“Wife, you and Xixi should keep some distance,” Dad said, picking up Song Qiaoxi like a little chick and bringing her to the door. He handed her to Mom and said, “Chu Jin, when Uncle counts to three, he’s going to crash into the door. If you can hear me, just hide away. One, two…”

As she sat in her mom’s arms, she anxiously watched Dad shake the doorknob and tilting her body to brace for the impending crash.

With a “click,” the door swung open on its own.

Chu Jin stood there with his head down, lips pressed tightly together, his small face as red as a tomato, and even his earlobes flushed.

He was bare-chested, wearing only a pair of shorts, his body damp and shivering slightly as he clenched his fists at his sides.

“What’s going on, kid? Did something fall? Did it hit you…?”

Dad anxiously pulled him close, inspecting him from head to toe. Aside from some old scars, he didn’t find anything else, and he let out a sigh of relief.

Song Qiaoxi wriggled free from her mom’s embrace.

Mom quickly grabbed a towel to dry Chu Jin off and asked him with concern what had happened.

Taking a couple of steps forward, Song Qiaoxi leaned against the doorframe and tilted her head to peek into the open bathroom. She noticed a large red plastic basin on the tiled floor behind Chu Jin, next to a big wooden washboard.

Mom had told her to toss the dirty clothes into that red basin during the summer, and she would wash them in the evening.

Although the family had a small Swan washing machine, Mom said it wasn’t worth using for summer clothes. She only used the machine for larger items like sheets and comforters; everyday clothing was still hand-washed.

She tiptoed to peek inside and saw the large red plastic basin filled with the family’s clothes.

Noticing her mom’s head drop and her hands freeze, she felt a pang of concern.

The basin was full of clothes, and the washboard lay scattered nearby. Mom’s expression was full of worry, her eyes slightly red.

Resuming her task of drying Chu Jin, her voice had a slight tremor as she said, “You’re just a little guy; how could you possibly lift that washboard? If it’s up so high, what if it falls and hits you on the head? At Auntie’s house, you don’t have to wash clothes.”

“I’m sorry…”

The boy’s voice was hoarse as if the words were being squeezed from his throat.

“What are you apologizing for? It’s not your fault, so no need to say sorry. Did you brush your teeth?”

Mom asked as she put down the damp towel and picked up the washboard from the floor, propping it against the wall.

Song Qiaoxi noticed Chu Jin glance towards the door and catch her gaze. He instantly blushed, his previously pale face turning bright red, even his skin flushing.

His dark eyes quickly shifted away, and he crossed his thin arms over his chest, shyly nodding at his mom.

“Then go sleep with Xixi. There’s no place for kids like you here.”

Upon hearing her name called, Song Qiaoxi released her grip on the doorframe.

“Glad to hear it’s nothing.”

She murmured, feeling reassured.

Dragging her wet slippers, she made a “squish-squish” sound as she returned to the bedroom and climbed onto the big bed.

Lying down on the bamboo mat, she inhaled the mixed scent of the bamboo and floral spray as she continued to flip through the open Mickey Mouse magazine.

Before long, Chu Jin walked in as well.

He wore a white tank top with a hole at the hem, so worn it was almost transparent. Standing by the small bed, he grabbed the towel blanket, spread his arms wide to unfold it, and awkwardly shifted the pillow away from the larger bed before quietly lying down.

He positioned his body as far from the big bed as possible, pulling the towel blanket up to his chin, and wrapping himself up tightly like a silkworm cocoon.

On the large bed, Song Qiaoxi had the upper hand. Although she seemed to be flipping through a book, her peripheral vision was keenly aware of his every movement.

The little dumpling yawned, curiously mumbling to herself.

“Hey, why is Chu Jin’s face still red?”

—

The next morning, Song Qiaoxi swung her little legs, feeling quite cheerful as she sat at the dining table, her chin resting on the surface as she stared at the boy across from her.

The morning sun streamed in, casting light on his face. His long, thick eyelashes drooped straight down, creating a lovely arc as he lowered his gaze.

The last time she parted with Chu Jin was on a morning just like this.

After all the twists and turns, he was back.

Today, the little dumpling felt calm. Last night, she had eavesdropped on her parents’ “secret conversation” during a late-night trip to the bathroom.

Song Qiaoxi figured out that her mother was upset because her father had made decisions without discussing them with her first. After some strange “pop” sounds, it seemed that her mother had forgiven her father?

She also learned that in a week, several parents would meet with Aunt Gao from the neighborhood committee and leaders from the newspaper to discuss how to resolve the issues surrounding Chu Jin.

She secretly hoped for the best, wishing that Chu Jin could stay.

But Song Qiaoxi didn’t dare to mention this to her parents.

She was still young and couldn’t contribute financially to the family. Well, she also ate a lot…

How could she protect her mom and dad?

The answer was simple: by not causing any trouble for them.

Suddenly, there was an extra mouth to feed at home, and it was still their parents who bore the burden.

Even if she could eat a little less, help her parents with chores, study hard, and stay out of trouble.

It wouldn’t change the fact that her mom spent a lot of money on a new backpack for her yesterday. If such expenses doubled, wouldn’t that put the family in financial trouble?

If Chu Jin stayed, maybe he wouldn’t turn to “antisocial” behaviors in the future. Perhaps he wouldn’t become a bad person at all.

He was their benefactor, and he couldn’t be ungrateful.

After thinking it over, she decided to find a chance to discreetly tell her mom to return the expensive backpack and school supplies, suggesting they buy two sets of ordinary supplies instead.

She would also reluctantly say goodbye to the heavenly burgers.

Song Qiaoxi vowed never to eat KFC again; it was just too expensive…

So, occasionally, she could indulge in a roast chicken to satisfy her cravings.

Coming up with a solution to the problem made her feel much lighter.

She had been watching the charming boy for a while when she heard her mom’s voice. Turning around, she saw her mom emerging from the kitchen with a large roll of wallpaper.

“Come here, I’ll teach you how to cover your books.”

She handed each of them a pair of craft scissors, smiling as she instructed them on how to cut the paper to fit their books and fold it properly. After demonstrating twice, she took their school uniforms and headed out.

“I’m going to Ding Yiming’s house to alter your uniforms. You two take your time wrapping the books.”

Her mom was at the door changing shoes when she called out to the two kids, who were buried in the rustling sound of the wallpaper.

Song Qiaoxi struggled with the unruly roll of wallpaper while managing to wave at her mom with one of her chubby hand without looking up.

In front of her and Chu Jin lay stacks of books—the first-grade textbooks they had received just yesterday.

With a bit of clumsiness, Song Qiaoxi wrapped the books slowly, making mistakes along the way. After finally finishing a crookedly wrapped book, she looked up.

Aiya, Chu Jin had already neatly wrapped three books to perfection on his left!

She glanced at her short, pudgy fingers that seemed incapable of any finesse, then looked over at his long, slender fingers, which moved skillfully to cut and fold the paper, finishing the pristine book covers in no time.

The little dumpling let out a desperate sigh.

Hearing the soft sound of the girl’s sigh, Chu Jin furrowed his brow slightly, pausing his work for a few seconds.

When he looked up, he saw her pouting, her fair, chubby cheeks rosy. Her chubby little hands clumsily wrestled with the wallpaper, occasionally emitting frustrated “hmphs.”

That delicate, white hand reminded him of a fluffy little bunny when he had slapped her yesterday.

So, she was just a silly bunny…

Chu Jin shifted his gaze away and went back to wrapping the remaining book covers.

“Ugh… ow.”

Hearing the soft, pained sound from across the table, he immediately looked up.

Song Qiaoxi’s almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief as she raised her right thumb, staring vacantly at the red mark, hesitantly bringing her thumb toward her mouth.

Not just clumsy, but silly too.

“Don’t lick it.”

Chu Jin said softly, frowning as he got up from his chair and walked over to her side of the table.

Song Qiaoxi blinked in confusion, looking at him a bit lost.

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