CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 17: THE SWALLOW RETURNS 17

"Whose child are you? What’s your name?"

The little boy still didn’t speak, staring intently at her.

Jiang Mingyue had no choice but to fetch water to wash the boy’s face.

Once his face was clean, the little guy looked handsome, fair-skinned and tender, quite unlike the local kids.

Worried about the fire in the kitchen, Jiang Mingyue brought the boy along into the kitchen.

In an instant, the room was filled with the aroma of meat, making anyone’s mouth water; few could resist, especially a child who was starving with skin and bones.

The boy’s eyes lit up, and his drool nearly hit the floor. Yet, despite this, the little guy didn’t move forward to grab the food, which made Jiang Mingyue like him more.

"Hungry, aren’t you? Just wait."

Soon, a bowl of soup dumplings piled with meat was placed in front of the little guy. He licked his lips, and licked again, craving terribly, yet he looked up and waited for Jiang Mingyue.

"Are you waiting for me to eat together?"

The little guy nodded.

"No need, I have eaten already. This is for you, eat quickly. I’ll cook more if it’s not enough."

With permission, the little guy immediately abandoned his kitten-like demeanor and transformed into a little wolf. Fortunately, Jiang Mingyue had the foresight to mix warm soup for him, preventing any burns.

While the little guy ate, Jiang Mingyue continued her kitchen tasks. Once the braised meat was ready, she stored it in the space, keeping some spices for the afternoon to make sausages. Once the space produced rice from harvested grains, she planned to make sausage rice stew for everyone, which the family would surely love.

Soon it was time to finish work. As Jiang Mingyue placed cabbage pork dumplings and blood pudding on the table, her family returned home.

Jiang Zhenmei: "Smells so good! Ming Yue, you have no idea. I used to dread finishing work because I had to cook when I got home, and the food wasn’t tasty. But now, I’m full of energy, rushing to finish early, just anticipating your cooking."

Her two brothers nodded in agreement: "Ming Yue, if cooking tires you out, we can deal with whatever is available. You should rest well."

Jiang Mingyue felt warm: "Thank you, brothers and sisters, and Mom. Cooking is just a chore, I’m not tired. But you all deserve it; I’ll make more buns later, put them in the basket for your breaks in the fields, and sneak a bite. Don’t neglect yourselves."

"Oh my, we’re adults, yet we have our sister worrying over us."

"Oh! Jiang Ran, why are you here?"

Named Jiang, and called Jiang Ran, Jiang Mingyue immediately thought of the youngest son of the Jiang Family’s eldest branch from the book.

Jiang Zhenmei: "Ming Yue, this is our younger cousin, Jiang Ran."

Jiang Mingyue smiled as she ruffled the little guy’s yellow hair: "So you really are our brother. Great! If you have nowhere to go, come to my house and play with me."

Jiang Mingyue could tell that the people from the third branch seemed to have a good relationship with the eldest branch, otherwise, the third sister wouldn’t have had this attitude.

For Old Jiang Family’s eldest branch in the rural book, there was only a brief mention. She recalled it said Old Mrs. Jiang had four sons. But she showed favoritism toward the second branch, and last night, accompanying her was the second branch’s wife, Wu Cuilan. This woman and her husband, Jiang Zhenghui, lacked abilities but could coax Old Mrs. Jiang, thus continually receiving her favoritism.

Consequently, both the second branch’s two grandsons and one granddaughter received preferential treatment from her.

In contrast, the eldest branch’s family had a moderate relationship with Old Mrs. Jiang, with the same moderate relationship as the third branch.

Yet, while Old Mrs. Jiang dared to bully the third branch, she didn’t dare to openly bully the eldest branch.

Because over the years, the eldest branch had supported the entire Jiang family, including when the third branch split from the Old Jiang Family.

What puzzled Jiang Mingyue was that despite the eldest branch having money and supporting the whole family, they let their youngest son resemble a little beggar, starving to the point of death.

But why was this?

"I’ll explain later; I need to hurry and eat now. Ming Yue, you’re simply our family’s cherished treasure."

"Third sister’s words are getting sweeter."

"Haven’t I always been sweet-talking?"

Jiang Mingyue suddenly recalled the scene when they first met; the third sister expressed immediate fondness for her, praising her as a bright moon.

Jiang Mingyue was at a loss for words.

Mrs. Jiang: "Alright, delicious food can’t shut your mouth. Xiao Ran, come eat too."

Jiang Ran tugged on Jiang Mingyue’s clothes and shook her head: "Sister already fed me."

Mrs. Jiang: "Clearly, our Xiao Ran is so loved by his sister. Alright, if you’re hungry, just tell your sister."

That day, Jiang Ran stayed with Jiang Mingyue, and she found it odd that the Jiang Family’s eldest branch hadn’t sought him out.

"Xiao Ran, you’ve been gone for quite a while; won’t your brother be worried?"

The little guy shook his head: "Dad and brother aren’t home."

Jiang Mingyue froze for a moment: "..." Yes, the book mentioned those two were money-making machines.

After Lu Jinlan, Uncle Jiang Zhengye’s wife, passed away, he became detached from the world, mechanically repairing his machines, earning a salary sent home every month. The eldest cousin, Jiang Ming’an, as a county department store buyer, was constantly running around. He remembered his home and younger brother, working hard mainly to send more money home, hoping Old Mrs. Jiang would take better care of his little brother for money’s sake.

But he probably didn’t expect, with neither father nor son around, for their five-year-old little brother, that those ambitious people wouldn’t treat him well.

Jiang Mingyue felt it necessary to meet her uncle and cousin she hadn’t yet seen.

However, Jiang Mingyue didn’t expect that the very evening she planned to, she encountered them.

Jiang Mingyue: "Xiao Mao, why are you pulling me?" After dinner, Jiang Mingyue sent Jiang Ran home, but unexpectedly, the little guy ran back.

Xiao Jiang Ran’s eyes were red from crying: "Go, go..."

Jiang Mingyue felt a bit helpless, realizing Xiao Mao was too emotional to express himself.

For some unknown reason, she did indeed follow him.

Despite meeting today for the first time.

Oh well, let’s consider it extending the connection from Xiao Qingting in a past life.

However, Jiang Mingyue soon realized Jiang Ran wasn’t leading her to the Jiang Family’s old house, but to the Baihua Forest at the village’s edge.

As they approached, her suspicion grew, but her steps didn’t falter. She experimented by using spiritual power to probe, pleasantly surprised when it responded instantly.

It revealed a man covered in blood, seemingly beaten, with green grass around him pressed down, traces suggesting he rolled down the mountain and got injured.

Jiang Mingyue thought, could Xiao Mao be leading her to save someone? But who was this person? What connection did he have with Xiao Mao?

"Xiao Ran, where exactly are you taking me? Are you leading me to save someone critically injured? Do you know him? What if he’s a bad guy?"

But the little guy ignored her, only persistent in pulling her.

Jiang Mingyue: "..." Pouring one’s heart out to a dog.