Chapter 108: The Family of Origin (Part 1) In the eastern part of the Golden Market, the young men of Wuling rode white horses with silver saddles, galloping through the spring breeze.

Although the holiday officially began on the 10th, many students tended to return home early. On the morning of the 7th, Xia Churan stood by the school gate, clutching bags and glancing around anxiously.

“Fang Yu, hurry up! I’m freezing to death,” the girl called out impatiently, waving at his car.

The engine roared to life, and following the navigation, they sped along. The BMW 640 soon merged onto the highway.

“Damn, technology really is amazing. I’m starting to understand why Zhao Bin loves New York so much,” Fang Yu muttered. With the central control screen’s navigation, there was no need to stop and ask for directions anymore. In less than two hours, they arrived at the small town where Xia Churan lived.

“Damn, the navigation just stopped working. Churan, you know the way home, right?” He awkwardly nudged the sweetly sleeping girl in the passenger seat.

“Wow, we’re here already?” The girl rubbed her eyes in disbelief, looking around.

Several villagers eyed the sleek car curiously. A sports car of this caliber wasn’t just rare—it was something they’d only ever seen on TV.

“Is this the town? Didn’t you say there’s a dirt road about ten kilometers from here?”

“Yeah, just turn in here and follow this path for about five li,” Xia Churan took on the role of guide. To be honest, the path was tricky to drive on, but at least it was paved with concrete. Compared to the small mountain village where Han Mengyao lived, this place was significantly better.

“Turn here, and that three-way fork ahead is where my house is,” she pointed.

“Got it.” The 640’s excellent handling was fully demonstrated on these narrow village roads. Thankfully, they didn’t encounter any oncoming vehicles; otherwise, such a cramped lane would have been extremely difficult to navigate.

“Hehe, we’re here! Fang Yu, thank you so much!” Xia Churan beamed with happiness.

Fang Yu opened the door and looked around. The surroundings were the epitome of rural charm—low, modest houses scattered among fields of bare earth, with cooking smoke rising from every home. It was clearly lunchtime.

As he admired the pastoral scene, Xia Churan called out toward the courtyard.

“Mom, I’m home!”

Fang Yu turned to see a middle-aged woman with sallow skin emerge from the yard. Her face, etched with hardship and bitterness, was the last image he expected to be Xia Churan’s mother.

“Home is home. What’s with all the shouting? Did you save any money over the holidays?” the mother snapped, extending a hand without pleasantries.

Xia Churan glanced awkwardly at Fang Yu, then reached into her coat pocket and handed over an envelope.

“Yes, I worked and saved two thousand yuan.”

Without a word, her mother snatched the envelope, muttering under her breath, “I supported you through school, fed you, and you bring back just two thousand? Your brother's tuition for next year is still uncertain.”

Fang Yu shifted uncomfortably, wanting to crawl back into the car. At that moment, the mother noticed him and pointed at the sports car with surprise.

“Churan, who’s this? Your boyfriend?”

Fang Yu forced a smile.

“Uh, hello, Auntie. I’m a friend of Xia Churan’s, just giving her a ride home.”

The woman’s sharp eyes flicked over him. He clearly wasn’t from around here—not just because of the car, but his clothing and overall demeanor marked him as someone from the city.

“Oh, a rare guest! Churan, why don’t you invite your friend inside? It’s noon, let’s eat first!” she said with a forced smile.

Fang Yu wanted to decline, but Xia Churan tugged him cheerfully by the arm.

“Come on, Fang Yu. I’ll cook lunch for you, okay?”

Caught between politeness and embarrassment, he nodded and followed her into the yard.

There was no denying that Xia Churan’s family was poor. The low tiled house was nearly devoid of decent furniture; the only valuable possession seemed to be an old CRT television.

“Fang Yu, make yourself comfortable. I’ll go cook some food,” the girl smiled sweetly, which lightened his mood somewhat.

Unlike many villagers, Xia’s family didn’t have a dog. In the countryside, dogs were common.

Just then, Xia’s mother returned carrying a blackened cup.

“Hey, young man, what’s your name? Here, have some water first.”

“Um, my surname is Fang—Fang Yu. Thank you, Auntie.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome. So, when did you and our Churan get together?”

Fang Yu rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“Auntie, you’ve got the wrong idea. Xia Churan and I aren’t a couple.”

The woman scoffed.

“Oh, young people dating is normal. We’re not old-fashioned. Besides, Churan’s already a sophomore. After graduation, marriage is expected.”

Her thick rural accent made it hard for Fang Yu to understand, so he just smiled politely. Looking around the modest home, he asked,

“Hey, didn’t you say Churan has a younger brother? Hasn’t he come home?”

At the mention of her son, the mother’s face lit up with pride.

“Oh, Churan told you? Xia Yuan’s at the internet café in town. He studies hard, so he deserves to relax during the holidays.”

Fang Yu frowned in dissatisfaction. The mother seemed proud only of her son, yet Xia Churan was her own daughter too.

Just as the mother prepared to question Fang Yu further, Xia Churan emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands awkwardly.

“Ah, Fang Yu, sorry, there’s not much food at home. How about I scramble a few eggs for you?”

Her long hair was tied up neatly at the nape of her neck, and she wore an apron—looking every bit the diligent cook.

“It’s okay, I’m not hungry. You all eat—I have to head back to school,” Fang Yu said, eager to leave.

Perhaps embarrassed by the scarcity of food, the mother softened.

“Ah, young Fang, we don’t have much money—can’t offer much hospitality. How about I make you some pancakes? At least you’ll eat before you go.”

Fang Yu, reluctant to refuse again, nodded.

“Alright, thank you, Auntie.”

The mother shot a glance at Xia Churan, took the apron, and muttered something in their dialect before heading to the kitchen.

“Fang Yu, sorry you can only have pancakes,” Xia Churan’s voice dropped softly.

He reached out and patted her head gently.

“It’s fine, I’m not picky. But why do you, a student, have to give money to your mother?”

Xia Churan lowered her head further.

“My mom’s a housewife. After my parents divorced, there was no income. I’m still borrowing money from my uncle’s family for tuition. I’ll pay it back when I start working. That’s why I have to work and earn money.”

“How much did you borrow?”

She counted on her fingers.

“Um, five thousand for university, another five thousand this year, and a thousand for my brother’s high school. So, eleven thousand total. But next year’s tuition is still unsettled.”

Fang Yu sighed in relief and brushed a smudge of dirt from her cheek.

“It’s okay. I’ll pay off this money for you. I’ll transfer it as soon as I get back.”

But the money-loving girl shook her head firmly.

“Fang Yu, I can’t accept that. I was willing to wear that dress because I like you—I wanted to show it to you. But I don’t want you to pay out of pity.”