Chapter-18 Return (2/2)
”You're already a rich person!” Zhou Xiao was startled. ”Why would you care about 500 yuan?”
A Miao pulled her so that she would sit down. ”It's for you and Auntie Song.”
”No!” A woman lifted open the cloth that lined the door. ”We can't take your money.”
”Auntie Song...” A Miao rose to her feet. ”You're home so early today!”
The woman looked to be in her fifties. She had tanned and dry yellow skin and wore a faded set of sportswear. The hardships of life were clearly etched on her face.
”The weather's hot these few days. No one would want any steamed stuffed buns in the afternoon.” Song Baohua put her things down before taking a seat. ”It's good enough that you're here to see us. Don't talk about money anymore.”
A Miao smiled wryly at her. ”Auntie Song, if not for you adopting me from the orphanage, I fear I would be wandering the streets and kidnapped by evil people.”
”Don't say that.” Song Baohua immediately tugged at her. ”I received favor from your mother many years ago. Unfortunately, she had already passed away by the time I found you. I once said I'd treat you like my own daughter. You're treating yourself like an outsider when you act like this.”
”You're the one treating me like an outsider!” A Miao pressed a thousand yuan she got from the Xia family into Song Baohua's hands. ”Since you said you're treating me like your own daughter, how cannot accept your daughter's money?”
”That's right, Mom! It's not like A Miao is hurting for that money. She's a wealthy young lady now,” Zhou Xiao cried.
Song Baohua glared at her. ”A Miao, we can't take your money. You...”
”Sure enough, you're treating me like an outsider.” A Miao lowered her head. ”We've already lived together for so many years and you've always cared for me. Yet you won't accept my money now.”
”Oh, you child!” Song Baohua caressed A Miao's head. ”Did they bully you?”
A Miao raised her head. ”Do I look like I'm easily bullied? Look, I've even gotten fatter!”
”Come back if they're not treating you well,” Song Baohua said solemnly. ”We might be poor but we're all sincere. Those wealthy people look good from the outside but they're all scheming behind each other's backs.”
”Don't worry! I know this very well.”
When night fell, A Miao pointed at the large shopping bag that she brought with her and told Zhou Xiao, ”There are all sorts of good food inside the bag. Enjoy them slowly! I'll also bring over medicine every now and then. You must get Auntie Song to eat them. Once I save enough money, we'll send her for the surgery.”
”Got it.” Zhou Xiao smiled at her. While sending A Miao off, she kept asking about how the grand residence looked like, whether there really was a swimming pool there, and if there were a lot of servants and housekeepers.
”Why don't... Why don't you come over and play?” An idea suddenly came to A Miao. ”Someone will be celebrating their birthday at the end of the month with a banquet.”
Zhou Xiao was overjoyed that she jumped. ”Really? Can I really go?”
”Yes. I'm inviting you.” A Miao thought that no one would notice the presence of an additional person with so many guests there.