novelraw Chapter 298 - 276: Settling Scores After the Harvest
Chapter 298 - 276: Settling Scores After the Harvest
Qiao Zhen knew that Xiaoyu had really changed.
The old Xiaoyu was always carefree and willing to forgive anyone.
Qiao Zhen’s expression was somewhat hurt. He still hadn’t figured out why he got so anxious when Xiaoyu disappeared and why, upon seeing the bad guy, he wanted to just blow his head off.
A friend introduced him to someone. He thought he was about the right age, so he agreed. They’d only met once and had dinner, and the relationship wasn’t quite set yet.
He also thought about how he should tell Shi Yu about this matter when he got back from his business trip, suspecting that the little sister who clung to her brother might throw a fit.
But before he could say anything, something happened to her.
Qiao Zhen had no time to think about that woman; his head was full of Shi Yu, the little girl who grew up in his arms, afraid she wouldn’t come back, afraid she was in danger, afraid she would be traumatized.
But she came back safely, unharmed, and seemingly transformed, suddenly grown up.
When she calmly said, "Go on and get a girlfriend," he suddenly felt a void in his heart.
Wasn’t this what he had always hoped for?
Why did it hurt so much when she said it?
It’s not even pain; it’s just that kind of breathlessness in his chest, his little sister doesn’t need him anymore.
If Yu Minglang hadn’t hinted at him, he would have exploded that person, not for any other reason, just wanted to vent for her.
His conflicted expression fell on Xiaoyu’s face.
Shi Yu’s expression was still pretending to be mature and cold, while the little person in her heart made a victory gesture, praising herself for being so perceptive. Look at how deeply she analyzed men, seeing Qiao Zhen’s conflicted face was so satisfying.
Deserved, serves you right, go have a girlfriend, go have wandering eyes, come on, hurt each other!
"Xiaoyu, actually, it’s not really a girlfriend, just someone a friend introduced. I haven’t decided yet. I’ve thought about it, and I’m not really in a good situation for dating. Your brother has been neglecting you, and I want to spend more time with you."
Hahaha, Qian, you’re the best, you’re the best, you’re the best! In her heart, Xiaoyu wildly kissed Qian a thousand times, but her face showed a very indifferent expression.
"No, please don’t hang around me. I’m not interested in men right now, I’m annoyed by all men. After this incident, I’ve realized that only feelings between two women are real, really, look at my Qian, capable and amazing."
"What?!" Qiao Zhen felt pierced through the heart, what’s going on, has she been traumatized?
No, he has to make Xiaoyu realize not all men are scum, there are good men too, at the very least, her brother is a good man!
"Don’t waste time, hurry, take me to settle accounts."
"Where to?"
"To Xuan’s house."
"She... Xiaoyu, don’t be upset, such people aren’t worth your anger." Qiao Zhen was also very furious; he always heard his sister talk about how great this childhood friend was.
Betrayed by a friend, he worried Xiaoyu would crumble.
But Xiaoyu only gave a faint smile.
"I’m not upset, I’m going to make her upset."
Looking at Shi Yu’s mature demeanor, Qiao Zhen couldn’t describe what he felt inside.
He should be thankful his sister had grown up, but why does it feel like his grown-up sister doesn’t cling to him anymore...
What a heartache.
Xuan’s house is in a very ordinary community in Q City, the building is quite old, the walls mottled, very close to the river, and in summer, you can smell the rotten water when the windows are open.
This is a preferred residence for migrant workers, very chaotic.
When Qiao Zhen drove Shi Yu there, he hesitated for a moment.
"Are you sure, once you see her, you can maintain your composure?"
"I’ve been through the worst, nothing is scary anymore, the person who did bad things is alive and well, why shouldn’t I dare to face her? Let’s go upstairs."
Shi Yu walked decisively into the stairwell.
In the winter, the stairwell was piled with a lot of cabbages, and because they had been there for a while, there was a musty smell on every floor. Some people even put sauerkraut jars in the stairwell, various smells mingling, the handrail of the stairs untouched, a thick layer of dust covering it.
Shi Yu knocked on Xuan’s door, knocking continuously, but no one responded inside.
Xuan was not detained due to her pregnancy, and as the case was being processed, she was out on bail awaiting trial.
Shi Yu patiently kept knocking, speaking as she knocked.
"I know you’re in there. Open up, dear friend."
Ever since being frightened by Yu Minglang, Xuan had been on edge these past days, knowing she was in trouble, jumpy at every shadow. Hearing Shi Yu’s voice made her feel a chill down her spine.
"Friend, do you want me to keep knocking? Do you want everyone in the building to know what you did?" Shi Yu’s voice was calm and collected.
Yet it was like a sword piercing Xuan’s heart, each call of ’friend’ making her heart bleed.
Seeing that Xuan wouldn’t open the door, Shi Yu started softly singing.
"Malanhua Malanhua, not afraid of wind and rain, hardworking people speaking, please bloom soon!"
This was their favorite nursery rhyme from childhood; the reason Shi Yu gave Qian a Malanhua anklet was subconsciously preserving a childhood longing for treating friends.
Qiao Zhen watched Shi Yu; she wasn’t angry, just stood there, using a method she never used to handle someone who hurt her.
She was no longer his kind little sister, but this darkened little sister stirred an indescribable emotion inside him.
His heart seemed to beat a bit faster...
When Shi Yu sang for the third time, Xuan finally couldn’t bear it and opened the door, collapsing to her knees with a thud.
"I’m sorry, forgive me, don’t sing anymore, please!"
Shi Yu helped her up with a smile, but her eyes carried a distance Xuan could never bridge.
"Friend, what’s up, I’m just singing a song, why so emotional? Oh my, still kneeling on the floor? Why are you looking so pitiful, it was me who got sold out, friend, your expression will make people mistake that I’m the one mistreating you."
Kneeling on the floor, Xuan looked up, pleading.
"Xiaoyu, have mercy on me, I beg you, I’m still pregnant, tell your family not to sue me, okay, I’m begging you!"
Shi Yu chuckled, using a fingernail to gently touch her face.
"Don’t sue you, huh..."
"Yes, we’re such good friends, we grew up together, don’t be too ruthless—"
"Bastard! Who was actually ruthless? When you sold her out, did you think about her being your friend?!" Qiao Zhen couldn’t stand it anymore.
Shi Yu turned back, placing a finger on his lips.
"Brother, in my matters, don’t speak out. I’ll handle it myself."
Qiao Zhen despairingly realized, his little sister really didn’t need him anymore.
"Give me a reason, Xuan, what did I do to let you down, why, did you treat me this way."