CHAPTER 526: CHAPTER 510 THANK YOU

"Who knows, why bother with so much?"

Liu Jie displayed a cold indifference and quickly headed towards the dormitory.

Jin Xiaomei thought the same, what does it have to do with her?

Feng Na, however, quickly walked over.

Jin Xiaomei watched Feng Na’s back and sneered disdainfully.

Feng Na is just like that, always pretending to be compassionate.

She just wants to leave a good impression on Jiang Xiaoxiao. She is already his good friend, everyone knows they are like brother and sister.

She has already cozied up enough and still acts so solicitous.

Isn’t it tiring!

Feng Na hurried over, the boy jumped off the chair upon seeing her.

He seemed to want to run over but somehow stood still, shrinking back a bit, tugging at his collar.

Feng Na approached the boy.

"Xiaoxiao, why are you with Hu Zi?"

At this moment, Feng Na bristled, her expression a mix of vigilance, anger, and unease. Jiang Xiaoxiao stood up, "Hu Zi said he was hungry, his dad went to buy food for him, but hasn’t returned. Hu Zi said you’re his sister, and you took good care of him when you were a youth volunteer in the countryside."

Jiang Xiaoxiao calmly stated what Hu Zi wanted her to know.

Whether the story is true or not isn’t important anymore; what matters is that Jiang Xiaoxiao felt a dull ache in her heart, knowing that the child had to lie for the dignity of adults.

He’s matured enough to know how to protect his family.

Such a young child should be with his parents, enjoying their love, but now he’s trying hard to pretend that he has no connection with those in front of him.

Feng Na glanced apologetically at Jiang Xiaoxiao, realizing she was overly anxious, worried about being exposed, treating Jiang Xiaoxiao almost like an enemy.

In truth, Jiang Xiaoxiao isn’t someone who spreads gossip, and Feng Na’s worry was completely unnecessary.

"Xiaoxiao, I’m sorry! I..."

Jiang Xiaoxiao held the child’s hand and handed him to Feng Na, "How about I accompany you and the child to the canteen to look for the child’s father? Besides, the child is hungry and needs something to eat. They came to Jingbei and couldn’t find the place, traveling for three days and three nights to get here."

The child said they walked during the day and slept on the street corner at night. Even a robust person wouldn’t stand it; such a young child, I’m worried his health couldn’t take it."

Feng Na looked guilt-ridden at Hu Zi!

Hu Zi timidly gripped Feng Na’s hand tightly, his little hand dirty and distinct against Feng Na’s fair palm, making it all the more poignant.

"Xiaoxiao, thank you."

She didn’t have the courage to face it alone.

The three arrived at the canteen.

Feng Na went to get some food.

A shredded potato dish, a mixed vegetable dish with two slices of pork, and a serving of rice.

The child lifted the scarf but didn’t take it off.

Probably used to being ridiculed, the child had learned to hold the scarf with one hand while shoveling food into his mouth vigorously with the other.

The speed of gulping down the food proved the child had been hungry for a long time.

However, due to his mouth, various bits of food kept falling as he ate.

Jiang Xiaoxiao gently tied her handkerchief around his neck.

"Hu Zi, eat slowly, don’t rush; all of this food is yours."

Perhaps because of Jiang Xiaoxiao’s gentle voice, Hu Zi gradually slowed down.

His chaotic manner began to improve, and Feng Na suddenly remembered.

This ticking time bomb has already exploded, but what about that man?

Leaving the child here, where did he go? The school isn’t big; where could he possibly run off to?

If others find out about her having a man and a child, Feng Na couldn’t imagine the consequences.

"Xiaoxiao, please help me, keep an eye on Hu Zi here while I go look for his dad."

Feng Na was anxious.

Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded, "The child can’t stay in the dormitory. After he finishes eating, I’ll take him to a guesthouse near the school, get him cleaned up, change his clothes, and let him sleep well. You can find me at the front desk and look for my name."

With Feng Na a bit frantic, Jiang Xiaoxiao felt that she couldn’t keep the kid in the canteen all the time. It attracts too much attention, and besides, the child has been tired for so long, needs to rest properly.

Feng Na gratefully squeezed Jiang Xiaoxiao’s hand, "Thank you, thank you Xiaoxiao."

Turned around and left.

Jiang Xiaoxiao watched Hu Zi surprisingly finish all the food.

The meal consisted of four ounces of rice and two dishes, even an adult would find their stomach stuffed.

The canteen served generously.

But this child actually finished the entire meal.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was genuinely worried that the child’s belly might burst.

After eating, Hu Zi felt a bit ashamed, touching his round belly and shyly said.

"Auntie, I forgot to save food for daddy."

Jiang Xiaoxiao pulled Hu Zi up.

"It’s okay, your dad is an adult, it’s fine not to save for him. If he’s hungry, he can come eat at the canteen. The food’s pretty cheap here. Let’s go, Auntie will take you to wash up and have a good sleep, and when you wake up, your sister and daddy will come find you."

Took Hu Zi to the guesthouse near the school.

Without an introduction letter, you can’t stay at the guesthouse.

This isn’t like modern hotels where you can stay freely, only needing an ID. Back then, you needed a formal letter for traveling on business to stay at a guesthouse, otherwise it was extremely difficult.

Jiang Xiaoxiao felt troubled!

The child was obviously exhausted, his eyes barely staying open.

She already held the child in her arms, his head resting on her shoulder.

The guesthouse wasn’t an option, and neither was the dormitory.

She had no choice but to bring the child home.

Exiting the guesthouse, Jiang Xiaoxiao ran into Feng Na.

Feng Na saw Jiang Xiaoxiao holding the sleeping child and hurried over.

"Xiaoxiao, thank you so much, I searched the entire school for the child’s father and couldn’t find him. From the gatekeeper, I got a note he left for me. He went back to the village, leaving the child with me."

Feng Na was too angry to speak, unable to care for Hu Zi due to her circumstances.

This man knew how to persuade her, but she wouldn’t return, so he directly left the child with her.

Either she takes care of Hu Zi, or obediently sends Hu Zi back.

Once she returns to the village, coming back out would be near impossible.

The man must have planned this before coming.

He’s forcing her to go back.

Jiang Xiaoxiao sensed it too, realizing the man probably intended those words as a final message—a desperate act.

"Don’t worry, the immediate priority is to settle Hu Zi down. You can’t take him back to the dormitory, and as you saw, the guesthouse won’t work. We can’t get an introduction letter, and you can’t leave Hu Zi at the guesthouse forever either.

How about this: come to my home with Hu Zi."

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s home is near the school, just across the street.

Feng Na didn’t know what to say. At this moment, she really had nowhere else to turn; without Jiang Xiaoxiao, what could she do with Hu Zi?

"Thank you!"

Beyond a simple thank you, she couldn’t express her gratitude enough.