uncle Lu stopped letting them into the courtyard, and things quieted down a bit. Otherwise, they’d come to bother us every few days. When they came, they’d drive one or two sedans and brazenly block the alley entrance. The first couple of times, the neighbors just watched for the entertainment, but after a while, everyone started to get really annoyed. Luckily, the neighbors here aren’t afraid of powerful people and will say whatever’s on their minds. The Bai family had to tone it down and didn’t dare to be so overbearing, acting like they owned the place."
Xiao Man said, "No matter how powerful the Bai family is, isn’t their power granted by the common people? They don’t dare to be too outrageous in front of the masses. The neighbors in these little alleys have known each other their whole lives. They’re as close as lips and teeth, so of course they’ll help each other out. The main thing is the Lu Family’s attitude. As long as Weiwei’s grandpa is willing to protect you, the Bai family can’t do whatever they want to you."
Yang Liu’er nodded. "I’m so much luckier in this life than my last one... Uncle Lu and Jianling are truly good to me. They told the neighbors I’m their distant cousin. I’ve been living here for a while now, and sometimes I think... I’m afraid I’ll never be able to leave. Sigh, why am I so useless?"
"It’s only natural to get attached when people treat you with genuine kindness. That’s perfectly normal. But the Bai family used to despise you so much. For them to suddenly change their attitude, come looking for you, and even be willing to send you to university... they must be after something from you. You have to be on your guard!"
Yang Liu’er pursed her lips. "Of course they have an ulterior motive. That’s what I wanted to tell you: the Bai family is coming to me, trying to bribe and trick me, but it’s all for you! That old witch, Bai Qingyue, is full of schemes and utterly vicious. Didn’t she see us together at the foreign trade store last time? You even introduced me as your friend. Bai Qingyue seized on that and had the nerve to come find me. She said that if I just bring you to the Bai family’s home, she would ’consider’ letting me be Brother Jun Fan’s woman! Just listen to that! That’s the ’noble’ miss of the Bai family for you, a so-called ’lady of high society.’ Her mind is so filthy! Manman, I know they want you to be the wife of the Bai family’s eldest grandson, but this is clearly forcing the issue. You have a fiancé, and you don’t like the Bai family. Besides, Brother Jun Fan isn’t even home. Why are they so insistent on luring you to the Bai residence? What are they really trying to do? No matter what, the Bai family definitely doesn’t have good intentions toward you. You must be careful not to fall into Bai Qingyue’s trap!"
"I understand. I won’t go to the Bai residence without a good reason. Thank you for the warning."
Xiao Man said to Yang Liu’er, "You keep bad-mouthing the Bai family, so why do you still remember that Brother Jun Fan so clearly? He’s a member of the Bai family too, you know."
Yang Liu’er’s expression stiffened for a moment before she sighed. "Brother Jun Fan grew up in my home. I’ve always felt he’s different from the rest of the Bai family... I don’t know why, but lately—maybe because I’ve been studying too hard for school—I haven’t been dreaming when I sleep. It’s been many days... I haven’t dreamed of Brother Jun Fan..."
Xiao Man said goodbye to Yang Liu’er and Weiwei and took a car straight to school. By the time she reached the Medical College, it was already past four in the afternoon. She was walking along a tree-lined path on campus, thinking, ’I have some free time tonight, so I can organize my notes,’ when she suddenly saw a person stand up from a bench by the path ahead. Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, he was tall and elegant, exuding a refined, noble aura. He was holding a book and called out to her with a gentle smile and a warm tone, "Xiao Man." Xiao Man had to blink several times to be sure. ’That’s... Mr. Sun’s eldest great-grandson!’
Sun Yiming led Xiao Man back out of the school gates. A black sedan was parked by the roadside. Sun Yiming opened the car door for Xiao Man to get in, then walked around to the driver’s seat himself. The car started smoothly and headed toward the International Hotel.
As if he had been certain he could invite Xiao Man to dinner, Sun Yiming had already booked a table in advance. The moment they entered the lobby, someone led them toward a private VIP room. After they ordered, Sun Yiming smiled and told Xiao Man that he was now, in a sense, her classmate.