Chapter 168

Pei Jing had already booked the train tickets. An ZhiAng went to see them off that afternoon, taking them to the train station in the canteen truck that went grocery shopping. An ZhiAng insisted on watching them get on the train before going back.

"Eldest brother, as you can see, someone is taking care of me now. You can keep the money to spend on yourself from now on. You don't have to send it to me anymore," ZhiXia remembered. An ZhiAng also suddenly recalled that his letters were all sent to Jincheng. The letters ZhiXia received were probably forwarded another time from Jincheng.

So it was like that with second and third brother too. For a whole year plus, going back and forth so tirelessly. It seems everyone else knew except for him!

An ZhiAng started sulking again. "I'm your fourth elder brother. It's only right for me to spend money on you. And I have nowhere to spend money now anyway. I've never been able to hold onto money since I was little. I don't even know where I'd lose it if I kept it myself. So you just take it and consider it adding to your dowry."

He also didn't know how much dowry the old man at home had given, whether it was enough for his little sister to keep face. If he was there, he would definitely have made the old man give a considerable amount.

An ZhiAng was completely unaware that An JingZhi had given an amount, but ZhiXia did not take it.

She was not lacking money, and as for their kind intentions, she could not accept them.

ZhiXia had also heard that fourth brother always had empty pockets since he was little. Not only could he not hold onto his own money, he would also fleece his brothers. But he also knew his limits, stopping asking eldest brother for money after he got married, and from then on moving on to second and third brother.

Thinking of this, ZhiXia could not help laughing. "Alright, I'll save it for you for now. Let me know when you need money someday, and I'll give it to you then."

"It's not like there's anywhere I need money. You just use it whenever you need to, no need to save it specially." Afraid ZhiXia would be reluctant to spend, An ZhiAng looked left and right, then whispered in ZhiXia's ear, "Let fourth brother tell you something in secret, something even eldest brother doesn't know. Our family said everything was donated, but grandfather and grandmother still have quite a lot left."

An ZhiAng thought even eldest brother didn't know about this matter, not realizing that as the oldest grandson and pillar of the family, the older generation did not keep many things from An Zhiqing.

Hearing him say this, ZhiXia's eyes widened. "How do you know about that?" Grandmother had told her, but also said only eldest brother knew!

An ZhiAng smiled slyly. "Well, what can get past these fiery golden eyes of your fourth brother? I've known since I was very little. Underneath grandfather and grandmother's bed there's a secre..."

It's because he was too naughty when he was small. In the cabinets under the beds in the house, in grandmother's words, there were several rat holes, and the rats in the rat holes couldn't escape his eyes.

ZhiXia hurriedly covered his mouth. "Fourth brother, don't say anything more. It would be bad if someone else heard."

An ZhiAng quickly nodded. "Don't worry, your fourth brother's not stupid. I haven't even told eldest brother all these years, only told you."

Seeing the siblings whispering to each other, An ZhiAng's eyes rolling around like a child's, obviously saying things that shouldn't be heard.

But it was unimportant now, he told himself. Marrying a quite young wife, one had to be more accepting and allow her some playfulness.

And she had already told him such a big secret, what more could he ask for?

He helplessly shook his head and stopped watching the siblings, looking properly after the children instead.

Fortunately he was quite strong, carrying two children without tiring, allowing the siblings their own space.

Since fourth brother had told her something so important, ZhiXia also quietly moved closer to him. "Fourth brother, let me tell you something too."

"What is it?" An ZhiAng asked.

"Did you notice anything off after eating the meat and fruits I gave you yesterday?"

ZhiXia's question made An ZhiAng reflect for a bit. "No? Was there something wrong with the meat?"

He had tasted a piece of the fruits when ZhiXia first gave it to him. The others were clearly more interested in the meat, so he put the fruits away to slowly eat later.

"How could there be nothing? Didn't you feel hot in your body after eating it?" Pei Jing had said so.

Was it because the meat was dried, so the effects were lost? Or he simply hadn't eaten enough to feel it?

ZhiXia regretted a little that she hadn't tasted more before drying the meat. An ZhiAng carefully recalled. "Now that you mention it, I did feel that, here in the lower abdomen."

And not just him, the others in the dorm had felt it last night too.

Since the dried meat was quite tough and they drank some hot water after, feeling hot was normal right?

That's right, An ZhiAng suddenly realized the heat wasn't coming from his stomach but lower abdomen.

"I should be asking where you got so much meat from," An ZhiAng knew pork was not easy to obtain, let alone beef.

"No need to ask where it's from. Just know it's a good thing. Don't share it with others anymore. I made it specially for you with lots of nutrients to nourish the body. Once you finish this, I'll send more next time. You'll notice the benefits after eating more of it." ZhiXia had a moment where she wanted to tell him about her space.

But after thinking twice, she still could not say it.

Fourth brother was easygoing. If he leaked the secret like grandfather and grandmother's hidden room under the bed someday, it would be real trouble.

She should still let him know a little though, since she had good things that shouldn't be completely untouched, especially for her best fourth brother.

"No need to ask then. And don't push yourself, I don't lack anything to eat here. Just take care of yourself," An ZhiAng had such a carefree personality also because Pei Jing was by his side.

Although he disliked his brother-in-law very much as the eldest brother, he had to admit Pei Jing was quite capable and outstanding. He could fully protect ZhiXia.

With Pei Jing beside ZhiXia, it put his heart more at ease than leaving ZhiXia in Jincheng.

With the sounds of the train arriving and whistles urging them to board, they finally got on.

An ZhiAng watched them onto the train and stood there for a long time until the train left far into the distance before dejectedly leaving.

Just 9 more months to endure. It was unrealistic for little sister to visit with two children. Fortunately he now knew they weren't living far. Perhaps there might be a chance to go over.

An ZhiAng lifted his spirits again and left the station, going through another long journey before finally returning to Jincheng.

With the new year drawing close, red lanterns were hung in the streets, and pedestrians hurried to and fro preparing new year goods.