Chapter 37
When Chu Xinrou and Yang Feitang pushed open the door, the atmosphere in the room was tense.
Qiao Xiaoxiao was leaning against the sofa, her face flushed with anger, her eyes almost shooting sparks.
Nuonuo was writing with her head down, crystal-clear tears on her little face. Seeing Chu Xinrou return, she immediately raised her chubby little hand for a hug but was slapped away by Qiao Xiaoxiao with a smack. She pouted aggrievedly, her eyes as red as a little rabbit’s.
Chu Xinrou’s heart softened, and she gently touched Yang Feitang’s arm.
General Yang Feitang, having received her orders, immediately charged to the front. “What’s going on, what’s going on? Why are you still studying? Come and have something to eat.”
Qiao Xiaoxiao sneered, “She just started studying. Eat? She’s still eating? Her mouth hasn’t stopped! If she eats any more, she’ll turn into a little pig!”
Nuonuo, who still had tears on her face, burst out laughing at this. Qiao Xiaoxiao became even more furious. She’s still laughing? After studying like this for two hours and still not being able to memorize the multiplication table, she can still laugh?
Back then, Qiao Xiaoxiao had memorized it perfectly in half an hour while feeding the pigs and carrying Nuonuo on her back. Was it really that difficult?
Chu Xinrou looked at her, and Nuonuo signed to her.
Chu Xinrou also started to laugh. Yang Feitang didn’t understand sign language and asked curiously, “Hey, what did she say?”
Chu Xinrou: “She said, if she’s a little pig, then Xiaoxiao is a big pig sister.”
Hearing this, Yang Feitang immediately followed up, “Then you’re the big pig eldest sister.”
Chu Xinrou nodded. “And you’re the big pig eldest sister Yang.”
This time, it wasn’t just Nuonuo. Even the fuming Qiao Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but laugh out loud. The members of the little pig family looked at each other and burst into laughter.
That night, Yang Feitang stayed for dinner. She was particularly fond of Nuonuo. Although the child couldn’t speak, her big eyes were full of innocence, like an uncut jade, sparkling.
Yang Feitang didn’t know sign language, but she could play with Nuonuo, one gesturing and the other guessing, having a great time, their laughter endless.
Before she left, she said to Xiaoxiao, “Your sister’s personality is different from yours. I heard her say she wants to be an actress. I think it’s reliable. She has a natural affinity.”
Qiao Xiaoxiao glanced at Yang Feitang. “Don’t I?”
Yang Feitang gave a humorless smile. “Your affinity is all for your Xinrou. To me, it’s as cold as winter.”
Qiao Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together and didn’t speak, but it was clear she was still unconvinced. Yang Feitang sighed. “Everyone has their own way of living. Sometimes, being too strong is not necessarily a good thing. Look, just like your Sister Yang, isn’t it because I was too strong that I ended up like this?”
If she had chosen to lie flat back then, she wouldn’t have ended up in this state.
Qiao Xiaoxiao glanced at her. “Sister Yang, have you ever thought that if you weren’t so strong, you might be collecting trash now?”
Yang Feitang: …
You little brat!!!
Although Xiaoxiao was used to bickering with Yang Feitang, she still respected this sister of hers very much in her heart. She would take whatever Yang Feitang said to heart and had intentionally started to observe Nuonuo.
It seemed that Qiao Xiaoxiao had never seriously observed her sister, only ever treating her as a fragile, breakable porcelain doll to be protected in her arms.
She stared at Nuonuo.
Nuonuo, wrapped in the new pajamas her sister had bought, sat on the edge of the bed after her bath.
She tilted her little head, her fingertips gently tapping her temples, her other hand picking at her little feet. Her whole being was in a state of dazed emptiness, a picture of a plump, noble baby after a bath.
Qiao Xiaoxiao secretly timed it and watched her sister sit like this for a full three minutes.
Then, Nuonuo started to smell herself. She lifted her sleeve and sniffed, then lowered her head and sniffed her collar, and even buried her whole little face in her sleeve and took a deep breath. Finally, she sat up straight and started to braid her hair in a proper manner. Her chubby little hands were clumsy but serious, and in the end, she actually managed to make two crooked pigtails, even creatively tying little bows at the ends.
After all these incredible actions were completed, she walked over to Chu Xinrou, who was drawing on her iPad, with her short legs and signed with her hands.
—Sister, I want to have a video call with Sister Fengyi.
They had arranged to have a video call at eight o’clock every night.
Chu Xinrou was slightly stunned. She looked at Nuonuo, then at Qiao Xiaoxiao.
Nuonuo understood what she meant and signed.
—She scolded me all day. I have my pride too. I’m not asking her.
Qiao Xiaoxiao: …
Chu Xinrou smiled and handed the iPad to Nuonuo. Although Nuonuo wasn’t good at studying, she was very smooth with electronic products. She had used her sister’s phone before. Chu Xinrou opened the page for her, and she knew what to click. First, she opened the camera function, made a “peace” sign with her little hand, and took a selfie, then started a video call with Chu Fengyi.
After hearing the “beep beep” of the connection, Chu Xinrou automatically moved to a spot where the camera couldn’t see her.
The video connected quickly. The Second Miss in the picture seemed to have just finished an important event. A custom-made black velvet dress cascaded down like the night, the deep V-neckline adorned with fine diamonds. She leaned lazily against the leather seat, the corners of her smoky eyes slightly lifted, her whole being exuding a cold and glamorous aura.
Nuonuo’s eyes instantly widened. She covered her mouth with her small hand and gave a thumbs-up, shaking it wildly.
—Wow, sister, are you a fairy?
The emotional value was maxed out.
The Second Miss was amused. “Nuonuo, did you miss your sister?”
If acting cute had levels, Qiao Xiaoxiao, who would only twist into a pretzel when she encountered problems, was a complete amateur compared to Nuonuo. She pouted, making a sound like a dog whose foot had been stepped on, and pressed her little face tightly against the screen.
The Second Miss smiled. “Oh my, did someone bully you? Look how wronged you are.”
Chu Fengyi stared at her sister and then looked beside her. She didn’t see her sister’s figure and was a little disappointed. “Nuonuo, your sister bought you something. You’ll receive it in a few days.”
Nuonuo was very happy and typed on the keyboard with her small hand.
—Sister, I had a buffet today. It was so delicious!
Her brilliant smile could always make people’s mood better. Chu Fengyi looked at her. “I was wondering why your little belly was as round as a little green frog’s.”
The big and small one started to chat again.
Qiao Xiaoxiao suddenly fell silent. She counted the people Nuonuo had talked to that day, from Dr. Sophia to the nurse who had given her the shot, from Chu Xinrou to Yang Feitang, and now to Chu Fengyi.
Most of these people she had met through her, but Nuonuo had that ability to easily and happily win them over.
Seeing her silent, Chu Xinrou walked over and stroked her hair. “Your sister has her own blessings. The fact that her throat can recover was something you didn’t even dare to dream of, right?”
Qiao Xiaoxiao stared at her sister in a daze. Chu Xinrou said softly, “Everything will get better slowly. When you first came, you were also full of worries. Give her some time.”
That’s right.
One sentence woke the dreamer.
When Qiao Xiaoxiao first came, hadn’t she also secretly cried because she was at the bottom of the placement test and couldn’t understand what everyone was talking about?
Nuonuo was even younger than her. To be able to do this much after suddenly coming to the city, in an unfamiliar place, was already very good, right?
Even when she grew up, Qiao Xiaoxiao didn’t understand why, in her stubborn adolescence, she had listened to her sister so much. Others could say no, but if it was Chu Xinrou who said it, she would always take it to heart.
School was starting in a few days.
Qiao Xiaoxiao had to focus her mind. Although she was determined to do well in the placement test, she couldn’t be careless.
Nuonuo painted with Chu Xinrou for a while that night. She had no foundation in painting at all and was just randomly putting colors together. Qiao Xiaoxiao looked up and couldn’t help but frown. “Are you painting with your feet?”
Nuonuo turned to look at her and waved her hand in defiance.
—Why are you being so distracted while studying?
As she spoke, she looked at Chu Xinrou, her gaze clearly complaining.
Chu Xinrou shook her head. She stared at Nuonuo’s painting for a while and found something strange.
It looked like a mess, but inside, it seemed to be expressing something with the four colors of yellow, white, red, and black.
Chu Xinrou asked tentatively, “Is Nuonuo painting a little person?”
Nuonuo nodded vigorously and raised an eyebrow at her sister, who was secretly watching them from a distance. See? It takes an artist’s eye to appreciate beauty.
Chu Xinrou looked again. “Is the yellow one you?”
Nuonuo was wearing a little yellow duck outfit today. She nodded vigorously. Chu Xinrou’s lips curved. “The white one is me, and the red one is Fengyi. Then the black one…”
The big and small one looked back at Qiao Xiaoxiao together.
Qiao Xiaoxiao had a head full of black lines and stared at Nuonuo with a blank expression.
Chu Xinrou was a little worried. After all, children these days were very fragile. There were quite a few who were depressed and had suicidal thoughts because of academic pressure.
When she told Qiao Xiaoxiao her worries, Qiao Xiaoxiao shook her head. “It’s okay, Jiejie. Just watch.”
She whistled at Nuonuo, who was writing a letter with her head down.
Nuonuo looked up at her, her big eyes filled with distance and estrangement. Qiao Xiaoxiao smiled slightly. “How about I take you to the amusement park tomorrow?”
In an instant, Nuonuo turned into a jelly bean and bounced into Qiao Xiaoxiao’s arms, her two hands wrapped around her neck, her little mouth constantly kissing her cheek.
—Sister, love me again!
Chu Xinrou: …
Nuonuo’s carefree and optimistic nature made Chu Xinrou a little envious.
Before Qiao Xiaoxiao started school, she had finally gotten everything done. Chu Xinrou and she had chosen a decent special school for Nuonuo. This was the result of Qiao Xiaoxiao visiting five schools in three days and comparing them. Both the teaching staff and the environment were quite suitable.
The money in her milk powder can was almost used up. She had originally thought of asking if there were any special channels, applying for national subsidies first, or taking out a loan and paying it back slowly. But the teacher at the consultation office was very cold. “This is a semi-private school. We don’t have that many welfare policies. If you want more policies, you’d better look at the public schools.”
The Second Miss didn’t even give her this opportunity and had arranged for someone to take care of everything. In fact, on the day of enrollment, it was the principal who personally came out to greet them. He had a smile like a flower. The moment he saw Nuonuo, he bent down. “Hello.” He looked at Qiao Xiaoxiao. “Don’t worry.”
This was the first time Qiao Xiaoxiao had felt how the power of capital could make a person who was high and mighty bow and scrape. The desire for success in her heart grew even deeper.
The day before Nuonuo was to go to school, Qiao Xiaoxiao had secretly cried several times. She was so worried. She had washed all of Nuonuo’s clothes one by one and packed them in a large suitcase, repeatedly reminding her where to put her underwear, where to put her socks, and where to put her pants. Nuonuo’s eyes were also red. Her suitcase was filled with many things. The tablet the Second Miss had bought for her had also arrived. Then, she could contact her family.
Qiao Xiaoxiao looked at her little sister, her heart aching, and tears welled up again. She hugged Nuonuo tightly.
In her sister’s arms, Nuonuo felt her trembling and raised her hand, gently patting her sister’s back.
Qiao Xiaoxiao wiped away her tears and looked back at her. “You be good and get your treatment and study. As soon as the holiday starts, I’ll come and pick you up, okay?”
Nuonuo nodded, her big eyes red. She looked at her sister deeply for a long time, then raised her hand and signed seriously.
—Sister, I love you.
Although she was naughty and not smart, she was clear in her heart that she was where she was today all because of her sister.
She would cherish it.
The next time they met, she would clearly call out “Jiejie” and make her happy.
That night, Qiao Xiaoxiao was almost always in a state of packing for Nuonuo for a while and then secretly crying for a while. Chu Xinrou wanted to comfort her, but Qiao Xiaoxiao didn’t want her sister to see her weakness and secretly ran into the room to cry.
Nuonuo walked over to Chu Xinrou, crossed her short legs, and sat down next to her, resting her head on Sister Chu’s shoulder, and signed with her hands.
—Sister Chu, I’m sorry to trouble you. After I leave, please take good care of my sister. I’m really not at ease about her.
Chu Xinrou: …
Nuonuo looked up, her big eyes looking at her sincerely.
—Can you not let her see me off tomorrow? I’m afraid she’ll cry and faint at the school.
Chu Xinrou: …
In the end, Nuonuo still walked out of her sister’s protective circle, alone, facing the sun, pulling her suitcase, and walking towards the school.
Before she entered, she looked back at her sister and wiped the tears from her face.
Qiao Xiaoxiao was really crying so hard that her legs had no strength. Since Nuonuo was three, the two sisters had almost never been separated. At this moment, she finally understood how sad and lost Nuonuo had been when she had left for the top high school.
“Don’t cry. Your sister will be sad if she sees you.”
Chu Xinrou comforted her. Qiao Xiaoxiao’s gaze was fixed on Nuonuo’s back. “Jiejie…”
Chu Xinrou looked at her. “Hm?”
“Thank you… thank you…” Qiao Xiaoxiao’s tears were like broken strings of pearls. Everyone thought she was sad and worried because of Nuonuo’s departure, but who knew that the tears that streamed down her cheeks were not just the sadness of parting, but also the blood and pus that seeped out when the “guilt” that had been buried deep in her heart for many years was finally uprooted.
She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, trembling, but she couldn’t wipe them clean. It turned out that the moment the burden was lifted, it was so painful and itchy, like a scabbed wound finally being torn open, and fresh flesh and blood could finally touch the air.
Chu Xinrou wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into her embrace. “Alright, don’t cry. Look, Nuonuo is crying again.”
The two of them looked up together and saw that Nuonuo, who seemed to know that her sisters were reluctant to part with her, was already squatting on the ground with her schoolbag on her back, crying. She was so reluctant to leave her sister… What if she didn’t want to go to school anymore?
Nuonuo was so sad that she even pushed away the teacher and the few welcoming students who came over to comfort her. She wouldn’t let anyone touch her.
Qiao Xiaoxiao was even more sad, her emotions collapsing. She was even about to walk in but was stopped by Chu Xinrou. “You can’t go in. The school has rules.” This kind of school, the first thing it trained was the children’s autonomy.
Qiao Xiaoxiao was crying uncontrollably. “She… she’s never left home since she was a child… besides me, she’s never been with anyone else… I’ll take her in… otherwise, she won’t recognize anyone, she won’t recognize anyone. Is that okay, Jiejie?”
Chu Xinrou looked at Nuonuo’s small, trembling back, and couldn’t bear it. Just as she was hesitating whether to relent, a mixed-race girl of about seven or eight walked over. She was wearing a hearing aid in her ear and was particularly beautiful. Her snow-white skin had a faint pink tinge, and under her thick eyelashes were a pair of amber-colored eyes, as agile as a deer’s. The three bars on her left arm shone brightly in the sun.
She squatted down, the sunlight filtering through her light brown curly hair, casting fine shadows on her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?”
Nuonuo raised her tear-filled eyes. The moment she saw the other person, she even forgot to sob.
“Can I take you in?” The mixed-race little girl held out her small, fair hand, the pink hair tie on her wrist swaying gently with her movement. “My name is Emily. I’m the captain of the second grade.”
Nuonuo stared blankly at the little girl’s beautiful face for a moment, then obediently placed her own hand on it and was led away very obediently.
Chu Xinrou: …?
Qiao Xiaoxiao, who was crying with snot bubbles: …
Didn’t expect that