Huang Xiaojue finally couldn’t wait any longer and prepared to go ho. Just as he was about to get into his car, he suddenly saw an ultra-luxurious car pull up ahead. Purely out of curiosity, he glanced at the rare luxury car, only to unexpectedly see a familiar figure by a roadside tree—it was Yan Xixi, hurrying back.
At that mont, the car door opened. A man got out and stopped Yan Xixi. They spoke for a mont, but because of the distance, Huang Xiaojue couldn’t hear what they said, nor could he see Yan Xixi’s expression, only her back. Soon after, Yan Xixi turned and walked down the street toward him, while the luxury car drove away.
It wasn’t until Yan Xixi approached that he stepped out from behind the roadside tree. "Xixi..."
Yan Xixi jumped, startled.
"Xixi, who was that man?"
Yan Xixi’s tone was a bit unnatural. "It’s nothing... He was just a passerby asking for directions..."
Would soone driving such a luxury car randomly pull over just to ask for directions? However, Huang Xiaojue didn’t press further. Thinking it was just so idle person trying to strike up a conversation, he caringly took her hand, only to find it terribly cold. He cupped her hands in both of his and said with heartfelt concern, "It’s so cold out; don’t get frostbitten. Your mother said you went out job hunting, but this isn’t a good ti to find work. You should probably stay ho for now..."
He released her hand and took out a wad of banknotes. "Xixi, take this five thousand yuan for now. Get through the New Year with your mother, and we can talk about things after that."
Like she’d been burned, Yan Xixi quickly pulled her hand back. "No, Xiaojue, I can’t. We have money; the fifty thousand you gave us last ti isn’t even spent yet."
Huang Xiaojue sighed. It was only then that he took a good look at Yan Xixi from head to toe. Yesterday’s reunion after a long separation hadn’t given him the chance to notice anything beyond her lovely face. Today, however, he saw her clearly. She was wearing an old, thin down jacket, evidently washed so many tis it had lost its warming effect. On her feet was a pair of ordinary, thin shoes.
Yan Xixi avoided his gaze — in front of Xiaojue, she was too embarrassed to resort to her old habit of adorning herself in fake luxury brands.
He pressed the roll of banknotes back into her hand. "Xixi, use this money to buy so clothes. Let’s talk about the job situation after the New Year. I’ll help you keep an eye out."
Yan Xixi’s attitude was resolute. "Xiaojue, I won’t take your money anymore."
Huang Xiaojue, who had never seen her like this, was slightly put off. "Xixi, are you still angry with my mother? I’ve told you, you don’t need to pay attention to what she says..."
"It’s not about your mother, Xiaojue. I really can’t take your money. I already owe you more than enough, an amount I can never repay."
"Xixi, I never thought about having you repay !"
Yan Xixi pulled back her hand, slightly turning away, her shoulders trembling subtly. When Huang Xiaojue reached out to hold her hand again, she instinctively brushed it aside and ran off, taking large strides.
For several consecutive days, Huang Xiaojue couldn’t find Yan Xixi. Though he managed to reach her by phone, she was mostly out.
That night, Huang Xiaojue returned ho alone, feeling rather down. His mother had already prepared a lavish al, and his father was ho too. As soon as his father saw him, he imdiately called out, "Xiaojue, we were waiting for you to eat."
He walked over, sat down, picked up his bowl, and began to eat. Sensing the tense atmosphere, his mother placed so food into his bowl with her chopsticks. She then cautiously said, "Son, don’t bla for being nosy. I heard from soone today that a luxury car is often parked in front of Yan Xixi’s house, and a mysterious man visits her frequently. Her friends and relatives are all saying she’s probably being kept by so rich man..."
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