Cloud Girl Chapter Fourteen

The morning after Chen Yiwen called back, Chen's mother knocked on the door as usual.

"Nanyi, get up."

Upon hearing the sound, Chen Nanyi got up, changed her clothes, rubbed her eyes, washed up, and went downstairs with her schoolbag on her back.

Breakfast was laid out on the table that day, but there was an extra brown sugar fried egg.

Chen Nanyi was puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Mom, why are you making this today?"

Chen's mother smiled faintly and asked in return, "Do you like it?"

Such gentleness touched Chen Nanyi, and after a moment of surprise, she smiled sincerely.

"Yes, I like everything Mom cooks."

Seeing that her mother was in a good mood, Chen Nanyi became a little bolder. "Mom, the teacher will be giving out the grades today. If I get a perfect score, can you take me and Yijing out to play?"

Chen Nanyi never asked for anything. Although she lowered her head and pretended not to care, her ears were perked up.

Chen's mother smiled and peeled a hard-boiled egg for Chen Yijing, her smile gentle.

"Okay, we'll talk about it when you get back. Oh, by the way, Dad and I are going to your sister's teacher's house today. Can you buy something to eat by yourself for lunch?"

Chen Nanyi obediently replied, "Okay, Mom, I'm full now, I'm going to class."

Even now, Chen Nanyi can still recall the extremely polite conversation between her and her mother that day.

As she was heading home in the evening, the boy sitting next to her asked, "Chen Nanyi, what's the difference between a fool and an idiot? Why do my parents argue about it every day?"

Because of her mother's sudden good mood during the day, Chen Nanyi became more patient. "...It's probably because a fool doesn't understand anything, so it's forgivable for him to make mistakes; but an idiot makes the wrong decision even if he understands, and that's unforgivable."

The little boy looked at her with admiration, "You're so amazing! So that means I'm different from your little sister, right? She's a fool, and I'm just an idiot..."

Chen Nanyi's usually indifferent eyes suddenly turned cold as she glanced at him before leaving.

As Chen Nanyi was leaving the school, she saw a little girl she didn't know sheltering from the rain under the porch. She looked very pitiful. After hesitating for a moment, Chen Nanyi gave her her umbrella as a way of expressing her gratitude to God for the kindness He had shown her to her mother that day.

I braved the rain to cross the street and then hurriedly climbed the road up the mountain.

Chen Nanyi intended to use her key to open the door, but the door was pushed open—it seemed her mother had forgotten to close the door when she left.

I guess I was just too tired to remember.

She glanced at the empty kitchen; the person who would always be there no matter what was happening was nowhere to be seen.

"Mom? Are you there? Mom!"

Chen Nanyi ran up the stairs and searched around, but there was no one there.

As dusk fell, a man sat alone at the dark, lightning-filled doorway. Unable to bear his hunger any longer, he rummaged through the kitchen for some noodles. Just as he was wolfing them down, the phone suddenly rang.

Chen Nanyi answered the call.

Is this Chen Shizhen's house?

Chen Nanyi responded with a "yes".

That person probably didn't realize that such a calm voice came from a child! They simply said, "Okay, then hurry to the city hospital, the patient has been in a car accident and is in critical condition..."

The voice on the other end of the phone sounded so unfamiliar and distant.

For some reason, Chen Nanyi suddenly remembered the pitiful girl she had just seen and realized that perhaps the pitiful one was not the girl, but herself running in the rain!

After hanging up the phone, Chen Nanyi stumbled and ran to the hospital in the darkness.

The hospital bed in the snow-white hospital was being pushed around, while her mother had long since died.

Feeling cold all over, Chen Nanyi let others pull her to the doctor—her father and Chen Yijing were also undergoing surgery... but the former ended in failure.

Chen Nanyi waited blankly at the door of Chen Yijing's operating room. She didn't know how much time had passed until Chen Yiwen, who was still a college student, rushed over and hugged her tightly. Only then did she have the strength to bury her face in Chen Yiwen's arms and cry.

Chen Yijing was rescued, and Chen Yiwen also hired a caregiver to take care of her. Other than that, nothing more was said.

The government raised funds to hold a funeral for their father, Chen Shizhen.

The funeral was a grand affair, and Chen Yiwen became very busy, constantly on the go.

Because of her young age, Chen Nanyi received no attention and could only sit there alone watching people come and go.

I happened to notice a young woman dressed in mourning clothes, holding a little boy and looking at the funeral hall from afar.

On the last day of the funeral, Chen Nanyi burned her award certificates for her mother and also went with Chen Yiwen to bring her younger sister back.

After everything was settled, Chen Yiwen put away her parents' inheritance, and they moved from the official residence to live in Tu Luoshan.

Chen Yiwen quickly taught Chen Nanyi how to cook and do laundry, and even took them to the home of Station Master Tu Luoshan to ask her to take care of the young Chen Nanyi and her third sister Chen Yijing... After that, she rushed off to school because of her studies.

All those memories were somewhat blurry. Chen Nanyi only remembered Chen Yiwen saying before getting into the car, "Take good care of your sister. We can be together after I graduate..."

She responded softly with an "okay".

During the four years that Chen Yiwen was away, Chen Nanyi lived a very regular life.

While Chen Yijing was climbing up and down the stairs every day, Chen Nanyi would prepare the meal downstairs, then go upstairs and "drag" Chen Yijing, who refused to eat properly, down to eat.

After dinner, Chen Yijing would still sit on the stairs and play, while Chen Nanyi would sit by the living room window where her mother often sat and pick up her mother's book to read.

When the book is opened, what immediately catches the eye are a collection of random thoughts.

"He doesn't love you, why don't you give up?"

"Then I don't love you either, why don't you give up?"

"If I truly cannot possess it, then I would rather destroy it than give it to someone else."

…………

Later, Chen Nanyi found a photo of her father and another woman in a book. They were hugging each other affectionately, and a little boy wearing open-crotch pants was sitting in the middle.

A person with a good memory suddenly recalled the woman who appeared at the funeral and couldn't help but feel sorrow and pity for their mother.

Because of the blood ties that bound them together, and because Chen Yiwen did indeed look a lot like her mother, Chen Nanyi never wanted to break ties with Chen Yiwen.

This is the first time in her life that she's made such a big fuss, and it will probably be the last.

Although she felt somewhat apologetic, she did not regret it.

However, how to get along from now on has become a problem.

Following old habits, Chen Nanyi, who was the last to finish showering, saw Chen Yijing sitting on the ground building a house as soon as she went upstairs.

The house was almost finished, and Chen Nanyi would still wait quietly for a while before carrying her to bed.

Because Chen Yiwen just said that she left Chen Yijing with her so that she could have an easier time—Chen Nanyi also felt that it was better to take care of Chen Yijing herself.

It was a good idea, but Chen Yijing insisted on sleeping with Chen Yiwen before she would give up and refused to compromise!

Chen Nanyi was unable to.

After such a difficult struggle to get money, she and Chen Yiwen were already in a cold war.

Chen Nanyi did not think she was wrong, Chen Yi heard the night was like this.

The third sister was crying and making a fuss, but Chen Yi pretended not to hear it, and Chen Nanyi didn't want to bend down and knock.

It's unclear what feelings Chen Yijing was relying on regarding Chen Nanyi—she didn't dare to make such a scene in front of Chen Yiwen, but she just wouldn't stop in front of Chen Nanyi, as if she was certain that Chen Nanyi would compromise because she couldn't bear to part with him, which angered Chen Nanyi so much that she turned around and went into her room.

Chen Yijing was crying and making a scene outside, her voice almost hoarse, and Chen Nanyi's heart was constantly clenched.

Finally, unable to resist, Chen Nanyi ran to knock on Chen Yiwen's door.

After reluctantly saying a few conciliatory words and listening attentively to Chen Yiwen's "righteous and eloquent teachings," he gained a more cautious attitude and a deeper understanding of satire before wearily turning back to his room.

After a period of chaos, Chen Yijing finally fell asleep, and the exhausted Chen Nanyi was also able to sleep.

However, she slept very restlessly, as if a piece of her heart was missing, and she didn't know in whose hands that missing piece was being held.

In her confusion, Chen Nanyi saw a blurry figure.

Tall, fair-skinned, with long arms and legs, yet possessing a gentle and refined appearance, he embraced me as I lay on the ground, just like when we were rehearsing together with Xu Xiaomeng.

But the person was holding her too loosely, too cautiously, just like Xu Xiaomeng, that "womanly" person, which made her feel empty inside.

Chen Nanyi felt a surge of displeasure and hugged the person tightly, which filled the void in her heart.

When Chen Nanyi woke up the next day, she was startled awake, clutching her pillow.

As the fog gradually dissipated at the end of the dream, she realized that the person who was holding her tightly was actually Xu Xiaomeng herself!

Suddenly, I recalled that time we walked by the river. Sometimes, my memories get jumbled up, but now, a faint sense of ambiguity lingers. Xu Xiaomeng, on the other hand, was so calm and composed—it was as if they were a loving couple taking a peaceful stroll...

Just as she was lost in her daydream, Chen Nanyi suddenly remembered their conversation over the New Year and realized that Xu Xiaomeng was the girl that Grandma Yao from the community wanted to introduce to Chen Yiwen!

Besides, no matter how you look at it, Xu Xiaomeng is more suitable to be with Chen Yiwen. How could she...? It can't end up with the two sisters fighting over one man!

Even Chen Nanyi herself was shocked when she thought about it.

How could she, who has always touted herself as a staunch advocate of celibacy, possibly have such thoughts?

Feeling instantly ashamed, and disregarding her surprise at having dreamt of him, Chen Nanyi coldly shut down her chaotic thoughts and feelings.

I comforted myself, thinking that maybe it was just because I felt so helpless yesterday that I had this illusion of wanting to be cared for.

When Chen Yiwen returned to the company, Chen Yijing, who was usually dull-witted, cleverly complained to Chen Yiwen that Chen Nanyi hadn't taken her out to play during the Chinese New Year. Her soft and sweet voice was so convincing that it was impossible not to believe her.

Taking the opportunity, Chen Yiwen gave Chen Nanyi another good scolding.

Chen Nanyi didn't say anything, she just listened silently.

She realized that Chen Yiwen was just looking for an opportunity to teach her a lesson for her "rebellious nature," and Chen Yijing was a perfect catalyst, giving her this chance.

Chen Nanyi knew that her actions yesterday in "forcing" Chen Yiwen to pay for the surgery were somewhat shameless.

But upon closer reflection, it makes perfect sense – she has a share of her parents' inheritance, and it shouldn't all belong to her just because Chen Yiwen is more favored.

But they did have a fight after all, and they both knew clearly that some things had indeed changed, and they could only let nature take its course.

After discussing everything, Chen Yiwen immediately had to return to the company.

After standing up and "lecturing" Chen Nanyi, Chen Yiwen smiled at the "little snitch" Chen Yijing, "Goodbye, Yijing! Mwah, sending you a flying kiss!"

Chen Yiwen made a gesture to Chen Yijing, her face beaming with joy.

Chen Yijing imitated Chen Yiwen's gesture and blew her a kiss. Upon seeing this, Chen Yiwen nodded and turned to leave.

Once she was sure the person who had left couldn't hear anything, Chen Nanyi pulled Chen Yijing inside and closed the door.

She said in a low voice, exasperated, "Didn't I tell you not to go to crowded places? Have you forgotten how much it hurt when you fell last time? Do you want to hurt yourself again? And you even told on me..."

Chen Yijing was startled by his serious expression. She simply lowered her head, clutching her clothes, and burst into tears. "No, no... it won't happen again."

Seeing this, Chen Nanyi couldn't bear to say anything more. She was also feeling sullen and upset. Helplessly, she shook her head and could only sigh in despair.

Small Theater

Xu Xiaomeng: "Chen Nanyi, you're terrible!"

Chen Nanyi ⊙ω⊙, “What?”

Xu Xiaomeng pointed to the tree outside the door, "Even trees have their spring, but you don't!"

Chen Nanyi (ー_ー)!!, “I don’t like spring, and why should I envy a tree?”

Xu Xiaomeng (<_<): "But I like it! If you don't like it... then what am I supposed to do?"

Chen Nanyi (︶︿︶): "What does this have to do with you?"

Xu Xiaomeng ⊙ω⊙, "Fine... then, you still prefer autumn!"

Chen Nanyi?! "What are you up to now?"

Xu Xiaomeng (*￣︶￣), “Because autumn is the harvest season…so…you can just harvest me! A little is pleasant, a big taste is even more fun, um, but if you prefer something more direct and brutal, like swallowing me whole, that’s fine too! I’m pretty easygoing…haha”

Chen Nanyi gave a wicked smile, "Let me tell you a secret—"

Xu Xiaomeng couldn't wait!

Chen Nanyi's smile grew even brighter, "I've never seen such a perverted person before—but I have today!"