CHAPTER 293: CHAPTER 293: HONESTY 1_1

As she hesitated, Huang Xiaojue stepped forward and took her hand. "Xixi, are you scared?"

She stuck out her tongue.

"Don’t be afraid. You have me, don’t you?"

She chuckled. She loved that phrase, especially during difficult, dangerous, or worrying times, when someone would pat your hand and say, "Don’t be afraid, I’m here for you!"

Even so, when the door opened, Yan Xixi still felt apprehensive. Fortunately, it was Huang Xiaojue’s father who opened it. Upon seeing them, he immediately broke into a smile. "You’re finally back! Come in quickly. It’s cold outside. Come sit by the fire."

The living room had a well-decorated fireplace. It felt warm the moment they stepped inside.

Xixi respectfully handed over the gifts. "Uncle, I bought some small gifts for you and Auntie."

"Just having you back is wonderful. You really didn’t need to buy any gifts."

Hearing voices, Huang Xiaojue’s mother came out from the kitchen, her face initially stern. However, when she saw the bandage on Yan Xixi’s forehead, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of surprise and suspicion. Huang Xiaojue’s father was also surprised, but he quietly pulled his wife’s arm, signaling her not to ask questions rashly.

To spare his parents from worrying, and to prevent them from interrogating or doubting Yan Xixi, Huang Xiaojue hadn’t mentioned the incident to any acquaintances. Now, seeing both his parents staring at Yan Xixi, he said cheerfully, "Mom, Dad, now you understand why I was so busy during the New Year, right?"

His mother quickly asked, "Xixi, how did you get hurt?"

"On the twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month, Xixi went shopping and accidentally fell down the stairs. She was in the hospital for many days. I was afraid you’d worry, so I didn’t want to tell you. See? As soon as Xixi was a little better, we came back right away."

Huang Xiaojue’s mother had been extremely dissatisfied with Yan Xixi, always suspecting she was secretly up to some trick to keep her son from coming home. Now, seeing the "conclusive evidence," she immediately felt relieved, though she chided, "You two silly kids, why didn’t you tell us about something so serious? If you had, I could have at least made some nourishing food for you."

"Mom, wasn’t it because I was afraid you’d worry? Besides, you’re superstitious. You always say bad things shouldn’t happen during the Spring Festival. I remember one year, you had a toothache on New Year’s Day. It was so painful you could hardly bear it, but you still wouldn’t go to the hospital, saying it was unlucky. That’s why I didn’t tell you."

"I might not go to the hospital myself, but Xixi’s situation was an accident, wasn’t it? How can you generalize like that?"

"Alright, Mom, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have hidden it from you. But Xixi is all better now. Look, this is the New Year’s gift Xixi bought for you..."

His mother took the large gold bracelet. It was heavy, and the pattern and style were exquisite. When she put it on her wrist, it looked very fashionable. At least this girl has first-rate taste in picking things, she thought. Huang Xiaojue praised enthusiastically, "Mom, look how beautiful it is! Xixi has great taste, doesn’t she?"

"It is beautiful, but you two kids really shouldn’t spend money recklessly. You’ll need money for many things in the future."

Seeing the two elders happy, Yan Xixi finally breathed a secret sigh of relief.

Huang Xiaojue saw the food already set on the table and exclaimed dramatically, "I’m starving! Time to eat, right?"

His mother shot him a look. "You have a couple of drinks with your father first. I’ll go make a few more dishes."

"There’s no need, right? This is pretty much enough."

"It’s the New Year, after all. I’ll go add a few more."

Yan Xixi quickly said, "Auntie, let me help you."

Huang Xiaojue quickly pulled her back, grinning. "You’re injured, and it’s not convenient for you to move around. You just sit there. Mom, I’ll help you."