Chapter 2 Feng Xiao

  "Old lady..."

  Fu Mama, who was blocked by her third daughter for two sentences, was hesitating in her heart whether to scold Fu Pei Yao by pulling her ears or to spare her this time because of her youngest daughter's uncomfortable body. At this moment, she heard someone calling her, and her heart relaxed, feeling that she had a step down, so she quickly turned around and raised a smile on her face.

  "Is it Feng Xiao? How come you have time to drop by today?"

  Feng Xiao listened to the crying sound coming from inside the house, his heart tightened, but he forced a smile and said, "I heard Pei Shan is sick, I'll send her some brown sugar and malted milk."

  Fu's mother saw the bag in Feng Xiang's hand, which contained a large can of milk powder and a bag of brown sugar. The smile on her face became even more affectionate, "Look at you, old neighbors for so many years, why be polite?"

  Although, Mrs. Fu quickly stepped forward to take the bag from Feng Xiao's hand, this big can of malted milk powder, plus red sugar, must be worth over ten yuan, which is not a small gift. Considering the value of the thing, Mrs. Fu decided to let this annoying little boy meet her daughter.

  "Give me the thing, Pei Shan is in the house, you go see her yourself."

  Feng Xiangxin knew that the things had fallen into Fu's mother's hands, and was afraid that Fu Peilan would not be able to enjoy them. However, he couldn't bear not giving them to her, but it would be difficult for him to enter Fu Peilan's room today. After some thought, he somewhat reluctantly handed over the bag he was holding to Fu's mother.

  Mrs. Fu turned the bag over, and there were at least two or three catties of rice inside. She nodded in satisfaction. At this time, she heard a sobbing sound coming from inside the house, thinking that her little daughter had just cried out in pain. Her eyes rolled around, and she thought of Feng Xiaosu's improper thoughts towards their family's Pei Shan. Of course, she had always been opposed to her daughter associating with him because of his poverty-stricken household, but now Pei Shan was ill, and this little girl didn't have a formal job yet, so medical expenses couldn't be reimbursed. If they went to the hospital now, it would probably cost around 10 or 20 yuan. Just as Feng's son happened to come over, why not take advantage of him?

  Fu's mother's face clouded over with worry, "Pei Shan is getting worse and worse, I asked her sister where it hurts but she won't say, it's driving me crazy."

  Feng Xiao had long heard Fu Pei Lan's crying, but unfortunately, Madam Fu was chatting with him and wouldn't let go. So he hastily said, "Auntie, I'll go in and take a look at Pei Lan first. If she's seriously ill, it would be better to take her to the hospital. I rode my bicycle here, so I can take her there."

  "That's a good idea." Fu's mother clapped her hands, "You quickly go ask her where it hurts, I'll go get the money, you two just head to the hospital and take a look, an old lady like me isn't nimble on my feet, so I won't follow along."

  Feng Xiao watched as Fu Mama rushed back to her own room with a large stride, carrying a handbag, and his mouth twitched, what's this about being clumsy?

  "Feng Xiao is here? Come in quickly and sit down." Fu Pei Yao saw Feng Xiao enter the house, and hurriedly patted her sister's back, "Xiao Lan, Feng Xiao is here, stop crying now. You're a big girl already, don't let others laugh at you."

  After saying that, he looked at Feng Xiao with a hint of apology, knowing that the two had something to say, and got up and left the room, even considerately closing the door on his way out.

  As soon as she heard the two words "Feng Xiao", Fu Pei Lan's body stiffened. In the blink of an eye, a tall figure slowly sat down on the edge of the kang, wearing a crisp white shirt and light brown cotton pants, that familiar attire made Fu Pei Lan's heart twist violently.

  At that time, he was wearing this suit, standing stupidly by the river, sadly looking at her.

  "Don't know anymore?"

  A clear voice sounded in her ear, and Fu Peilan suddenly lifted her head, staring straight at that handsome face. Feng Xiao's appearance was considered elegant among men, but his slightly dark skin made him not look feminine at all, instead adding a hint of masculinity, paired with a pair of bright big eyes, the whole person looked spirited and energetic. Fu Peilan shook her head, unable to help but recall the despair and helplessness in those eyes back then.

  At that time, she knew Feng Xiang's heart and also liked this big brother who had been holding her in his hands since childhood, but she refused to give him a direct answer, leaving his heart hanging in the air, and finally left arbitrarily.

  After her rebirth, she had also regretted giving up on life so easily back then, and giving up on the boy who loved her wholeheartedly. She owed him an apology, but couldn't help wanting to see him again, to know if he was doing well. Unfortunately, although they were from similar eras, in that world there was no Fu Mama and Fu Pei Yao, nor was there Feng Xiao.

  "What's wrong, Xiao Lan? Are you feeling unwell?" Feng Xiang couldn't help but wave his hand in front of Fu Pei Lan's eyes. At just 19 years old, he still couldn't fathom the thoughts of a girl, but for this young woman who had grown up alongside him, he was always thinking of her.

  Although they moved away from this alley two years ago, he still takes a detour every day after work to pass by here, just to catch a glimpse of the little girl he likes.

  Yesterday, while riding a bike, I heard an old man at the entrance of the alley say that Fu's family had come to report good news in a car. Feng Xiao didn't need to guess and knew that Fu Peilan must have passed the exam, and he was happy for her while also secretly worried.

  Feng Xiangxin knew that given the Fu family's situation, Mrs. Fu would never allow both children to attend university at the same time. Compared to her beloved younger son, it was highly likely that Fu Peilan would be abandoned. Moreover, from the very beginning, Mrs. Fu had disagreed with her daughter attending school and only wanted Peilan to start working early to earn money to support the family.

  Feng Xiang, worried that Fu Pei Lan was wronged, left the factory early today. As soon as he arrived at the alley entrance, he heard that Fu's mother had beaten her daughter unconscious. In a hurry, he didn't care about Fu's mother's previous cold words to him and hastily bought two gifts before rushing to the Fu residence.

  "Xiao Lan?" Seeing Fu Pei Lan still staring blankly at him, Feng Xiao's eyebrows furrowed slightly, his heart somewhat resentful towards Madam Fu. After all, she was her own biological daughter, how could she bear to be so cruel and beat the child into this state?

  "...Feng Xiao?" Fu Peilan called out softly.

  "It's me, where does it hurt? I'll take you to the hospital." As he spoke, he pulled Fu Pei Lan out from under the thin quilt, squatted down to help her put on her shoes, and tidied up her hair. He bent his waist, revealing his broad back, "Get on, I'll carry you."

  Fu Peilan's eyes were slightly red, she sniffled and shook her head lightly, stretching out her hand to hold Feng Xiao's palm, "......I can walk by myself."

  Looking at the slender hand in his palm, Feng Xiao's heart moved, and he looked up to see Fu Pei Lan looking back at him with a complex gaze. Feng Xiao straightened up, pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped Fu Pei Lan's face before smiling and saying, "I'll support you."

  Fu Peilan nodded heavily, tightly grasping Feng Xiao's hand, and followed him out of the house.

  "How's it going? Feeling better?"

  As soon as the door opened, Fu's mother stood at the entrance with a hint of concern in her eyes. Seeing Fu Pei Lan hiding behind Feng Xiang and refusing to acknowledge her, she felt annoyed. What kind of parents are these? They still rely on her for food, yet they have the nerve to give her attitude? How can things go well from now on?

  "Da Niang, Xiao Lan is feeling a bit unwell, I'll take her to the hospital for a check-up," Feng Xiang said.

  "Oh, trouble you then, Feng Xiang." Fu's mother reached into her pocket and pulled out 50 yuan to give to Feng Xiang, "Here, this money is for Pei Lan's medical treatment."

  "Mom, five yuan is not enough to see a doctor!" Fu Peiyao looked at her mother with disapproval. In the past, she had looked down on others, like Feng Xiang, with disdain and hatred, wishing they wouldn't even be allowed in the door. Now that Peishan was ill, she was still thinking of taking advantage of others, how could someone be so unscrupulous?

  "How can it not be enough, what does this little girl know? Pei Lan doesn't have a serious illness, look at her now, isn't she fine? Going to the hospital is just for reassurance, paying for registration and getting a few band-aids, how much money will that cost? Five yuan is still left over." Fu Mama glared fiercely at her third daughter, this dead girl only talks back to outsiders, let's see how she'll deal with it later.

  "It's alright, Auntie Fu. I have enough money on me." Feng Xiang pushed away Fu Mama's hand and said indifferently.

  "How can that be, our Pei Lan and you are not relatives, how can we take your money for no reason, and you're not rich either." However, Fu Mama still took the money back according to Feng Xiao's pushing action, which made Fu Pei Yao so angry that she stomped her feet.

  "Feng Xiao, Xiao Lan, wait." Fu Pei Yao quickly ran back to the room she shared with Fu Pei Shan, pulled open the pillowcase and shook out 50 yuan from the oatmeal-colored fabric that she had secretly saved, hesitated for a moment, then went back to the courtyard and stuffed it into Feng Xiao's hand. "Feng Xiao, take this money to have Xiao Lan see a doctor."

  "Third sister, never mind, take it back." Feng Xiao hastily said.

  "I'm supporting my sister financially to see a doctor, it's only right. What are you stopping me from?" Although I know Feng Xiang's intentions towards my sister, after all, they're not husband and wife yet, and Fu Peilan is still young, who knows what the future holds? Who can guarantee that she'll definitely become a daughter-in-law of the Feng family in the future? Even if she really gets along with Feng Xiang, relying on him financially before marriage will only make the Feng family look down on our Fu family's girl.

  Fu Pei-yao hastily stuffed the money into Fu Pei-lan's pocket, caught a glimpse of her mother scowling at her from the corner of her eye, and quickly pushed Feng Xiao and the others out of the courtyard. "You guys hurry up and go, go to the hospital for a check-up, I still need to buy groceries later, so I won't follow you."

  Feng Xiang nodded, opened the bicycle lock, and placed Fu Peilan on the back seat. He waved at Fu Peyao and pedaled away towards the alley entrance. Even from a distance, they could still hear Mrs. Fu's angry shouting coming from the Fu family courtyard.

  "Dead girl, where did you get the money from? Well, you actually dare to secretly stash private house money. Let me not break your claws and let you cheat up and down..."

  Feeling the dampness coming from behind, Feng Xiao's heart ached slightly. He stopped the car under the willow tree by the street and turned around to hold Fu Pei Lan's face, gently wiping away the tears that kept falling from her eyes.

  "Silly girl, don't cry. I know you want to go to school. Don't worry, I'll think of a way to help you." As he spoke, he pulled out a cowhide envelope from his pocket and stuffed it into Fu Peilan's hand. "Look, this is the money I've saved up, two hundred yuan."

  Fu Peilan clutched the envelope tightly and rushed into Feng Xiao's arms, bursting into tears. The living conditions of Feng Xiao's family were not as good as those of Fu's family. With five children in the household, Feng Xiao had parents, siblings, younger brothers and sisters, and even his elderly grandmother lived with him, making it a three-generation household.

  Like the Feng and Fu families, all children's wages are required to be handed over eighty percent. Feng Xiao has only been working for a little over a year, and it is not easy for him to save two hundred yuan with his salary, but now he has given her all of it without hesitation.

  Fu Pei Lan lifted her head, closed her eyes and covered his lips with hers. This icy and painful feeling was just like the moment he kissed her corpse by the riverbank, ignoring the strange gazes of the crowd, cold to the bone, painful to numbness.

  That boy who always called her silly girl with a smile, made her feel heartbeat and regret for the first time. However, heaven gave her another chance, at that time she thought they would never meet again, but today she has the opportunity to make up for the mistake of that year.

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