The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 224 - 223: I Won’t Be a Freeloader

"Even if you send me back, I’ll just run away again."

Hearing this, Xue Yue wanted to hit him again, but Xue Xingzhou stopped her.

"Alright, we can talk about this later. He arrived in Beijing City yesterday but forgot your address. He’s been stuck at the train station ever since, and he’s cold and hungry. Go get him something to eat. I’ll take him to wash up."

Xue Yue glanced at Xue Xingjun, then went to the kitchen.

When Xue Xingjun came out of the bathroom, he was wearing a set of He Lang’s clothes that Xue Xingzhou had found for him. They looked a bit long; the pant legs were rolled up, and so were the sleeves.

Xue Yue had cooked him a bowl of noodles.

Xue Xingjun picked it up and, not caring if it was hot, shoveled it down in just a few bites. Then he looked at Xue Yue again.

"Is there any more?"

Xue Yue almost laughed. She ladled another bowl for him. "Eat slowly. If it’s not enough, I’ll make you more."

After eating his fill, Xue Xingjun finally remembered to ask, "Big Bro, where are my sister-in-law and nephew?"

Xue Xingzhou told him, "They’re at home. Are you going to stay here with Yue’er, or are you coming back with me to my place?"

Xue Xingjun quickly stood up. "I’ll go with you."

He muttered under his breath, "If I stay here, she’ll just send me back. No way am I staying here."

Xue Yue eyed him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing! Sis, I’m heading back with Big Bro. If you miss me, come find me at his house!"

Xue Yue chuckled. "Go on."

When they got to Xue Xingzhou’s place, just as they were about to go in, Xue Xingjun suddenly grabbed Xue Xingzhou’s hand. "Big Bro, will Sister-in-law be upset that I just showed up like this? And isn’t it a bit rude for me to show up for the first time empty-handed?"

Xue Xingzhou said with a smile, "Do you have any money?"

Xue Xingjun shook his head. "How about you lend me some?"

"In your dreams. Hurry up and get inside. No one’s going to look down on you."

With that, Xue Xingzhou led the way into the courtyard.

After a two-second pause, Xue Xingjun followed him in.

He looked around the courtyard for a moment before following Xue Xingzhou into the house.

When Zhang Qian saw him, she greeted him, "Your brother and sister got the telegram from back home and were worried sick. I can’t believe you actually ran all the way here. You can’t do this again."

Xue Xingjun rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "Sister-in-law, I know I was wrong. My sister already hit me."

Zhang Qian raised an eyebrow. "Your sister hit you?"

Xue Xingjun nodded.

Zhang Qian comforted him, "You really scared your sister. Don’t blame her; she was just worried about you."

Xue Xingjun said, "I don’t blame my sister. She used to beat me up all the time when we were kids, so I’m used to it."

Zhang Qian laughed.

Xue Xingjun walked over, his eyes fixed on Tun Tun, who was sitting on the bed playing. Several toys were laid out in front of him.

Xue Xingzhou put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a little shake. "My son. His nickname is Tun Tun."

"Big Bro, he looks just like you!"

Xue Xingzhou glanced at his son. "Where does he look like me? Do I look like that now?" He was referring to his build; Tun Tun was a round, chubby little boy.

Xue Xingjun said, "I mean he looks like you when you were little."

Xue Xingzhou squeezed his shoulder. "You’ve seen me when I was little?"

"Um... Agh, well, he just does!"

Zhang Qian moved aside to let Xue Xingjun watch the child, then pulled Xue Xingzhou outside.

"Where did you find your brother? Those aren’t his own clothes, are they? They’re so big."

Xue Xingzhou said, "I found him at the train station. The kid had a rough time on the road. The clothes are He Lang’s."

"Well, you should go out and buy him a couple of new outfits. Those clothes don’t fit, he looks so pitiful."

Xue Xingzhou smiled. "Okay, I’ll go buy some."

Xue Xingjun watched them both leave. He leaned down next to Tun Tun and reached out to touch his small hand. "Wow, so soft."

Tun Tun looked up at him for a second, then went back to playing on his own.

Xue Xingjun cleared his throat and said to Tun Tun, "Let me introduce myself. I’m your uncle. My name is Xue Xingjun. From now on, I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone bully you."

Unfortunately, Tun Tun didn’t give him another glance, but Xue Xingjun wasn’t discouraged. He stayed right there, trying to play with Tun Tun.

When Zhang Qian came in, she saw Xue Xingjun playing with her son and the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile.

The moment Xue Xingjun noticed Zhang Qian come in, he shot to his feet.

"S-Sister-in-law, where’s my brother?" he asked, craning his neck to look outside.

"Your big brother went out to buy you a couple of new outfits."

Xue Xingjun blinked. ’Big Bro left? Then I’m...’ A wave of nervousness washed over him.

Zhang Qian saw him looking anxiously toward the door.

"Your big brother will be back soon. How about I show you where you’ll be staying?"

Xue Xingjun paused for a moment. "Oh."

He took a few steps, then turned back to look at Tun Tun. "Aren’t we taking him? It’s not safe for him to be alone."

Zhang Qian smiled. "It’s fine. He can’t crawl yet, so he won’t fall off."

Xue Xingjun looked disapproving. "That’s still not okay. It’s dangerous for a child to be alone."

Zhang Qian wanted to explain that her son was different from other children. ’When he’s playing with something, he’ll focus on it completely and ignore everyone else.’

"Alright then. It’s the second room on the right when you go out. Can you find it by yourself?"

Xue Xingjun nodded. "I can. I’m a grown-up."

"Okay, go ahead then."

Xue Xingjun left the room, gently closing the door behind him for Zhang Qian.

Then he took a deep breath, and his whole body relaxed.

He found the room Zhang Qian had mentioned—the second one on the right—and pushed the door open.

Inside, there was a bed and a cabinet. It looked very clean.

Xue Xingjun sat down on the edge of the bed, felt the bedsheet, and broke into a wide grin.

"Yes! I finally made it to Beijing City! Hmph, I’m never going back. I’ll just follow Big Bro... but I can’t just be a freeloader. What if Sister-in-law gets tired of me? Hmm... she probably won’t, right? I think Sister-in-law is a good person... but I can’t just do nothing, can I? I know how to hoe fields and cut wheat, but there’s no land here, is there?"

Xue Xingjun muttered to himself in the room for a long time.

It wasn’t until Xue Xingzhou returned and handed him the clothes.

"Try these on and see if they fit. You can take off the clothes you’re wearing."

Xue Xingjun took them, had a look, and immediately started taking off the clothes he was wearing to change.

Xue Xingzhou asked him, "How’s this room?"

Xue Xingjun nodded. "It’s great. But, Big Bro, are you not as rich as Sis?"

Xue Xingzhou shot him a sideways glance. "What makes you say that? Is my place that shabby?"

Xue Xingjun shook his head. "No, it’s just that I saw Sis’s place is a little bit nicer than yours, and she has more rooms. I know you’re still in school and have to support a wife and child, so your burden must be heavy. I won’t be a freeloader. I’ll start looking for a job tomorrow so I can earn money too."

Xue Xingzhou raised his eyebrows, surprised. "That’s pretty forward-thinking of you, already planning to find a job. But you’re a minor. Who would dare to hire you?"

Xue Xingjun froze. "What do you mean? I can’t find a job? Then what do I do? Doesn’t that mean I’m just here to be a burden to you?"

"What else? Should I send you back?"