Extra five

"Teacher, can you give me another popsicle?" Song Xiaoyue, who was sitting on the bench, smacked his lips, holding a popsicle stick in his mouth, obviously feeling unsatisfied.

"You've already eaten one. Eating too much will give you diarrhea." Wen Ci half-knelt down and looked at Song Xiaoyue at eye level: "Brother, why aren't you coming yet?"

The dance studio was empty. After finishing the afternoon training, the children were taken away by their parents one after another. Song Xiaoyue was always the last one to leave because his brother was unreliable and forgot about him here again and again. The little guy was obviously used to it.

Song Xiaoyue licked his fingers and said, "Song Dashan told me to be a good boy and wait for him, and not to bother the teacher."

"Teacher, please go home first. My brother will be here soon."

Wen Ci frowned. Song Xiaoyue was only in the first grade. It was too careless of a brother to let such a young child wait for him alone. He turned on the lights in the dance studio. He brought a stool and sat next to Song Xiaoyue: "Teacher will accompany you, Xiaoyue, don't worry."

Song Xiaoyue blinked his big eyes and looked at him: "Teacher, you dance so beautifully, how long have you been learning?"

Wen Ci has been exposed to Chinese dance since middle school. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Teacher has been learning it for more than ten years."

"Wow," Song Xiaoyue's mouth opened into an O shape, "Then I won't be as good as the teacher until I'm twenty years old. I'll be as old as my brother."

Twenty years old is already a very old age in the eyes of a child, which means that he can run around like his older brother, eat a lot of popsicles, and dance like his teacher.

Song Xiaoyue was daydreaming as the sky outside the window darkened and his stomach growled.

When Wen Ci looked over, he smiled a little embarrassedly: "Xiao Yue is a little hungry."

Wen Ci glanced at his phone. It was already past seven o'clock and it was pitch black outside. He took the key to the dance studio and tied up the ends of his slightly longer hair with a rubber band: "Teacher, can you eat something first?"

"Okay!" Song Xiaoyue jumped down from the bench and held Wen Ci's hand: "Teacher, your hands are so soft."

"You smell good too."

Wen Ci smiled and patted his head: "Let's go."

In the end, Song Xiaoyue chose a McDonald's near a dance studio and ordered a children's meal. His eyes sparkled as he dipped the fries into ketchup: "I haven't eaten McDonald's in a long time!"

Wen Ci paused when he heard this: "Did your brother not let you eat?"

"Because eating out is expensive," the child said as a matter of course, "Song Dashan usually cooks for me at home."

Families that can let their children learn special skills are not too bad. Song Xiaoyue has a fair and clean complexion, and a little baby fat on his face. Although the brand of his clothes cannot be seen, the fabrics are very soft and comfortable. Wen Ci didn't know whether his family was really in financial difficulty or his brother was just making it up to trick the children.

He handed Song Xiaoyue another French fry: "What about your parents?"

"Dad doesn't want us anymore," Song Xiaoyue ate the fries with his hands. Before he could say anything else, the smart watch on his wrist buzzed.

He swam towards the phone skillfully, and a crisp, clear voice rang out: "Song Xiaoyue, where have you been!"

"Teacher Wen and I are at McDonald's," Song Xiaoyue swung his short legs, "Song Dashan, you're here?"

"Wait where you are, don't move." Before Song Xiaoyue could answer, the person on the other end hung up the phone neatly.

About ten minutes later, the door of McDonald's was pushed open and a boy in his twenties ran in.

He was wearing work clothes with his trouser legs tucked into short boots. His wheat-colored skin looked very healthy, and his facial features were somewhat similar to Song Xiaoyue's, except that his brow bones were more prominent as he grew older, his outline was more three-dimensional, and the corners of his eyes drooped a little, making him look a little confused when his eyes were wide open.

There were many children eating at McDonald's, and he, who was about 80cm tall, stood out among them. Even the work clothes without any shape looked pleasing to the eye. The wide belt was tight around his slim waist. When he turned around, Wen Ci could clearly see the words on his back: "Chengnan Auto Repair Shop".

There are also words on the arm: "Senior Technician".

As soon as he entered the room, all the children's attention was drawn to him. Song Xiaoyue jumped off his seat and rushed over: "Song Dashan!"

"Hey," Song Yi turned his head, without bending down, and when the child rushed over, he grabbed him by the back and lifted him up, holding him in his arms: "Why are you running around today?"

Song Xiaoyue pointed to the booth and said, "Teacher Wen brought me to McDonald's."

Song Yi looked in the direction he pointed, and saw a gentle and clean-looking man sitting in the booth. He was wearing a loose linen-colored knitted sweater with his sleeves rolled up a little, revealing his slender and fair wrists. His slightly long hair was tied into a small bun at the back of his head, and the remaining few strands hung casually by his ears. He was looking over here.

Song Yi was caught off guard and looked at him, his heart seemed to be gently touched by something. He put Song Xiaoyue back on the ground, and the little guy ran over and introduced himself familiarly: "Teacher, he is my brother, Song Dashan."

"What are you saying in front of the teacher!" Song Yi wiped his hands on his pants, but still failed to wipe off the excess paint. He stretched out his hands with some trepidation: "Hello, teacher, I am Brother Song Xiaoyue, Song Yi."

"Standing."

Wen Ci nodded, not showing any disdain, and shook hands with him: "Wen Ci."

Song Yi sat down on the chair and ate the children's meal left by Song Xiaoyue without hesitation. Seeing that his brother was so unreliable, Wen Ci finally couldn't help but said, "Our studio ends at five o'clock."

"I know," Song Yi seemed to be very hungry. He picked up the milkshake and drank half of it in one gulp.

Wen Ci could only continue: "It's already seven o'clock, Song Xiaoyue has been waiting for you for two hours, even if he is busy with work..."

"Teacher," Song Yi finally filled his stomach, raised his head and looked at him, and said sincerely: "To be honest, my family is in financial difficulty. For some reasons, I am the one taking care of him now. I work three jobs a day and I have to support him in cram school..."

Just when Wen Ci was about to feel some sympathy, he heard him say, "Why should I suffer such injustice when I am thirteen years older than you? Song Xiaoyue, from today on, it's your turn to support me. How is your Chinese dance learning going? Can I go out and perform?"

Song Xiaoyue said nothing, just concentrated on snatching food from his brother's clutches. It seemed that he was familiar with this kind of argument.

Wen Ci couldn't stand it anymore, so he waved to the waiter and was about to order another set meal, but Song Yi quickly stopped him: "Teacher, this is embarrassing, this meal is on me!"

Song Yi took out his phone first and typed in the QR code. The waiter scanned it and said, "Payment failed. Insufficient balance."

"Ah, haha, I forgot to change the card. Wait for me to change it." Song Yi scratched his head and switched bank cards in a hurry. A white wrist stretched out before him. Wen Ci said, "Scan mine first. Song Xiaoyue is very obedient. It's nothing to treat him to a meal."

Upon hearing this, Song Yi patted the back of Song Xiaoyue's head with satisfaction and said, "Not bad, Xiaoshan, you can earn a living by being cute. Do you want me to take a photo with you and put a sign on your chest? Five yuan for one photo, or twenty yuan for any photo you want."

Song Xiaoyue burped and said maturely, "I think my brother is more popular. Every time you come to pick me up, Li Rourou's sister keeps staring at you."

Looking at this unruly couple, Wen Ci: "..."

After coming out of McDonald's, Song Yi asked, "Where is your home, Mr. Wen? Let's take you home first."

Wen Ci had to change subways twice to get home. After what happened, he was not used to exposing his address to strangers, so he declined, "No, remember to send Xiao Yue to class tomorrow."

Song Xiaoyue dragged his brother's hand: "Brother, I've been practicing dancing so hard, I don't want to walk anymore, can you carry me back?"

Song Yi looked down at him and said, "My brother is working very hard, can you carry him back?"

Song Xiaoyue pursed his lips and said, "Then I want to have another ice cream."

Wen Ci said, "He already ate one in the dance studio this afternoon."

"No." Song Yi refused sternly, "What did I say? Eating ice cream will turn you into a fat boy, and no girl will like you anymore."

Song Xiaoyue played with his fingers and said, "It's okay if a boy likes me, just like a brother..."

"Song Xiaoshan!" Song Yi yelled, yelling back the rest of the sentence, scratching his head and saying to Wen Ci, "This kid likes to yell about whatever he learns, teacher, please don't forget it, I will definitely teach him a lesson later."

Wen Ci didn't take it to heart. Even if Song Yi liked men, it had nothing to do with him. After saying goodbye to the two brothers, he returned to his apartment. Maybe he came back a little late, because Naitang Qiqi Aiai, who usually doesn't pay much attention to others, crawled out from the corner and circled around his legs.

After feeding the cat, Wen Ci took a hot shower and lay down on the bed. The scars on his body gradually became less visible, but the deeper ones could still be seen. The cat jumped onto the bed and curled up beside his pillow, and the man and the cat snuggled up to each other and fell asleep.

The next day after school, Song Yi indeed came a little earlier. He didn't wear work clothes, but instead changed into a refreshing sweatshirt and jeans, looking like a high school student who had not yet graduated. It’s just that the Stitch cartoon bag worn across the chest seems a bit out of place.

He was already wandering outside the classroom before the last class was over.

There were no seats in the corridor, so Wen Ci pushed the door open while the kids were practicing and said, "There are chairs in the dance studio, you can come in and wait."

"Ah, this is not good," Song Yi tapped the tip of his shoe, but his movements were not vague at all. He walked into the classroom with Wen Ci and sat down with his arms and legs stretched out.

The children all looked over. Song Xiaoyue was practicing his waist bends. He shouted with a breath: "My brother is here!"

After shouting, he lost his strength and his little body fell to the ground. Wen Ci helped him up and rubbed him: "Did you sprain it?"

Song Xiaoyue shook his head and did a split as if to show off in front of his brother: "Song Dashan, look at me, I can still do this."

"That's amazing," Song Yi clapped his hands and took out his phone to take a few photos. "Xiao Shanzi is one step closer to going out to perform."

Wen Ci helped them correct their movements one by one, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on the tip of his nose. He stood up and stretched his back, and someone handed him a snow-white tissue.

"Are you tired, teacher?" Song Yi took out a tissue from the cartoon bag, which also contained a small fan and a small kettle.

"Thank you," Wen Ci drew a card and was a little surprised. Song Yi looked a bit unfocused, but he was unexpectedly attentive.

As if he could see through his thoughts, Song Yi said, "Taking care of one child is tiring enough for me. It must be annoying for Teacher Wen to take care of this group of children every day."

Wen Ci is currently in a period of healing alone and is rather tired of interpersonal relationships. Instead, he finds it easier to get along with children. He unconsciously raised the corners of his lips: "No, I think they are all very cute."

Song Yi looked at him blankly, and that faint smile flashed by, making people feel itchy in their hearts. Only then did he realize that he was still handing the tissue over. He subconsciously crumpled the tissue and put it in his trouser pocket.

More and more parents gathered outside the door. Li Rourou's sister also came and walked in directly by pushing the door open.

After greeting Wen Ci, she sat down next to Song Yi: "You are Song Xiaoyue's brother, right? Why do you have the privilege to come in and sit here?"

Song Yi resumed his nonchalant look and grinned, "Maybe Teacher Wen feels sorry for me because I'm too tired from working, so he's showing me special concern."

Not far away, Song Xiaoyue and Li Rourou were sitting face to face stretching. His brother taught him not to touch a girl's hand, so he let Li Rourou hold his wrist and whispered, "Does your sister like Song Dashan?"

"No," Li Rourou curled her lips, "Your brother doesn't look like an honest man."

Song Xiaoyue recalled that his brother was indeed not very honest, so he compromised and said, "What does an honest man look like?"

"Of course, she looks like Teacher Wen," Li Rourou said. "She has fair skin, is very gentle, and smells good... She's also very generous and often treats us to popsicles."

Speaking of the last point, Song Xiaoyue finally couldn't help but agree. If Teacher Wen was his brother, wouldn't he have endless popsicles and McDonald's to eat every day?

Li Rourou shook her pigtails and continued, "So, I plan to let my sister chase Teacher Wen, so that I can have lots of popsicles."

Damn it, I didn’t expect Li Rourou to have the same idea as me. Song Xiaoyue was a little anxious: "Then I'll ask my brother to chase Teacher Wen too!"

"That's definitely not possible," Li Rourou widened her eyes, "Of course boys like girls, how can two boys pursue her?"

"Just wait and see," Song Xiaoyue said angrily, "Anyway, my brother is not an honest man. He will do anything!"

Song Yi discovered that Song Xiaoyue had been particularly active in attending classical dance classes in recent days. He didn't even need to wake him up. He would get up on time every day, fill his own water bottle, pack his small backpack, and drag him out before the time came.

"Song Xiaoyue, you've changed!" After getting up early for several days in a row, Song Yi slapped the alarm clock away, sat up from the bed with his upper body naked, and his hair was a little frizzy from sleeping: "I'm very tired from working every day, and you have nothing to do when you get up so early, go cook for me."

Song Xiaoyue was scolded and pouted a little aggrievedly: "But if you don't work hard, Teacher Wen will be snatched away by Li Rourou's sister!"

"What?" Song Yi realized the seriousness of the problem and pulled Song Xiaoyue over to ask him a question, feeling a little amused, "So you made a bet with Li Rourou that I should chase after Teacher Wen?"

Song Xiaoyue pointed at his finger: "Is it not okay? That day in the dance studio, your eyes were always on Teacher Wen."

Song Yi didn't know whether to say that the child was too perceptive or that he was too obvious. He picked up Song Xiaoyue with one hand, walked to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth, and said slowly: "Since you want to pursue Teacher Wen, you have to cooperate with me, your brother."

Song Xiaoyue looked at his brother's rare serious expression and nodded in a stern voice.