NOVPUBChapter 255: Chapter 255: He Weng Didn’t Go to Find Her
Chapter 255 -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 meals because her three children needed lunch, and He Wang would be back soon. He had mentioned yesterday that he wouldn’t bring lunch because he had a driving shift in the morning and could rush back for a meal 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 seemed like their life was somehow quietly changing, becoming more vibrant.
As she was about to start kneading dough, she heard a knock on the door.
Bai Ju checked the time in surprise. It was only eleven o’clock, and the children would be out of school at half-past eleven, not getting home 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 come? Is something wrong?” Her sister had not returned for a visit because it really wasn’t permissible time-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 home, 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 some food stamps and money for her elder sister. When someone 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 came 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 seemed tiresome, 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 home. Just the pork alone is about thirty pounds, not to mention sugar, apples, and I heard they’re even distributing chicken and fish this year.” Bai Ju, like Bai Yue, was used to hard times! Seeing wasteful spending was something 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 come to scrounge a meal 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 me. By the way, have you seen He Weng? Did he not send a message 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 home?” He Weng was considered family because she was helping her sister with medical treatment, and she thought having him at home 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 something else.
“Sister! I really haven’t seen him, he hasn’t come to look for me 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 come 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 come home 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 come back in a couple of days!” Bai Xiao comforted Bai Ju, and herself as well. She always had a strong sense of unease—perhaps something 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 some 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 ashamed to just sit there.”
Bai Xiao didn’t mind; family members helping each other made for a particularly nice atmosphere. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Before the three students returned, they had finished making a big pot of stew with the meat they bought, frying some meat slices, stewing tofu with black fungus, lily buds, and diced tofu skin—it smelled mouth-watering.
When He Wang returned, and the three students entered, the whole family immediately started their meal.
With the noodles boiled, a bowl was served up for each person. He Wang hadn’t expected his nieces and nephews to come, 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.
