When Xia Dabao saw that it was about the right time, he took the sickle and basket to the riverbank to cut fish grass, Axian wanted to follow him, but Xia Dabao didn’t allow it, saying that Xiaobei would need someone to play with when he woke up.
Axian then felt very sorrowful again.
Turning around, Axian spoke to Nan Feng and Ye Ge, “Sister was supposed to go with Xiaobei to cut fish grass at the riverside.”
Nan Feng was momentarily startled, “They planned it?”
“They arranged it this morning when they went to pick up the dog,” Axian didn’t overthink, “Forget it, I will go play with Daya and Erya.”
Nan Feng watched as all the children went out, she couldn’t help but turn to Ye Ge who was in the yard, “Axian said that Abao planned to go with Xiaobei to cut fish grass?”
Ye Ge just smiled, “No worries, the children are grown up, we can’t control too much anymore.”
Nan Feng couldn’t help but curl her lips, “You’re right, let’s just let them be then.”
…
At the riverside, when Xia Dabao arrived with his basket on his back, he saw that Tian Xiaobei had already started cutting, and it was quiet by the river, just the two of them.
She walked over and called out, “Xiaobei.”
Tian Xiaobei turned around and looked at Xia Dabao and also smiled back, “You’re here?”
“Yes,” Xia Dabao and Tian Xiaobei cut the fish grass together, but, perhaps due to recent events, she felt a bit awkward.
It felt strange for just the two of them to be alone together.
Fortunately, at that moment Tian Xiaobei asked, “Does the puppy behave well after you took it home?”
Xia Dabao nodded, “Quite well-behaved.”
Then Xia Dabao detailed everything about the puppy, including what it had eaten and that Ye Ge had made a dog house, and what her mother had fed it and so on.
Tian Xiaobei started to smile, “Being in your home sounds delightful, even a puppy gets such good treatment.”
“Really? I think so too,” Xia Dabao said with a smile, but then she thought of Tian Xiaobei’s current situation and her smile faded as she began to fort him, “If you think our place is nice, you’re always wele to e over. Also, your parents will probably e to get you soon. By the way, what are your parents like? They must love you very much, right?”
Tian Xiaobei thought for a moment before he began, “My father is a very stern person, usually not much for laughter, and he’s devoted to medicine, focusing all his mind on researching various illnesses. He’s also very strict with me, so I tend to follow whatever he says, hoping I study more and someday take the exams in the capital. My mother, on the other hand, is gentle and virtuous, but she also always listens to my father, and she loves me very much and always considers my wishes.”
“That sounds like a good family,” Xia Dabao said.
Tian Xiaobei smiled, “Yes, I used to blame my father for being too authoritarian, but now, paring life here, I feel that life before was actually better.”
“Things will get better gradually,” Xia Dabao said.
Wang San’s decision was right, as he had said that once Zhao Auntie found out about Uncle Zhao’s situation, she wouldn’t focus on being harsh towards Tian Xiaobei anymore, and indeed it seemed to be the case now, as Zhao Auntie truly didn’t have the energy to bother with Tian Xiaobei any longer.
Tian Xiaobei started to cut the grass again, but after a while, he looked up and said, “I initially thought I would break down someday here, but after meeting all of you, it got better. I’m glad to have you.”
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