Chapter 24 - A Lifetime with Jiang Anan

Glancing at the barely touched tea on the table, Jiang Wang called out, “Auntie, have you had dinner yet?

I will reserve a table at the restaurant later.”

“Ah, let me make the reservation!” Du Yehu exclaimed as if pardoned, “I’m familiar with every restaurant in Fenglin City!”

Song Auntie sat down and waved her hand, “No hurry, I came here this time because there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Noticing Jiang Anan sneakily observing him, Jiang Wang responded with a gentle smile, while saying, “You may speak your mind, Auntie.”

Song Auntie patted Jiang Anan’s small head, “Would you like to go out with these two older brothers for a stroll?

To see the place where your brother has been living and practicing.”

Du Yehu immediately opened his arms to little Anan, his large face creasing into a smile like an old chrysanthemum, “Come, big brother Tiger will take you to buy some tasty treats!”

Ling He conscientiously said, “You can rest easy, our bond with Jiang Wang is a matter of life and death, we’ll definitely take good care of Anan.”

Little Anan was very sensible, and though timid and shy, she still took a few steps towards Ling He when Song Auntie spoke.

To any observer, the upright-featured and warm-smiling Ling He seemed far more reliable than Du Yehu, whose exaggerated and terrifying laughter stretched across a beard-covered face.

Ling He, greatly consoled, led Jiang Anan outside, whereas Du Yehu cast a severe glare at Jiang Wang before leaving, his eyes clearly asking—what’s with your sister?

Once they were all sent away, Jiang Wang reined in his smile, looking at Song Auntie and asking, “Has Fengxi Town been peaceful lately?

How is the family store doing?”

“There hasn’t been any major issue, it’s just that…” Song Auntie seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Jiang Wang, patient, said, “Please, feel free to tell me.”

“Ever since your father passed away, the business in our store has been declining day by day.

It looks like my daughter and I are struggling to get by…” Speaking of this, Song Auntie suddenly pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping away tears.

The only remaining family store dealt in medicinal herbs.

Although it was not large, it had long-established channels and was well-regarded throughout Fengxi Town.

When the family fortunes waned, nearly all properties were sold off except for this herb store, precisely because of its longstanding operation.

With the store in hand, wealth and luxury might not be guaranteed, but a hard life seemed improbable.

What kind of person would it take to run a consistently profitable herb store into the ground in just a few years?

Jiang Wang was no fool.

His father had also intentionally shared with him some business matters when he was alive, hoping that if cultivation did not work out, he could settle for a stable life instead.

He knew there had to be problems, but Jiang Wang simply said, “Is there any way I can help, Auntie?”

He thought that if it was a matter of money, he could certainly contribute some.

After all, Jiang Anan was his only sister.

Even for Jiang Anan’s sake, he hoped they could have a better life.

“I know little Wang has always been diligent and will surely have a bright future.

But as for the Auntie…” Song Auntie dabbed at her tears, “being a widow and lacking any special skills, I really can’t hold on any longer…”

She lifted tearful eyes to Jiang Wang, “Can I entrust Anan’s care to you?”

The last vestige of warmth faded from Jiang Wang’s eyes.

No matter what, he could not have foreseen that this woman would be willing to give up even her own daughter.

Jiang Wang slowly nodded and then said, “It seems you have secured a good match for yourself, Auntie?”

Song Auntie lowered her gaze slightly.

Only now, in front of her late husband’s eldest son, did she suddenly feel a hint of shame emerging from the deepest part of her heart.

“Marriage and mourning are part of the human condition,” Jiang Wang maintained his composure without uttering any harsh words, “Does Anan know that she will be staying with me from now on?”

“She doesn’t know yet.

I was thinking of asking for your opinion first.

You’re aware she’s always been timid and afraid of strangers.

Even if I kept her with me, she wouldn’t be happy…” Song Auntie explained with a lowering voice.

“I understand,” Jiang Wang interrupted, “Shall I talk to her, or will you?”

“You tell her…” Song Auntie said, “I…

I have to leave now, the carriage is waiting for me outside the city.”

Jiang Wang remained silent for a while, “Fine.

Then I won’t see you out.”

“I will send silver taels to you every month.”

“There’s no need.

I can still support Anan.

You…

take good care of yourself.”

“Ah.

Take good care of yourself and Anan,” Song Auntie said standing up.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around with tears in her eyes, and said to Jiang Wang, “Anan doesn’t like winter melon, she prefers eggplants, and she especially loves sweets…

but she should not have them too often.”

“She frequently kicks off the blankets when she sleeps…

She…

She’s young and doesn’t understand things well, you being her brother should be more patient.”

“Auntie,” Jiang Wang didn’t want to say anything more, but upon seeing Auntie Song’s behavior, he couldn’t help but speak, “Do you still remember?

Initially, my father could have hung on for two more years, but he refused further treatment, wanting to leave the family wealth to you.

So that you could take good care of my little sister…”

Auntie Song had no words to reply, and she covered her face and left.

Jiang Wang sat there blankly for a long while before pouring himself a cup of tea.

Over the years, as he sought his path outside, no matter how tough it got, he never once asked his family for a single silver.

It was because he thought of his father ill in bed, and Auntie Song and Anan having a difficult life.

It was because he thought of his father preferring to die earlier rather than burden them.

How could he then take money from home?

Even though he was the undisputed heir to the substantial family fortune.

It seemed as if the conversation from those years ago echoed in his ears again:

“Xiaowang, you’re grown up now, you can take care of yourself, right?”

“Yes, Father.”

The tender figure seemed to overlap with the present moment, merging through the years to meet here.

“And I can take good care of Anan too,” Jiang Wang said softly.

…

Ling He and Du Yehu brought Jiang Anan back after a short walk.

“Eh, where’s the auntie?” Du Yehu asked thoughtlessly.

Ling He instinctively wanted to tighten his grip on Anan, but the little hand had stubbornly pulled away.

Jiang Wang looked over, and the little girl of not yet five stood there silently, biting her lips lightly, her large, black eyes not blinking at all.

She stood between Ling He and Du Yehu, but seemed isolated in a corner of the vast world.

She didn’t cry, nor did she make a fuss.

Jiang Wang walked over quickly, crouched down, and pulled the small figure into his arms.

He also pulled her out of that corner of loneliness in the world, back into the lively world of people.

“Anan, from now on you’ll live with your brother.

Brother will often play with you, just like we used to.

Do you still remember how tiny you were back then…?”

“Yes, yes, yes, Tiger Brother will also often play with you!” Du Yehu hurriedly added his assurance.

Little Anan glanced at him, turned her gaze back emotionlessly, and then gently nestled her little head on Jiang Wang’s shoulder.

“Alright,” Jiang Wang said, standing up with Anan in his arms, “Anan will be living with me from now on.

It’s not convenient to stay in a dormitory, so I’ll need to find a place to live first.

We’ll eat together another time.”

“It’s best to settle a place to live first.” Ling He pulled out two pieces of broken silver from his embrace and stuffed them into Jiang Wang’s hand without hesitation, “Take this small amount of silver.”

After entering the inner sect, Ling He’s life wasn’t so strained, as the Taoist academy would provide him a monthly stipend.

But these two pieces of broken silver were all he had.

“Ah, right, right.” Inspired by Ling He, Du Yehu immediately began searching through his clothes, but in the end could only come up with four knife coins, which he sheepishly handed to Jiang Wang, “I’ve already spent this month’s stipend on drink.”

He then pledged earnestly, “Next month, next month I won’t drink, and I’ll save money to buy new clothes for Anan!”

Jiang Wang didn’t stand on ceremony, and casually pocketed the money before carrying Jiang Anan out the door.

They had gone far off when Du Yehu was still leaning on the door, “Little Anan is too adorable!

Hey, Old Ling, why don’t I have a little sister myself?”

“Old Ling?” Du Yehu turned his head back, only to find Ling He had already begun meditating on his own bed.

A sister with a full beard, how scary would that be?

Ling He thought to himself.

“Just like Old San, both are cultivation maniacs!” Du Yehu grumbled, walked to the window, picked up the cup of tea Jiang Wang had poured earlier, and gulped it down fiercely.

“Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!” Du Yehu spat several times, “Why is this tea so bitter?”

“Die of bitterness for all I care!” Ling He said irritably.