Eldest Aunt immediately asked, "Where did you get the money to buy a car?"
Second Aunt sourly added, "Must be a second-hand car, right?"
In front of Xu Xiuwen, Ning Wanqiu was an absolute strict mother, always saying one thing and meaning it. But in front of her two sisters, she always swallowed her pride, silently accepting countless sarcastic and mocking remarks.
However, Xu Xiuwen retorted bluntly, "Where the money came from is none of your business, Aunt. As for whether it's a second-hand car, Second Aunt, go outside and see if any second-hand cars look this new."
Having been slapped in the face once, Eldest Aunt didn't dare speak this time. Second Aunt, however, couldn't help but say, "Xu Xiuwen, what kind of attitude is that? Is that how you speak to your elders?"
Wu Qiang also chimed in, "That's right, Xu Xiuwen. Do you have any respect for your elders at all? How can you speak to my mother like that?"
Xu Xiuwen slapped the table again and said, "If you show me an inch of respect, I'll show you a foot in return. If you respect my mom, I'll treat you as elders too. But if anyone dares to badmouth my mom again, don't blame me for turning my back on you."
Ning Wanqiu was indeed shocked by her son's actions tonight. After the shock, she felt an indescribable warmth.
For the sake of her parents, she had always been patient. But this time, she decided not to endure it any longer.
Ning Wanqiu continued, "I used to put up with a lot because you're my sisters, but I won't anymore."
After a pause, she added, "This car cost 160,000 yuan, and I didn't contribute a single penny. My son paid for it."
At these words, everyone was once again stunned!
Even the grandparents showed surprised expressions. The cousins were even more dumbfounded, their mouths agape, unable to speak.
The dinner table fell silent for a long time.
Second Aunt mumbled, "Impossible, how could a kid have so much money?"
Eldest Aunt also doubted, "You didn't do anything illegal, did you?"
Upon hearing this, the grandparents immediately became anxious, looking at their grandson with worried expressions. They had always been quite fond of Xu Xiuwen.
Not wanting them to worry, Xu Xiuwen explained, "I earned the money through legitimate means. As for how I earned it, I don't think I need to tell you."
Ning Wanqiu added, "Mom, Dad, don't worry. He's telling the truth. The money was earned legally."
Everyone found it hard to believe that a college student like Xu Xiuwen could make tens of thousands of yuan. But since Xu Xiuwen and Ning Wanqiu weren't explaining, they couldn't force them and could only speculate privately.
The youngest aunt, who reacted quickly, didn't care where the money came from. What she thought was that Xu Wen must have earned more than 160,000 yuan. The reasoning was simple: who would spend all their earnings in one go?
She smiled and said, "Ah, third sister, tonight I'll catch a few hens for you to take home and make soup."
Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt immediately guessed her intentions but couldn't bring themselves to speak.
Ning Wanqiu politely declined, "Little sister, keep them for yourself. He doesn't like chicken soup."
"No worries, we have plenty. Take a few. Xu Xiuwen must be missing good chicken soup at college. We don't use any feed, so it's pure free-range chicken. Tastes great, very nutritious. Don't be polite with me. You've already bought clothes, pants, and shoes for He Suo. If you don't accept, we'd feel bad taking your gifts."
Seeing she couldn't refuse, Ning Wanqiu had to agree.
Dinner continued, but the atmosphere at the table turned strangely awkward. Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt remained silent while Youngest Aunt kept talking to Ning Wanqiu. The younger kids, except for the eldest cousin, were busy enjoying the food.
Ning Jiali sat beside Xu Xiuwen. Noticing her unhappy expression and occasional glances at her mother, Xu Xiuwen guessed her thoughts. He leaned over and whispered, "Stop looking. If you like that dress, I'll buy you another one."
Ning Jiali was first stunned, then delighted, but quickly frowned again. She bit her lip and finally said softly, "Cousin, Third Aunt already bought it for me. You don't have to buy another."
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly, "It's okay. Cousin can afford to buy you a dress now. Don't be shy. Besides, I can tell that Aunt won't give it back to you."
Ning Jiali felt very touched. She sniffed lightly and whispered, "Cousin, you're so nice."
Xu Xiuwen heard this and rubbed his cousin's head.
Although his grandparents were old, their good looks from their younger years could still be seen in their features. As a result, their children were all quite attractive.
Among the four daughters, Ning Wanqiu was the most beautiful. Though the other three sisters couldn't compare to her, they were still among the prettiest in the village.
Uncle Ning Zhuo inherited his parents' excellent genes and was very handsome, resembling Brother Zhang somewhat.
Aunt married him initially because she was attracted to his looks. Though Aunt had a fiery personality, she was also quite good-looking.
Ning Jiali, having inherited her parents' best features, had shown signs of being a beauty from a young age and had grown up beautifully.
Despite her mother's influence, Ning Jiali maintained proper values, which made Xu Xiuwen fond of his cousin since they were young.
The two older cousins saw Xu Xiuwen and Ning Jiali whispering but couldn't tell what they were discussing.
After dinner, it was already past 7 PM.
The adults gathered to chat, and the younger generation also gathered together.
This was not like ten years later when everyone would have a smartphone. In the rural areas at that time, playing cards and watching TV were among the few entertainment options available.
Not only did the adults play cards, but the kids did too.
In previous years, during the Chinese New Year, at the suggestion of the eldest cousin Li Lei and with the support of the second cousin Wu Qiang, they would play cards to pass the time.
Xu Xiuwen used to enjoy playing cards, but now that his soul was no longer the same, he had no interest in playing cards with his cousins.
Moreover, Xu Xiuwen was thinking about the premiere of his TV drama tonight, so he declined the card-playing invitation and went into a small room by himself.
His uncle had only attended middle school before learning a trade. Although he was rather introverted, he learned good repair skills.
From fixing small household appliances to larger machines like tractors and motorcycles, he could handle them all.
His uncle had set up a small satellite dish at home, which could receive many TV channels, including those from Jiangsu Province.
Xu Xiuwen watched the news and some commercials, and finally, it was time for the drama to start.
As the opening theme and the drama's theme song played, the TV drama began.
It's worth mentioning that most of the songs in the drama were composed by Hang Fei, but the theme song was "created" by Xu Xiuwen himself, although he didn't perform it.
Hang Fei had an art school student record the song and then had a third party submit the copyright application, including previous songs he had sung, which were all registered.
Back to the point.
After the opening theme, the drama officially began.
The scene shifted to Bai Yue'er's character, Shan Cai, riding a bicycle to the school gate.
The back seat of the bicycle had been modified into a clothes rack, with a few clean clothes hanging on it.
At this moment, the door of the small room was pushed open from the outside.
The old wooden door creaked.
Xu Xiuwen saw someone walk in.
Because the light was off, he couldn't see who it was, but he could tell from the figure that it was a woman.
When the person got closer, Xu Xiuwen recognized her as his cousin Ning Jiali.
"Cousin, why aren't you coming out to play cards?"
Ning Jiali's voice was pleasant, as clear as a yellow oriole's.
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, "Playing cards is boring. You can play if you want."
Ning Jiali nodded and said, "Then I won't go either. I'll stay here and keep you company. I don't really like playing cards anyway."
"Okay."
Ning Jiali then noticed the TV content and asked in surprise, "Cousin, do you like watching dramas?"
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly but didn't say anything.
Seeing him remain silent, Ning Jiali obediently closed her mouth.
She sat on the bed next to Xu Xiuwen and started watching the drama with him.
Initially, Ning Jiali was just watching casually, but soon she was engrossed.
The early plot developed quickly: Shan Cai saved someone and made it to the newspapers. To cover up a bullying incident, the school decided to use Shan Cai's enrollment to divert negative attention.
Just as F4 was about to make their first appearance, it cut to a commercial break.
Xu Xiuwen suddenly asked, "Cousin, is this drama good?"
Ning Jiali turned to look at him and said with a smile, "It's pretty good."
Xu Xiuwen was about to say something when his phone rang.
He looked at the caller ID and saw it was the director, Hang Fei.
Xu Xiuwen stepped into the yard to answer the call.
"Hello, Xiuwen, did you watch the premiere of the drama?"
"Yes, I'm watching it now."
"Pretty well shot, right? Even my parents are watching it with me and think it's good."
"Yeah, you did a great job."
Hang Fei laughed proudly, "My parents couldn't believe I directed this drama. My dad used to oppose my decision to become a director, but after watching this, he's changed his mind. He actually supports me continuing as a director. Thanks to you, Xiuwen. Without your opportunity, I might have had to go back home to find a job after graduation."
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly, "Don't say that. I should thank you. Without your hard work, this excellent drama wouldn't have been possible."
After a round of mutual praise, the two laughed heartily together.
After hanging up on Hang Fei, Xu Xiuwen remembered that he hadn't called Cheng Lu today, so he took out his phone and dialed her number.
As soon as the call connected, Xu Xiuwen asked, "Lulu, did you watch the TV show?"
Cheng Lu hadn't yet responded.
Xu Xiuwen suddenly heard a scream from inside the house.
It was Ning Jiali's voice.
Xu Xiuwen thought something had happened, like being bitten by a centipede or a spider.
Such things are common in the countryside; Xu Xiuwen had encountered it a few times.
He rushed into the small room immediately and saw Ning Jiali standing by the bed.
"Are you okay, Lili?" he asked.
Ning Jiali shook her head, "I'm fine."
"Then why did you scream?"
Ning Jiali pointed at the TV and said, "Cousin, I just saw someone who looks like you!"
Xu Xiuwen looked at the TV, which was currently showing a scene with F4 making their entrance.
Ning Jiali didn't directly assume that the person in the TV series was Xu Xiuwen.
The reason being that the person in the TV series was too handsome, with a cold expression and an arrogant demeanor.
Xu Xiuwen didn't hide it; he smiled lightly and said, "That's indeed me."
"Ah!"
Ning Jiali was stunned!
She thought it was just someone who looked alike, but it turned out to be her cousin!
Her cousin had become an actor?
Ning Jiali blinked her sparkling eyes, feeling like she was dreaming.
At this moment, the people in the front room, having heard Ning Jiali's scream, all rushed over, except her parents.
Because her mother and in-laws didn't get along, they went home after dinner.
As soon as Li Lei entered the room, he asked, "What happened, Lili? Did Xu Xiuwen bully you?"
The eldest aunt arrived a moment later. Without understanding the situation, she immediately accused Xu Xiuwen, "Xu Xiuwen, Lili is your cousin. How could you bully her?"
In the past, the second aunt would definitely chime in, and the youngest aunt wouldn't add fuel to the fire but wouldn't speak up for fairness either.
However, this time, the second aunt chose to remain silent.
And the youngest aunt bluntly questioned, "Elder sister, you didn't even figure out what's going on, and you're already blaming Xiuwen. You're prejudiced against him, aren't you?"
The eldest aunt was about to retort.
Ning Jiali hurriedly explained, "Aunt, Cousin Xiuwen didn't bully me."
"Then why did you scream?"
The youngest cousin, also the youngest among the cousins, suddenly pointed at the TV and asked cutely, "How did Cousin get into the TV?"
Everyone instinctively looked at the TV.
On the TV, the face of Daoming Si from F4 was particularly clear in a close-up shot.
This time, except for the little cousin and Ning Jiali, everyone else was stunned.
Ning Wanqiu, who had been helping her mother with chores, entered the room last.
Noticing the strange atmosphere and everyone's silence, she didn't understand what was going on.
After hesitating for a moment, Li Lei finally said, "That person on the TV isn't Xu Xiuwen, right?"
The eldest aunt immediately said, "It's just a resemblance. Look closely, they're not the same."
Xu Xiuwen smiled at his aunt and cousin without explaining.
Instead, Ning Jiali stepped forward and said, "Aunt, the person on the TV is Cousin. He just told me."
Ning Jiali's words shocked everyone again!
Xu Xiuwen found it amusing.
Watching his aunts and peers gape in astonishment, he worried they might dislocate their jaws.
His eldest aunt, still skeptical, looked at Xu Xiuwen, "How could you act in a show? Stop making things up!"
Xu Xiuwen laughed heartily at her words.
His laughter annoyed his eldest aunt.
By now, his second and youngest aunts had their own suspicions.
At this point, his grandmother asked, "Xiuwen, is that person on the TV really you?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded and admitted, "Yes, Grandma, that person was me."
Li Lei immediately shouted, "Impossible! It must be someone who looks like him. How could Xu Xiuwen be in a TV show? Why would a director choose him?"
He was having a hard time accepting this.