CHAPTER 371: CHAPTER 339: I WAS THE ONE WHO SHOULD HAVE COME TO THE CAPITAL! (PART 1)

On the day Song Erlang’s family arrived in Capital, Wen Wan brought Jinbao and Song Jiao, taking a carriage to the city gate to welcome them.

Before leaving the Capital, Wei Qian received instructions from Song Wei that there was no need to hurry on the journey to Beijing, and to ensure proper care for Song Duobao.

Therefore, along the journey, they stayed at inns whenever they encountered them. Sometimes, if the weather looked unfavorable, they would stay at the inn for two or three days before setting off again, ensuring ample rest.

So, even facing the spring chill in Beijing, the group’s mental state was not too bad.

Upon seeing Song Erlang and his wife, Wen Wan held Jinbao’s little hand and approached, encouraging him to greet them, "Jinbao, call second uncle and second aunt."

Jinbao lifted his small head, his eyes swirling as he sized up the couple for a while before softly calling out, "Second uncle~ second aunt~"

The Northern Land was cold, and the little one was bundled in thick cotton clothes, with added layers to his cotton jacket and pants, short deer leather boots that were waterproof and warm, and his windproof hat shielded his little ears, leaving only his rosy, chubby face exposed, with lively black eyes.

Jinbao arrived in Capital just a few months old and has been living a good life in the city following his parents, with fair and tender skin, chubby arms and legs.

Jinbao and Duobao, similar names but different growth conditions, both arriving in Shangjing City at half a year old, yet their living conditions were worlds apart.

Second Lang’s wife glanced at Jinbao, who was irresistibly adorable, then looked at her son in her arms, feeling a pang of bitterness with the comparison.

If the earthquake hadn’t happened, if their family hadn’t lost their house and fish pond, Duobao would surely be living better.

With mixed emotions, she heard Wen Wan’s welcoming voice, "Second brother and second sister-in-law, you must be exhausted after your long journey?"

To avoid making second sister-in-law feel like she was showing off, Wen Wan chose not to wear clothes of too good material, opting for something more ordinary. But she wasn’t aware that, having spent a year and a half at Hongwen Academy, her elegant and dignified aura couldn’t be hidden by clothing or ornaments.

While speaking to others, she remained approachable, and this natural demeanor made Song Erlang a bit embarrassed. He tugged at the corners of his mouth and scratched his head, "The food and lodging were good along the way, we’re not tired, not tired."

Wen Wan turned her attention to Second Lang’s wife, who smiled politely at her.

After all, being desperate and seeking help from another family, she couldn’t muster her previous domineering stance.

A disaster had, in some ways, changed her mindset.

Sometimes, surviving is more important than anything.

No matter how heartless she could be, she wouldn’t forget who showed up just in time to save their whole family from despair when they lost their home and daughter, and their son was nearly killed by the disaster.

Wen Wan moved forward and glanced at Song Duobao, whose eyes were open in Second Sister-in-law’s arms.

The little one was very thin, with little flesh on his face, his skin roughened by the Ningzhou wind.

Seeing this, Wen Wan felt a pang of sympathy and extended her hand, "Second sister-in-law must be tired holding him all the way, come, let me hold him for a while!"

Second Lang’s wife stole a glance at Wen Wan, and the closer she got, the more evident Wen Wan’s graceful and noble aura became.

With such demeanor, holding her son seemed beneath her, so Second Lang’s wife shook her head and smiled, "Duobao is new here and a bit shy, I’ll keep holding him. Once we’re home, Third Sister-in-law can hold him as much as she wants."

Before Jinbao came to Beijing, Second Lang’s wife had seen him, already fair and chubby, and after arriving, he lived even better.

Her own Duobao didn’t have such circumstances and couldn’t compare with Jinbao, making her reluctant to let Duobao approach Wen Wan.

Faced with the once silent sister-in-law, it was rare for Second Lang’s wife to feel inferior.

Compared to a woman’s sensitivity, Song Erlang seemed more rough and straightforward. Now that they had arrived in the Capital, he wasn’t thinking too deeply, constantly looking around, wanting to fully remember the prosperous and rich sights of the Capital, contemplating the possibility of boasting in the future that he’s been to the Capital.

...

Er Ya’s gaze had been fixed on Song Jiao ever since she alighted from the carriage, noticing that the other was dressed in a Chinese Plumb-colored embroidered begonia jacket and skirt, with bracelets on her wrist and novel styled pearl flowers on her head. Er Ya didn’t recognize the names of these things, nor knew if they were good, but such items were things she had never dared to dream about before.

If not for her familiar face, Er Ya almost couldn’t believe this was the sister who once tearfully refused to come to Beijing.

"Er Ya." Seeing her, Song Jiao’s face lit up with joy. Fearing to interrupt the adults, she reached out, held her sister’s hand, and pulled her aside, smilingly saying, "Just a while ago, I had some deer leather boots made for you, intending to send them home, but Third Aunt told me you were coming to the Capital soon. I’ve kept them in my room; you can try them on when we get home to see if they fit."

After speaking, she glanced behind Er Ya, a hint of confusion in her eyes, "Where’s Sanyang?"

Er Ya didn’t rush to speak, thoroughly observing Song Jiao before curling her lips in a sarcastic smile, "If I remember correctly, the one who ran away in anger and almost caused mother to miscarry for not wanting to come to the Capital was you, right?"

Song Jiao’s smile faded halfway, "Er Ya..."

"Now you’re the one living like a rich girl with fine clothes and good food, always calling ’Third Aunt,’ closer than your own mother. You’ve almost become their family’s dog." Er Ya finished speaking, lifted her head, and stared directly into Song Jiao’s eyes, "Sister, don’t you think you’re cheap?"

After waiting over a month for this family reunion, it was doused in cold water instantly, leaving Song Jiao feeling chilled to the bone. She tugged at her lips, forcing a smile again, "It’s okay if you don’t like the boots, we can make something else later. There are still materials in the storeroom, we can make clothes, you can choose any pattern you like."

"Stop pretending in front of me!" Er Ya didn’t appreciate her gesture at all, yanking her hand away from Song Jiao’s, "I’m not like you, saying you would die rather than come, but then sneaking away before dawn. They have money and means to turn you into a rich girl, and now you’re back here pitying me, the village girl? Yet you said you wouldn’t come back, ha!"

Song Jiao looked at her sister’s angry face, and sighed internally, "You’ve just arrived, go see Grandpa and Grandma first, get something to eat and rest up. Whatever else you want to say, we can talk about it another day."

Er Ya didn’t expect that after she had said so much, the other person would still maintain such a good-natured demeanor, like punching cotton, making her feel frustrated and helpless.

Meanwhile, Wen Wan, talking with Second Lang’s wife, noticed the strange tension between the two sisters not far away. She glanced at Song Jiao and asked, "What’s going on?"

Hearing Wen Wan’s voice, Er Ya rolled her eyes unapologetically and then looked elsewhere, not even giving her "Third Aunt" a direct glance.

Seeing her parents and Third Aunt looking at her and her sister, Song Jiao smiled, "It’s nothing, Third Aunt, Er Ya and I haven’t seen each other in so long, emotions are bound to be high."

Wen Wan said, "It’s quite cold outside, no need to stand around. Let’s get into the car, whatever’s left to say can be said at home."

"Alright, sure."

Song Jiao replied with a smile, turning back to hear Er Ya’s cold snort ringing in her ears, "What did I say? You’re exactly like a dog in the Third Family. Your real mother stood there for half the day and you didn’t even greet her, but that woman’s fake concern becomes a decree for you, and you can’t wait to call her mother. Mom and Dad shouldn’t have let you come to the Capital, I should have been the one to come!"

"..." Faced with her sister’s sarcasm, Song Jiao couldn’t muster a rebuttal.

After all, it was she who said she wouldn’t come to the Capital, and also she who didn’t want to go back after arriving here.

The more she kept silent, the more smug Er Ya’s expression became, "What, did I hit a sore spot so hard you can’t speak?"

Looking at her sister, Song Jiao, who should have been angry, recalled Third Uncle and Third Aunt’s ways of dealing with situations, calming herself down slowly, and said to Er Ya, "You can scold me all you want, but it’s really cold out here, can’t we get into the carriage first?"

Hearing this, Er Ya’s anger didn’t diminish but increased.

"Disgraceful!"

Leaving these two words behind, she turned and walked briskly towards the carriage she came in.

Song Jiao initially wanted Er Ya to sit in the same carriage with her and Third Aunt, to take the opportunity to mend their relationship.

She wanted Er Ya to know that Third Aunt was nice, and it wasn’t like what their parents used to say, they all misunderstood Third Aunt.

But Er Ya had already gotten into the carriage at the back, so Song Jiao had to give up the idea.

Wen Wan and Song Erlang’s conversation with the couple also came to an end, everyone headed towards their respective carriages.

Just as Song Jiao was about to go over to open the curtain for her parents, the curtain was lifted from inside.

It could only be Er Ya, no need to guess.

Retracting her gaze, Song Jiao said to Wen Wan, "Third Aunt, shall we get in the carriage?"

While speaking, she naturally held up the curtain for her.

This scene was captured in Er Ya’s eyes across the way, without hesitation, she cursed out, "Born with a slave’s bone!"

Song Erlang asked her, who are you cursing at?

Er Ya said she wasn’t cursing anyone, her dad must have misheard.

Carrying her son into the carriage, Second Lang’s wife frowned at the daughter nearby, "Before coming to Beijing, I told you to greet the elders when you see them, but you went ahead rolling your eyes and cursing, who are you trying to show?"

Er Ya pretended not to hear, eyes glancing out the window, humming a tune under her breath.

Second Lang’s wife was furious, "Song Er Ya, answer me!"

"What?" Er Ya suddenly turned her head, facing her mother’s fierce gaze, "That woman transferred your eldest daughter under her name, turning into their family dog, always calling ’Third Aunt,’ doesn’t even acknowledge you as her real mom, and you still want me to be polite to her?"