Chapter 105 p1
Qiao Xiaoxiao did not take Chu Xinrou back to Wuliu Village but chose the remote Youxia Village, a quiet fishing village nestled on the azure coastline.
Everything here was steeped in the scent of the sea. The salty and humid sea breeze caressed the scattered fishing huts all day long, dyeing the mottled wooden walls with a thin layer of white frost. The old banyan tree at the entrance of the village spread out its canopy-like green shade, and under the tree were scattered a few bamboo chairs that had been polished by the years. Every time the tide receded, the golden sandy beach would be left with shimmering waves. On the distant sea horizon, a few small boats swayed gently with the waves. The fishing nets drying on the bow of the boat glinted silver in the sun, trembling slightly with the sea breeze.
Chu Xinrou remained silent, like a lifeless porcelain doll.
Qiao Xiaoxiao did not force her, just dragged her out of the house every day without fail.
When her sister resisted, she would half-coax and half-hug her. When her sister was in a daze, she would quietly accompany her. Even if it was just letting Chu Xinrou sit on the bamboo chair all day, blowing the salty sea breeze, it was better than letting her curl up alone in a dim room.
The residents of Youxia Village were initially full of curiosity about this strange pair of sisters. This isolated little fishing village rarely had visitors, let alone someone who would stay for more than half a month. The village was mostly filled with left-behind elderly and children. The occasional young and strong people were all dark-skinned, with the wind and frost of years of going out to sea. They lived off the sea, living an almost primitive life, going out to sea at dawn and returning at sunset. The large fish they caught were sent to the neighboring town to be sold, and the meager income was just enough to make ends meet.
Qiao Xiaoxiao would always enjoy herself on the beach within Chu Xinrou’s line of sight. She would concentrate on building sandcastles like a child, the wet sand leaking from between her fingers. Sometimes she would suddenly laugh out loud, startling the resting seagulls.
Chu Xinrou would slightly turn her eyes, her gaze lingering on her for a moment before quickly looking away.
On the third evening, the little girl selling coconut juice, Bai Rui, finally couldn’t hold back her curiosity and skipped over to Qiao Xiaoxiao’s side. This tanned little girl was about ten years old, wearing a faded floral dress, but she had a set of snow-white and neat teeth. She squatted down and pointed at the sandcastle like a little adult. “You’re not building it right.”
Qiao Xiaoxiao looked up in surprise, her fingers still buried in the soft sand.
Bai Rui held out her small, dark hand and skillfully drew a smooth arc on the side of the collapsing sandcastle. “When the waves come, a round base is more stable.” Her eyes were shining as she spoke, her young face showing a certainty beyond her years.
Qiao Xiaoxiao became interested and sincerely asked for her guidance. “Can you teach me?”
Bai Rui’s father, Bai Bin, had once been the foreman of the village. After her mother’s early death, her father would often take her with him when he worked. When Bai Rui was a little older, her father would even let her help with some simple tasks. Over time, the little girl developed a strong interest in architecture. Bai Bin was very gratified, thinking that his daughter could inherit his mantle. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. After one trip out to sea, Bai Bin never returned.
Bai Rui had grown up eating at everyone’s house, but the hardships of life had not extinguished her optimistic nature. She squatted on the beach, demonstrating and explaining, “The sandcastle has to be compacted layer by layer, and each layer has to be sprayed with water to reinforce it…”
The two of them worked together.
Qiao Xiaoxiao was almost twice as tall as her, but she was not shy. She dug with all her might, and even the sand on her face could not hide her excitement.
Under her guidance, Qiao Xiaoxiao had actually built a decent-looking fortress, with sharp-angled city walls, staggered towers, and even a lifelike arched city gate. The waves gently lapped at the shore, but they could not shake this sturdy fortress at all.
She was as excited as a child and did a monkey jump on the spot, giving Bai Rui a thumbs-up. “You’re a genius!”
Bai Rui tilted her head and sized her up, then asked seriously, “Are you a fool?”
She had lived here since she was a child and had not been through the great dyeing vat of society. She was straightforward and simple, and no one had ever taught her what “tact” was.
The sea breeze suddenly became quiet, and Qiao Xiaoxiao’s smile froze on her face.
Bai Rui turned to look at Chu Xinrou, who was sitting on the bamboo chair with an unusual temperament, and asked in a small voice, “Are you her guardian?”
Qiao Xiaoxiao: …
Chu Xinrou’s gaze slowly fell on the little girl. After a moment, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
“I’ve been observing for several days,” Bai Rui sighed like a little adult. “She’s always laughing and making a fuss on the beach alone. The day before yesterday, she built a little turtle and was grinning from ear to ear.” She lowered her voice worriedly. “Did she hit her head?”
Qiao Xiaoxiao: ???
Chu Xinrou shook her head, the sea breeze blowing her loose hair.
“Not injured?” Bai Rui had a sudden realization, and a look of pity appeared on her young face. “Then it’s congenital…”
So pitiful, so young, and so beautiful.
Qiao Xiaoxiao stared at her sister in a daze. This was the first time in so many days that Chu Xinrou had responded to the outside world.
When she was sleeping at night, Qiao Xiaoxiao excitedly hugged her sister and kissed her on the cheek, wanting to talk to her. But Chu Xinrou was still the same, holding onto her shirt, curled up in her embrace, and closed her eyes, clearly refusing to communicate.
Qiao Xiaoxiao felt the slight trembling of the person in her arms, and a sourness welled up in her heart. She tightened her arms and rested her chin lightly on the top of her sister’s head. She… was too anxious.
They had been on the island for a while now.
Her sister was still the same, like a conch, imprisoning herself, not letting her touch her.
Everything seemed to be at a standstill.
…
