"Wow, such a boring request? What's so fun about playing chess? Co over here, and I'll teach you how to box. It's way more interesting,"
Ren Lan had no interest whatsoever in Niu Naitang's chess-playing and just wanted to convince the little guy to box with her instead.
"No, Tang Tang doesn't want to," Niu Naitang refused without a second thought, reasoning, "Sister Ren, girls shouldn't like fighting. No one will want them if they do."
Ren Lan's forehead darkened as she retorted, "Who told you that? Nonsense!"
Niu Naitang argued back, mumbling, "Tang Tang saw it on the news a few days ago. There was a celebrity whose wife practiced Taekwondo and she was always abusing him. It was terrible."
Ren Lan was speechless.
"That's because she has violent tendencies and doesn't love her husband. Liking martial arts and fitness doesn't an soone is violent. You're generalizing," Ren Lan quickly explained, as if afraid Lin Jichen might misunderstand.
"Sister Ren, do you have violent tendencies?" Niu Naitang asked curiously.
"Of course not!" Ren Lan answered confidently.
"That's good then," Niu Naitang seed convinced.
But Lin Jichen glanced back at her, as if recalling so unpleasant mories.
This Miss Frenzy doesn't have violent tendencies? Just the other day, she used him as a sandbag, and not long ago, she severely injured a pervert in a mall...
It's hard to believe her words.
"Tang Tang, don't worry about what Sister Ren says. Do what you like. Brother supports you. Maybe after you beat that old man a hundred tis, there will be a special surprise," Lin Jichen encouraged.
Niu Naitang was very happy, nodding vigorously, and even her al seed tastier.
Just as the family... no, the three of them had just finished their al, there was a knock at the door.
Lin Jichen already guessed who it was and went to open the door. Sure enough, it was Qin Xiaowei.
Qin Xiaowei was carrying a guitar case and a large suitcase, looking travel-worn, as if she was about to go on a long trip.
"Xiao Lin, is Tang Tang here with you?"
"Yes, Sister Xiaowei. Did you just get back?" Lin Jichen asked.
Qin Xiaowei smiled wryly, "Yes, I just got back from the company. Plans changed. I was supposed to leave tomorrow, but the rehearsal ti from the organizers is shorter than expected, so I have to leave tonight. The company's car is waiting downstairs. When I got ho and saw Tang Tang wasn't there, I guessed she must be here. I ca to say goodbye. Tang Tang will be in your care for the next few days."
Lin Jichen smiled, "No problem at all. Do you want to say a few words to Tang Tang?"
"Sure." Qin Xiaowei walked into the house, and Niu Naitang put down her chopsticks and ran towards her.
"Auntie, co back soon. Tang Tang will miss you," Niu Naitang said, looking a bit sad.
"Don't worry. Auntie will co back as soon as work is done and bring you lots of delicious food. You have to be good at Brother Lin's house these days, listen to him, and don't run around, okay? And don't cause any trouble for Brother Lin," Qin Xiaowei instructed like a mother.
"Got it. Tang Tang will be very good," Niu Naitang promised.
"That's good." Qin Xiaowei stood up, secretly slipped so money to Niu Naitang, and whispered, "Give this to Brother Lin after Auntie leaves. Tell him it's for your food and lodging for the next few days and make sure he accepts it."
"Okay, Tang Tang understands," Niu Naitang nodded.
Just as Qin Xiaowei was about to say goodbye to Lin Jichen, she noticed he was handing her a thermos box.
"Sister Xiaowei, you probably haven't eaten yet. I packed so food for you. Take it with you on the road. You celebrities must be very busy and might just grab a bread when you're hungry. Tang Tang said you have stomach problems, so you can't be careless. You need to eat on ti. It might not be very tasty, but it's healthier than bread or street food."
The lunchbox Lin Jichen handed over felt like a warm patch in winter, sticking firmly to Qin Xiaowei.
Qin Xiaowei's eyes flashed with a touch of emotion. As she took the lunchbox, she suddenly felt inspired again.
She thought she could write a new song soon.
"Thank you, Xiao Lin. I'll treat you to a al when I get back, and also Sister Lan," Qin Xiaowei said as she packed the lunchbox and bid farewell to the three of them before leaving.
After Qin Xiaowei left, Lin Jichen and the other two finished their dinner and went upstairs to help Niu Naitang pack her bedding, clothes, and toiletries.
Niu Naitang, excited about staying with Brother Lin, temporarily forgot her sadness about Auntie's departure.
After a simple move, Niu Naitang settled into Ren Lan's bedroom.
"Ha ha, little one, let's see how you run around at night now. Sister sleepwalks at night, you know. If I spank you in my sleep, don't bla ," Ren Lan teased, trying to scare Niu Naitang.
But Niu Naitang wasn't scared at all and said, "If you spank Tang Tang, Tang Tang will go sleep with Brother Lin."
"Hey, little one, dream on. That's not your bed. Keep dreaming," Ren Lan huffed. No, she had to keep a close eye on this little girl tonight.
Guarding against a thief at ho is the hardest.
It was already night. Lin Jichen was about to take advantage of the night to hurry on his journey in the Tale of Immortal when there was a knock on his door.
Lin Jichen opened the door and found Niu Naitang standing there in a cute little cow-print pajama after her bath.
"What's wrong, Tang Tang? Can't sleep in a new bed?" Lin Jichen patted her head.
Niu Naitang took out the money her aunt had given her and handed it to Lin Jichen, saying, "Brother Lin, this is from my aunt. It's for Tang Tang's food and lodging for the next few days. She said you must accept it, or she'll scold when she gets back."
Lin Jichen couldn't help but laugh. To put her at ease, he temporarily accepted the money.
"Brother Lin, Tang Tang has another favor to ask."
"Go ahead. Since I took your money, I have to do sothing for you, right?" Lin Jichen half-joked.
Niu Naitang wrinkled her little face and said worriedly, "Brother Lin, in two days, Tang Tang has to go to school."
"I know. Don't worry, Brother and Sister Ren will take you to and from school," Lin Jichen said.
Niu Naitang shook her head and said, "That's not it. School is starting soon... and Tang Tang hasn't finished her howork yet..."
Lin Jichen was stunned, "You an... you want to help you with your howork?"
Niu Naitang nodded shyly, "The boss in the ga said Tang Tang must beat him a hundred tis within the specified ti. If Tang Tang does her howork, there won't be ti to play against him, so..."
Lin Jichen understood. There seed to be such a ti requirent, very strict.
If this little girl missed the chance to beco a chess cultivator because of her howork, it would be a pity.
"Alright! I'll do your howork. I have nothing to do at night anyway. I'll help you," Lin Jichen agreed readily.
"Brother Lin, you're the best!" The little girl was overjoyed and imdiately went back to her room to bring all her howork to Lin Jichen.
Looking at the stack of third-grade howork in his hands, Lin Jichen felt bitter. Being this old and still doing primary school howork, what a situation.
Reviews
All reviews (0)