Chapter 48

Wu Aizhen received a high-level reception at Xiao Fei's home.

When Xiao Yang went to the market to buy vegetables, he took the opportunity to run to the fields and tell his parents that Xiao Fei's girlfriend had come to visit. The old couple and Xiao Yan immediately stopped their work in the fields and returned home with beaming smiles.

On the way back, Xiao Youjin received many congratulations from their neighbors.

The neighbors' envy was evident.

Xiao Youjin and his wife were also extremely excited. It was very difficult to find a daughter-in-law in the countryside, especially in a poor village like Xili.

There were very few girls willing to marry into such a village.

Even if a girl was willing to marry, many families would break up because they couldn't afford the dowry.

In the countryside, so-called love was pale and terrifying, devoid of any romantic sentiment.

More than half of the eligible men over twenty in the village were still bachelors!

If Xiao Fei could find a wife on his own, it would be a great relief to the old couple. They didn't even think about whether Xiao Fei would need to find a wife in the countryside if he passed the college entrance exam and left the farming life.

Or perhaps the harsh reality had already taught them the survival philosophy of "always prepare for the worst"?

When the old couple returned home and saw Wu Aizhen's charming appearance, they were even more delighted. They immediately started preparing a meal and treated her with great hospitality.

Especially when Wu Aizhen called them "Uncle" and "Aunt," the father's mouth stretched to his ears, and the mother wiped away tears of joy.

Xiao Fei secretly told them that Wu Aizhen was just a regular friend, not his girlfriend, and asked them not to think too much about it.

The father scolded him in a low voice: "Brat, what do you know? If the girl didn't like you, would she come all the way to our house to bring you something? You must seize every opportunity! Once this chance is gone, it won't come back. Be careful, or you'll regret it later!"

The mother also said: "Don't be too picky. She's a great girl, and she's a good match for you. Treat her well, or I'll beat you!"

Xiao Fei felt helpless and had no choice but to let the family lavish attention on Wu Aizhen.

To entertain Wu Aizhen,

The older brother bought a floor fan at the market.

The father started the coal stove.

The sister and mother, sweating profusely, prepared eight cold and eight hot dishes, totaling sixteen, in the makeshift shed in the yard.

During the meal, the family gathered around the table inside.

The electric fan hummed, sending a cool breeze that slightly dispelled the damp heat.

The mother sat next to Wu Aizhen, constantly serving her and asking about her family.

Wu Aizhen smiled and was polite to everyone in the Xiao family, trying her best to please them and leave a good impression.

The meal was enjoyed by all.

Of course, Xiao Fei still felt a bit uncomfortable inside.

Wu Aizhen stayed at Xiao Fei's home until around three in the afternoon before leaving. Xiao Fei rode his bike to send her.

On the way, they passed Liu Zhenhai's house and encountered Liu Xinmei. Seeing Xiao Fei and Wu Aizhen riding by, she smiled and nodded: "Xiao Fei, are you sending your girlfriend off?"

Xiao Fei was too tired to argue and could only weakly shake his head.

Unexpectedly, Wu Aizhen said: "I'm not Xiao Fei's girlfriend; I'm his god-sister."

Wu Aizhen glanced at Xiao Fei, meaning, to protect his reputation, she would explain for him.

Liu Xinmei was taken aback and wanted to say more, but the two had already ridden past.

Her mother, Wang Guizhi, came out suspiciously and asked: "Were you talking to that little bastard Xiao Fei?" Wang Guizhi looked at Xiao Fei and Wu Aizhen, who were almost at the village entrance, and frowned: "Is that really Xiao Fei's girlfriend?"

Liu Xinmei replied: "I don't know. I asked Xiao Fei, and he shook his head. The girl said she and Xiao Fei are god-siblings."

Seeing Wu Aizhen with Xiao Fei,

Especially hearing that the girl was Xiao Fei's girlfriend,

Liu Xinmei felt a bit uncomfortable.

She had a small crush on Xiao Fei, which she had never told anyone and kept hidden. After learning her college entrance exam score, her initially restless heart calmed down. She thought, after Xiao Fei finished his exam next year and got into college, she could then assess the possibility of dating him.

She didn't expect another girl to suddenly appear, threatening to snatch her love.

Liu Xinmei felt a sense of urgency.

Hearing the girl's words, Wang Guizhi sneered: "With the Xiao family so poor, they even dream of getting such a good daughter-in-law! That girl isn't a good one; a young woman dares to go to someone's house, what's the difference from being promiscuous? She's really uneducated!"

Wang Guizhi then went to the crowd cooling off by the roadside to spread her views.

Liu Xinmei, burdened with thoughts, sat down on a chair in the shade by her house, hesitating about what to do.

Xiao Fei sent Wu Aizhen off.

At the main road, she said to him: "Xiao Fei, you can go back now."

Xiao Fei said: "Aizhen Sister, I'll take you to the county. I have nothing to do anyway."

"Is it because your mother told you to take me to the county? And, Xiao Fei, are you unhappy about my sudden visit to your home?" After leaving Xiao Fei's house, Wu Aizhen became noticeably more lively.

Xiao Fei was drenched in sweat and hurriedly denied: "Aizhen Sister, you're overthinking it. A gentleman like me is always happy to be a protector. Taking you back is my voluntary choice. I'm glad you came to my home; how could I be unhappy?"

Wu Aizhen looked at him and pouted: "Words and actions don't match."

"No, no."

"Are you so eager to call me your god-sister and afraid of others misunderstanding our relationship because you have a girlfriend at school?" Wu Aizhen laughed, seemingly relaxed, but inside she was extremely nervous, asking Xiao Fei.

"Brilliant, Aizhen Sister." Xiao Fei raised his thumb in praise. "You guessed it right; I do have a girlfriend."

He felt relieved, thinking this would prevent a potential emotional disaster.

"Oh, what's her name? Can you bring her to me for a review? Since you've recognized me as your sister, I feel I should take on some responsibility," Wu Aizhen's eyes flashed with deep disappointment. She hadn't expected her guess to be true.

She wanted to appear relaxed and casual,

But her eyes reddened.

Wu Aizhen quickly turned her head to the side, pretending to look at the scenery.

She was hurt, but she didn't mean to hurt her. Xiao Fei sighed, knowing there was no way to avoid it.

Cut the Gordian knot.

Better to have a short pain than a long one.

"Sure, I'll definitely let Aizhen Sister review her when I have the chance."

After that, the two spoke very little.

Xiao Fei insisted on taking Wu Aizhen to the gate of the county high school. Her family now lived in the teachers' residential area inside the school.

By the time Xiao Fei returned, it was pitch dark. He rode his bike home, and as he reached the hill, a figure called out: "Xiao Fei."

It was Liu Xinmei.

"Xinmei, what are you doing here?" Xiao Fei stopped and asked.

He was a bit surprised; she must have been waiting for him.

Liu Xinmei was quite calm: "I've been waiting for you for a while."

"Oh? Is there something you need?" Xiao Fei asked in surprise.

"I wanted to talk to you. Xiao Fei, since you plan to retake the exam, don't waste time on trivial things. Focus on your studies and don't think about useless things. Wait until you get into college next year to think about relationships. Do you agree?" Liu Xinmei said with a faint smile.

"You're right," Xiao Fei nodded.

Her words seemed strange; what did she mean?

"Next year, you should also apply to H University. I'll wait for you there. Then we can take care of each other. Xiao Fei, we've known each other since childhood. I've always had you in my heart. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Not really," Xiao Fei shook his head.

Actually, Xiao Fei saw through Liu Xinmei's intentions. She was just trying to gauge his future prospects. If he could get into H University, he would be a good match for her, and they could be happy together.

Liu Xinmei's intentions made Xiao Fei feel uncomfortable.

"Think about it when you get home. You'll understand," Liu Xinmei said, smiling at him and running back to the village.

Xiao Fei shook his head slightly. When did he become so sought after?

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