However, it wasn’t two days later as Jiang Yuyan had told her brother, but the very next afternoon that the police came to notify them.
“…Officer, are you saying my son can come home now?” Jiang Mother covered her mouth in disbelief.
“Yes. Among the thieves caught from your household, there was a criminal we’ve been after for a long time. He didn’t want to confess at first, but our team specializes in these cases and got him to speak quickly.”
“Thank you—” Jiang Mother was so excited she could barely speak, repeatedly clasping the officer’s hands in gratitude.
Jiang Yuyan quickly said, “Mom, the officer still has work to do, you should let him go.”
The officer withdrew his hands, secretly relieved, and quickly rode off on his bicycle.
In the living room, the whole family gathered, even Jiang Muxuan, who was being pushed by Jiang Murong.
Jiang Yuyan said, “Mom, this is a happy moment—why are you crying? Someone seeing this might think something bad happened to our family again.”
Outside, the village had already spread wild rumors about the Jiang family—claims of invoking spirits, harming the old lady, and broken pots.
Thinking of the villagers’ recent expressions, Jiang Mother laughed softly, realizing how ridiculous the gossip sounded.
“All right. Second Brother is coming back. We should go fetch him. He’s been suffering inside.”
Whenever she thought of her second son’s hardship, her eyes welled up, but she held back in front of her daughter.
Jiang Yuyan helped her sit and playfully winked.
“Of course! Second Brother should see for himself that our family is doing better now. No more worrying about money in the future.”
“We should decide who goes to fetch Muxi tomorrow,” Jiang Muxuan said calmly.
The next day.
Jiang Muxi, wearing tattered clothes that barely covered his arms and were stained beyond recognition, glanced back at the place where he had been confined for over ten days, his gaze complicated.
“Second Brother!”
He turned to see Jiang Murong and his newly returned sister, Jiang Yuyan, standing across from the police station, waiting for him.
Jiang Murong ran quickly, jumping onto Jiang Muxi with a bright smile.
“Second Brother, you’re finally out! We missed you so much, boohoo!”
Jiang Muxi blinked his weary eyes, tightly holding his younger brother’s hands, his voice hoarse.
He patted Murong’s back firmly. “You little rascal! Right at our reunion, you want to crush your big brother? Get up, stop crying like a weakling—”
Jiang Murong stood, grinning. “That’s my Second Brother!”
Then he dragged the silent Jiang Yuyan forward. “Second Brother, this is our sister Jiang Yuyan. Sister, this is our fearless Second Brother—”
Before he could finish, Jiang Muxi smacked him on the head.
“Little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting? Been itching for mischief, haven’t you?”
“Hehe, I dare not, I dare not. Second Brother, the sister is watching, you have to save face a bit.”
“You little rascal, what face do you have? Go away!”
Pushing the annoying younger brother aside, Jiang Muxi walked in front of Jiang Yuyan, eyes sharply scanning her up and down without concern for manners.
Jiang Yuyan smiled at his scrutiny, feeling a little nervous but not displeased.
Soon, Jiang Muxi softened his gaze. “I heard it was you who provided the police with the clues, that’s why I got out so quickly?”
Jiang Yuyan shrugged. “Second Brother, I was just following your advice and giving the police the information. It’s not just my doing.”
Jiang Muxi tilted his head back, laughing, his eyes full of admiration. “I like this girl—honest, not pretentious. I don’t know why you left the city to come back to the countryside, but I thank you for what you’ve done for my family!”
Keeping matters separate, that’s just how he was.
Jiang Yuyan raised her lips and slowly reached out, carefully embracing him. Feeling him stiffen for a moment, she whispered into his ear:
“Second Brother, welcome home!”
Jiang Muxi froze.
After a few teasing words from his younger brother, he hadn’t felt much—but hearing his new sister quietly say “welcome home” made even someone as strong as Jiang Muxi feel warmth rising in his eyes.
“Eh? Second Brother! Are you crying?!” Jiang Murong exclaimed in shock.
Without thinking, Jiang Muxi buried his face in Jiang Yuyan’s shoulder, and only realized afterward that it might be inappropriate. He quickly pulled back.
“You little rascal, what nonsense are you saying? Who said I was crying? Go away!”
He strode ahead, his back looking like a man fleeing.
Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Murong exchanged glances, covering their mouths to stifle laughter, deciding not to expose their shy Second Brother.
Walking along the street, passersby covered their noses and quickly avoided Jiang Muxi, glancing at him with disdain, as if he were filthy.
Jiang Yuyan noticed his tense expression and awkward attempts to keep distance. Looking at the passersby’s expressions, she understood immediately.
Lowering her gaze, she hurried to his side, holding his pale, clenched fists.
“Second Brother, we still have time. Let’s go to the supply store and get you some clothes. Look at you—sending money home from work, wearing clothes so worn-out. If Father and Mother see this, they’ll feel so worried.”
The passersby slowed, watching Jiang Muxi with a mix of pity and admiration.
An elderly lady patted his shoulder.
“Good boy, buy some clothes. Even I, a stranger, feel concerned seeing you like this. Imagine your parents.”
Jiang Muxi: “…people feel concerned over me?”
He followed Jiang Yuyan in a daze, then gradually realized everything and raised an eyebrow with a smile.
This girl—definitely not like that cold-hearted Lin Yue.
At the supply store, Jiang Yuyan glanced around. The small space was well-stocked.
“Second Brother, look at the fabrics. Pick a color you like, and Mother will make it for you.”
Jiang Muxi blinked. “You… really want me to choose? Aren’t you picking first?”
“I don’t need to. Our eldest brother—uh, I mean, the one who supports the family—bought me plenty of clothes already. You just pick, Second Brother.”
Jiang Muxi’s expression darkened slightly. Seems this girl is close to the eldest brother!
Lost in thought, he felt someone gently poke his arm.
“Second Brother, I see there’s meat for sale. I’ll buy some first. We’re out of oil at home, I want some fat for rendering.”
Jiang Muxi took a deep breath, dispelling his thoughts. “Go ahead, I can handle the fabric here.”
Choosing fabric, worrying about nothing else—typical small-mindedness. No wonder they never grow tall.
Jiang Yuyan, unaware of her Second Brother’s thoughts, only had eyes for the meat.
“Uncle, I want twenty catties of fatty meat.”
“All right, the meat voucher is ready. I’ll weigh it for you!”
Jiang Yuyan blinked. “????? Meat voucher?”