Huo Ran even offered the jade pendant! Dazhuang and Erzhuang were utterly baffled.
Young master, what on earth are you up to this time? First, you pretend to faint, then you give away silver, and now you're offering a jade pendant?
They had seen conmen extorting money before, but never one who gave away money instead!
And wasn't that jade pendant something you always said was meant for your future bride? How could you give it away so easily?
Huo Ran ignored their bewilderment. Taking the silver from Erzhuang, he placed everything neatly into an embroidered pouch.
"Little sister, I truly didn't mean to frighten you. My servants and I got lost while playing in the mountains. We wandered for three days and nights, even being chased by a wild boar. That's why I fainted."
"I only have this much silver with me. I hope you won't hold a grudge. If my father found out I made a mistake and didn't apologize properly, he'd surely punish me severely."
Huo Ran's pitiful expression made it seem like he was genuinely terrified of his father's wrath.
Seeing his act only made Xu Fubao even more suspicious.
Hadn't she encountered this nemesis in another world before? He was just pretending! I can't trust him!
But…
There's quite a lot of silver in that pouch. And right now, Father and I really need silver—there's a house to buy, daily necessities, and perhaps I could even find a new wife for Father?
Ah, so many things require money!
"Alright then, just don't ever come looking for me again." Xu Fubao stretched out her hand and took the pouch.
Money is so wonderful, and the jade pendant isn't bad either.
Hehe.
The joy of holding silver made her forget that moments ago she was resolutely insisting she wouldn't be easily fooled!
Didn't that hurt her pride?
Huo Ran, having successfully handed over the items, felt content. With his two guards, he turned to leave.
After a few steps, he paused and said, "By the way, my name is Huo Ran. If we ever meet again, feel free to come play with me."
"Who wants to play with you?" Xu Fubao muttered under her breath, not even sparing him a glance.
Who cares about playing with you? If you were a flower, even cows wouldn't fertilize you!
Huo Ran, unfazed by her remark, left in good spirits, his small hands clasped behind his back, no longer showing any sign of weakness.
"Daddy, we have silver now. Let's buy a bigger house! The old one was too cramped and uncomfortable," Xu Fubao said sweetly, swinging the pouch in her hand.
Xu Dahai's heart ached. His little girl had been enduring hardship for so long!
From now on, he would never let her suffer again—not for a single moment.
"Brother Wu, is there a suitable house for sale in the village?" Xu Dahai turned to the village chief.
Wu Nanshan immediately pointed to the west end of the village. "The house next to the village flower's home is for sale. It has a large courtyard and enough rooms for more than ten people. Let's go, I'll show you."
Xu Dahai, carrying Xu Fubao, followed him, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Wu Nanshan had seemed overly respectful when he encountered Huo Ran earlier, even avoiding eye contact. But it wasn't something Xu Dahai could ask about directly. After all, everyone had their own secrets.
Thanks to the village chief's help, the house was quickly purchased.
"Daddy, this courtyard is wonderful! And it only cost ten taels of silver! It's like a gift from the heavens!" Xu Fubao cheerfully ran around the courtyard.
Seeing his daughter's happiness, Xu Dahai felt joyful too.
If only he had known sooner that Fubao disliked Song Xiangyu, he would have divorced her long ago.
But now a new worry arose—how could he, a single man, raise his daughter alone?
And if he remarried, what if the new wife treated Fubao poorly?
So many things to fret over.
Just as he was lost in thought, a beautiful young woman entered through the courtyard gate, followed by three young boys.
Xu Fubao was puzzled. Why did those boys look so much like her father?
The beautiful woman, smiling warmly, approached Xu Dahai and said, "Brother Xu, it's been so many years. Don't you recognize me?"
Xu Fubao was even more surprised. Her father knew this woman?
Xu Dahai was clearly stunned as well, unable to believe that he had reunited with Yun Tinglu, the village flower, in such a setting.
His large hands nervously fidgeted, palms damp with cold sweat.
A premonition tugged at his heart, but he dared not fully believe it.
Yun Tinglu, along with her three sons, all looked expectantly at Xu Dahai, waiting for him to speak.
An awkward silence filled the air.
"Daddy, is this my mother?" Xu Fubao's innocent voice finally broke the tension.
Mother?
Xu Dahai grew even more flustered, unsure of what to do with his hands.
Yun Tinglu, however, smiled and bent down to pick up Xu Fubao. "So, you're Xu Fubao?"
Xu Fubao nodded and asked, "Are you my mother? You're so beautiful."
"Whether I'm your mother isn't for me to decide. I've already given your father three sons and raised them all. But judging by his lack of reaction, it seems we might be left to wander the streets after all."
Three sons?
Oh my goodness.
Xu Fubao's large eyes sparkled with excitement.
No wonder those boys looked like her father—they were his own flesh and blood.
In an instant, she had gained three brothers!
"Daddy, congratulations! Now you have both sons and a daughter. We're one big happy family!" Xu Fubao beamed with joy.
She had four brothers in her past life, and now she had three more, all identical—it was going to be so much fun!
"Lulu, is it true?" Xu Dahai, after a long pause, finally asked.
Yun Tinglu glanced at her three sons. "Didn't I tell you? You all have a father. Step forward so he can see clearly."
The three boys, nearly identical, stepped forward and looked up at Xu Dahai.
Xu Dahai finally saw it—the striking resemblance in their brows, noses, mouths, and even their ears was undeniable.
"Daddy, I'm Xu Jiayan, the eldest. I'm eight years old," said the slightly taller boy.
The chubbier one continued, "Daddy, I'm Xu Yibai, the second son, also eight years old."
The last boy, with a colder demeanor, spoke last. "I'm Xu Younian, eight years old."
Daddy!
Xu Dahai could no longer hold back. The tears he had been holding in now streamed down his face.
It was true.
Eight years ago, an unexpected incident had brought him and Yun Tinglu together.
He had wanted to marry her, but Grandma Xu had forbidden it, refusing to let "a vixen" enter the family.
In reality, Xu Dafu had liked Yun Tinglu as a child, but she had only ever had eyes for Xu Dahai.
Grandma Xu, always favoring her younger son, would never let the woman he liked marry the elder brother.
Yun Tinglu, furious, had left Peach Blossom Village and never returned.
Later, Song Xiangyu appeared. Whether it was for convenience or some other reason, Xu Dahai married her instead.
He never imagined that Yun Tinglu would return one day with three sons.
"Lulu, I… I'm so sorry…" Xu Dahai sobbed, unable to find the words to express his remorse.
Yun Tinglu's eyes were misty too, though she smiled. "Then let's go to the village chief. From now on, we'll be one big family, united and never to be torn apart again!"
"Alright!" Xu Dahai was determined to take responsibility for Yun Tinglu and their sons, but he hesitated. "Fubao is my daughter. I…"
"Still the same old you. Can't you see? Fubao and I look so alike! We're both so beautiful! From now on, she'll be my daughter, the little sister of these three rascals. And if anyone dares to bully her, I'll make sure they regret it!" Yun Tinglu's laughter rang out, though tears of joy streamed down her face.
She had waited so many years, and finally, the family was whole again.
"Fubao, do you—" Xu Dahai began.
But Xu Fubao was already clinging to Yun Tinglu's neck. "Daddy, this mother smells nice and looks beautiful. I like her."
There was something familiar about her scent, though she couldn't quite place it.
But it made her feel comfortable, and that was all that mattered.
Xu Dahai's heart finally settled. He went to the village chief, and the family was officially registered.
The news quickly spread throughout the entire village.
"Did you hear? Xu Dahai divorced Song Xiangyu!"
"I heard this morning! She's the one who divorced him, can you believe it?"
"Hahaha… What a joke! A grown man getting divorced by a woman!"
"Is that all you've heard? I heard Xu Dahai is marrying Yun Tinglu!"
"What? Who?"
"The village
flower, Yun Tinglu! She's back, and she's bringing three sons with her to marry Xu Dahai!"
"Good heavens! What kind of luck does Xu Dahai have? He's got one wife, then another, and now he's a father too?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Yun Tinglu's three sons are Xu Dahai's own flesh and blood!"
"Wait, what? Hold on, my brain's stuck!"
"And what about Xu Fubao? She's lost her mother, and now she's got a stepmother? Poor child, how will she get by?"
How will she get by?
Of course, she'll be living comfortably with plenty to eat and drink!
Xu Fubao had a new home, brothers, a mother, and silver—life couldn't be better.
Yun Tinglu, being clever and resourceful, took charge of the remaining silver from the house purchase. But she refused to keep it for herself.
"The silver belongs to Fubao, given by that young master. It's hers to keep. We'll earn our own way."
Xu Fubao disagreed, insisting that Yun Tinglu take the silver. "Mother, we're a family. You should manage the money!"
She knew she wasn't wrong. Yun Tinglu was capable and would undoubtedly turn that silver into much more.
The three boys all glanced at Xu Fubao. Her clothes were old and ill-fitting, yet she was undeniably beautiful, and her voice was soft and pleasant. Plus, she seemed to adore their mother.
Yun Tinglu didn't refuse this time. Keeping the silver would prevent that old hag Grandma Xu from swindling them out of it.
Little Fubao liked her, and she liked Fubao too. She would treat her well.
"Fubao's right. We're a family. Dahai, go buy some meat and vegetables. Today we celebrate!" Yun Tinglu handed ten taels to Xu Dahai.
"Alright!" Xu Dahai happily went shopping.
"You three, fetch water and light the stove. Mother's going to cook a feast today!" Yun Tinglu rolled up her sleeves with such vigor it looked like she was preparing for a fight, not a meal.
It wasn't long before trouble came knocking.
Grandma Xu, upon hearing that Xu Dahai had bought a large courtyard and left the family, stormed over in a fury.