Chapter 255: Chapter 255: He Weng Didn’t Go to Find Her Chapter 255: Chapter 255: He Weng Didn’t Go to Find Her When five people arrived at Bai Ju’s house, their presence was truly commanding, with many neighbors envying them! It looked like there were many items packed in their back baskets. Clearly, they were visiting relatives, but the entourage of five people was indeed quite impressive.
Bai Ju was on the night shift today and had slept in the morning. She got up to prepare als because her three children needed lunch, and He Wang would be back soon. He had ntioned yesterday that he wouldn’t bring lunch because he had a driving shift in the morning and could rush back for a al at noon. He Wang had been driving for two months now, and his monthly salary was even more than Bai Ju’s. The drivers at their factory had a base salary plus bonuses and allowances based on the number of trips made. All in all, he was making eighty dollars a month.
Bai Ju earned only fifty-six dollars a month. The couple’s life was getting increasingly smoother. Their combined salary was well over a hundred, and their three children were no trouble, so suddenly it seed like their life was sohow quietly changing, becoming more vibrant.
As she was about to start kneading dough, she heard a knock on the door.
Bai Ju checked the ti in surprise. It was only eleven o’clock, and the children would be out of school at half-past eleven, not getting ho until almost noon.
“Who is it?”
“Sis, it’s us!” Bai Xiao pushed the door open and entered.
Bai Ju was startled to see them.
“Why have you co? Is sothing wrong?” Her sister had not returned for a visit because it really wasn’t permissible ti-wise. They were planning to take a few days off for the New Year holiday soon and then head back to the village to celebrate. The couple had planned it early.
Now at their ho, they were the ones living comfortably, so of course, they wanted to return for the New Year. Bai Ju was worried about Bai Yue, so she had prepared so food stamps and money for her elder sister. When soone in the family faced difficulties, everyone should help out; only by working together could they better their lives.
Bai Xiao unloaded her basket. “Sis, can you help Haiping and the others take off their baskets? I’m exhausted. What happened? We ca to buy goods for the New Year. It’s almost the festival, and if we don’t buy them soon, by the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month there might not be any stalls left. By then, you all will have gone back, and what would you be able to buy?” She was tired; buying hadn’t seed tireso, but carrying the load had gotten heavier with every step.
Bai Ju helped Li Haiping, Li Hai’an, and Li Haishun unload their baskets. Bai Song also unloaded his.
“Why did you buy so much stuff? How much money did that cost? I forgot to tell you, our factory issued goods for the Spring Festival, quite a lot, intended to be brought back ho. Just the pork alone is about thirty pounds, not to ntion sugar, apples, and I heard they’re even distributing chicken and fish this year.” Bai Ju, like Bai Yue, was used to hard tis! Seeing wasteful spending was sothing neither could bear, coming from poor families that knew how to cut corners.
Bai Xiao laughed.
“Sis! You really have great benefits now. So did I lose out by coming back for the New Year early? I won’t even see all the stuff given out for the festival.”
Bai Ju jabbed her pointedly in the ribs.
“You’re always so cheeky! You know this was your plan. Your brother just follows your lead; he’s got no choice but to do what you say. You’re the Demon Lord of Mayhem, and everyone in our family listens to you.” The tone was full of affection.
Bai Xiao rubbed her forehead contentedly. “Sis, we’ve co to scrounge a al off you; just look at us, four big guys. You better brace yourself to feel a little heartache!”
Bai Ju rolled her eyes. “Eating won’t bankrupt . By the way, have you seen He Weng? Did he not send a ssage back with you? His brother has been worried about him for months. Since he left, we’ve got no news at all. We’re all concerned. Do you know how he is faring? What kind of job has he found?” Bai Ju, troubled by these concerns, asked Bai Xiao.
Bai Xiao was taken aback, “He Weng? How could I possibly see him? Isn’t he at ho?” He Weng was considered family because she was helping her sister with dical treatnt, and she thought having him at ho would ease her sister’s worries.
Why would they suddenly ask about this?
Bai Ju was stunned, “You didn’t see He Weng? That’s impossible. He Weng took your address, that kid is so sincere—he said it was to repay your great kindness. He insisted on going to your city to work, claiming it was to earn living expenses for you and even save for your dowry. I specifically gave him your address; he couldn’t have failed to contact you, right? It’s been over three months already.” Her brother-in-law and his family had always thought he was in touch with Bai Xiao. She hadn’t expected there might be sothing else.
“Sister! I really haven’t seen him, he hasn’t co to look for these past few months!” Bai Xiao was also surprised, He Weng really was kind-hearted.
Bai Ju scooped two bowls of noodles from the white flour bag, pouring them into a basin that already had two bowls. Thinking not to give up hope, she scooped one more bowl into it, for the four young guys, she couldn’t let them starve.
“This kid must not have found a good job and felt embarrassed to co to you, but with the New Year coming up, how can there be no news at all? Whether there’s money or not, he should still co ho for the holiday! His brother is really worried about him; he’s never been away from us. We’re also worried.”
Bai Xiao suddenly felt an ominous feeling in her heart.
Although He Weng was old enough that human traffickers definitely wouldn’t be interested in him, and no one would want such a big son to take on the burden, it was mysterious how a person could just disappear into thin air.
“Maybe he’ll co back in a couple of days!” Bai Xiao comforted Bai Ju, and herself as well. She always had a strong sense of unease—perhaps sothing had happened to He Weng.
Bai Ju didn’t think too much of it; after all, they hadn’t encountered any truly bad people in this world, at most just so family squabbles. What were those, really?
He Weng was a grown man, after all; it wasn’t likely he couldn’t take care of himself. At worst, he might just struggle a bit if he couldn’t find a job, but it wouldn’t be anything too serious.
“Let’s just wait then, go wash your hands, and sit in the other room. I’ll be done soon.”
“Sis, I’ll help. Haiping and Hai’an can go fetch water for Auntie.” This was one of the advantages of having boys around.
Bai Song rolled up his sleeves, “I’ll go. I’m an adult; I shouldn’t be sitting around letting the kids work. I’d be too ashad to just sit there.”
Bai Xiao didn’t mind; family mbers helping each other made for a particularly nice atmosphere.
Before the three students returned, they had finished making a big pot of stew with the at they bought, frying so at slices, stewing tofu with black fungus, lily buds, and diced tofu skin—it slled mouth-watering.
When He Wang returned, and the three students entered, the whole family imdiately started their al.
With the noodles boiled, a bowl was served up for each person. He Wang hadn’t expected his nieces and nephews to co, but seeing the whole family harmonious and happy made him happy too. He had lost his parents early and loved this lively and warm family atmosphere.
Little did they know, He Weng was now in a situation where cries for help were unheard— a fate more tragic than being kidnapped by human traffickers.
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