Chapter 251 - Chapter 251: 251. Never left before

Chapter 251: 251. Never left before

Translator: 549690339

The day Bai Xiaohu was kidnapped, he wanted to go home early after school, but Zhuzi wanted to go play with Erniu.

So, Bai Xiaohu walked home alone from school. It wasn’t a long way, and they usually walked and played together with their little brothers. The people in the village were familiar with each other.

As a result, he was walking halfway between two thick trees when someone jumped off and covered his mouth, put him in a sack, and took him away through the forest path.

Zhuzi returned home and panicked when he saw that Bai Xiaohu hadn’t come back yet, saying that he had left first.

The Bai family searched all over the village, and when they didn’t find him by nightfall, they knew something was wrong. Su Bai mobilized the village’s young men to look for Bai Xiaohu in nearby mountains and villages for a long time, but they couldn’t find him, and no one had seen him.

The Bai family felt that their world had collapsed. Grandpa Bai’s hair turned white overnight, Grandma Bai cried every day, and Liu cried every night, saying that she would sit at the door and wait for Little Tiger to come home.

Zhuzi blamed himself, saying that he should have gone home with his brother after school so that the kidnapper might not have dared to act if they saw both of them together.

Everyone in the village, including Bai’s family, believed Bai Xiaohu was kidnapped by traffickers.

Such things were often heard within a radius of ten miles. Boys and girls were abducted, but none were found. Except for the scandal caused by Gai Yun and Gai Huai’an, only Liu Xiaoyue was found, and now she had disappeared.

It was said that abducted boys were sold as slaves, and girls were mostly sold into brothels.

Originally, after getting to know Su Liang, Bai family’s life was getting better and better. In the month since Bai Xiaohu’s disappearance, they were in a state of anxiety and couldn’t go on with their lives.

It wasn’t until Su Bai received a letter from Su Liang from the capital city, stating that she had saved Bai Xiaohu and would be sending him home soon, that their excitement turned to joy. He rushed to Baits house and told them the good news.

In fact, Su Liang made it clear in the letter that Bai Xiaohu was involved because of her.

But Su Bai didn’t tell the Bai family so much, only that Bai Xiaohu had been taken to the capital city, and Su Liang had saved him.

Upon confirming this and hearing Su Bai swear that it was true, they couldn’t help but cry and laugh with excitement.

Since then, every day after school, Zhuzi would look towards the entrance of the village for a while, waiting for Su Liang and Bai Xiaohu to come back.

Su Bai had brought people to tidy up Su Yuanzhou’s ancestral grave, clear the weeds and debris, and invite a Feng Shui master to select the grave’s location, and the manpower was all ready.

The villagers all knew that Su Liang had saved Bai Xiaohu and would soon bring the family’s coffins home for burial, praising her for both her skills and filial piety.

As September arrived, the days in the small northern village grew colder.

One day, Zhuzi, wearing the thin cotton jacket he had taken from Bai Xiaohu, stood on the bridge after school, looking at the entrance of the village, waiting for his brother.

After waiting for a long time, and as the sun was setting, he heard Grandma Bai calling him to come back. Zhuzi sighed, shifted his bag, and prepared to go home.

At the moment of turninz around, Zhuzi heard faint hoofbeats.

There were cows, donkeys, and two mules in the village, but no horses usually.

Zhuzi rubbed his eyes, saw the carriage, and immediately rushed out, shouting, “It’s my brother! My brother is back!”

Grandma Bai didn’t hear it, but she stood at the door, looking at the bridge where her grandson had disappeared, and immediately panicked and ran over.

“Brother! Brother!” Zhuzi shouted, running toward the direction of the carriage even as he tripped and quickly got back up.

Bai Xiaohu poked his head out of the carriage and waved to Zhuzi, “Little brother! Little brother! I’m here!”

Qi Jun was also in the carriage, while Su Liang was in the carriage behind. The coffins of the Su family were following in the rear, and the procession was quite long.

The villagers, hearing the commotion, came out of their houses one after another and saw the carriage returning, knowing that Su Liang had come back.

The carriage pulled up next to Zhuzi, and Qi Jun reached out, lifting him up and onto the carriage. “Brother! ”

“Brother! ”

The two children hugged each other, starting with laughter, then crying together.

Qi Jun watched from the side, feeling a sour sensation in his heart. He suddenly missed his brother too, it had been a long time since they had a fight…

Madame Bai stood at the bridgehead, wiping her tears as she watched the carriage approach.

Thanks to Su Liang’s medical care and Qi Jun’s attentive nursing, Bai Xiaohu’s health had improved. During the journey, he enjoyed good food and beautiful scenery. He had regained weight, his face was rosy, and his skin was a few shades lighter than before. He looked like a refined young man.

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi got out of the carriage and both rushed to hug Madame Bai.

Seeing her grandson who was lost and now found, Madame Bai couldn’t help but let her old tears flow freely and hold him tightly.

Many villagers gathered around, all saying that Little Tiger had grown taller and whiter, looking as imposing as the young masters from the capital city. They greeted Su Liang as she got out of the carriage.

During her last stay in the village, Su Liang had gotten to know almost everyone. At that time, the school she funded was on the right track, and the villagers were all very enthusiastic about her.

Su Liang greeted everyone by name in return.

Su Bai, who rushed over upon hearing the news, saw Su Liang bring Bai Xiaohu back safely and let out a sigh of relief. He still affectionately called her “Liang

Girl” and arranged for the coffins to be taken to the Grand Ancestral Hall of the Su Family.

After the escort master delivered the coffins, Su Liang settled the final payment with them, gave them extra rewards, and they withdrew.

They had originally thought that Su Liang’s enemies might appear along the way, but nothing unexpected happened, making their journey quite relaxed.

Su Liang opened the door and returned alone to the familiar courtyard. The weeds in the yard had grown a bit taller, probably from seeds that had drifted down from the mountain.

But this was Su Liang’s first home after transmigration, and the most comfortable and relaxing place for her. Even the green and yellow weeds on the ground seemed adorable to her.

Madame Bai called two daughters-in-law to help Su Liang clean and tidy up. As they entered, they saw her standing silently in the courtyard.

This scene reminded Madame Bai of “Ning Jing” and thought Su Liang must be grieving his death but didn’t show it in front of others. Su Liang had left hurriedly last time after receiving the news that “Ning Jing” had been killed.

Madame Bai sighed deeply: “Liang Girl! Let us help you clean up!”

Su Liang turned around with a smile, which surprised Madame Bai as she had thought Su Liang was quietly crying over “Ning Jing’s” room…

In any case, Madame Bai was a bit puzzled by this. When she mentioned it to her husband, Old Bai sighed: “Ning Jing has been gone for a while now, Liang Girl is strong. When have you ever seen her cry? She must have accepted it.”

Su Liang didn’t refuse the Bai family’s help. Madame Bai and her daughters-in-law started cleaning and tidying up.

After putting her luggage in her room, Su Liang went into the backyard.

Last time she left, there were pumpkins and eggplants growing in the backyard. Gu Ling had picked an eggplant and a pumpkin to take with him. He had shown his true face for the first time in front of Su Liang after they had eaten delicious roasted eggplants together in the small grove one night. The pumpkin was too tender, so the next day he made Pumpkin Egg-filled Dumplings.

Now the eggplant leaves had turned yellow, but two late-ripening purple eggplants could still be seen, round and shiny.

Most of the pumpkin vines on the wall had dried up, but about four or five long old pumpkins still hung on the vines, covered in a layer of white frost. As soon as Su Liang saw them, she started thinking about how to make pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin soup.

The room’s doors and windows were tightly sealed, and the room could be lived in after a simple cleaning.

After the weeds in the yard were removed, Madame Bai helped clean the kitchen. Su Liang thanked her and gave her special gifts such as cloth and desserts. Madame Bai was straightforward and didn’t refuse, took them and left with her daughters -in-law.

As soon as they left, Old Bai came with a shoulder pole, bringing two large baskets of food, all from their own home, giving Su Liang a portion of everything.

Madame Bai had already invited Su Liang to eat at her house, telling her not to cook herself. But Su Liang said that she would be staying for a while and didn’t want to rely on the Bai family for meals, it wasn’t about being polite.

Of course, if it were just Su Liang, she would have eaten at Bail s house every day. But there was a hidden Xianxian, so she had no choice.

Su Liang thanked Uncle Bai and chatted with him for a while.

Su Bai came over and discussed the burial with Su Liang.

Since Su Yuanzhou had been gone for so long, and only Su Liang was left as his granddaughter, Su Bai felt that the funeral should be simple and focused on properly burying Su Yuanzhou in the ancestral grave.

Su Liang expressed that she would follow Su Bai’s arrangements for everything regarding this matter, as he was always a considerate person. They would get help from the villagers, and after the burial, they would have a feast. Finally, it was decided to dig the grave tomorrow and bury the body the day after.

Su Liang had previously given Su Bai a silver banknote, and now she took out another one. Su Bai got up and left, “I haven’t even used the previous one yet!

You should rest! I’ll be going!”

Finally, tranquility returned to the small courtyard.

Qi Jun went to Bai Xiaohu’s house, bringing the gifts that Su Liang had bought, one by one, and hadn’t come back yet.

“Let him stay at Xiaohu’s house.” Gu Ling’s voice suddenly rang out behind her.

Su Liang was not startled and turned to see him coming out of the inner room with his usual disguised face.

“Did you see the eggplant and pumpkin in the backyard?” Su Liang asked. Gu Ling nodded, “Crisp Eggplant and Pumpkin Pancake.”

Su Liang smiled lightly, “Me too.” In fact, she didn’t usually crave for food, but when seeing her own grown vegetables, it made her feel like eating them.

“Let Qi Jun stay at Xiaohu’s house.” Gu Ling repeated.

Su Liang thought for a while, “That makes sense, otherwise, you won’t have anywhere to stay. This courtyard, though large, is quite open, unlike the Yuanming Pavilion. Let Qi Jun stay there and teach Xiaohu and Zhuzi martial arts for strength and fitness. If some other kids want to learn as well, they can join in, so he won’t be bored.”

At this moment, Qi Jun, who had just taken Xiaohu and Zhuzi out of Erniu’s house, was looking forward to the leisurely and comfortable life in the beautiful mountain village ahead…

When Qi Jun returned after delivering all the gifts, he had two tails behind him.

“Sister Su Liang! Sister Su Liang!” Zhuzi yelled as soon as he entered the door.

Su Liang came out, and Zhuzi ran to her with a smile, saying, “Sister Su Liang, I’ve grown taller!”

Su Liang rubbed Zhuzi’s still fluffy hair and smiled, “Yes, you’ve grown taller.” When they first met, he was a sickly child, but now he was like a robust calf, full of vitality.

After a while, Qi Jun said he would take the two kids back and picked the corner room which Su Liang had used earlier for practicing medicine in the firewood room, “I’ll live in that small room.”

But Su Liang said, “You can stay at Xiaohu’s house.”

Qi Jun was stunned, listening to Su Liang’s idea of teaching the kids martial arts. He thought it was a good thing, and he liked being with the kids, but did he have to stay at Xiaohu’s house?

“I didn’t consider Master’s reputation carefully. For her sake, I will stay at Xiaohu’s house,” Qi Jun thought for a while and agreed. Having a male servant stay with Su Liang, a young lady, would easily provoke gossip.

Su Liang nodded solemnly, “Okay, you can go. You will eat and live there, and I will look for you if I need anything.”

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi were both very happy, one on each side, pulling Qi Jun away.

When Qi Jun arrived at the Bai Family, Uncle and Aunt Bai agreed that he should stay with them, as he was not a maid and could not live alone with Su Liang.

The Bai family warmly entertained Qi Jun, and Uncle Bai arranged for Qi Jun to stay in the room with Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi, while the two kids stayed with their parents.

Qi Jun quickly said that since he would be their master from now on, he could just stay with them in the same room.

Aunt Bai asked Qi Jun if he was married or engaged and what kind of girl he liked. Qi Jun quickly said that he would have to listen to his father about that.

Aunt Bai wasn’t trying to introduce local girls to Qi Jun, as they wouldn’t be suitable matches, but she couldn’t help asking him about these things when she saw such a good young man.

When they entered the village, the sun was about to set, and by the time Gu Ling lit the fire and Su Liang started preparing dinner, it was pitch black outside.

Xiaohu brought four Plain Steamed Buns, and Su Liang and Gu Ling each ate one before starting to make the Crisp Eggplant and Pumpkin Pancakes.

Gu Ling picked a pumpkin as long as his arm, lit the fire, and according to Su Liang’s instructions, cut a section and placed the remainder aside. He then peeled and deseeded it.

“Don’t throw away the pumpkin seeds, they can be eaten,” Su Liang said.

Gu Ling put the pumpkin seeds in a clean big bowl, steamed and mashed the diced pumpkin, and then started to mix the dough.

As Su Liang cut the eggplant, she sighed, “It’s as if I never left. What were we doing on this day last year?”

Gu Ling didn’t hesitate to answer, “Sweet and Sour Ribs.”

Su Liang was stunned, “Did I make Sweet and Sour Ribs for dinner on this day last year?”

Gu Ling nodded.

Su Liang said softly, “Great God, your memory is too good. I can’t remember at all.

“I knew you wouldn’t remember, so I just made it up,” Gu Ling said, “Actually, I want to eat Sweet and Sour Ribs tomorrow.”

Su Liang: …

After tasting the first Pumpkin Pancake, Su Liang gave a piece to Gu Ling.

It was fragrant, sweet, and delicious.

By the time the Crisp Eggplant and Pumpkin Pancakes were ready, Su Liang asked Gu Ling to watch over the soup boiling in the pot while she took a bowl of Crisp Eggplant and a small basket of Pumpkin Pancakes to the Bai family.

All the Bai family members had just started eating when Su Liang arrived, and they quickly made room for her.

“I have more food at home, I’ll go back and eat,” Su Liang said, putting down the dishes and pancakes. Zhuzi tasted a hot pumpkin pancake and exclaimed loudly, “It’s so delicious!”

Su Liang smiled and took her leave.

When she returned home, the small hall was lit, and Gu Ling’s silhouette was reflected on the window as he set the table.

Su Liang looked up to see a meteor flash across the night sky, followed by another.

“A meteor shower!” Su Liang exclaimed with delight, “Great God, come out quickly!”

Gu Ling walked to Su Liang’s side and gazed at the night sky with her.

“It’s said that if you make a wish upon a shooting star, it will come true,” Su

Liang clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, “Great God, please hurry and make your wish.”

What Su Liang was referring to was Gu Ling’s wish to travel to her previous life.

Gu Ling looked at the shooting stars, clasped his hands together, and silently made a wish in his heart, “May Su Xiaoliang and I never part.”

When the meteor shower ended, the two of them walked back to their rooms.

Gu Ling asked Su Liang, “What did you wish for?”

Su Liang blurted out, “Peace and health, and peace throughout the world.”

Gu Ling walked past Su Liang and entered the room, “We should eat the Crisp

Eggplant while it’s hot..”