“Thank you, Eighth Brother. I’ll go pick out some clothes then.” Wen Chuxia accepted his offer graciously. Compared to Liu Cuihua’s awkwardness, her adaptability was much stronger.
In her previous life, she had often felt hurt and drained by her biological brother’s preferential treatment of Wen Yuyan over her, always thinking she wasn’t good enough.
Having been reborn, she refused to waste energy on such inner turmoil. If she had to expend energy, she’d rather spend it on others.
Wen Chuxia helped her mother pick out a floral-print dress, while she chose a white Dequeliang blouse with a lotus-leaf collar and a pair of black trousers.
Her mother had only known how to cry and hadn’t instructed her to buy gifts. For a first meeting, it might be acceptable not to bring gifts for peers.
But if there were no gifts for the elders, it would seem very thoughtless!
Wen Chuxia didn’t know much about the Huo family. In her past life, the Wen family had been sent down to a remote mountainous area in the south, and it was in a southern provincial capital that she had risen to prominence.
By the time she returned to the capital, her mother and stepfather had already settled in Da Xibei. When she was capable, she had gone to visit her mother.
That year, although conditions in Da Xibei were still not great, they lived fulfilling and happy lives. She had provided them with a batch of medicines.
Even with her limited knowledge of the Huo family, Wen Chuxia knew about the family’s patriarch, who held a high position of authority. She selected two cans of Mailujing and two jars of orange preserves.
In this era of scarce supplies, people bought things in tiny amounts.
On one hand, they were genuinely poor; on the other, supplies were indeed limited. Purchasing items required ration coupons, so everyone had grown accustomed to being frugal in every way.
Wen Chuxia’s shopping spree, reminiscent of buying discounted goods in a supermarket from a later era, was absolutely eye-catching in this time.
For a moment, everyone in the department store—whether buying or selling—stopped what they were doing.
All eyes were fixed on Wen Chuxia. She paid no mind to the strange looks from others.
She glanced back at her stepbrother. He knew he would be looked down upon by others, yet he still followed without hesitation to pay.
For this kindness alone, she would look out for him in the future. It seemed the Huo family had many in this generation—this young man was already ranked eighth!
Wen Chuxia shook her head, not wanting to flaunt her slap mark everywhere.
“Xiaxia, why didn’t you buy a few more sets? Eighth Brother has money.” Huo Yunxuan walked over to Wen Chuxia carrying two net bags.
“I’ll pick more slowly in a few days. I’m not in the best state today,” Wen Chuxia replied meekly, lowering her eyes.
“Alright then.” Huo Yunxuan paid promptly, his years of New Year’s money now almost entirely spent.
The daily necessities and gifts totaled over thirty yuan, and the two sets of clothes cost twenty-six yuan.
Huo Yunxuan paid without saying a word, assuming Wen Chuxia had no money of her own.
After the shopping frenzy, Wen Chuxia left satisfied, leaving behind a tale that would amaze many.
The two returned to the car, where Liu Cuihua had already been comforted by Huo Tieniu. She asked in surprise, “Xiaxia, you bought so much?”
“Mom, I only bought some daily necessities, one change of clothes each, and gifts for Grandpa Huo.”
“Xiaxia, why didn’t you buy a few more sets? Your Eighth Brother has money,” Huo Tieniu said with a smile as he started the car.
“Uncle Huo, could you tell us about your family members?” Wen Chuxia changed the subject.
“Xiaxia, let me tell you. My father had three sons. My eldest brother is Huo Yunxiao, twenty-three years old, and he’s the deputy battalion commander of the Jingjiao Zuozhan Budui.
Ranking third in the family, you’d call him Third Brother if you saw him, but he might not necessarily respond.
Second Brother Huo Yunci is twenty-one years old, a fifth-year medical student, ranking sixth in the family. I, Huo Yunxuan, rank eighth, nineteen years old and just enlisted…”
By the time the car reached the entrance of Dayuan, Huo Yunxuan was still chattering away. The Huo family’s vehicles didn’t require registration to enter or exit.
Wen Chuxia had a general understanding of the Huo family’s situation. Eldest Uncle Huo had passed away young, leaving behind two sons and a daughter with his wife.
The eldest son was already married and lived with his wife and children on an island year-round. Unless there was a major family event, he generally wouldn’t return home.
The daughter had married into the military and followed her husband to his post. The second son ranked fourth in the family, was still in university, and aspired to become a diplomat.
Eldest Aunt was an orphan. After remarrying to the old master’s bodyguard, she moved into the Huo family along with her stepdaughter. After the marriage, she gave birth to a son, now ten years old.
Second Uncle Huo served in the air force, with Second Aunt following him to his post. Their eldest son was also in the air force, ranking second in the family, and was already married.
Their second son was a military doctor, ranking fifth, and was rarely home. Their youngest daughter was studying at a local university.
In the Huo family, only the old master, Eldest Aunt’s remarried family, Second Uncle’s daughter, and her four stepbrothers and father likely lived there permanently.
In her previous life, when Wen Yuyan returned to the Wen family, it seemed she had cursed most viciously at Eldest Aunt’s stepdaughter and youngest son.
They were related to the Huo family by marriage but had absolutely no connection to Third Uncle Huo’s remarried wife and stepdaughter.
As for Wen Yuyan’s words, Wen Chuxia didn’t believe a single syllable, especially since Wen Yuyan had also cursed her three stepbrothers without a single kind word.
But today, upon first meeting Huo Yunxuan, Wen Chuxia felt her impression of him was quite good—at least he seemed like a normal person.
The Huo family lived at the very back of Dayuan. It took twenty minutes by car to reach their home. Huo Tieniu parked the car and walked to the passenger side to open the door.
As soon as Wen Chuxia got out of the car, she saw Huo Tieniu supporting her mother, who appeared frail and delicate. He said gently, “Cuihua, wait for me to lock the car before we go.”
He then turned to Wen Chuxia with a smile and asked, “Xiaxia, would you like to go home with Eighth Brother first, or wait for Uncle and Mom?”
“Uncle, Mom, I’ll go with Eighth Brother first.” Wen Chuxia noticed Huo Yunxuan carrying the newly purchased items in both hands and reached out to help, but he dodged her.
“It’s not heavy. Don’t stand too close to me. It’s a five-minute walk from the parking lot to our house. Keep up and don’t get lost.”
After saying this, Huo Yunxuan strode off with his long legs. Outside, he could tolerate the strange looks from others, but inside Dayuan, he didn’t want to be interrogated by the aunties and neighbors. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse to take Wen Chuxia home.
Sure enough, Huo Yunxuan had only walked for a minute before several aunties surrounded him. “Little Eight, is this your stepmother’s daughter?”
“Hmm.” Huo Yunxuan coldly uttered a single syllable, but that didn’t deter the aunties’ gossipy curiosity. “Did you slap her face? Those red swollen marks look like handprints.”
“Auntie Li, you must be joking. Do you really think I’m that kind of person? Please make way—what I’m carrying is very heavy.”
Huo Yunxuan forced a stiff smile. Seeing his impatience, the aunties and young wives in Dayuan quickly scattered to clear a path.
Wen Chuxia noticed Huo Yunxuan walking even faster, realizing he was flustered. Yet, he hadn’t given her a dirty look—this stepbrother of hers seemed decent enough.
She followed Huo Yunxuan at a leisurely pace, both of them overhearing the aunties’ “whispers.”
“I saw Little Eight’s stepmother earlier with red eyes. Was she unwilling to marry Third Brother Huo?”
“Tsk, what kind of talk is that from the old sister-in-law? With Huo the Third being so outstanding, what right does a capitalist’s discarded wife have to not want to marry him?”
“Exactly, my younger sister from my maiden family is still an untouched maiden, and even she is eager to marry Huo the Third, you know?”
“I heard the Wen family has two daughters. That girl just now had a slap mark on her face—could it be she rushed over to the Huo family and got beaten by her father or brother?”