After learning that all the things had been bought by Xu Sangluo, the two of them became a little restrained and helped carry everything into the house.
Qin Zhiyi put the things down and went to return the cart.
Xu Sangluo entered the kitchen and began sorting the items.
She packed everyone’s things separately.
With a smile, she took out a paper package and handed it to the little one who had been following her around like a tiny shadow.
“Auntie Sang, what’s this?”
“These are candies. Yanyan, open it and take a look.”
The little one’s eyes instantly lit up when he heard that.
“Is it the very, very sweet candy that Dazhu eats?”
The little boy had never eaten candy before, but he had seen other children eating it and had always been very envious.
Xu Sangluo didn’t know who Dazhu was; she simply smiled and told him to see for himself.
The little one immediately squatted down and clumsily began tugging at the string with his small hands.
Xu Sangluo then took out two more paper packages and handed them to the twins who were helping organize the things.
“These are gifts for you—meeting gifts.”
Although the siblings had been pretending not to care, their eyes couldn’t help drifting toward the candy in little Qin Yan’s hands.
Then when they saw the paper packages being handed to them, they were momentarily stunned.
Qin Zhifeng widened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing within them. “I get one too?”
As soon as he said that, Qin Zhiyu stepped on his foot.
He immediately scratched his head awkwardly.
Xu Sangluo chuckled softly. “Everyone gets one.”
After saying that, her expression turned serious.
“Some time ago, right after I got accepted into university, I was kidnapped and trafficked. Luckily, your eldest brother saved me on the way, but I still missed the chance to attend university. After that, my family disliked me and kicked me out. I couldn’t accept it for a while and reacted too emotionally, which affected you all. I’m really sorry. These are meeting gifts, but also an apology gift. I hope you can accept them.”
The two of them stared with wide eyes after hearing this.
Then their expressions filled with sympathy and anger.
Being trafficked, missing the chance to attend university—and instead of receiving comfort from her family, she was even driven out.
Anyone would find that unbearable.
Qin Zhiyu said angrily, “Your family is way too much—”
Only after saying that did she realize, and she quickly looked at Xu Sangluo with concern.
Xu Sangluo smiled, completely unconcerned. “It’s fine. I’ve already come to terms with it. No one in this world can’t live without someone else. I’ll just treat it as starting my own life earlier than others.”
“But you can’t go to university now,” Qin Zhifeng said, knowing how serious that was.
University—that was the dream of so many people.
Xu Sangluo smiled. “It’s fine. If I could pass the exam once, I can do it a second time. There’ll be another chance in the future.”
The two still felt it was a great pity.
Qin Zhiyu said resentfully, “Did they catch the trafficker?”
Xu Sangluo shook her head regretfully. “No. I met your brother while I was escaping.”
The two immediately showed expressions of regret and unwillingness.
At that moment, Qin Yan finally managed to pull open the string and open the paper package. Seeing the dazzling assortment of candies inside, he let out a surprised cry.
Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn over.
Xu Sangluo smiled and stuffed the paper packages into their arms.
“Since you’ve accepted the gifts, I’ll take it that you’re willing to forgive me.”
The two hurriedly held onto their packages.
Qin Zhiyu waved her hand boldly. “What forgiveness? You didn’t even do anything.”
Qin Zhifeng nodded. “Exactly. Anyone who went through something like that would react the same. But I’ll accept the gift.”
Then he asked worriedly, “It’s not expensive, right?”
Xu Sangluo laughed at his little expression. “Not expensive—just a few small things.”
For Qin Zhifeng, she gave a set of illustrated storybooks.
For Qin Zhiyu, she gave a pair of hair clips along with hair ties and a headband.
For Qin Zhishu, she gave a set of stationery.
For Mother Qin, she gave a pair of cloth shoes.
For Qin Zhiyi, she gave a waist pouch.
None of them were particularly expensive.
But for the Qin family at this time, they were all very rare and precious things.
Sure enough, when Qin Zhifeng opened his package and saw the martial arts comic book, his eyes lit up several degrees brighter, and he couldn’t help but cry out in excitement.
Qin Yan had already run over holding a piece of candy.
Xu Sangluo smiled and helped him peel off the wrapper. “Be careful. Don’t swallow it whole, okay?”
She picked up the rest of the gifts and asked the two of them to help deliver them to the rooms.
Qin Zhiyu happily took the paper package and ran out cheerfully.
She had also seen the gifts—they were all things she had always wanted.
Xu Sangluo handed two more packs of pastries to Qin Zhifeng and told him to share them with everyone.
Then she rolled up her sleeves and started preparing dinner.
Qin Zhiyu took a bit longer delivering the things, probably chatting quite a bit with Qin’s mother.
By the time she returned to the kitchen to help, Qin Zhiyi had already come back as well.
He was now in the kitchen helping chop bones.
The kitchen was too small; even with just the two of them inside, it already felt cramped.
So Qin Zhiyu didn’t go in to crowd them.
Little Qin Yan was sitting on a small stool outside the kitchen, happily eating candy.
“Auntie, have some candy~”
When he saw Qin Zhiyu approach, the little fellow generously grabbed two pieces of candy for her.
Qin Zhiyu didn’t stand on ceremony. “Where’s your third uncle?”
“Third uncle went out!”
Qin Zhiyu frowned, muttering to herself about where that guy had gone off to fool around again, with no sense of timing.
Just then, the very person she was complaining about came running back with a big grin on his face.
Qin Zhiyu immediately slapped his arm. “Where did you go?”
Qin Zhifeng dodged. “Sister Sangluo asked me to give candy and eggs to the people who helped take Mom to the clinic today.”
Qin Zhiyu paused, then nodded in realization.
Indeed, they should show some appreciation to the people who helped today.
Even if they didn’t treat them to a meal, at the very least they should send some brown sugar and a couple of eggs.
But they had been so busy and flustered today that none of them had thought of it.
Now that she heard this, she couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
Sister Sangluo was really thoughtful. No wonder she managed to get into university.
Then she secretly glanced toward the kitchen. Remembering what her mother had just told her, she felt a little regretful.
She could only silently cheer for her eldest brother.
If only he could step up—if Sister Sangluo could become their sister-in-law, that would be wonderful.
But what their mother said was also true. Their family was too poor. Any girl who married into their family would inevitably have to endure a hard life.
Sigh.
The little girl felt a bit worried.
What if her eldest brother ended up becoming an old bachelor who could never find a wife?
Just as she was worrying about it, she suddenly heard a mischievous laugh.
Turning around, she saw Qin Zhifeng squatting beside Qin Yan, eating candy while reading the comic book.
Her hands immediately started itching to smack him.
Not long after, Qin Zhishu returned as well.
The school was in the town, some distance from the village, and the road was difficult to travel.
So it took quite a while.
As soon as Qin Zhishu came back, he smelled a rich aroma of meat and was instantly surprised.
But he had barely stepped into the courtyard before Qin Zhifeng excitedly dragged him into the room to whisper everything that had happened.
After learning the situation, Qin Zhishu felt relieved.
He would be taking the college entrance exam next year. Compared to his younger siblings, he understood better how difficult it was to get into university—and how important it was.
If he were to miss out on the university he had been admitted to because of external circumstances, he would probably collapse as well.
In comparison, Xu Sangluo was already very impressive.
She had only shut herself away for a little over a month before figuring things out.
Most people wouldn’t have such a strong mindset.
If it were him, he might remain depressed for at least a year.
Immediately, his favorability toward Xu Sangluo rose rapidly.
Of course, the biggest factor was still the fact that she had successfully gotten into university.
In Qin Zhishu’s eyes at this time, anyone who could get into university was an incredibly impressive top student.