First came the wine—Maotai Feitian. A single bottle cost over 6,000 yuan, just like that.
Then, the cigarettes. Soft-pack Zhonghua, also known as Da Zhonghua. Ten packs came to about 10,000 yuan.
These gifts, the wine and cigarettes, were for Ai Xiaoxi's father and mother. After that, it was time to buy clothes.
Jiang Hai didn't need to prepare anything for her other relatives, because in Ai Xiaoxi's eyes, there was no need.
When her family had been at their lowest, those so-called relatives avoided them like the plague. Her mother had gone door to door, humbly begging for help. At most, she managed to borrow a few hundred yuan—three hundred here, five hundred there—from those very same relatives. But what good was such a small amount when disaster struck?
Whether it was her uncle's family, her aunt's, or any other branch of the family, they were all the same.
Sure, making money wasn't easy. You couldn't expect others to help just because you were struggling.
After all, no one picks up money off the street. It's their money. If they wanted to lend, that was their choice. If they didn't, they had every right not to.
There's an old Chinese saying: "Everyone should sweep the snow in front of their own door and not care about the frost on others' rooftops." Ai Xiaoxi understood that well. But that didn't mean she would forget how they had turned their backs on her.
She wasn't rich now, but Jiang Hai was. Still, even if his money had come from the wind itself, she had no intention of spending a single cent on those relatives. Jiang Hai wasn't a saint, and neither was she. It was that simple.
So, Jiang Hai only bought gifts for her father, mother, and younger brother—nothing more.
Even so, they had gathered quite a haul. Looking at the pile of gifts, Ai Xiaoxi couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. How were they going to carry all this back? But before she could finish complaining, a Great Wall Haval H9 pulled up in front of them.
"This car is…" she began, staring in surprise as the driver got out. After confirming Jiang Hai's identity, the driver handed over the keys. Ai Xiaoxi was confused. "Wait, did you buy a car just now?"
"Oh no, I just rented it," Jiang Hai said with a smile. "We're going to your place, and it's just more convenient this way."
It was true—traveling to Ai Xiaoxi's hometown without a car would be a hassle. Jiang Hai wasn't trying to show off. If he were, he wouldn't have chosen a Haval.
While it's a decent domestic car in China—priced over 200,000 yuan—it wasn't anything special for someone like Jiang Hai, who'd been driving high-end vehicles like the War Shield for years.
"You really know how to waste money," Ai Xiaoxi said, half scolding, but her smile betrayed her happiness.
After loading everything into the car, they got in and set off, following Ai Xiaoxi's directions toward her hometown.
Although it wasn't Mid-Autumn Festival yet, it was the first day of the national holiday, and many people were heading out of town.
Even though Weishi wasn't a big city, the highway out of town was still packed with traffic.
Time passed slowly. By the time they finished shopping, it was already two in the afternoon. A bus ride would've taken less than two hours; driving should've taken just one.
But when Jiang Hai finally pulled up in front of Ai Xiaoxi's house, it was already past five in the evening.
As the car stopped by the courtyard, villagers lounging outside turned to look. When they saw Ai Xiaoxi and Jiang Hai get out, they began murmuring among themselves.
The Ai family was well known in the village—mainly because her father was a traditional carpenter.
Unlike cities, rural areas still had demand for solid wood furniture, and skilled carpenters were respected. That said, their prestige wasn't what it used to be. Forty or fifty years ago, carpenters could've run for village chief!
Ai Xiaoxi's mother had once been the local beauty, and Ai Xiaoxi herself was always bright and pretty. Even in middle school, marriage proposals were already coming in.
But her mother blocked every one of them. She didn't want her daughter to end up like other village girls—married off in her teens, tied to house and field for life. If her daughter could study, then study she would.
And Ai Xiaoxi lived up to that hope, getting into a top university in the capital.
Then disaster struck. In her freshman year, her father broke his leg. Just as he recovered, her mother was diagnosed with a tumor in her leg. Then, during her sophomore year, her younger brother was diagnosed with leukemia.
Though he eventually received a bone marrow transplant, it left him unable to do heavy labor or continue school. For a while, the family was completely overwhelmed.
Eventually, on a friend's recommendation, Ai Xiaoxi joined Feng Yunchen's economic company to earn money.
From there, things improved. She met Jiang Hai, received a large sum of money, and helped pull her family back from the brink.
Thanks to what she sent home, the family now lived a comfortable life—upper-middle class by village standards.
Because of that, everyone in the village had heard of Ai Xiaoxi's "success story."
But people love gossip. Some, out of envy or spite—or maybe just from watching too many melodramas—began spreading rumors that Ai Xiaoxi's "rich boyfriend" was an old man, older than even her father.
That brought a lot of pressure on her family.
But now, seeing Ai Xiaoxi get out of the car with Jiang Hai, the rumors collapsed.
Holding the cigarettes, alcohol, and other items, they unloaded everything from the car. From a distance, neighbors could spot the brands—Maotai Feitian and Zhonghua cigarettes—luxury goods recognizable even in the countryside. The eyes of nearby villagers turned red with envy.
"Hey, little Ai's back! Look, your mom and dad are coming out," a woman nearby called out, swaying dramatically as she walked over.
"Hi, Aunt Liu. I came home to see my parents," Ai Xiaoxi replied calmly. She nodded and headed to the big iron gate, knocking loudly. A flurry of barking erupted from inside.
Aunt Liu realized Ai Xiaoxi wasn't interested in chatting. Embarrassed, she turned to glance at Jiang Hai, who was simply gazing at the scenery around him. She pursed her lips in irritation.
Hmph. The Ai family sure got proud fast—don't even acknowledge the neighbors now that they've got money. She didn't consider the long-standing feuds between her and the Ai family. In truth, Ai Xiaoxi calling her "Aunt Liu" was already a huge courtesy.
Frustrated, Aunt Liu walked off in a huff, likely to spread gossip.
Just then, a young voice called from inside the courtyard.
"Who is it?"
Hearing the voice, Ai Xiaoxi lit up with excitement. "Xiaohui, it's me!" she called, trying to contain her emotions.
The sound of quick footsteps followed, and the big iron gate swung open.
A boy who bore a striking resemblance to Ai Xiaoxi—about 60% alike—peeked through. When he saw her, joy flooded his face.
"Sis! It's really you! Dad, Mom—she's back!" he yelled, dashing into the house. But before he got far, an older couple came rushing out.
Rural folks aged faster than city dwellers. Though Ai Xiaoxi's parents were only in their early forties—her mother had given birth at nineteen—they already looked closer to fifty.
Time and hardship had etched deep lines into their faces. By comparison, Qi Li's mother was in her fifties but looked ten years younger. Ai Xiaoxi's mother was only 41 and looked significantly older.
"My goodness, it's really you! And you didn't even call ahead! Are you here alone? Where's your boyfriend?" Her mother's voice trembled with emotion.
She rushed forward, took Ai Xiaoxi's hand, and gripped it tightly.
"Mom, what are you saying?" Ai Xiaoxi blushed and turned to Jiang Hai. "Mom, let me introduce you. This is Jiang Hai… Jiang Hai, this is my mom, my dad, and my brother, Ai Xiaohui."
"Oh! Uncle, Auntie, Xiaohui," Jiang Hai greeted them with a warm smile. He stepped forward and nodded respectfully.
To be honest, this was his first time in such a situation—and he had to admit, he felt a little nervous and awkward...