Chapter 17

It turned out that first impressions were important.

Pei Manman was a timid and shy child. His initial reaction to strangers was always the same: he wanted to keep his distance and hide, and he was too scared to communicate at all.

The first time they met, Lu Shiqi showed obvious unkindness and hostility, so Pei Manman’s biggest impression of him was that he was scary.

Lu Shiqi should have felt this, but he didn’t care much. But it wouldn’t be easy to change Pei Manman’s impression later. It would take a lot of time and effort.

Gu Zhixu, on the other hand, showed considerable kindness and enthusiasm. Pei Manman, by nature, was a child who was easy to please. After taking things from him, he thought Gu Zhixu was a good person.

Although he had been taken advantage of by bad kids before, the little one really didn’t have enough discernment. He was always truly sad when he was bullied, but he was also truly happy when he felt kindness.

Now, with a piece of white chocolate in one hand and a cream-filled sandwich cookie in the other, his little heart was filled with simple joy. He quickly swallowed the soda cracker in his mouth. He couldn’t occupy the space in his hands anymore.

He really wanted to eat the white chocolate. He loved sweet chocolate the most. Unfortunately, he couldn’t eat it now, and he didn’t know when he could eat it…

But it didn’t matter. Just holding it in his hand, knowing that these things were for him, brought him great happiness!

Pei Manman’s favorite snacks were sweet chocolate and sweet cream. He was a complete sweet tooth. You know, the food he missed and reminisced about most these past two days was the cream strawberry cake he ate the day he arrived at the Lu family.

And the little guy’s genuine joy completely captured Gu Zhixu’s heart. Although it was just some small snacks, who doesn’t want the things they give away to be liked by the other person?

At this moment, his heart was full of envy for Lu Shiqi. How nice! If only he had such a cute little brother! Is there any way he can switch his mute little brother with the little darling in front of him!

“You like chocolate, I like chocolate the most too.”

“This sandwich cookie is also delicious. You have good taste, little brother!”

This cookie has a very rich milky flavor in the filling. The pure cocoa butter melts in your mouth. The only flaw is that it’s very sweet. Ten people eat it, eleven will be sickened by the sweetness. But it’s also a sweet tooth’s paradise of joy.

Pei Manman hadn’t eaten it before. He just saw cream drawn on the packaging, and he loved cream, so he took it out of curiosity.

Lu Shiqi glanced at it, his tone dismissive and sarcastic: “Such a sweet cookie, only pigs like it.”

Pei Manman paused.

But Gu Zhixu didn’t care: “Such a delicious cookie, only skinny dogs don’t know how to appreciate it.”

“…”

The space in the back of the car was spacious. It was a four-seater facing each other. Gu Zhixu picked up his schoolbag and squeezed into Pei Manman’s seat to sit with him.

“If you like chocolate, I have a lot more here!”

“Why did you only take two? Take more. There are other flavors. You try them all!”

He then grabbed a few more pieces of chocolate and tried to stuff them into Pei Manman’s pocket.

Pei Manman wasn’t used to receiving kindness from others, and he was a little flustered. He subconsciously looked at Ling Yue, needing an adult’s instructions again.

But before Ling Yue could respond, Gu Zhixu had already stuffed them into his pocket without hesitation.

Pei Manman quickly twisted his small body to avoid him. He felt that two was enough, a lot. He couldn’t take more things from others, because if he did, he would be disliked.

“No, no… I don’t want it!”

Unfortunately, his way of expressing himself hadn’t improved much. People who didn’t know would really think he was rejecting it.

Fortunately, Gu Zhixu had been charmed. Even if it was a rejection, he could still go forward bravely.

“Why not? These are all delicious.”

He could even enthusiastically promote them.

“You’ll know when you taste it. They’re all for you. Hurry up and hide them.”

Pei Manman couldn’t resist him. His shallow jacket pocket was quickly stuffed full, bulging on both sides.

Lu Shiqi watched this scene. He was just annoyed. Why didn’t Pei Manman refuse? Why did he accept Gu Zhixu’s things? It’s just some small snacks. Don’t they have snacks at home? Why does he need to take other people?

But he couldn’t directly express his displeasure. It would make him look petty and calculating.

Lu Shiqi tried to balance his heart, but seeing the little guy blinking his big eyes at Gu Zhixu, with no intention of refusing, he felt even more unbalanced.

So, he sarcastically said to Gu Zhixu, “Are you a snack salesman now, working so hard?”

But Gu Zhixu didn’t understand the sarcasm. His eyes were only on his cute new little brother.

“No, I only do this for people I like.” Gu Zhixu said sincerely, “And delicious snacks should be shared by everyone.”

Pei Manman looked down at his bulging pocket. To be honest, he wanted it. His pocket could hold so much chocolate, it was like a dream. Who would be willing to take it out again?

But he had never taken so many snacks before. His little conscience felt uneasy.

So, he turned to Ling Yue again. He waited anxiously for Ling Yue to pass judgment.

Ling Yue, the only adult present, had clearly seen the battle between the three little one

Good.

It was time for Lu Shiqi to taste this kind of feeling, to let him know that Pei Manman was indeed very likable, and that he could be nicer to him in the future.

Ling Yue stroked Pei Manman’s head and said softly, “Since your brother gave it to you, Manman, take it. Quickly thank your brother.”

Pei Manman finally breathed a sigh of relief.

How could he not like the feeling of his pockets being filled with snacks? He was just worried that they would be taken away or that he would upset the adults.

Knowing that he had Ling Yue’s permission, Pei Manman’s heart was instantly at ease. A rare smile of joy spread across his little face.

He patted his bulging pockets; his inner happiness couldn’t be hidden. His voice became even softer and sweeter as he thanked him.

“Thank you, brother!”

It seemed like it wasn’t enough. It was too simple a thank you.

So, he added another sentence.

“Brother is so good!”

Gu Zhixu’s heart was filled with joy.

So! Cute!

He felt even sweeter than eating sweet chocolate.

So cute and well-behaved!

Why is this kid Lu Shiqi’s?

Damn it, why don’t I just put him in a sack and take him away!

But Lu Shiqi went from being annoyed to having a heart attack.

Brother is so good.

—This phrase wasn’t unfamiliar.

Because Pei Manman had said it to him once before when he was dazed.

So, this phrase was also cheap. He could say it to anyone, and a little snack could easily buy him.

Lu Shiqi wasn’t particularly concerned about Pei Manman, but he was always picky. If it was cheap praise that anyone could get, he’d rather not have it.

Unfortunately, Pei Manman couldn’t receive Lu Shiqi’s displeasure.

The joy of snacks had taken over all his attention.

A little kid’s happiness is so simple and straightforward.

He couldn’t believe he had so many snacks. It was really hard to resist. He needed to touch his pockets every now and then, or look down at them, to confirm that they were still there.

He touched the chocolate on this side, then touched the chocolate on that side. He took it out, squeezed it, and put it back.

He did this repeatedly, and he was never tired of it.

Although he couldn’t eat them yet, just having them made him happy.

He could actually have so many snacks!

It was amazing, he was a snack tycoon now!

The little guy thought he was just sneaking a peek, being very low-key and inconspicuous.

In reality, everyone around him could see clearly.

Gu Zhixu was so charmed by his little actions that he couldn’t help himself: “Aunt, can I trade my little mute for your little brother? I like this little brother!”

Ling Yue’s expression management rarely went out of control: “Of course not, what are you thinking!”

“Also, don’t call him little mute. He’s your brother, how can you call him that?”

Gu Zhixu pouted in dissatisfaction and mumbled, “…That brother wasn’t what I wanted.”

Then his voice gradually grew louder: “If I could choose, I would want this brother!”

Suddenly, he thought of something: “By the way, little treasure, what’s your name? I don’t know your name yet.”

Gu Zhixu was just that kind of easygoing person, he had already started calling him little treasure.

Actually, Pei Manman couldn’t hear clearly. He seemed to have a natural immunity to this kind of address.

But because there were no other strangers present, so this brother could only be asking him.

Pei Manman looked up at Gu Zhixu. His mood was very good now, his face was pale pink, and his eyes were bright.

He had a sweet smile on his face, and he was well-behaved. His voice was no longer timid, but had a rare boldness and loudness: “My name is Manman! It’s very fast, that slow oh!”

He actually wanted to specifically explain that it was the “slow” in fast and slow.

Unfortunately, his ability to express himself only went so far, and he felt good about himself. He didn’t realize anything was wrong.

So, Gu Zhixu was charmed all over again.

Really! So! Cute!

How! Can! It! Be! So! Cute!

He hugged the little guy: “I knew it! You’re my long-lost brother! The damn human traffickers actually kidnapped you here!”

“Come home with me! Brother will take good care of you from now on!”

“…”

Gu Zhixu didn’t hide his liking for Pei Manman, and he kept chattering non-stop.

But his initiative and enthusiasm were very effective. By the time they got home, the little guy was already willing to get close to him.

Gu Zhixu came to the Lu family as naturally as if he were going home. He changed his shoes at the door and went straight to the living room.

After sitting down, he took out a heavy 3D picture book from his schoolbag and said he wanted to tell the little guy a story. The little guy obediently waited beside him.

Gu Zhixu asked Lu Shiqi, “Do you want to come and watch too?”

Lu Shiqi didn’t even lift his eyelids. His voice was full of subtle displeasure: “No, only pigs like this kind of picture book.”

Gu Zhixu replied, “I know you’re not interested, I just asked casually… Great, Manman, just the two of us will watch it.”

“…”

Ling Yue came in a little late. She saw Lu Shiqi’s back as he was about to go back to his room alone, so she asked, “Xiao Qi, aren’t you going to play with them?”

Lu Shiqi said coldly, “Only pigs play with them.”

“There was already one pig, now there are two. I’m afraid they’ll infect me.”

He glanced at them: “It’s good that they’re playing together. It saves me from being bothered.”