You Must Be Good 59

Chapter 59

Qiao Xiaoxiao’s tears hadn’t even dried yet. She “hmm”ed and obediently followed behind Chu Xinrou, not even daring to ask what she was doing.

Most of the people present were used to seeing Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heroic and valiant appearance. To suddenly see her so docile and pitiful like a little puppy, they looked at each other.

Yang Feitang was spirited now. She looked up, raised an eyebrow at Xue Youyou, and signaled her with her eyes.

—Did you see that? What are the young ones like now?

CEO Xue’s lips curved. Her toes lightly tapped, and like a vine, she slowly rubbed against Yang Feitang’s leg. Her meaningful gaze was full of teasing.

—What, is it not enough that I let you have your way in bed?

Yuan Lu stared blankly from the side. Wang Ying quickly covered her eyes and warned, “There are still children here!”

Compared to the relaxed and happy atmosphere over there.

Chu Xinrou and Qiao Xiaoxiao’s side was much more tense.

Qiao Xiaoxiao had originally thought she would be met with her sister’s gentle comfort, but she saw Chu Xinrou stare into her eyes for a long time, her gaze as deep as a pool. After a long while, she said slowly, “I found Wang Ning.”

This sentence was like a heavy hammer, smashing into Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heart. She jerked her head up.

If Chu Xinrou really wanted to find someone, it wasn’t that difficult. In fact, she had hesitated about this matter.

The road of life is long, long enough for people to experience countless hardships and setbacks. The setbacks of youth, rather than being hardships, were the whetstones of fate. Chu Xinrou had also walked this path step by step. This was a necessary part of life.

A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.

But she understood where Xiaoxiao’s forbearance came from.

To her, Wang Ning was not just a childhood playmate. In a corner where no one would listen, she was the only one willing to talk to her. In a time when the world had forgotten her, Grandma Wang’s bowl of dumplings was enough to warm half of Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heart.

These sporadic acts of kindness might have been insignificant in the eyes of others, but to Xiaoxiao, they were the only warmth in her impoverished childhood.

Wang Ning was not doing well. She was tormented by her conscience day and night. She and her once-beloved boyfriend had been fighting for days, and she had even thought of suicide.

Wang Ning knew how every penny of Xiaoxiao’s money was earned, how much sweat was soaked in it. That’s why she had treated that money like a treasure, even placing it by her pillow when she slept, afraid of losing it.

Two days before she went to the factory to pay, Wang Ning had still been dreaming of a beautiful future with her boyfriend, An Rui. “I really didn’t expect that Xiaoxiao was so withdrawn when she was little. She would always be squatting by the small river at the west end of the village, washing a large basin of clothes. There were always children who would bully her and throw stones at her.”

At that time, even when she was bullied to the point of desperation, Qiao Xiaoxiao didn’t dare to fight back. Once, her head was even broken, and she had returned home bleeding. Huang Sulan had been very angry when she saw it. “If you don’t provoke them, why would they bully you? Are you thinking of not working just because you’re injured?”

“Get out! If you don’t finish washing the clothes, don’t come back!”

…

Wang Ning was also scared. She ran home and told her grandmother. After hearing this, her grandmother had sat on the kang and sighed for a long time. “This child’s life is too hard. Ningning, go and get the yogurt by Grandma’s bed and give it to Xiaoxiao to drink.”

When Wang Ning had snuck to the river with the yogurt, half of the cloth on Xiaoxiao’s head was already soaked with blood, her cheeks were swollen, but her hands didn’t dare to stop. The river water was mixed with blood, swirling around her red, frozen hands.

She was very hungry, so hungry she couldn’t stand it. But there was no way. If she didn’t finish washing, she would be beaten and scolded when she got back.

“Xiaoxiao~” Wang Ning had called her in a small voice, looking around furtively, and had stuffed the yogurt into her arms before turning and running away.

Before, Huang Sulan had seen Wang Ning give food to Xiaoxiao and had chased her and scolded her a few times, which had left a shadow on her.

Qiao Xiaoxiao had stared at the yogurt in her arms for a long time. She had pressed her lips together and had slowly lowered her head.

She knew that this was a gift from someone else to Grandma Wang, and she herself couldn’t bear to drink it…

It was precisely because she had seen how difficult Qiao Xiaoxiao’s journey had been that Wang Ning cherished her even more. “She’s been smart since she was a child, not ordinary.”

Wang Ning had a particularly deep impression. At that time, her parents had brought her back a Rubik’s Cube from the city. She had treasured it and had studied the instructions for a long time, but she couldn’t understand it no matter how many times she recited the formula. During those few days, Huang Sulan had happened to take Nuonuo back to her parents’ house, so she had run over and muttered, “Look, this is so hard.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao had just finished feeding the pigs. She had wiped her hands on her apron and had turned to look at her. “Can I take a look?”

Wang Ning had immediately handed it to her.

To this day, she still remembered that scene—Qiao Xiaoxiao’s eyes were lowered, her long eyelashes casting fine shadows in the sunlight. She had only glanced at the instructions, and then her fingers had lightly touched the Rubik’s Cube. At first, her movements were a little clumsy, but gradually, those hands seemed to have been endowed with magic. The colored squares had spun rapidly between her fingers, making a crisp “click” sound.

“Here.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao had handed the solved Rubik’s Cube to Wang Ning and had continued to sweep the courtyard.

At that time, the little Wang Ning had been shocked. She had run home and told her grandmother. After hearing this, her grandmother had sighed for a while. “Ningning, is her aunt not at home?”

Wang Ning had nodded vigorously.

Grandma Wang had also looked outside. “Tomorrow, call her over. Grandma will make you noodles. I’ll poach a few eggs.”

…

An Rui had smiled, one arm around her shoulder. “Is she really that amazing?”

He had never met Qiao Xiaoxiao, but he had heard Wang Ning talk about her countless times.

Wang Ning had nodded vigorously, her eyes shining. “She’s good at everything she does. I have to follow her and do a good job with Qingxin. Then, we’ll have enough confidence to stand up to our families.”

Her parents had always disagreed with their relationship. There were a million reasons, but in the end, it was because they thought An Rui had no money.

The two of them had been sweet the day before.

The next morning, while An Rui was making breakfast, he had received a call from Wang Ning’s mother. On the other end of the phone, Wang Ning’s mother had scolded him soundly. What “eaten a bear’s heart and a leopard’s gall, what can a poor boy give my daughter,” what “no ability to delay Wang Ning’s future,” “we’ve already found a rich family for Ningning back home, so she won’t have to worry about making a living. What can you do?”…

The knuckles of An Rui’s hand holding the phone had turned white. Every word from the receiver was like a branding iron, burning a black mark on his heart.

He had lit a cigarette, finished it on the balcony, and when he had turned around, he had seen the money by Wang Ning’s pillow. He had taken a deep breath and had stubbed out the cigarette heavily.

People often take a wrong turn in life because of a single thought.

When An Rui had taken that money to the underground casino, he had known that he was gambling with his and Wang Ning’s future.

And he had lost.

…

The moment Wang Ning had found out, she had been struck by lightning.

She had frantically pounded An Rui’s chest, her fists raining down, her nails digging deep into his flesh. “Are you crazy?!” Her voice was hoarse, tears streaming down her face. “You clearly knew that money wasn’t mine… you clearly knew…”

An Rui had lowered his head and had let her hit him. He had nothing to explain, and he didn’t know what to say in his defense.

He had already done it.

No matter what the result was, he would bear it.

…

Qiao Xiaoxiao listened to Chu Xinrou’s description, tears sliding down the corners of her eyes. Chu Xinrou handed her the paper with the address written on it. “After she came back, she’s been hiding in a nearby house, afraid to see you.”

She had given the decision to Xiaoxiao.

The weather that day was abnormally shocking.

Although the rainy season had long passed, a cold rain mixed with snow had suddenly started to fall. The lead-gray clouds were pressed very low, as if they would fall at any moment. Qiao Xiaoxiao wrapped her coat tightly and walked on the muddy path to the rented house. The corridor was filled with the sour smell of rotting food, the mottled walls were covered with small advertisements, and a few drunkards were shouting obscenities not far away.

She stood in front of the rusty iron door for a long time before she raised her hand to knock.

The “thump, thump” sound was particularly harsh in the empty corridor.

It wasn’t until the third knock that a hoarse voice came from inside. “Who is it?”

The door hinges creaked and slowly opened.

When she saw the person standing outside the door, Wang Ning was as if struck by lightning, frozen on the spot.

It had only been a dozen days, but fate had left deep marks on both of them.

The once-spirited Qiao Xiaoxiao was so thin she was almost out of shape, her coat hanging loosely on her body, the crutch in her right hand casting a slanted shadow on the concrete floor. And the light in Wang Ning’s eyes had long since been extinguished. Her whole being was like the last withered leaf of late autumn, even her breathing trembled.

Time froze between them. The cold wind from the corridor, carrying the scent of rain and snow, swirled in the silence.

In the room behind Wang Ning, all sorts of goods were piled up. On the floor were a few scattered, newly woven red strings. Her hands were covered in bandages, and her eyes were bloodshot.

She knew that she had made a huge mistake, that Qiao Xiaoxiao must hate her to the bone, and even more so, that she couldn’t ask for forgiveness.

She could only do her best to make up for it.

Whether Xiaoxiao accepted it or not.

She had thought of ending it all, and had even stood on the eighteenth-floor rooftop. But… with An Rui, she could break up, she could cut ties. But what about Grandma? Was she still sitting at the village entrance with her cane every day, waiting for her to come home?

Just as Wang Ning was clenching the doorknob, her throat bobbing as she was about to speak, Qiao Xiaoxiao suddenly took out a box of yogurt from her pocket.

It was the same brand that Grandma had once given her.

Times had changed, and the packaging of the yogurt had changed, but the taste had not.

Wang Ning’s gaze slowly moved from the yogurt to Qiao Xiaoxiao’s face. She was still silent, just stubbornly holding out her hand.

At that moment, all her forced defenses collapsed, and hot tears streamed down Wang Ning’s face.

…

Yang Feitang asked Chu Xinrou in her home, puzzled, “You just let Xiaoxiao go like that? Aren’t you afraid she’ll do something impulsive?”

In her opinion, she should have called the police and had the person taken away to face the law. That would have been satisfying.

Chu Xinrou looked at her with a blank expression. “If she really wanted to call the police, Xiaoxiao would have done it at the first moment.”

Yang Feitang pouted. “That brat is just soft-hearted. Look at what a mess she’s in because of this.”

She was so angry at the thought of Wang Ning that her teeth were itching.

“She trusted her so much, but she was betrayed. I’m afraid it will affect her future growth.”

Chu Xinrou sighed softly. “So, this knot has to be untied by her own hands.”

Hearing this, Yang Feitang was silent for a while. She looked at the dark circles under Chu Xinrou’s eyes. “How did you manage to do so much in such a short time? You haven’t… slept at all these past few days, have you?”

Chu Xinrou didn’t speak, just leaned back slightly.

Yang Feitang stared at her for a while, pressed her lips together, and asked, “Xinrou, don’t you think…”

“What?” Chu Xinrou looked at her, not just her eyes, but even her voice was filled with fatigue.

Yang Feitang shook her head and stood up, handing her a cushion. “You should rest for a while. Leave the rest to us.”

…

Life seemed to have returned to its original track.

The day Qiao Xiaoxiao brought Wang Ning back to the studio, everyone was as if the pause button had been pressed, and they were silent for a few seconds.

Wang Ning lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone, her right hand clutching her pant leg, her palms sweaty.

Qiao Xiaoxiao looked at Wang Ying. “Auntie, we have enough people. You should go back and help your daughter. She’s just starting out, it’s not easy.”

Wang Ying’s hand, which was mopping the floor, paused. She looked at Qiao Xiaoxiao.

Qiao Xiaoxiao smiled at her. “You can tell my sister that I will always remember her help. All ten thousand of these bracelets will be left there. We’ll settle the bill quarterly. She can give them away as gifts. For every one she sells, she can just give me the money for one.”

They had all started from scratch. Qiao Xiaoxiao knew how difficult it was.

Wang Ying hesitated and nodded. Everyone was still silent. At this moment, Chu Xinrou walked in with a few bags. She looked at everyone and smiled. “Come on. Weren’t you all craving crayfish a few days ago? I bought three different flavors.”

With this, the atmosphere instantly eased.

Especially Yuan Lu, who trotted over to get the bags, muttering, “I’m starving, I’m starving!”

Wang Tiantian walked over to Qiao Xiaoxiao’s side, raised her hand, and patted her shoulder. “Hey, sister, we’ve been through another difficult journey.”

Chu Xinrou, who was untying the bags with her head down, looked at Wang Tiantian’s hand. Qiao Xiaoxiao pushed her away. “You should go back to Sweden and rejoin the team.”

Wang Tiantian looked at Qiao Xiaoxiao’s crutch sadly. “We agreed on the Xiao Tiantian combination. In the end, only the Tian is left.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao glanced at her. “If you’re really sad, then take a few bracelets out and introduce the ancient charm of our China to the Swedish team.”

Wang Tiantian: …

Be a human!

This meal, the few of them ate with ease and joy. No one mentioned the past again.

Yuan Lu was the happiest. Feeling that Qiao Xiaoxiao, although still limping, had her soul back, she immediately said, “Big sister, Xiaohua and I are planning to pick up your old business.”

Hearing this, Qiao Xiaoxiao was a little surprised. “You’re going to set up a stall on Fumin Street?”

Yuan Lu shook her head. “Collecting trash.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao: …

Hearing this, Yang Feitang was amused. “Then you might as well sell water by the training ground. Isn’t there a small fence there? I see everyone buying water there every time.”

She had been trained by Qiao Xiaoxiao to have eyes and ears everywhere. As long as it was a money-making opportunity within a ten-mile radius of the school, Sister Yang had to find it.

Hearing this, Yuan Lu shook her head. “Although many people buy it, the competition is too big. Everyone is doing things like buy three, get one free. The profit is too small.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao was peeling a crayfish, not even looking up. “They’re competing on price, so you should do the opposite and compete on service. Get some sweat towels and small stools. Pull your Sister Yang over. Every time a team member comes, she’ll give them a sweat towel and say ‘amazing.’ You try it. It will definitely be a hit!”

Everyone: …

Really… she might as well have broken her foot and not spoken.

Everyone was happy for Qiao Xiaoxiao’s recovery, except for herself. Her eyes were pitifully looking at Chu Xinrou.

My sister… is still ignoring me.

She really had no other way.

She wanted to act cute as Sister Yang had said, but the other person didn’t even give her the chance.

Chu Xinrou, who was standing to the side, saw Yuan Lu eating happily and handed her a tissue. Yuan Lu took it, “flattered.” “Thank you, Sister Chu!”

In the past, because she had to take care of the “particularly jealous” child at home, Sister Chu had rarely spoken to her.

Qiao Xiaoxiao’s hand, which was holding a crayfish, was suspended in the air.

Chu Xinrou looked at Yuan Lu and said indifferently, “Xiao Lu, let me sponsor you.”

With just one sentence, everyone who was noisily eating crayfish stopped and looked over in unison.

Qiao Xiaoxiao’s hand crushed the crayfish, and the juice splattered on the floor that Wang Ying had just wiped.

Yuan Lu was so scared her hair was about to stand on end. “Wh-why?”

Chu Xinrou said slowly, “Because you have a mouth. You can speak.”

Yuan Lu: ???

Everyone: …