I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 21 Returning
"Chief Xue is truly a genius."

"With Teacher Qian in front of me, there's no such thing as a room leader, only Xiao Xue."

Xue Xiang stood up and bowed, "If it weren't for Master Qian's meticulous guidance, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

After saying that, Xue Xiang put down a spirit stone, "Master Qian, please rest for now. I will visit you promptly at three quarters past Shen time every day."

After bidding farewell to Qian Ming, Xue Xiang returned to his uncle's house to pick up Xiao Shi. When he arrived, Song Zijie was waiting for him at the door, but the Song family was empty.

Song Zijie bowed and said, "Brother, Wu Kui won money and insisted on treating everyone. Father couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he had to let him have his way."

This guy is a master of flattery. He rented several cars to pick everyone up and take them to Tongfu Restaurant. He even sent one car to pick up Aunt and Sister Mei.

Father asked me to stay here and wait for you.

As he spoke, he pointed to the carriage not far away.

After the incident of the destruction of the Daxian statue, Song Zijie witnessed Xue Xiang's power firsthand.

These days, his status at Baishui School has risen sharply. He has not only been transferred to Class A, but has also become the school's duty officer, spending his days catching those who are late or leave early. He is incredibly powerful.

He knew all too well who had brought all this upon him, and he was completely convinced of the authority of the man before him, daring not to show the slightest disrespect.

Left with no other choice, Xue Xiang had to go to Tongfu Restaurant with Song Zijie.

As expected, Wu Kui spared no expense, serving a large table full of all sorts of delicacies.

Xue Xiang preferred to sit around the stove at home and eat a bowl of noodles with fried eggs and sauce made by Liu Mei.

But such occasions are unavoidable, so one can only go along with the situation.

Unexpectedly, even so, the meal was still not enjoyed.

Tongfu Restaurant is one of the top ten restaurants in Yunmeng, and most of the people who dine here are high-society figures.

Someone spread the word that Director Xue was having a meal here. In a short while, the door to the private room was opened seven or eight times, all by people offering toasts and best wishes.

Of course, nominally, they came to pay their respects to Xue Xiang's mother and uncle.

Xue Xiang was extremely annoyed but still had to put on a smiling face, while Zhang Shi and Wu Kui were radiant with smiles on their faces, clearly enjoying the moment.

When we got home, it was already 1:15 PM, and the little guy had fallen asleep in the car.

On the way back, Liu Mei caught a cold and her body temperature rose. She still wanted to keep busy, so Xue Xiang first pressed her onto the bed and then helped Xue's mother settle Xiao Shi in.

When Liu Mei heard the clattering of pots and pans outside, she was about to get up and put on her clothes when Xue Xiang pushed open the door and came in, carrying a steaming bowl of brown sugar ginger soup.

Liu Mei was stunned. Gradually, her eyes welled up with tears. She had almost forgotten when her husband had changed. He had become a stranger, a warmer person, someone she could always yearn for.

A bowl of brown sugar ginger soup made Liu Mei feel as if she had been drinking it for ten thousand years.

She didn't even know when she fell asleep. When she woke up again, her headache was gone, and she felt great. When she looked out the window, the sun was already high in the sky.

She suddenly realized that today was Xiaowan's homecoming day, and the dishes had not yet been prepared, and there were still unwashed clothes in the basin.

She was so anxious that she kept hitting her head, hurriedly dressed, and went outside. Xiao Shi was waiting at the door with a bowl of braised pork noodles in her hands.

When Liu Mei looked around the yard, she saw that it had been swept spotless, the clothes were already hanging up to dry, and there were clanging and banging sounds coming from the kitchen, with steam rising from it.

"Sister Mei, eat quickly. I heard some noises in your room, so I asked them to cook noodles. They just came out of the pot, look, they're still hot."

Xiao Shi smiled, her face crinkling into crescent moons. "My elder brother went out to meet some friends. My elder sister won't be back until this afternoon. The aunties helping out were hired by my elder brother for five days. He said he wanted you to have a good rest during the New Year."

Liu Mei felt a surge of warmth in her heart as she took the steaming bowl of noodles, only to find that her heart was hotter than the noodles.

At the time of Shenpai (around 3 PM), Xue Xiang went home. Today was the second day of the Lunar New Year, and his second younger sister, Xiaowan, was returning to her parents' home. Therefore, he went to Qian Ming's house early to receive some instruction.

He learned about meridians today and made great progress.

"Sister Mei, hasn't Xiao Wan come back yet?"

Xue Xiang put down Xiao Shi, who had rushed into his arms to deliver the news, and frowned slightly.

In his memory, Xiao Wan married a merchant family in the suburbs. The reason why Xue's mother agreed to the marriage was probably because of the generous dowry.

Fortunately, her brother-in-law, Fan Youyi, is an honest man who treats Xiaowan very well.

"Shouldn't they be going back to their parents' home in the morning?"

In his memory, Xiaowan always returned to her parents' home in the afternoon. Her ex-husband, Xue Xiang, had never thought of this, but he felt something was amiss.

Liu Mei said in a low voice, "The Fan family also has visitors today, and Xiao Wan needs to help out. She should be able to come back this afternoon."

What's the situation with the Fan family?

Xue Xiang frowned. Liu Mei said, "Master Fan is a prominent figure in the city, well-educated and reasonable. The marriage was arranged by Master Fan through intermediaries."

The first year after Xiao Wan married into the family, Mr. Fan passed away, and now Mrs. Fan is in charge of the family.

Mr. Fan was born out of wedlock, but he had an older brother, Fan Youren, who was born to the matriarch, Madam Fan.

When Mr. Fan was alive, Mrs. Fan did not have a good reputation. It was only after Mr. Fan passed away that Mrs. Fan's reputation for being strict with others came to light.

Every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the Fan family would also have guests. Although the Fan family had servants, they insisted on keeping Xiaowan there to help out.

In previous years, Xiao Wan would be back by 3:45 PM, but it's almost 5:00 PM now.

"I'll go check on the Fan family."

The Fan family lived in the south of the city. Xue Xiang didn't plan to wait any longer and was about to hail a carriage at the street corner when a thin figure appeared there.

"It's my elder sister."

Xiao Shi broke free from Xue Xiang and rushed towards the figure like Tigger.

The two embraced tightly, and Xue Xiang and the other two quickly stepped forward to greet them.

"I have met Mother, my elder brother, and Sister Mei."

Xiao Wan had a thick scarf wrapped around her head, and her delicate nose was red from the cold.

The Xue Wan in Xue Xiang's memory was beautiful, gentle, and lively, but the girl in front of him was pale and weak.

He accepted the gift Xiaowan brought, his heart breaking.

Madam Xue turned her head away and sobbed softly.

Liu Mei held Xiao Wan tightly, while the little one enthusiastically showed off her various New Year's gifts to Xiao Wan.

After the family crowded into the main room, Xiao Wan kowtowed to Xue's mother and Xue Xiang to pay her respects.

Xue Xiang quickly pulled her up, and Liu Mei brought over hot water and tea, urging her to wipe her face.

Xiao Wan hesitated for a moment, but finally mustered up her courage and said, "There are still guests at home, so I can't stay too long. I'll kowtow to my mother and elder brother, and then I'll go back."

"Where are you going? This is your home!"

The veins on Xue Xiang's face bulged. "If Fan Youyi doesn't come, you're not going anywhere."

"Brother."

Xiao Wan was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. "It's not Youyi's fault. There are just too many guests at home, and I can't leave."

My friend pleaded on my behalf, and only then did my aunt allow me to return.

"Horse riding!"

Xue Xiang was furious; he swore for the first time since he transmigrated.

"Dalang!"

Xue's mother frowned.

Xue Xiang pounded his head hard and rushed into the courtyard. The biting wind and frost rushed into his body, quickly calming him down.

"Lang Jun."

Liu Mei chased after them, her face full of worry.

As she was thinking about how to comfort Xue Xiang, Xue Xiang pulled her back to the main room.

"Stay."

Xue Xiang patted Xiao Wan's head. "If the Fan family is really worried about you not being able to go back, they will definitely send someone to look for you."

Who will be sent? It will definitely be Fan Youyi.

I'll keep Fan Youyi here too. Remember, this is your home too. In the Xue family, there's no such thing as a married daughter being like water spilled from a cup.

You still have your mother and your elder brother.

Xiao Wan finally couldn't hold back her tears and they burst into tears.

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(End of this chapter)