As Nian Jiaojiao had guessed, Tong Fu continued,
"I won't hide anything anymore. Since everyone knows anyway, do you know the nursery rhyme that's been circulating recently?"
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
Tong Fu appeared quite troubled.
"You wouldn't know, but it's been too chaotic at home lately. I can't even have a moment of peace. This is why my brother isn't coming out with me."
Nian Jiaojiao understood.
It seemed that Tong Ziyao's appearance was not only due to his sister's "lively" personality but also to escape the hassle.
Regarding Tong Xiaoye, Nian Jiaojiao had already suspected that he was the one who put Xuan Yi in grave danger.
As the saying goes, every debt has its debtor. Nian Jiaojiao wouldn't hold Tong Fu and Tong Ziyao accountable, especially since Tong Xiaoye was now facing his due punishment.
However, Nian Jiaojiao was unaware at the time that Tong Xiaoye's punishment was entirely orchestrated by her own influential figure.
While Nian Jiaojiao was chatting idly, the female protagonist was experiencing a less fortunate time.
During the Lunar New Year dinner, the family was eating happily when Mother Nian suddenly asked Nian Jiaojiao's father, the third husband, to find Nian Dabao after the meal and bring him home for dinner.
This was a veiled way of forgiving Nian Dabao's past actions and preparing for his return to the Nian family.
The female protagonist, Nian Zhenzhen, naturally objected.
She immediately put down her chopsticks, which clattered against her bowl, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Mother! How can you do this!?"
Mother Nian was evidently prepared for Nian Zhenzhen's sudden outburst. Unhurriedly, she continued to serve herself, savoring her food.
"Mother!"
Nian Zhenzhen urged, determined to get an explanation.
"Zhenzhen, how can you speak to your mother like that?"
Nian Zhenzhen's biological father tugged at her sleeve from the side.
Meanwhile, the original body's biological father, the second husband, had been overcome with inexpressible joy since Mother Nian first spoke. He finally collected himself only to find someone else trying to interfere, preventing his Dabao from returning.
The second husband's eyes welled up with tears, and he looked at Nian Zhenzhen and her father with a wronged expression.
"You... do you want my Dabao to die in a foreign land... she"
"If you can't speak properly, don't speak. It's the New Year, and you're using such words. How can you curse your own daughter like that?"
Mother Nian finally spoke, but her words were still in defense of Nian Jiaojiao.
Nian Zhenzhen clenched her fists under the table.
It was always like this!
Hearing Mother Nian's words, the second husband immediately put on a flattering smile.
"Wife, I'll go find Dabao after we finish eating then."
Mother Nian nodded in agreement, without even lifting her eyelids.
"Mmm."
Nian Zhenzhen stood up abruptly, unable to control her voice as she shouted at Mother Nian,
"Mother! You're biased! You've forgiven Nian Dabao, but did you ask Fifth Sister? Did you ask if she has forgiven her!"
Mother Nian seemed to consider this before directly asking Nian Xiaomei in front of everyone,
"Xiaowu, do you forgive your third sister?"
Nian Xiaomei was silent for a moment, looking at her mother's gentle gaze and her second father's expectant one. Finally, she nodded.
To be honest.
Because of her poor health, her mother had always doted on her.
And her second father, feeling guilty about his daughter's actions, was always caring and attentive, constantly trying to compensate her.
Her third sister had been banished from home for many years. Although she hadn't inquired further, she knew that her sister must have suffered greatly and had thus been punished.
Therefore, while she couldn't say she truly forgave her yet, she didn't want to prevent her family from forgiving her.
Seeing Nian Xiaomei nod in agreement, Mother Nian showed a gratified smile.
The second husband, even more excited, knelt directly before Nian Xiaomei, holding her hand.
"Thank you... thank you, Xiaowu. I know it was my Dabao's fault, she wronged you. In the future... I will work like a horse and cow to compensate you..."
Nian Xiaomei was flustered by this.
"Second Father, you don't have to be like this..."
Seeing such a harmonious scene, Nian Zhenzhen felt like her lungs were about to explode.
So, was she the only one who was the bad guy?
Nian Zhenzhen exclaimed loudly,
"Fine! You're all fine! Do as you please. If Nian Dabao does anything else in the future, don't regret it! I won't be involved anyway!"
Saying this, before turning away, she cast a look of exasperation at Nian Xiaomei and then quickly left the dining room.
...
By the riverside.
Nian Zhenzhen angrily beat the withered willow tree.
"Damn Nian Dabao! Damn Nian Dabao!"
"My lady, why are you so angry?"
A clear male voice came from behind her. Nian Zhenzhen turned to look.
She saw a delicate young boy looking at her with confusion.
Nian Zhenzhen felt slightly embarrassed about her earlier outburst.
Her face flushed, and she explained,
"I'm just very angry. Um... I'm usually not like this, really!"
"Pfft!"
The boy chuckled. He felt an affinity for her the moment he saw her.
Now, chatting with her, he found her even more endearing.
Nian Zhenzhen rarely interacted with men and felt a bit shy. She asked somewhat awkwardly,
"May I know your honorable age?"
Lu'er's eyes curved into crescent moons.
"Call me Lu'er."
Nian Zhenzhen, who had been nervous, was now utterly captivated by his charming smile.
She introduced herself proactively.
"My name is Nian Zhenzhen. You can call me, um, Zhenzhen. I see you're not from this village, I've never seen you before. Are you looking for friends or family? Do you need me to lead the way?"
Lu'er hesitated for a moment, then seemed to recall something and shook his head, refusing.
"Zhenzhen, thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."
Seeing the boy turn to leave, Nian Zhenzhen wanted to stop him.
"Um, Lu'er!"
Lu'er stopped in his tracks.
Nian Zhenzhen continued,
"Where do you live? Will we meet again?"
Lu'er looked back and smiled.
"I'll tell you next time we meet."
With that, Lu'er no longer lingered and quickened his pace, leaving the spot.
Nian Zhenzhen gazed blankly at his retreating back.
...
Nian residence.
Nian Jiaojiao and Tong Fu had finished their conversation. Tong Fu and Tong Ziyao bid farewell to the Nian family in the courtyard.
"Jiaojiao, if you truly consider me a friend, when you next visit Shanshui Town, you must come to our Tong family! My third brother and I will surely host you well!"
Nian Jiaojiao smiled and nodded.
Watching Tong Fu still bidding farewell reluctantly, Tong Ziyao, who had just gotten into the carriage, felt a headache.
"Fourth sister, it's only a two-hour journey from here to our place. You don't need to be so... reluctant."
Nian Jiaojiao amusedly glanced at Tong Ziyao.
This young man, though not old, spoke so maturely.
However, he was already sixteen years old, a prime age for marriage in the Great Yue Dynasty. She couldn't view him as a child from her previous life's perspective.
As soon as the Tong family's carriage left, the young boy, Xiao Lu, found Nian Jiaojiao's home with directions from the villagers.
The villagers behind him found it quite strange.
When did Nian Dabao's home become so popular?
Visitors were coming one after another.
Judging by the fabric of their clothing, they were definitely from wealthy families.
They couldn't help but wonder how this Nian Dabao knew them.