CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 463: THE IMPERIAL CITY IS TOO FAR AWAY

"Xiuxiu, this car is really nice! Big sister has never ridden in such a car before! It’s you, third sister, who’s got real talent. Out of us four sisters, you’re the most capable by far," Xu Fangfang continued chatting away as if she couldn’t detect Xu Xiuxiu’s impatience, while envy and flattering adoration were particularly evident in her eyes.

"..." Xu Xiuxiu didn’t speak, letting Xu Fangfang ramble on by herself.

The ride from the Xu Family back to Song Family Village was very quiet. With the addition of Xu Fangfang, the three children no longer had the lively atmosphere of the morning. Xu Xiuxiu didn’t mind and simply dropped Xu Fangfang off at her doorstep, bringing the car to a steady stop.

"Thanks a lot, third sister! Big sister will get off here. You be careful on the road, okay?" Xu Fangfang said, showing reluctance to leave as she went to open the car door. She usually rode back and forth between Xu Village and Song Family Village on her little tricycle, never realizing it could be so quick, let alone so cold. Today, she got to experience the comfort of a car for a change—it felt so brief, and she hadn’t even had enough time to enjoy it!

"Xu Fangfang." However, just as Xu Fangfang was about to get out of the car, the otherwise silent Xu Xiuxiu coldly called out to her.

"What’s up?" Xu Fangfang turned around, puzzled, with a full smile.

"Xu Fangfang, this is my last warning to you. I hope you listen to what I have to say. I don’t want to dredge up the past and fuss over it, but you’d better restrain yourself from now on. Your greediness is unsightly. My patience is limited, and if you fail to see sense, then don’t blame me for being rude," Xu Xiuxiu felt it was necessary to issue an ultimatum; otherwise, this woman might get carried away.

"Xiuxiu, what are you talking about?" Xu Fangfang’s face lost its color after hearing that, but at the moment she understood that her conversation with Doudou in the corner of the courtyard earlier had been fully heard by Xu Xiuxiu. It wasn’t that Xu Xiuxiu wasn’t calculating, she was just biding her time.

"Mind yourself." Xu Fangfang pretended to be dumbfounded. Xu Xiuxiu didn’t care at all, simply looking at her coldly. As soon as Xu Fangfang couldn’t bear her icy stare and instinctively got out of the car, Xu Xiuxiu immediately started the car and drove away without any intention of staying longer.

Watching the departing black car, Xu Fangfang clenched her teeth in frustration: "So what if she has some dirty money? She’s always showing off in front of me, not giving me any respect as her elder sister, hmph!" Xu Fangfang huffed and puffed in anger, then resentfully walked into the house with the tape recorder Xu Jingjing had given to Doudou.

Meanwhile, in the car heading to the Song Family, the ride was again silent, but the now-maturing Song Chengguang frowned and spoke out his complaints to Xu Xiuxiu: "Mom, Brother Doudou is so pitiful!" His tone was full of sympathy.

"Why’s that?" Xu Xiuxiu asked with some amusement, glancing at Song Chengguang’s serious little face through the rearview mirror of the car.

"Because Auntie is not a good person." His summary was quite to the point; Xu Fangfang truly wasn’t any good!

"She’s a good person or not doesn’t matter, Mom! All I care about now is looking after you guys. As long as you three are alright, that’s all that matters." Xu Xiuxiu sighed earnestly—after all, these were her true thoughts. She had no desire to meddle in the mess at Xu Fangfang’s house. As long as Xu Fangfang could restrain herself in the future, Xu Xiuxiu wouldn’t pursue the past issues. But Xu Fangfang would be blacklisted for life and Xu Xiuxiu would never lend a hand again. That was the only mercy she would show her.

"Sure! You can count on me, Mom. Chengguang will take good care of his siblings." When Song Chengguang heard this, he felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

Mrs. Song spent the day restless, having watched her three grandchildren leave the house in the morning. The older people get, the more they value family unity and festive occasions. She anxiously watched the courtyard gate, longing to hear the sound of a car approaching. She waited all day with her neck craned, and finally, in the evening, she heard it. Her face broke into a wide smile, the wrinkles on her cheeks seeming to soften with joy.

"Back already!" Mrs. Song stood at the courtyard gate, watching the three children getting out of the car. "How was it? Did you have fun at your maternal grandparents’?" she asked, her eyes flitting over the faces of the three children. She reached out and took Little Moon’s hand, feeling the warmth of her small hand.

"Grandma, Little Moon isn’t cold," Little Moon replied earnestly.

"That’s good. Grandma was worried you’d be cold. Quick now, let’s go inside and warm up by the fire." Mrs. Song immediately led the twins by the hand with a smile and entered the main room.

Song Chengguang stood aside and then followed everyone else into the house.

"Grandma, Little Baby played hide and seek today. It was so much fun! And also..." Little Baby chattered cheerfully, holding Mrs. Song’s hand and looking up at her with a small face full of excitement about the day’s events.

This year’s Spring Festival was very lively. On New Year’s Eve, the village was alive with firecrackers popping for a long time. It wasn’t until the second day of the new year that Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan took the three children to Xu Village again. After the meal, Xu Xiuxiu took back the responsibility she had given to Xu Fangfang of caring for Mr. Xu and discussed with her father the plan to take him to the Imperial City for his retirement years.

Perhaps because he had lived alone for a few years, Mr. Xu was tired of solitary life. Added to that, the relentless march of time had taken its toll—he was getting old and often felt weak. He resigned from his village duties without much fuss. Despite feeling like a burden no matter which daughter he stayed with, Mr. Xu was persuaded by Xu Xiuxiu.

"Third sister, let Dad come with me to Z City. The Imperial City is too far." Xu Jingjing had no objection, but she insisted that it would be better if her father stayed with her.

Among the four sisters, Xu Jingjing was known to be the most capable of managing household affairs. Although Xu Xiuxiu was worldly, her parents-in-law were still in good health; if she took Mr. Xu to the Imperial City, the elder Songs might worry. Wei Jiaqiang’s case was different—he had no parental elders to manage affairs, and since there were no other elder family members at home, his affection for Mr. Xu had a subtle influence. Therefore, Wei Jiaqiang welcomed Mr. Xu to live with them in Z City.

After some consideration and taking into account Mr. Xu’s preference, Xu Xiuxiu finally asked him for his opinion.

"I’ll go to Si Ya’s place in Z City," Mr. Xu decided, seeing things clearly. He wouldn’t go to his eldest daughter’s, and his second daughter lived nearby so it would make more sense to just stay at home. When deciding between going to Third Girl’s or Si Ya’s, Mr. Xu had a clear idea. Third Girl’s family was living well enough, while Si Ya and her husband were on their own, with no one to lend them a hand in times of need. As an elder, if he went to Z City, he might not make a big difference, but he could at least watch over his little granddaughter and occasionally offer guidance to the children. Therefore, Mr. Xu made up his mind to go to his youngest daughter’s.