Rebirth: I Am Not the Movie Queen This Time-Chapter 60 Attitude

Bai Zhixi laughed and said, "Xiao Bai, we’re not going to have fun. If we ever go just for leisure, we’ll take you with us then."

The tone in which she spoke treated Xiao Bai’s request as if it were the impertinent demand of a playful child. Wan Chu’er mentally gave her mom a thumbs up, thinking Bai Zhixi was really good with words.

Xiao Bai pouted and scratched his head, saying:

"Aunt Bai, I’m not going out for fun. Look at you and Chuchu, two females without a man by your side, it’s too easy to be taken advantage of. If I go with you, I can help carry the load. If anyone causes trouble, I’ll be there to straighten them out."

To think he’s actually a well-meaning youth.

Wan Chu’er snorted with laughter and said, "Do you think these are chaotic times? Bad people especially targeting us mother and daughter? You need to trust the country, trust the police."

This time, it was Xiao Bai’s turn to snort with laughter. He couldn’t help but pat Wan Chu’er’s head and say, "Chuchu, you’re such an innocent good kid."

"You’re the one overthinking!"

"What’s wrong with thinking too much? I’ve seen way more of the world than you have, met all kinds of people. Some might look decent, but behind the scenes, their hearts are darker than you can imagine," Xiao Bai said confidently.

Wan Chu’er fell silent upon hearing this, her eyes moving back and forth over him several times.

This time, Xiao Bai instantly got it. He couldn’t help but give Wan Chu’er a little twist, but because Wan Chu’er was wearing thick clothes, he didn’t manage to pinch the flesh.

"What are you thinking? Am I that kind of person?" Xiao Bai wore an expression of feigned innocence.

Wan Chu’er went straight to Bai Zhixi to tattle: "Mom, he twisted me."

Bai Zhixi: "..."

Xiao Bai: "..." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

They really weren’t used to Wan Chu’er snitching. Wasn’t Chuchu always quick to throw a punch before? When did she learn to tattle?!

In the end, with Wan Chu’er’s firm opposition and Bai Zhixi’s persuasion, Xiao Bai had no choice but to agree not to follow and cause trouble.

When it came to making money, Wan Chu’er preferred to be independent; it was much cleaner that way.

If Xiao Bai really came along, splitting the earnings would be a headache—whether to give him a share or not, and if so, how much. Just thinking about it was troublesome, so Wan Chu’er was adamant about not letting Xiao Bai meddle, even though his intentions were good.

After dinner, Wan Chu’er and Bai Zhixi went out to arrange for a truck bound for Wanzhou, to catch a ride there.

Xiao Bai insisted on accompanying them this time, so they had no choice but to bring him along. When they arrived at the freight station, Xiao Bai dropped his dad’s name, and the station staff immediately became exceptionally courteous.

After Xiao Bai explained their purpose, the person in charge at the freight station patted him on the shoulder and said enthusiastically:

"That’s no problem. We have trucks running to Wanzhou every day. It’s easy to arrange a ride or transport goods. Just be here at six in the morning."

"Six in the morning?" Xiao Bai frowned. "Why so early?"

Wan Chu’er quickly pulled Xiao Bai aside and cheerfully said to the people at the freight station, "Okay, we’ll definitely be here by six in the morning, and we won’t be short a dime on the freight charges."

Xiao Bai muttered, "It’s so early, it’s going to be cold."

Wan Chu’er glared at him, and Xiao Bai pouted, not daring to say another word. He was afraid that Wan Chu’er would turn around and find another way to go.

At least he knew the people here could look out for them a little.

Back at home, Xiao Bai couldn’t help but recount the incident at the dinner table, ending with a sigh, "Chuchu is so pitiful. We’re here enjoying good food, while Aunt Bai and Chuchu have to deliver goods to Wanzhou before dawn. Whether the New Year’s goods will sell there is uncertain. They’ll definitely have to stand in the cold wind, putting on a smile and speaking kindly to people. Chuchu is so proud, alas—".

After speaking, he looked expectantly at his father, Old Bai. Old Bai took his time sipping his soup before indifferently saying, "Earning a living with one’s own hands is nothing to be pitied."

Xiao Bai rolled his eyes where his father could not see and muttered to himself, wondering how his father could be so heartless, even though they were siblings born of the same mother.

Not acknowledging each other for over twenty years, Chuchu and her mother struggle so much, and he doesn’t even think to help them out in secret.

It’s not like there’s any deep-seated hatred, and even if there is, the grudge is between the grandparents. How could he, as an uncle, be so callously indifferent?

Having always understood his younger brother, Dabai knew what Xiao Bai was thinking just by looking at his expression. He knew this kid must be badmouthing their father.

Dabai gave his brother a glare and said, "Just make sure the truck driver takes good care of them." Didn’t he see that their father didn’t object to him running around helping out?

That’s all they could do to help with this kind of situation.

Old Bai, completely ignoring the back-and-forth between his two sons, finished his meal and went out with his hands clasped behind his back.

Xiao Bai waited until his father was out of sight to say, "Brother, what exactly does our father mean? Even if there really was an issue, it’s something between our grandfather and grandmother, and since they’ve been gone for so many years, as someone who’s their elder brother and uncle, why is he so cold-hearted?"

Dabai frowned as he scolded his unreliable brother, "That’s our father, don’t talk about him like that. It’s his business how he handles things, and you have no say in it."

Xiao Bai pursed his lips and grumbled, "I just don’t get it."

In the study, Old Bai was looking at the old family portrait, remembering the fierce anger of his father, the tears of his mother, and the fear of his sister. In the blink of an eye, a perfectly good family was torn apart.

In that era, if even a hint of infidelity was rumored, his mother would have likely faced dire consequences. His father severed ties with his mother and sister in one stroke, practically banishing penniless mother and daughter from the home.

Men from the north are inherently patriarchal, and no man can tolerate his wife’s betrayal. He understood his father’s anger and followed his father’s will, never to recognize or associate with his sister in this lifetime.

As for his sons, he didn’t impose this on them. They were free to do as they pleased.

In the small courtyard.

Wan Chu’er and Bai Zhixi were preparing for their trip to Wanzhou.

Their mountain goods for the New Year’s market included two rabbits and two pheasants bought in the morning, a bag of hickory nuts, a bag of pine nuts, plus the items to be collected tomorrow.

Besides, they had an important task; they had to promote Bai’s Pickles in Wanzhou, so the day after tomorrow, they would take some pickles there too.

The mother and daughter were busily packing the bulk and bottled pickles.

They also had to prepare pickles to be delivered in the next two days, which Sister Liao would then send to the respective restaurants and stores.

They planned to set off for Wanzhou early on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, and regardless of whether they sold everything or not, they would rush back that night. Therefore, the pickles meant to be delivered on the 20th also needed to be prepared a day in advance for Sister Liao.

The trip from Wutong to Wanzhou took three hours by car, and whether they set off early in the morning or late at night, the temperature would be at its lowest, so it was essential to bring thick cotton-padded jackets to keep warm.

The next day, Wan Chu’er went around the market again and collected four wild rabbits and two wild pheasants, all frozen solid like blocks of iron.

The person they talked to the day before in the market did deliver some wild goods to their door, and after some vigorous haggling, Bai Zhixi bought them all.

Everything was ready. On the night of the 19th of the twelfth lunar month, the mother and daughter went to bed early, as they had to get up early the next day.