The villagers looked enviously at the Xu siblings, convinced that Xu Jinping must have done something incredibly lucky to know such a wealthy benefactor!
With the debts cleared, the villagers had no more grievances against the Xu family. Moreover, with someone like Ning Xingchen backing them, everyone tried to curry favor with them.
Xu Jinping, having experienced the fickleness of human nature, remained indifferent. He found their actions both amusing and pathetic.
When you are down, everyone steps on you. But when you rise, these sycophants wag their tails and flatter you. Such is the reality of the world.
Having gone through so much, Xu Jinping finally understood who was genuinely loyal and who were the despicable opportunists. True character is revealed over time.
As evening approached, Ning Xingchen and Lin Hao were about to head back to the city when Xu Jinping urged them to stay.
"Xingchen, why don't you and Lin Hao stay the night? My house may be small, but we have plenty of guest rooms. Besides, it's been so long since we last met, and I have so much to talk about," Xu Jinping said sincerely.
Ning Xingchen nodded, unable to refuse Xu Jinping's heartfelt hospitality.
"I'll prepare dinner!" Cheng Yun, grateful for Ning Xingchen's help, treated him like a benefactor.
"I'll help, sister-in-law," Xu Yiwei offered, wanting to cook a few dishes to properly thank Ning Xingchen.
"Yiwei's cooking is the best. You two are in for a treat," Cheng Yun said with a knowing smile, understanding Xu Yiwei's intentions. She knew the young girl wanted to impress Ning Xingchen.
"Haha, I must be very lucky to taste Yiwei's cooking," Ning Xingchen said, looking at Xu Yiwei with affection.
"If you like it, I'll cook for you every day," Xu Yiwei said shyly before hurrying to the kitchen.
Xu Jinping noticed his sister's unusual behavior and then glanced at Ning Xingchen, beginning to understand.
Ning Xingchen, young, wealthy, and handsome, surely had no shortage of admirers. Xu Jinping suspected his sister had fallen for him.
The three men entered the house, and Xu Jinping instinctively tried to kneel before Ning Xingchen.
"Dapeng, what are you doing?" Ning Xingchen frowned, displeased.
"Xingchen, please accept my gratitude. I don't know how else to thank you!" Xu Jinping's gratitude was sincere, his tone earnest.
"Dapeng, I'm helping you because I care about you as a brother, not for your thanks," Ning Xingchen said, knowing that relationships built on benefits dissolve when those benefits disappear. Only those built on genuine care endure.
"Xingchen, I will follow you from now on. I am willing to do anything for you, even risk my life," Xu Jinping said, gripping Ning Xingchen's hand.
"Good. With your strength, you could kill a bull with one punch. You'll definitely be of use," Ning Xingchen said, patting Xu Jinping's shoulder. Back in school, Xu Jinping was always the first to jump into a fight.
"As long as you're willing to take me in, even as a bodyguard, I'll do it," Xu Jinping said seriously.
"Haha, being a bodyguard would be a waste of your talents. I have more important tasks for you," Ning Xingchen said. Xu Jinping's joining would greatly strengthen him.
"Dapeng, let me tell you, working for Brother Chen has many benefits. Even when we go to places like that, it's Brother Chen who pays," Lin Hao said dreamily, implying a fondness for luxurious places.
"What places?" Xu Jinping asked curiously.
"Ahem, just the Xinhua Bookstore!" Ning Xingchen quickly interrupted as the first dish was ready, and Xu Yiwei brought it in.
Lin Hao gave Ning Xingchen a thumbs-up, admiring his quick thinking to use "Xinhua Bookstore" as a code word.
...
"Brother Xingchen, this dish is stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat," Xu Yiwei said sweetly, gazing at Ning Xingchen with undisguised admiration.
"Delicious," Ning Xingchen said, taking a bite and looking at Xu Yiwei warmly.
"As long as you like it," Xu Yiwei whispered, her heart leaping with joy as she hurried back to get the next dish.
All the dishes were Xu Yiwei's handiwork. Ning Xingchen praised her cooking, thinking that such a talented and beautiful girl would make a perfect wife.
"Yiwei, you can't be so biased. All the delicious dishes are in front of Brother Chen. We can't get a bite," Lin Hao teased.
"Sorry..." Xu Yiwei blushed, realizing she had indeed favored Ning Xingchen, neglecting her brother and Lin Hao.
"Haozi, be grateful for what you have. Yiwei made these dishes with love for Xingchen. We're just lucky to be here," Xu Jinping said, understanding his sister's true feelings.
"Brother, don't tease. I'll get you some rice," Xu Yiwei said, flustered.
As they ate, Xu Jinping, usually reserved, opened up about his hardships over the years. Ning Xingchen was surprised to hear how tough Xu Jinping's life had been, full of disdain and struggles that had forged him into a resilient man.
From Xu Jinping's stories, Ning Xingchen also gleaned valuable information, realizing the underground forces in Donghai City were even more complex and terrifying than he had imagined.
Hearing that her brother was going to the city with Ning Xingchen, Xu Yiwei, who had been listening quietly, grew anxious and hesitated as if she had something to say.
"Yiwei, stay in town and study hard. I'll come back to see you often," Xu Jinping said, smiling at his sister.
"No, I want to stay with Brother Xingchen too!" Xu Yiwei said, her voice suddenly intense.
Xu Jinping was taken aback, looking at his sister and then at Ning Xingchen.
"Brother, I mean, I want to go to the big city too and live with you," Xu Yiwei explained hastily, trying to clear up the misunderstanding but only making it worse.
Everyone could hear the underlying message: she wanted to be with Ning Xingchen.