novelraw Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Liu Wenjie let out a soft chuckle and put down his water cup, pretending not to understand—after all, he was just a five-year-old little kid: "Got it, Mom."
Mom sat there, picked up her chopsticks, and sighed with emotion:
"You have to play nicely with little Xia Ying, okay? Right now our little Jie is indeed still small and doesn't understand how precious childhood sweethearts are! Don't look at how little Xia Ying has few friends now; when she grows up and becomes beautiful and popular, things will be different then! By that time you might not even get a chance to play with her."
Liu Wenjie ignored his silly, sweet mom, picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, and put it in his mouth.
He answered perfunctorily: "Is that so?"
He was a soul in his twenties—how could he be interested in a five-year-old little girl? He only found her noisy!
At this moment, little Xia Ying said softly: "That won't happen, Aunt. As long as Older Brother Wenjie wants to play with me, I will play with him."
Mom smiled cheerfully: "Oh my, little Xia Ying is so nice."
Liu Wenjie, on the other hand, looked at Xia Ying with puzzlement.
This girl was talking more than usual today.
Dad Liu Yingjun sighed:
"But time really flies. In another half year you two will graduate from kindergarten, right? Soon you'll become impressive elementary school students."
Graduate from kindergarten? Liu Wenjie ate a big shrimp while recalling certain details. Although education in this world was intense, kindergarten seemed to teach almost nothing—unexpectedly relaxed.
Could this be the calm before the storm?
While he was lost in thought, little Xia Ying was also secretly watching Liu Wenjie eat shrimp with curiosity. She noticed he ate shrimp much more frequently than other foods; it seemed Older Brother Wenjie really liked this. She quietly noted it in her heart.
Not long after dinner, little Xia Ying's grandpa came knocking to take her home.
Liu Yingjun and Lin Xiaoli politely greeted the grandpa.
Grandpa was a very kind, even somewhat simple man. His hair was half white, his palms rough. He wasn't actually that old but looked a bit aged, and he was easy to talk to.
"Working overtime at the factory—thank you for taking care of my granddaughter. I brought you some gifts." It was a large bag of fruit.
Lin Xiaoli laughed and tried to refuse: "Oh no, no need, we're neighbors—why be so polite? The two kids are classmates visiting each other, isn't that natural? Buying gifts is too much."
Little Xia Ying held Grandpa's hand, the repaired hair clip already in her grasp.
Looking at the indifferent Liu Wenjie: "Older Brother Wenjie, I'm going home."
Liu Wenjie gave an "oh."
"Take care on the road."
"It's right next door." Xia Ying's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Mm, I know." The boy's tone was very casual.
Led home by Grandpa, Lin Xiaoli stuck half her head out and waved at little Xia Ying: "See you tomorrow, little Xia Ying." Xia Ying replied: "See you tomorrow, Aunt," but turned back to glance at Liu Wenjie, who hadn't stepped out of the house.
His two acts of help made her more determined to give Liu Wenjie a gift.
She knew Older Brother Wenjie had been so kind to her—helping her twice—she couldn't just say thank you.
Back home that night, little Xia Ying returned to her bedroom. Following Liu Wenjie's reminder, she found a metal box, carefully and reluctantly placed the strawberry hair clip inside.
After staring at it for a long time, she murmured to herself: "But what kind of gift does Older Brother Wenjie want? I don't know..."
Early the next morning, Lin Xiaoli's family was already preparing breakfast. As a full-time housewife, Mom always got up early to make breakfast for her husband and son.
As she passed the front door, she faintly heard tiny knocking sounds coming from below the door.
Like a child knocking. Lin Xiaoli stood still for a moment, realizing who it might be.
Smiling, she walked to the door and slowly opened it a crack.
Looking down, sure enough she saw Xia Ying wearing a little white dress.
"G-good morning, Aunt~" she greeted softly and sweetly. Taking the initiative was rare for her.
Lin Xiaoli squatted down, utterly melted, and patted her head twice: "Good morning, little Xia Ying. It's a new day—what brings you to Auntie?"
Little Xia Ying clenched her small hands nervously, mustering her courage: "I-I want to ask Auntie what Older Brother Wenjie likes. I want to give him a gift, but I don't know what to choose."