Xiao Yuxi's face flashed with a complex look. From the initial stunned feeling, it morphed into panic.
What should she do?
Originally, she thought that the visitor might be a neighbour who needed something, and it would have been a quick dealing before she could swiftly return to Xiao Qingya's side again.
She didn't expect it to be a familiar family member.
Xiao Yuxi wasn't as quick-witted as Xiao Yuyan, and she certainly couldn't hide her feelings as well as her. As such, her thoughts were practically written all over her face.
"Xi'er, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?" Zhou Shuran's gentle voice was tinged with worry. She stepped forward and checked the young girl's temperature on her forehead.
"I-I am fine. The weather is a little hot today. I just came back from retrieving some water from the river." Xiao Yuxi stiffened, feeling a little awkward. She cleared her throat as she secretly glanced at the direction of the kitchen. "What brings you here, Little Aunt? Mother isn't home."
Since it was Zhou Shuran who had come to visit, she didn't know how to send her away early.
"Little Ya is still in her growth phase, and she even got sick recently, so your grandfather got her some milk from our goats," Zhou Shuran explained with a gentle smile.
"May I come inside? Where is Little Ya?" As soon as Zhou Shuran finished her words, a small figure appeared in their line of sight.
Xiao Qingya ran over as she giggled. Zhou Shuran stepped inside the house, crouching down slightly to catch the little one and then hugged her tightly.
"Aunt!" She called out in a childish voice.
"Little Ya, look what Aunt brings for you." Zhou Shuran kissed Xiao Qingya's forehead, walking toward the long wooden chair. She put down the milk container on the table.
"Milk?" Xiao Qingya widened her eyes. She knew how precious milk was. Since it was quite expensive, she had to stop drinking milk a few months ago.
Unfortunately, their family didn't own any goats or cows. Although the grandparents' family had a few goats, the grandmother rarely gave it to Zhou Anran's children.
She would rather sell it at the village market.
If Zhou Shuran delivered the goat milk for them today, it must have been without their grandmother's consent. Their grandfather must have secretly saved a portion for Xiao Qingya.
Seeing Xiao Qingya's excitement, Zhou Shuran turned to Xiao Yuxi. "Xi'er, where is Little Ya's baby bottle? Quick, bring it here so that she can drink it."
Xiao Yuxi's face had become a little pale. Anxiety was gnawing at her heart like maggots. So far, she hadn't heard Xiao Qingya's inner thoughts, but it wasn't guaranteed that she wouldn't say anything later.
She really didn't know what she should do.
In her heart, Zhou Shuran was a kind aunt to them. But… their grandmother's influence on her was also too great. She could be said to be quite controlling on her youngest daughter.
"Alright." Xiao Yuxi slowly nodded, no longer having the time to hesitate.
Xiao Qingya obediently sat on her aunt's lap, lamenting her current childish actions. Sometimes, she couldn't control it. Whenever her aunt came to visit, she always brought her delicious food.
The moment she heard her voice, she ran toward her just like she always did. Her impression of Zhou Shuran was also quite good.
Although she had such an evil mother like Chen Huayun, she didn't grow up crooked. Zhou Shuran would have resembled their grandfather more if not for her occasional timidity. Still, they shared the similarity for their upright character.
The whole time, Zhou Shuran tried to find all sorts of ways to amuse Xiao Qingya, humming some kind of tune while she teased her niece.
On Xiao Yuxi's side, she was running as fast as she could toward the river, hoping to find her mother or twin sister who had gone to retrieve water.
She bit hard on her lip, her eyes anxiously searched for their figure. There were quite a few other villagers who also had come to fetch water, but she didn't see any signs of her family members.
"Excuse me, Auntie Sun, have you seen my mother or sister?" She politely went to a plump middle-aged woman who was handing a water bucket to her sons.
"Oh, it's you Xiao girl." The woman's gaze was slightly scrutinizing while her son glanced shyly at Xiao Yuxi. "I didn't pay attention."
The son, Sun Tiezhu, had a rather honest look on his face. His complexion appeared a lot darker, the mark of someone who spent a lot of time under the sun.
Xiao Yuxi often saw him tending the field with his younger brothers, working tirelessly.
"Xiao girl, I saw your mother heading this way with your brother not too long ago. They should be here soon." Sun Tiezhu said, gesturing to the village road heading toward the people's fields. In this era, people's fields were located around the same place.
Auntie Sun's expression turned displeased. "Don't talk too much, son. Go bring the water buckets to the cart."
Among the household near Zhou Anran's family, only this Auntie Sun's family was well off enough to possess an ox. They often used it to help them to bring water to their fields.
Sun Tiezhu nodded honestly at his mother, a slight reluctance flashed on his face when his eyes landed on Xiao Yuxi. Although he didn't know which twin she was, it didn't stop him from wanting to spend a little more time talking with her.
Alas, he still had to follow his mother's words.
The moment he gestured to the village road, his sleeve was lifted up slightly, and Xiao Yuxi's eyes flashed with doubt. Sun Tiezhu's hands were full of calluses, and there seemed to be some faint bruised marks.
"Be careful. Don't fall and get injured again! You already broke one water bucket," Auntie Sun ordered sharply. Her eyes held a slight annoyance as they fell on Xiao Yuxi before he turned to her son.
"Yes, Mother," Sun Tiezhu replied.
Xiao Yuxi realized that she might have intruded on them for too long and excused herself, thanking Sun Tiezhu profusely. She ran toward the village road.
Just as Sun Tiezhu said, she saw her mother and brother in the distance. Her steps became quicker. She could see that her mother was also a little bewildered by her appearance.
"Xi'er, where is Little Ya?" Xiao Fenghao asked in puzzlement. "You didn't let her stay alone at home, didn't you?"
Xiao Yuxi ignored him and grasped her mother's hand. In a slightly panicked expression, she told Zhou Anran, "Mother. Little Ya is with Little Aunt!"