Mo Xiaomi had regained consciousness, her face still very pale, her head wrapped tightly so her yin and yang hair was no longer visible. Her spirits were not bad, and she smiled happily when she saw Tian Sisi and the others, asking a middle-aged woman beside her to bring out some pastries for Tian Sisi and her friends to eat.
The middle-aged woman bore a resemblance to Mo Xiaomi, and was likely her mother. Mrs. Mo was a very warm person, and although there was a trace of worry between her brows, she still smiled and brought out the pastries, setting them on the coffee table and inviting Tian Sisi and the others to eat.
Tian Sisi and her group did not stay long, exchanging a few greetings before taking their leave, as they were not very close to Mo Xiaomi, and their visit was mainly motivated by a sense of guilt.
After Tian Sisi and her group left, Mrs. Mo asked her daughter, "Xiaomi, how did you bee friends with them?"
"We didn’t bee friends, just played together for a while."
Mo Xiaomi explained to her mother the events that had occurred in the mountains and in the courtyard the day before. Mrs. Mo’s expression grew increasingly somber as she listened, having only rushed here this morning after receiving news from Tian Pinggui. She only knew that her daughter’s head had been injured by Nana, unaware there was so much hidden turmoil!
It was her fault, knowing that Xiaomi disliked playing with Nana, yet she still forced Xiaomi to play with her. Thankfully, the Tian family had sent her to the hospital in time, otherwise who knows what might have happened!
She had known that Nana had a bad temper, but she hadn’t expected her to be this malicious. This wasn’t just a bad temper; it was like having a psychiatric disorder! Her aunt had always boasted about how well-behaved and sensible her daughter was, which was simply nauseating now.
"Mama, from now on, let Zhou Nana visit us less. If she es, I’ll leave. Either she’s not here, or I’m not here."
In her family, Mo Xiaomi was the cherished princess; she had never suffered such grievances before. She now despised Zhou Nana, actually preferring if her second aunt’s family didn’t visit at all. Only her mother and her eldest aunt still cared about sibling affection, failing to see her second aunt’s true colors.
"Understood, Mama won’t let Zhou Nana visit us anymore. You should sleep a bit longer; the doctor said you need to rest and speak less."
A sister’s affection could never match that between mother and daughter. Without hesitation, Mrs. Mo marked Zhou Nana as someone with whom the Mo family should cease all contact.
"Why hasn’t Daddy e to see me?"
"Your dad is still at work, he’ll e after he finishes."
"Tell Dad to buy me meat buns when he es; I want to eat meat buns." Mo Xiaomi drifted to sleep mumbling about meat buns.
Mrs. Mo smiled as she tucked in her daughter, looking at her weary face with tender love, her mind occupied with thoughts of seeking justice for her daughter.
Later, Tian Sisi heard that Mo Xiaomi had recovered quite quickly and was discharged from the hospital in a few days. Tian Sisi then pletely let go of the burden in her heart, happily spending time playing with Liu Qiqi and others, as for Zhou Nana, Tian Shouhua mentioned that she was sent back the next day. Apparently, Mo Xiaomi’s Mama had a big argument with Zhou Nana’s Mama. Mrs. Le Ping had also supported Mo Xiaomi’s Mama, and the three sisters had pletely fallen out. Zhou Nana and her mother returned to Shanghai that very day, saying they would never e to Sui City again!
As the end of the year approached, Liu Qiqi and Hu Weichao went back home, and Tian Xin Hua and He Chengsi were not ing back for New Year either, spending their first New Year with Mr. Yun and planning to return next year.
Tian Aiguo’s family also would not be returning this year, as his military unit had just been reorganized, and he was too busy to make it back.
On the eve of Pre-New Year Festival, Tian Sisi along with Brother Qinghua, Donghua, and Qinghua set off fireworks in their own courtyard, and watching the brilliant fireworks in the sky, Tian Sisi was reminded of a verse by Xi Murong that she had admired in her past life for its beauty and sentiment, which she had memorized.
"Shall we go watch the fireworks?
Visit those
Where flowers are reborn amidst resplendent blooms
Where dreams reappear atop other dreams
Let us walk side by side along the desolate riverbanks
The ecstasy and the pain of life
Both at this moment
Resplendent as the fireworks."
Tian Sisi didn’t know why this verse suddenly came to her mind; she felt a bit lost, perhaps due to loneliness?
While Brother Qinghua and Donghua gleefully set off one firework after another, Tian Sisi quickly lost interest after setting off just a few herself. If Tian Xinhua were here, he would have positioned the fireworks perfectly for her, set off the fuses together with her, covered her ears fearing the loud blasts, and kept her pany watching the fireworks unfurl their beauty in the sky.
The fireworks were the same, but the person setting them off wasn’t by her side. Tian Sisi sighed deeply, handed over her fireworks to Donghua and the others, and turned back to her room.
She missed Tian Xinhua, Tian Sisi finally realized that Tian Xinhua held an incredibly important place in her heart. Ever since she came here, the person who spent the most time by her side was Tian Xinhua, who had permeated every aspect of her life, omnipresent.
Tian Sisi unfolded the letter paper, and began to write a letter.
Brother Xin Hua:
Today is the Pre-New Year Festival, I wish you a Happy New Year! Please convey my New Year’s greetings to Grandpa Yun, Grandpa Luo, Granny Niu, and Brother He!
Just now, I set off fireworks with Brother Qinghua from Donghua and Qinghua, and suddenly I thought of you. Brother Xin Hua, you are not by my side, and I have no one to acpany me to set off fireworks.
Brother Xin Hua, I miss you!
Ah Nan
Tian Sisi received a reply from Tian Xinhua on the Lantern Festival, along with a letter from He Chengsi.
Ah Nan:
Happy New Year!
Next year, Brother Xin Hua can set off fireworks with Ah Nan. Here in Beijing, there are more types of fireworks than in Sui City. There’s a type of fireworks that blooms into several colors of chrysanthemum in the sky, which is especially beautiful! Unfortunately, the post office cannot mail fireworks, otherwise Ah Nan could have set them off this year!
I bought a lot of fireworks, and we can set them off together when you e to Beijing next time; Ah Nan will definitely like it.
I’m now making money; Mr. Yun has allowed me and Chengsi to do business together. With the mentor’s advice, I’ve already earned several thousand yuan. Ah Nan, Brother Xin Hua will earn a lot of money, and will spend it on Ah Nan.
Ah Nan, I miss you too!
Brother Xin Hua
Sister Sisi:
Happy New Year! I really miss Daddy and Sister Sisi. Next year, we can spend the New Year together. Sister Sisi, I’ve earned a lot of money, several thousand yuan. I’m saving it all to spend it on Sister Sisi.
He Chengsi
Tian Sisi read the letters with a smile, and her despondent mood brightened considerably. She didn’t even know what business Tian Xinhua and He Chengsi were doing to make so much money— it seemed her dreams might be realized sooner than expected!
Beijing
Tian Xinhua carefully folded the new money and placed it in the box, while Mr. Yun watched him with a smiling face.
"How much did you make this trip?"
"Altogether 30,000, split half-half between Chengsi and me."
"Look at you, so delighted, I thought it was 300,000!" Mr. Yun said with a disdainful face.
Tian Xinhua rolled his eyes, unwilling to bother with him.
"After the New Year, you and Chengsi should go to school," Mr. Yun suddenly floated a sentence.
Tian Xinhua was stunned, "I still need to make money! Besides, aren’t you teaching me at home, sir?"
"Making money is not urgent. Wait until you climb to a high position, money will automatically e to you. Xinhua, the path you should take is not that of merce, but one of power, do you understand?"
"Isn’t merce good? As long as you have money, you can do anything." Tian Xinhua preferred doing business.
Mr. Yun sneered, "If you do not have power, no matter how much money you have, you can still be crushed in an instant. The He Family is wealthy enough, right? But isn’t it so that Liu Jinyi, a mere director, could still shatter their family? Xinhua, remember, power is always the foremost priority. With power, you can control the clouds and rain, only then can you protect those you wish to protect."
Tian Xinhua felt his blood stir. What man doesn’t want to rise above others? But what moved him even more was the last sentence— to protect those he cares about.
Yes, he wanted to stand at the pinnacle of the pyramid, to possess supreme power, so that Ah Nan would never have to bow to anyone.
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