Jiang Yuxu's tone was cold and hard. "How much money do you have on you?"
Bo Xin recalled that the kid seemed to be angry, but her expression didn't change at all. In fact, she smiled even more. "Four thousand."
Such a large sum? Jiang Yuxu was malnourished and small, wearing the cast-off clothes of Li Qiang'an, who was a year and a half younger. In the mountains, anything over thirty yuan was a luxury. He clenched his fists tighter, perhaps seeking something, and estimated a number in his mind. "Then give Teacher He two thousand..."
"Then give it all to Mr. He."
What? Jiang Yuxu's eyes widened, his mouth opening and closing as if he wanted to say something more. But Bo Xin never changed her decisions once made. The money she took from her bag was all of it. "We're going back soon. My brother will cover all the travel expenses home."
Bo Xiao had no say in this matter; it was already settled. Sometimes it was really convenient to bring a lawyer along. Bo Xin sighed, writing the words 'voluntary donation' on the contract. Once this donation agreement was finalized and the documents against the Li family were submitted, they would go home. Lawsuits took too long, and Bo Xin didn't have time to waste with Li family types. She collected what needed collecting, submitted what needed submitting. Bo Xin also went to the county general trade union to inquire about the Jiang couple's survivor benefits. Now, when mentioning the deaths of the Jiang couple, Bo Xin felt regret. She remembered it was on a medical mission to the countryside that she had suffered abdominal trauma and was taken to a small clinic for an early delivery. At the same time, the Jiang couple, who were going to town to sell pigs, came in. The two gave birth almost simultaneously. Her delivery was more difficult, and the Jiang couple specially left an old hen for her to make soup. They were kind-hearted people. To thank them, she had named their child. The couple had grinned, scratching their heads, saying that a learned person came up with nicer names. They died too early. Bo Xin didn't know if they had realized they had swapped children when they went home. "Is there perhaps a photo? Their wedding photo or individual work photos?" The staff member dutifully said, "There is a wedding photo." "Please enlarge it a bit and enhance the resolution, just make it clearer." She would probably buy a suitable frame to mount them later. A handsome man and a beautiful woman, even just looking at them was pleasing to the eye.
—
Jiang Yuxu was unhappy again. No, rather than unhappy, Bo Xin felt it might be a more complicated emotion. He lowered his head, his thick eyelashes casting a shadow on his face. Bo Xin wanted to touch it but thought that might provoke a snarling puppy again. So she just left him alone for a while. Bo Xin sat in the passenger seat, thinking it was better to read than to worry about her brother's driving. The book said a foreign psychologist claimed that 'a child's anger is a sign of feeling secure. They trust you won't get angry, and at the same time, they're confirming your love.' Bo Xin thought he was very reasonable, so she could simply ignore it. From her experience raising kids, children's anger shouldn't last more than one night. At night, they passed a gas station. Bo Xin bought a bottle of water and some food for the child. Jiang Yuxu still kept his head down. "If you're angry, eat first. Once you have strength, you can be angry." "...I'm not angry." Bo Xin tilted her head, smiling brightly. "I believe you." ...He was definitely being treated like a child. He wouldn't say things that were insincere. It's just that he had been in a bad mood lately, so misunderstandings were inevitable. "Is that water for me too?" The water had just been heated by the staff. Maybe she should have asked them to pour some hot water directly. Bo Xin sat next to Jiang Yuxu and finally decided it was fine. The water quality really varies from place to place. She didn't want to get an upset stomach on the road. "It's not for you, but you can have it. I'll buy another bottle." Jiang Yuxu didn't really want it; he was just trying to make conversation. "Why do you want their wedding photo?" Bo Xiao had come by in the middle, but seeing the tense atmosphere, he turned and left. He always felt this kid's gaze was really like his brother-in-law's, and his brother-in-law always looked at him with a hint of disdain. So he really didn't want to stay around these two... Jiang Yuxu's eyes shifted slightly. Seeing Bo Xiao leave, he turned back. About three minutes passed, and she still hadn't answered. Did she not want to tell him? He leaned in a bit closer. Bo Xin wore a bracelet on her wrist, a simple threaded one, utterly childish compared to gold or silver. "At least that child should see what his biological parents look like." Jiang Yuxu snorted, slumping back into his seat with relief. "I knew it." Bo Xin thought about the meaning of those words. Knew what? That this thing was for the fake son? In the plot, Jiang Yuxu's way of targeting her was very special. Rather than making Li Qiang'an owe millions or break his legs, his way of dealing with her was to oppose the fake son in business? Was it jealousy? Jealous that the fake son had been raised by her for so long? After all, in the plot, she had agreed to give Jiang Cuijuan a monthly allowance. During that time, to prevent her from checking every month, she had treated Jiang Yuxu very well for the first three years and even sent him to school. It was during that time that he reshaped himself through reading and gained the insight and speech he later had. Was it like He Yewan—could that small favor become a significant mark in his heart? Bo Xin touched his head, thinking this kid was really interesting. "Don't touch me." He wouldn't even let her touch him now. Bo Xin wasn't stopped, but she obediently withdrew her hand. However, her expression after pulling back wasn't very good. How to put it? She always felt that this biological son's mood was really gloomy and unpredictable. Bo Xin took out the framed photo from the small box. Although he was only nine months old at the time and had no memory, it must hold special meaning for him. "Like this, when you miss them, you can take it out and look at it." Wasn't that good? Bo Xin thought it was very good. Jiang Yuxu was at a loss for words. He clutched the picture frame, unsure if he was annoyed or admiring. "You really treat everyone equally." Kids speak naively. There is no such thing as true equality in this world. It's just about making an effort. When Bo Xin decided to keep both the biological and the adopted son by her side, she had already mentally prepared herself. For the second half of the journey, they sat together again. Having bought some books, Jiang Yuxu wanted Bo Xin to teach him to recognize characters. Bo Xin had no experience as a teacher. After two attempts at home, she realized there was a clear gap between an adult's knowledge and a child's. Now, teaching Jiang Yuxu word by word, Bo Xin thought, Could individual differences among children be this big? But learning to read is just the most basic step in a child's education; it doesn't mean much.
Author's note:
None.