Chapter 349.2: Scheme to Lure the Tiger Away From its Den (2/2)

Xiao Siyuan’s expression on the other hand showed that he remembered who Tang Doudou was. However, he didn’t bring it up and just extended a hand to stop Xiao Yi. “This aunt is probably here to take shelter from the rain as well. Don’t be so fierce, you’ll scare this elder.”

Xiao Yi humphed coldly. “Who would hide behind the Buddha statue to take shelter from the rain? She clearly had bad intentions!”

Tang Doudou hastily refuted. “N-no, that’s not it. I heard people coming and I was worried it would be bandits, that’s why I hid behind the statue. If you don’t believe me, look over there. I was the one that set that up. I was originally going to rest there.”

Xiao Yi didn’t move but he did glance over. When he saw that there were traces of a person lying on the straw over there, the guarded expression in his eyes lessened a little.

“I told you that this aunt isn’t a bad person.” Xiao Siyuan walked towards the statue with a smile. “I heard you sneeze earlier, you must be cold. If you don’t mind, you can warm yourself up near the fire with us!”

Xiao Yi glowered at him. “I don’t agree!”

“Ah Yi, you’re forgetting the family rules again!”

“I won’t agree. I don’t want to sit together with some stinkin’ old woman!”

“Ah Yi!”

“I’m not negotiating. If you feel like my behavior is wrong, then just tell on me to the Elders!”

Xiao Siyuan felt helpless when faced with Xiao Yi’s behavior. He was just about to try persuading Xiao Yi again when Tang Doudou said, “Many thanks for your good intentions, but I’ve already rested. I just ended up oversleeping a little. It’s already dark, so if I don’t hurry back, my family will worry.”

“Aunt, you’re someone of Huai City?”

Tang Doudou nodded with a laugh. “My maternal family is from Huai City. I came this time to visit relatives.”

Tang Doudou could tell from Xiao Siyuan’s words that he knew who she was. The reason he asked this was also very clear.

He was probing her.

After she said that, Xiao Siyuan was silent for a while. He glanced outside, then said, “Aunt, it’s probably not very safe to head back to the city this late at night. Why don’t I walk you there?”

“Are you crazy? When I told you to hurry up so that we can get to the city, you spouted a bunch of useless drivel at me, but now, for a random old woman, you’re…”

“Ah Yi, you won’t let her warm up by the fire and you won’t let me send her back home either. How am I supposed to rest easy if something happens to her?”

“Fine fine, you’re just an amazingly good person and I’m a bad person, alright?” Xiao Yi could hear slight anger in Xiao Siyuan’s words, so he became unhappy as well. After saying that sarcastically, he plopped himself down next to the fire. “If you want to send her, just do it. Do whatever you want! It’s none of my business anyways!”

Xiao Siyuan looked unhappy with Xiao Yi’s reaction as well, but he didn’t bother to argue and just said to Tang Doudou, “Aunt, let’s go. I’ll see you to the city.”

Originally, Tang Doudou wanted to reject his offer. However, then her gaze flickered and she walked out with Xiao Siyuan without a word.

Xiao Yi watched as the two left, then angrily kicked the fire as he grumbled, “If you want to court death, then just go! Humph, it’s none of my business! I don’t care!”

The woodpile was soon scattered by his stomping and the temple became a lot dimmer.

Although he said he wouldn’t care, he still couldn’t help but worry. He stomped on the almost extinguished fire again, then remarked angrily, “Fine! Xiao Yi, I guess I owe you!”

Outside, the rain had already lessened up a lot, but it still felt cold as it fell on one’s face. The coiling black clouds above in the night showed no signs of dispersing. There would probably be another large storm tomorrow.

Tang Doudou and Xiao Siyuan walked on the small road, one behind the other. There were only a few birds in the drenched old trees near the road.

“Aunt, why isn’t the uncle with you?” asked Xiao Siyuan after they walked silently for a while.