Jiang Chen glanced at the barely touched tea on the table. "Have you eaten? I'll order from a restaurant."
"I'll go!" Du Hu leaped up like a man granted reprieve. "I know every restaurant in Maple City!"
Aunt Song sat down and waved her hand. "No rush. I came because I need to speak with you."
Watching An'an secretly observing him, Jiang Chen smiled gently. "What is it?"
Aunt Song stroked An'an's small head. "Go out with these big brothers for a while. See where your brother trains and lives."
Du Hu immediately spread his arms at little An'an, his bearded face crinkling like an old chrysanthemum. "Come on! Uncle Hu will buy you treats!"
Ling Chuan added: "Don't worry. We're sworn brothers with Jiang Chen. We'll take good care of An'an."
Little An'an was sensible. Though timid, she obeyed her mother — and shuffled toward Ling Chuan.
However reliable Ling Chuan's warm smile looked, it beat Du Hu's wild beard and exaggerated grin by a wide margin.
Ling Chuan left with An'an, satisfied. Du Hu shot Jiang Chen a glare before departing — his eyes clearly asked: what does your sister have against me?
Once they were gone, Jiang Chen's smile faded. "Has Phoenix Creek Town been peaceful? Is the shop doing well?"
"Nothing major, just..." Aunt Song twisted her hands.
"Please speak freely."
"Since your father passed, the shop's business has declined day by day. We're barely surviving..." She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
The remaining shop sold medicinal herbs. Small scale, but built on years of connections. It had a solid reputation in Phoenix Creek Town. When the family fell on hard times, they sold almost everything — yet kept this shop because it provided steady income. With it, they would never starve.
What kind of person could ruin a profitable, stable business in just a few years?
Jiang Chen was no fool. His father had taught him business basics, hoping he could fall back on something if cultivation failed.
He knew something was wrong. But he only asked: "Is there anything I can help with, Aunt Song?"
He thought perhaps she wanted silver. He could scrape some together. Whatever happened, An'an was his only sister. Even just for An'an's sake, he wanted them to live better.
"I know Xiao Wang has always worked hard. You'll have a bright future. But Aunt Song..." She wiped her eyes. "I'm just a woman with no skills. I cannot carry on..."
She looked up with tear-filled eyes. "Can you take care of An'an?"
The last warmth vanished from Jiang Chen's eyes.
He had never imagined she would abandon her own daughter.
Jiang Chen nodded slowly. "I see. You've found a good match?"
Aunt Song lowered her gaze. Only now, before her late husband's eldest son, did shame creep up from the depths of her heart.
"Marriage is human nature." Jiang Chen never spoke harshly. "Does An'an know she'll be living with me?"
"She doesn't know yet. I wanted to ask you first. You know how timid she is, afraid of strangers. Even if I took her, she wouldn't adjust..." Aunt Song's voice grew smaller.
"I understand. Should I tell her, or will you?"
"You tell her..." Aunt Song stood. "I... I must go. The carriage waits outside the city."
Jiang Chen was silent a moment. "Very well. I won't see you off."
"I'll send silver every month."
"Not necessary. I can provide for An'an. Aunt Song... take care of yourself."
"Yes. You and An'an be well." She rose and left.
She took two steps, then stopped. Tears in her eyes, she turned back. "An'an doesn't like winter melon. She likes eggplant. She loves sweets... but don't give her too many."
"She kicks off her blankets in sleep... She's young and doesn't understand. Be patient with her, as her brother."
"Aunt Song." Jiang Chen had intended to say nothing more. But seeing her like this, he could not hold back. "Do you still remember? When my father could have lived two more years, he refused treatment. He wanted to leave the estate to you. So you could care for my young sister..."
Aunt Song had no answer. She covered her face and fled.
Jiang Chen sat motionless for a long time. Then he poured himself a cup of tea.
All these years seeking the Dao, through hardship and struggle, he had never asked home for a single coin. Because he remembered his father lying sick in bed, remembered Aunt Song and An'an living precariously. Remembered his father choosing to die sooner rather than burden them. How could he take their money?
Even though he was the estate's rightful heir.
A voice from the past echoed in his ears:
"Xiao Wang, you've grown up. You can take care of yourself, yes?"
"Yes, Father."
The childish figure seemed to overlap with his present self, crossing through the years.
"And I can take care of An'an." Jiang Chen murmured.
* * *
Ling Chuan and Du Hu brought An'an back shortly after.
"Hey, where's Auntie?" Du Hu asked without thinking.
Ling Chuan reached to steady An'an, but her small hand had already pulled free.
Jiang Chen looked over. The not-quite-five-year-old girl stood in silence, biting her lip, her dark eyes unblinking.
She stood between Ling Chuan and Du Hu, yet seemed isolated in some distant corner of the world.
She did not cry. She did not make a sound.
Jiang Chen strode over, crouched down, and pulled the small figure into his arms. He drew her back from that lonely corner. Back into the living world.
"An'an, you'll live with Brother from now on. I'll play with you often, like we used to. Do you remember how small you were then..."
"Right, right! Uncle Hu will play with you too!" Du Hu hurried to add.
Little An'an glanced at him, turned back expressionlessly, and gently rested her small head on Jiang Chen's shoulder.
"Good." Jiang Chen stood with An'an in his arms. "Living in the dorm won't work. I need to find a place first. We'll eat together later."
"You should settle the housing first." Ling Chuan pressed two silver fragments into Jiang Chen's hand without ceremony. "Take this."
Since entering the Inner Academy, Ling Chuan's finances had improved. The Academy issued monthly allowances. But these two fragments were his entire savings.
"Ah, right." Du Hu took the hint and began patting himself down, eventually producing four knife-coins. He sheepishly placed them in Jiang Chen's palm. "Spent this month's allowance on drink."
Then he swore grandly: "Next month! Next month I won't drink. I'll save up and buy An'an new clothes!"
Jiang Chen did not refuse. He pocketed the coins and carried An'an out.
They were long gone when Du Hu still leaned against the doorway. "Little An'an is adorable! Hey Lao Ling, why don't I have a sister?"
"Lao Ling?" Du Hu turned around. Ling Chuan was already meditating on his bed.
A bearded sister — how terrifying would that be? Ling Chuan thought.
"Just like Third Brother. All cultivation maniacs!" Du Hu muttered, walking to the window. He picked up Jiang Chen's tea and drank it in one gulp.
"Pah pah pah!" He spat repeatedly. "Why is this tea so bitter?"
"Bitter enough to kill you!" Ling Chuan snapped.