Through the collar, the glimpses of pure white were strikingly clear. Chen Xiaolong couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva, feeling a burning restlessness throughout his body, and he quickly averted his accidental gaze.
Being of an age brimming with vigor, and faced with an aunt in her amorous prime, it was inevitable that he would harbor some unusual thoughts.
"Xiaolong, what are you looking at? Get ready for dinner."
At that moment, Aunt Liang Cuiping came over with dishes in hand, her face all smiles.
"I was looking at Aunt, hehe, Aunt has become even more beautiful than before."
What Chen Xiaolong said was indeed the truth, as he hadn't understood much about men and women before due to his young age.
Now, in his twenties, his view of Aunt had naturally taken on a different flavor; she seemed as beautiful as a deity.
"Since you've gone out to school for two years, you've learned to talk sweetly, hehe, alright, you might find plenty of pretty girls in the future," Aunt Liang Cuiping said with a laugh.
"Alright, let's get ready to eat."
Liang Cuiping didn't take Chen Xiaolong's words to heart and instead called Xu Xiaoting over.
The family sat down together, something rare enough to enjoy a meal in unison.
Scenes like this were certainly uncommon.
"Aunt's cooking is so delicious."
Chen Xiaolong ate much faster than usual, this being far more appetizing than the food in the school cafeteria.
Not only was Liang Cuiping beautiful and sensible, but her cooking skills were also exquisite.
It was a pity that since her husband had passed away, Liang Cuiping had chosen not to remarry. It was unclear how she had been getting by these past years.
"Xiaolong is back today, let's have a little drink to celebrate," Liang Cuiping said excitedly, breaking character by pouring two cups of alcohol despite seldom drinking.
Chen Xiaolong naturally joined her for a drink. Neither of them had much tolerance, and after a few drinks, they both felt a bit dizzy.
"Xiaolong, how long do you plan to stay this time?"
"Oh, I guess at least for a year. I've completed the coursework at school, and now it's the independent practice phase."
In response to Liang Cuiping's question, Chen Xiaolong spun a lie.
The truth was he worried about his family's situation and had dropped out after two years of study.
He hadn't shared this with anyone else.
"By the way, Aunt, has everything been alright at home these past two years, anyone giving you trouble?"
Chen Xiaolong was quite tall, and having often exercised at school over the past years, he appeared strong and formidable.
"No, nothing," Liang Cuiping answered with her head down, her words muffled.
"How can there be nothing? Xiaolong, that Goushengzi from the village owes our family three thousand yuan. He was crying his heart out when borrowing the money, talking about his elderly parents and young children, but once he got the money, he turned his back on us," Xu Xiaoting couldn't contain her anger as she bluntly reported.
"Xiaoting!"
Liang Cuiping chided her in dismay, letting out a sigh.
It was better to avoid trouble whenever possible; she didn't want Chen Xiaolong to get into conflicts with others.
"What? Goushengzi! It's that bastard, he's too much!"
As expected, Chen Xiaolong was seething with anger, itching to go and have it out with Goushengzi right then.
To owe money was to be indebted, where was the sense in reneging on a debt?
"Exactly, and that guy even called me a burden, saying I..."
Xu Xiaoting's eyes flitted about, eager for a commotion as she exaggerated the story.
On ordinary days, being just a mother and daughter without a man in the house, they inevitably faced troubles in the village.
Now that Chen Xiaolong was back, it was like they finally had a pillar of support.
Chen Xiaolong listened intently, etching the details in his mind, as a cold gleam flashed through his eyes.
This debt had to be settled.
"Xiaolong, don't do anything rash, Aunt is worried about you."
Liang Cuiping regretted letting Chen Xiaolong know about this issue, but her daughter had spoken too hastily.
"No worries, Aunt, rest assured. I'll talk sense into Goushengzi. If that doesn't work, I'll take it up with the village committee. I won't resort to violence," Chen Xiaolong reassured her with a smile, though he wasn't planning to confront the issue today, preferring to see how things unfolded over the next few days.
If reasoning was an option, he would prefer to resolve matters amicably.
"Then that's good," Liang Cuiping breathed a sigh of relief.
After the meal, Xu Xiaoting was sent to wash the dishes.
As for Chen Xiaolong, who wanted to help, he was rejected by the little miss.
In Xu Xiaoting's words, she had grown up and could now handle the household chores independently.
"The little girl has become quite sensible, huh."
In the inner room, Chen Xiaolong sat on the cool mat, feeling deeply moved.
The little girl he remembered was only this tall, toddling along behind him every day.
"Xiaolong, your aunt feels a bit dizzy, like I've had too much to drink, so I won't be able to entertain you further," Liang Cuiping said.
"Hey, Aunt, there's no need to be so polite," Chen Xiaolong responded.
Liang Cuiping lay down next to him, with her back to Chen Xiaolong, and quickly fell asleep.
In a daze, Chen Xiaolong felt a hand touching his leg...