Tang Xiaoqin came to Qingyu Village and casually asked a villager for information: “Old fellow, do you have someone called Tang Xiaoyu here?”
“You mean little Tang? Haven't you seen the two-story small building at the foot of the mountain? He lives there.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
Tang Xiaoqin walked towards the two-story small building. Soon she arrived at the courtyard gate.
The sound of a child's cry came from inside, along with a man's murmuring.
Tang Xiaoqin gently pushed open the courtyard gate and saw a man coaxing a child in his arms, with another sleeping child on his back.
Two relatively older children were playing and fighting by his side.
“Xiaoyu?”
The man looked up: “Cousin, you came. Please come in and sit down.”
Tang Xiaoyu did not seem surprised at all, as if he had expected this.
Tang Xiaoqin was not feeling peaceful inside, but her face remained calm as she walked towards Tang Xiaoyu.
“This is your auntie, say hello to auntie quickly.”
The two children cried out milkily: “Auntie.”
“Very good, very good. Let auntie hug you.”
“Don't hug them yet. Help me hold the youngest one first. I'll make you some tea and bring some fruits.” Without further ado, he directly put the child in Tang Xiaoqin's arms.
Tang Xiaoqin was very nervous. She had no experience and cautiously held her niece, a little at a loss.
“Let auntie see our good girl.”
The more she looked, the cuter the girl seemed, and the more she liked her: “Sweetie, let auntie kiss you.”
The child giggled incessantly. Tang Xiaoqin kissed the little one's face several times before she was satisfied.
The oldest child pulled at Tang Xiaoqin's clothes: “Auntie, I want a kiss too.”
Tang Xiaoqin gently pinched the little girl's face: “Our little cutie, why don't you give auntie a kiss?”
The little girl tiptoed to kiss Tang Xiaoqin on the face, and Tang Xiaoqin showered kisses on the little girl's face.
The little girl giggled: “Auntie, stop!”
“No way, auntie hasn't had enough kisses yet!”
At this moment Tang Xiaoyu came out carrying things: “Alright, stop making trouble. Come eat something.”
There was no deep sibling affection when the two met. Tang Xiaoyu acted very naturally, and Tang Xiaoqin had also been distracted by her nieces and nephews.
“Cousin, why don't you come back to us?”
“Come back to you for what? To unify the whole world?”
Tang Xiaoqin asked in confusion: “Isn't that your dream?”
Tang Xiaoyu shook his head: “That was just my resentment.”
Looking at his children, he smiled and said: “My original dream has now been realized.”
“By the way, did Duoduo and Doudou go to your sect?”
Tang Xiaoqin smiled: “Yes. On the first day they joined, the two brats started fighting with others.”
Tang Xiaoyu did not seem surprised: “I'm used to it. It was within my expectations.”
“Duoduo takes after her mother, too ambitious and crafty. You need to educate her well.”
“Doudou takes after me, no need to worry too much. His only shortcoming is being a bit indecisive.”
Tang Xiaoqin assured: “Cousin, leave them to me. I will educate them well. This is also your intention, right?”
“Have you told Xiaoyu that you are alive?” Tang Xiaoqin asked.
Tang Xiaoyu shook his head: “Let things take their own course, no need to be too deliberate.”
Tang Xiaoyu smiled: “Scenes of deep sibling affection seem silly just thinking about it. I dare not imagine that picture.”
Tang Xiaoqin immediately lost interest in talking to him. She changed the topic: “I'm very curious how you survived.”
Tang Xiaoyu smiled slightly: “Can't say, can't say. Don't tell them about me. When the affinity comes, we will meet naturally.”
Tang Xiaoqin felt strange: “Cousin, you seem odd.”
Tang Xiaoyu stood up: “When affinity comes, it goes. When gathered, it scatters. When arisen, it lives. When fallen, it perishes. The myriad things arise from affinity, all conditioned by circumstances. Affinity comes from heaven's decree, affinity leaves by human intervention.”
Tang Xiaoqin muttered: “Nonsense.”
“Isn't your sister here?”
“She went to town to play, won't be back until evening.”
After staying for lunch at Tang Xiaoyu's not-so-subtle prompting, Tang Xiaoqin left behind all the silver bills she had, as red packets.
“Cousin, I won't keep you. Remember to bring more money next time.”
“Say goodbye to auntie again.”
“Goodbye, auntie.”
Tang Xiaoqin felt both amused and annoyed: “Auntie will come see you again.”
“Alright, I'm going.”
Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand: “Have a safe trip, cousin.”
Tang Xiaoqin harrumphed and left.
Tang Xiaoyu shook his head and went back inside with the children.
Returning to the sect, Tang Xiaoqin went straight to Tang Duoduo's residence.
Walking into the yard, Tang Duoduo's complaints could be heard from the room.
Shaking her head, she knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Came Tang Duoduo's voice, but the one opening the door was Tang Doudou.
Seeing the visitor, Tang Doudou was stunned. He stammered: “Elder, what brings you here?”
Hearing the title “Elder”, Tang Duoduo excitedly rushed out.
Just as she was about to greet, she heard Tang Xiaoqin say: “Our Doudou has grown into a young man now.”
Tang Xiaoqin did not hide her identity at all, or harbor any intention to secretly observe them.
She wanted to start properly educating these two children now, so they would make fewer mistakes and have the conditions not to. It would be foolish not to take this opportunity.
Tang Doudou dumbly responded: “We are not related. You can't call me our Doudou.”
Tang Xiaoqin smiled gently: “I am your father's cousin, so I am your aunt. Why can't I say our Doudou?”
Tang Duoduo and Tang Doudou gaped in disbelief.
Ignoring the two children: “Pack up and come back with me. I will personally teach you, this is also your father's intention.”
Tang Duoduo excitedly said: “You really are my aunt? I'm not dreaming!”
She pulled Tang Doudou's arm: “Didn't I tell you? One must have dreams, who knows when they may come true one day.”
Tang Doudou did not share her excitement, just pleasant surprise.
“Hurry up and pack. Come back with me. We can talk more later.”
“Yes, auntie.”
Tang Duoduo skipped happily to pack up, while Tang Doudou was less lively.
Soon, the two were done packing.
They were brought to Tang Xiaoqin's yard. After arranging their room, she gave them some instructions.
“You know our relationship, no need to let others know.”
The two nodded: “We know, auntie.”
“Also, don't cause trouble everywhere. If you disobey, I will spank you.”
“We know.”
“I will take you back home regularly.”
Tang Doudou happily asked: “Really?”
Tang Xiaoqin nodded: “Really, but you must behave yourselves. If not, your dad may discipline you.”
The two hung their heads: “Oh!”