Since being picked up from school, Liu Xiazhi had stayed in her room, refusing to co out.
She was in an incredibly irritable mood.
Curled up in bed with the blanket wrapped tightly around her, she had ford herself into a little bundle, remaining completely still.
In the corner of her bed were the clothes her mother had bought for her yesterday.
When she saw her mother again, Liu Xiazhi was overjoyed.
She had been called out of class by her horoom teacher, confused about what was happening, only to spot Li Wanran standing not far away, smiling at her.
The surprise filled her mind instantly, and she ran toward her mother without hesitation, throwing her arms around her.
Liu Xiazhi had taken the rest of the day off from school.
Ever since she could rember, her mother had been an idol to her.
Every gesture, every word, every movent Li Wanran made fascinated the young Liu Xiazhi.
Her mother had taken her to experience new things, attend banquets, and watch musical performances.
All these experiences made Liu Xiazhi think her mother was incredibly elegant and soone to aspire to be like.
She still vividly rembered the sight of her mother dancing—like a fairy descending from the heavens.
Back then, Liu Xiazhi had silently made a promise to herself: one day, she would grow up to be just like her mother.
But at so point, things began to change.
Her mother and father spoke less and less, and her mother’s visits ho beca infrequent. When Liu Xiazhi asked her father and brother about it, they would remain silent, as if her words didn’t exist.
She began to resent her father.
That day, when her mother had returned ho after a long absence, she seed to have been crying.
In a hurry, Li Wanran packed her belongings into a suitcase and walked out the door.
Liu Xiazhi had tried to chase after her but could only watch as her mother got into a black car and disappeared down the street.
She cried and shouted, running after her as fast as her little legs could carry her.
But she tripped and fell, soaking her white dress—the one her mother had bought for her, her favorite dress—in rainwater.
“Mom… Mommy…”
Suddenly, the rain seed to stop above her head.
Sniffling, Liu Xiazhi looked up to see Liu Zhiyue standing there with an umbrella.
Unable to hold back any longer, she threw herself into his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
From that mont, she began to hate Liu Changqing.
Her thoughts abruptly ended.
Liu Xiazhi felt her nose tingle, and her chest tightened as if sothing heavy was pressing down on it, filling her with an indescribable sorrow.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of her door opening.
The faint noise caught her attention.
“Go away! I already said I don’t want to talk to any of you!”
She assud it was her father or brother coming in.
She was still upset about how her brother had yelled at her yesterday when their mother was visiting.
Liu Xiazhi felt she had been terribly wronged at the ti.
There was no response from whoever had entered.
Instead, she heard the rustling of a shopping bag near her bedside, as if soone was opening it.
Anger flared within her.
“Don’t touch my clothes!”
She threw off her blanket, her face flushed red from being under the covers for so long.
Trying her best to look fierce, Liu Xiazhi bared her little teeth like a tiger cub.
But the mont she saw the face of the person in front of her, her expression froze.
Who is she?
“Hi there!”
With a bright smile, Zhao Xuanwen greeted her.
She pulled one of the new dresses from the shopping bag and held it up in the air, spreading it out.
“This dress is so pretty!”
“Who… are you?”
“?”
Suddenly leaning in close, Zhao Xuanwen startled Liu Xiazhi, who instinctively leaned backward and nearly fell flat.
Quickly steadying herself, Liu Xiazhi’s heart raced in alarm.
“I’m Zhao Xuanwen. And you?”
“Liu Xiazhi…”
“Your na’s much nicer than your brother’s.”
After a mont of thought, Zhao Xuanwen made her conclusion.
She looked up at the sowhat dazed Liu Xiazhi, her face brimming with a warm smile.
Liu Xiazhi sat on the bed in a duck-like position, her head slightly bowed. Perhaps because she had been curled up in bed for too long, so strands of her hair stuck to her flushed cheeks. Her eyes were red, as if she’d been holding back tears.
Her clothes were a little askew, and her petite fra seed even smaller than other kids her age.
She looked just like a delicate porcelain doll.
She’s so adorable!
Unable to resist, Zhao Xuanwen lunged forward and scooped Liu Xiazhi into a hug.
“Such a cute little girl! Let hug you~”
The sudden move left Liu Xiazhi completely stunned.
She struggled desperately, but Zhao Xuanwen’s grip was surprisingly strong.
She’s so strong! Liu Xiazhi thought as she realized she couldn’t break free.
Brother… save …
“That’s enough. Don’t bully my sister,” Liu Zhiyue’s voice called out from the doorway.
Earlier, Zhao Xuanwen had asked about his sister, and upon hearing that she had been sulking in her room since school, she had confidently volunteered to go talk to her.
“What do you an bully? I wasn’t bullying her!”
Puffing out her cheeks in protest, Zhao Xuanwen denied Liu Zhiyue’s accusation.
She truly didn’t think she was bullying Liu Xiazhi.
Liu Zhiyue didn’t bother to argue. He stepped forward and gently pulled Liu Xiazhi out of Zhao Xuanwen’s embrace.
Finally free, Liu Xiazhi clung tightly to her brother, burying her face in his shoulder.
“Who is she? I don’t like her!”
Her arms wrapped tightly around Liu Zhiyue’s neck, refusing to let go.
Hearing Liu Xiazhi declare her dislike, Zhao Xuanwen’s face fell into an exaggerated pout.
“Why don’t you like ? I just wanted to play with you…”
“I don’t like you! I don’t like you! I don’t like you!”
Liu Xiazhi shot back a triple rebuttal, glaring pointedly at Zhao Xuanwen’s chest before adding a defiant “Hmph!”
Watching the two interact, Liu Zhiyue couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
Reaching out, he gently patted his sister’s head.
“See what happens when you stay buried under your blanket all day? You’re all sweaty now.”
“I don’t like you either!”
Though she shouted this loudly, Liu Xiazhi still buried her face deeper into her brother’s shoulder, hugging him even tighter.
“Fine, fine. You don’t like .”
Liu Zhiyue chuckled and softly patted her head. He had long grown used to his sister’s unique way of expressing herself.
“Are you hungry? Dad’s almost done cooking.”
“I don’t want to eat…”
Her voice was soft, still filled with stubbornness.
But her stomach betrayed her with a loud grumble.
“Pfft!”
Zhao Xuanwen covered her mouth, almost bursting into laughter.
Liu Xiazhi buried her face even deeper, embarrassed.
“Alright, if you keep this up, she’s really going to get mad.”
Liu Zhiyue turned to Zhao Xuanwen as he spoke, then carried his sister out of the room.
As he walked, he heard Liu Xiazhi whisper sothing, so faint it was almost inaudible.
“Brother…”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“…”
After a long pause, Liu Xiazhi finally choked out her words, her voice trembling slightly.
“Don’t leave …”
For a mont, Liu Zhiyue froze.
Then, a smile spread across his face.
He took a deep breath through his nose and let it out slowly.
Gently patting her head, his gaze softened.
“Of course not. I’ll never leave you… not in this lifeti.”
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