Koi Fubao: Being loved by everyone on the road to escape from famine

Uncle Li was overjoyed when he took the heavy banknotes. This big deal, which he hadn't seen in many years, made him feel indescribably excited and grateful.

An unexpected transaction not only solved Li Bo's inventory worries, but also added a rare warmth and hope to Xiao Zhixue and her group's long winter journey.

The men loaded the cotton onto the wagon carefully and gently.

Afterwards, they surrounded the carriage and escorted Xiao Zhixue on her journey home, slowly moving towards the town.

The rhythmic sound of horse hooves stepping on the bluestone road interweaves with the morning breeze to form a melodious tune.

The moment he arrived at the door of the cotton shop, Fan Yanmu almost ran out, with a few drops of sweat from anxiety faintly visible on his forehead.

The long wait turned into an indescribable relief at this moment. Seeing Xiao Zhixue standing in front of him safe and sound, his tense heartstrings finally relaxed, but the concern and uneasiness still hung between his brows.

Xiao Zhixue was amused by Fan Yanmu's nervous and slightly funny expression. Her laughter was clear and pleasant, like a spring breeze blowing through the valley.

"Fan Yanmu, I'm just going to do some things, not to go deep into the dragon's den or the tiger's lair. Why are you so worried?"

Having said that, deep in her heart, she felt a little warm for the care that Fan Yanmu showed unintentionally.

Fan Yanmu had a serious look on his face. It had been windy and rainy in the past two days, and Jin Chengfeng was still at large. This made his worries grow like weeds.

He secretly wondered if Jin Chengfeng took advantage of the opportunity and Xiao Zhixue made any mishap, how would he deal with it?

This worry seemed to have turned into a heavy stone, pressing on his heart and making it difficult for him to smile.

Xiao Zhixue caught the worry that was hard to conceal on Fan Yanmu's face, and an inexplicable emotion surged in her heart.

His mind was pure and direct, and all his emotions were clearly written on his face. This simple and unpretentious character seemed somewhat adorable to her.

"Fan Yanmu, how old are you this year?"

Her bright eyes flashed and there was a hint of mischief in her tone.

Fan Yanmu was confused for a moment, wondering why Xiao Zhixue suddenly asked about his age, but he still answered honestly: "I am eighteen years old, why do you ask this?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhixue couldn't help but chuckle, her laughter was as clear as a spring.

"So you are already 18 years old. I thought you still have the innocence of an 8-year-old child!"

Fan Yanmu's face was calm. He steadied the carriage, gently lifted the heavy curtain, and jumped into the carriage nimbly.

He chose to sit opposite Xiao Zhixue, deliberately turning his head away and pretending not to care, but in fact he felt mixed emotions.

Xiao Zhixue felt a little puzzled. She didn't understand why Fan Yanmu suddenly got angry and sat there as if he was isolated from the world.

"Fan Yanmu, are you tired and don't want to catch the car, or are you mad at me?"

Xiao Zhixue asked in a playful tone, obviously having guessed some of the reasons.

"I'm just tired and don't want to drive anymore."

Fan Yanmu responded indifferently, crossing his arms across his chest, his eyes wandering to the scenery outside the car, trying to hide the subtle emotions in his heart.

Xiao Zhixue understood everything. She knew that Fan Yanmu was unhappy because she said he was like a child.

So, she smiled and coaxed him: "Okay, stop throwing a tantrum like a child. Let's go back to the dilapidated temple. My family is still waiting for me."

Fan Yanmu, who was sitting in the carriage, felt a trace of regret in his heart during the moment of confrontation with Xiao Zhixue.

He himself didn't understand why he showed such a childish side in front of Xiao Zhixue.

Finally, he said lightly: "Don't act alone again."

After saying that, he jumped out again and continued to drive the carriage towards the ruined temple.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Zhixue looked at Fan Yanmu's back with a barely perceptible smile on her lips.

This was the first time she saw Fan Yanmu showing such childishness, but it unexpectedly added a bit of real cuteness.

When they arrived at the dilapidated temple, it was already daybreak. Xiao Zhixue's family and the villagers of Shangqiao Village had already prepared a simple but warm breakfast.

Seeing the two return, everyone waved enthusiastically and invited them to have breakfast together.

Xiao Zhixue did not enjoy the food immediately, but first asked the villagers to help unload the goods from the car.

Surrounded by the crowd, Xiao Zhixue began to fairly and thoughtfully distribute the precious supplies brought back from the town - cotton and cloth.

The villagers all looked grateful, but could not hide the embarrassment and helplessness brought about by the hardships of life.

They all took out their few coins, and some even said apologetically, "Miss Xiao, I only have this little money. I wonder if I can buy cloth and cotton?"

"Mine too, or I should just buy less cotton."

"I can only buy some cotton. This little money is not enough to buy fabric."

In this simple communication, there is mutual understanding and support between neighbors. Although poverty limits their choices, people's hearts are closely connected by their common predicament.

Xiao Zhixue's eyes revealed her deep attachment to and understanding of this land. She knew very well that in this barren land, every penny of the villagers was the result of countless sweat and hard work.

Therefore, when she decided to purchase daily necessities for everyone, she had already silently decided in her heart that this small gesture did not require any return.

She stood up and said, "Please accept these supplies without worry. Consider them as a token of my appreciation. If the days ahead are tough, it's always good to have more money on hand."

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the villagers were filled with surprise and emotion. They had never thought that this woman who seemed gentle in daily life could show such magnanimity and kindness in difficult situations.

The secret behind Xiao Zhixue and the gold, silver and treasures piled in that space are just a little souvenir of her journey to a foreign land. What is truly precious are these simple faces in front of her and the mutual support between them.

There was a gleam of gratitude in the eyes of the villagers, and they secretly vowed that in the days to come, no matter whether it was stormy or sunny, the Xiao family would always have their solid arms to rely on.

This is not just a simple gratitude, but also a response to Xiao Zhixue's selfless spirit and a common expectation for a better life in the future.

Deep in Xiao Zhixue's heart, she had more far-reaching considerations.

She understood that if she wanted her family to gain true respect and peace in this small village, she had to share the joys and sorrows with the villagers and exchange her sincerity for theirs.

Every step she takes is paving the way for her family's happy life, avoiding repeating the mistakes of being excluded and despised in the past.

Aunt Hu took the fine cloth and snow-white cotton with trembling hands, tears welling up in her eyes.