The team leader was flustered. “Old Jiang, why aren’t you taking that embarrassing woman of yours home yet?”
Old Jiang?
Jiang Yuyan followed everyone’s gaze and saw a tall, dark, and gaunt old man pushing through the crowd. Silently, he forcibly helped Jiang Laotai to her feet and left without looking back.
He didn’t spare a single glance for Jiang Father or Jiang Mother, as if they were complete strangers.
Back at home, Jiang Yuyan noticed her parents’ pale expressions and quickly told them to rest.
She then went to Jiang Murong’s room, but seeing it empty, she thought for a moment and turned to her eldest brother’s room.
“You’re all here! Third Brother, I went to find you earlier, and when you weren’t there, I came to Big Brother’s room. Didn’t expect you all to be here.”
Jiang Murong quickly stood. “Sister, you were looking for me? What is it? Tell me—Third Brother will definitely help.”
With all three brothers present, Jiang Yuyan spoke plainly: “Second Brother is back. I want to take Big Brother to the big city for treatment for his leg. What do you all think?”
Everyone agreed immediately.
“Then Father doesn’t need to come. Murong and I will take Big Brother. You—lead the way,” Jiang Muxi said, pointing at Jiang Yuyan.
“I agree!” Jiang Murong was the first to raise his hand.
Jiang Yuyan looked at her eldest brother. “Big Brother? What do you think?”
“My leg… doesn’t need treatment for now—”
“Big Brother!”
“Big Brother! Why?”
Jiang Muxuan quieted the two brothers. “The family needs money now. Take some of Yuyan’s funds for the household, and keep the rest for yourself—”
Jiang Yuyan interrupted. “Big Brother! Are you saying this because we told you Second Brother shouldn’t be the driver? But all the more reason you should get your leg treated.”
Jiang Muxi and Jiang Murong were confused, listening carefully even though they didn’t understand.
Jiang Muxuan immediately understood her meaning but hesitated. He feared bad news.
Jiang Yuyan noticed his wavering. “Big Brother, haven’t you noticed your sleep has improved recently?”
He was stunned. The topic shifted so quickly—what did sleep have to do with this?
“It has—improved a lot. How do you know?”
Jiang Yuyan smiled. “Big Brother, haven’t you noticed your sleep has gotten better since I applied the plaster I made for your leg?”
Jiang Muxi and Jiang Murong widened their eyes and looked at Big Brother’s legs in unison.
Jiang Muxuan: “…These two idiots.”
“I understand your meaning. Fine, I’ll listen. Murong and Murong will take me, and you lead the way.”
“Don’t worry, Big Brother. We won’t disappoint you.”
The next day, Jiang Muxi went to town to buy train tickets. On the way back, he ran into a group of soldiers asking for directions.
“Comrade, is the ‘Shiwèi’ Brigade this way?”
What a coincidence!
“No, it’s the branching road over there. I’m from the Shiwèi Brigade too; I can take you there.”
The soldier grinned. “Thank you so much, Comrade. Hop in; I’ll give you a ride.”
In the back seat, Jiang Muxi saw a soldier with his eyes closed, exuding a strong aura that was impossible to ignore even with closed eyes.
“Comrade, did you just return from the train station too?”
“No, I bought train tickets. I’m taking my little sister to take Big Brother to the city for leg treatment. I heard the city has good medical care.”
“That’s right. Dr. Lai in Jing City is an expert in limb treatment. Go see him—he’s reliable.”
Jiang Muxi’s eyes lit up. “Comrade, could you tell me which hospital Dr. Lai is in and how to find him—”
Before the soldier could speak, the man in the back seat opened his eyes. His sharp gaze pinned Jiang Muxi in place.
Recognizing him, the man asked, “Comrade, what’s your name?”
“Jiang Muxi.”
“Are you the one with a little sister, recently returned by mistake, named Lin—Jiang Yuyan?”
Jiang Muxi immediately became alert. “How do you know my sister’s name?”
“Little sister? She seems to get along well with your family. I’m a comrade of her eldest brother. When she disappeared, he was very worried.”
Jiang Muxi: “….”
“She’s a good girl, gentle yet decisive. Everyone in our group likes her.”
Ling Wenzhen immediately recognized the man wasn’t lying, though his expression was slightly awkward when he mentioned the little sister.
He gave Jiang Muxi his contact info and Lin Shiping’s, saying, “Contact us immediately if anything happens. This is also our care for your sister—don’t worry.”
Jiang Muxi accepted it.
At the village entrance, he got out and pointed to the brigade office before leaving.
He couldn’t linger; he felt a cold presence behind him in the car.
Ling Wenzhen watched his back retreat before turning away.
“Brother Chen, aren’t you going to see your sister?”
Ling Wenzhen shook his head and had the car drive off.
Back home, Jiang Muxi handed Jiang Yuyan four train tickets and a large package.
Jiang Yuyan carefully put away the tickets and stared at the package. “Second Brother, what’s this? Did you buy it?”
“No. This is yours. Uh… on the way, I met your eldest brother’s comrade. He said these are gifts from your Big Brother. Do you want to open it?”
Though he spoke casually, he sat watching her, eyes tracking her movements.
Humph. I just wanted to know how my little sister was doing at home. Seems like she’s doing well.
If it weren’t for him, there’s no way she could carry this large package herself.
Hearing it was from Lin Shiping, Jiang Yuyan pursed her lips. She knew even if she returned it, he wouldn’t want it back.
She sighed softly and opened the package with scissors, revealing dazzling new clothes, big packs of White Rabbit candy, canned fruit, and other things not easily bought locally.
“Wow, Sister, your eldest brother treated you so well—even rare candies and canned goods!”
“Idiot! What does that have to do with you? Hurry up and take care of Big Brother! If you keep talking, I’ll shut your mouth myself.”
Jiang Murong froze in surprise, looking helpless.
Jiang Yuyan’s eyes curved. “Third Brother, don’t leave yet. Take some to eat, and Second Brother too. There’s plenty—Big Brother clearly meant for us to share. Don’t be shy; we’re family.”
Jiang Muxi’s hands were full of candy. “Family? Humph. If it weren’t for how he treats you well, I—wouldn’t…”
“Hehe, I knew Second Brother is good to me. Come, take some more.”
At lunch, Jiang Father and Mother learned about the gifts from her eldest brother and admired the goodness of people.
Jiang Murong grumbled, “He’s good, yes, but with such eccentric parents, trouble is bound to come.”
Jiang Muxi frowned. “Fool, what are you talking about? His parents? Did they treat the little—cough—her badly?”
The table fell silent.
Everyone realized Jiang Muxi had just returned and didn’t yet know the backstory of the mix-up between the Jiang and Lin families.
Jiang Mother: “Third Son, you didn’t tell Second Brother? I thought you did.”
Jiang Murong looked innocent. “What did I say? I still have time to tell… I—seem to have forgotten.”
“What are you two mumbling about? Third Son, you say it.”