"It’s really delicious, Mumu, you’re so lucky, aren’t you? You get to eat such delicious meals made by Mrs. Liu every day, and such tasty snacks too. I’m so envious." Su Yue’e said with envy while eating a snack.

"It is quite fortunate." Xu Mumu smiled, too. Mrs. Liu’s cooking skills are indeed excellent. If she were to open a small private restaurant in the future, business would surely be booming.

When Xu Mumu returned home, she unexpectedly received a call from her younger brother. Xu Minglei and his friends had already passed the county-level speech competition, and in a few days, they would participate in the provincial-level competition. If they succeeded at the provincial level, they might have another opportunity to visit the Imperial City.

Xu Mumu was quite happy. Hearing the obviously excited voice of her younger brother over the phone, she could tell that little guy did quite well in the competition. Xu Jiaojiao and the others were also selected. Xu Mumu was quite satisfied with the tutoring results she had given them.

"You did well this time, but don’t get complacent. The upcoming competitions will only get more difficult." Xu Mumu said gently.

"Sis, I know that. You don’t have to worry." Xu Minglei said happily. This speech competition really showed him what it means to always have someone better. Initially, he was a bit proud, but now he just wants to work harder to avoid being surpassed.

The competition results placed him first, but the second-place contestant was very close, just one point behind, so he realized he needed to work even harder.

Through Xu Minglei, Xu Mumu learned about this, and she was pleased that her younger brother had a rival. The more he learns, surpassing his peers, she worried he might become overconfident. Now with a rival, there’s no need to worry.

This time, Xu Minglei did exceptionally well, and Xu Jiaojiao’s results were also excellent. Although Xu Wan, Tiedan, and Xu Tao didn’t perform as spectacularly as Xu Minglei and Xu Jiaojiao, they were also selected, which was an impressive result.

While waiting for her brother’s provincial English speech competition results, Professor Song finally returned, looking travel-worn.

"Grandpa, why did you bring back so much stuff?" Xu Mumu asked as she saw Professor Song bringing in all those things. She rushed over and helped him carry the large bags inside.

"Oh, it’s nothing, just some local specialties from over there. They’re all really good things." Professor Song said excitedly. Now that business can be done legally, though not many people are selling, Professor Song still bought a lot. He wasn’t short of money, especially with occasional financial gifts from Yin Yang, so this trip was thoroughly enjoyable for him.

According to Professor Song, although Southwest University is situated by the mountains, there’s a vast river flowing nearby. Apart from mountain produce, Professor Song brought fish and river delicacies, and even a pristine fox fur.

"Where did this fur come from?" Seeing the fur, Xu Mumu felt a bit distressed, recalling the fur trade she had seen on her phone in her past life.

"Oh, I saw it in the black market. It’s quite nice. I thought you girls would like it. Yin Yang’s mom used to fancy such furs." Professor Song said calmly.

Xu Mumu felt helpless. Did Professor Song go to the black market? Did he go alone or with someone else?

This fur is soft, feels great to touch, perfectly intact, and looks extremely beautiful. If it were larger, she might have considered making a fur coat.

Using this fur for a scarf would be very warm in winter.

"Are there many fur traders there?" Xu Mumu gently touched the fur and asked Professor Song.

"Not really, I only saw this one piece. They have people catching poachers there. I reckon this fur was stored by someone a while ago. I spent quite a sum to get it." Professor Song shook his head.

Xu Mumu felt relieved immediately. Although the legal system isn’t fully established yet, poaching is regulated.

Back in her hometown near Daqing Mountain, people would occasionally patrol, though she hadn’t seen any poachers herself.

Touching the fur, it felt so comforting. Xu Mumu liked it a lot. Now that the weather is warming up, making a scarf would be wasteful. Better to keep it and admire it from time to time.

She joyfully stored the fur in a box in her room and helped Mrs. Liu unwrap and place all the local specialties that Professor Song brought back.

Apart from edible items, there was a pile of souvenirs without much use. Xu Mumu sorted and stored them. Some were displayed outside, while others, being nice pieces of craftsmanship, were displayed decoratively.

When Yin Yang returned in the evening and saw that Grandpa was back, he was quite happy. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Grandpa seemed full of energy, cheerfully enjoying his trip to Southwest, evidently a joyous experience.

"Grandpa, did you encounter something good there? You’re so cheerful." Yin Yang asked with a smile, pouring a cup of tea for his grandpa.

"I met an old friend from way back. I didn’t expect him to still be alive, which is wonderful." Professor Song said with a smile. During those turbulent times, he lost touch with many old friends, with no news on whether they lived or died.

This unexpected reunion in the Southwest was a delightful surprise.

"Is it someone I know?" Yin Yang asked curiously.

"No, I knew him before you were born, and later lost all contact with him." Professor Song said with a smile.

Yin Yang nodded and asked no further questions.

That night, when they went back to their room, Xu Mumu showed the fur to Yin Yang.

"Do you like this kind of fur? Do you want me to get more for you?" Yin Yang didn’t think much of it, since back when the Yin family was at its prime, they had plenty of such furs and never lacked them.

"No, no, it’s okay. This is just for looks; it’s just a fur, representing a life. Better not." Xu Mumu shook her head. She wasn’t afraid of the cold, and wearing it doesn’t make her feel particularly glamorous—it’s just a novelty.

"We used to have a lot at home, but my grandfather donated them, along with many other things." Yin Yang said with a smile.

Xu Mumu’s mouth twitched. She realized again just how wealthy the Yin family used to be. They were so extravagant that they definitely attracted attention in their time.

If there’s one thing she’s most satisfied with about Yin Yang, it’s probably that there were no parents-in-law, so she wouldn’t have to deal with those types of in-law issues.

At least from what Yin Yang had told her about his past, she knew his mother was no pushover; a woman who could be quite terrifying when provoked.