A tiny, cotton-ball-like figure was squatting by the stream in the dead of winter.

The stream flowed swiftly, still carrying some unmelted ice. The little dumpling picked up two bowls, rinsed them clean in the stream, and then scooped them out.

After placing the bowls and dishes into the wooden tub, the little girl looked at the tub full of gleaming bowls and dishes she had washed, and a proud smile appeared on her face.

She rubbed her little hands, which were red from the cold, and then breathed on them to warm them.

She finished washing the two bowls, so her work for the day was done. Next, she would deliver the bowls to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant and then she could get her copper coins.

The thought of her little treasury being filled with new money filled the little girl's dark, grape-like eyes with joy. She carried a wooden bucket that was half her height and headed towards the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

The little dumpling carried a wooden bucket full of bowls and cups, but looked relaxed and not tired at all.

This is all thanks to her natural strength. Although she is only four years old, she can already lift an octagonal table with one hand.

It was precisely because of her innate superhuman strength that she was able to support herself and her brother by doing manual labor at a young age.

The little girl couldn't help but sigh when she thought of her brother. She had left two steamed buns in the pot before she left in the morning, and she didn't know if her brother had eaten them.

My brother is already eighteen years old this year. Other men his age have already gotten married, had children, and started their careers.

But her brother, who had all four limbs intact, drank heavily and slept every day. Except for going to the toilet and eating, he hardly got out of bed, looking exactly like a paralyzed man with one side of his body.

Over the years, if it weren't for Xiao Tuanzi earning money by washing dishes and doing laundry for others, the siblings might not even have a place to live.

But the little girl still loves her brother very much, because he is her only family member in the world.

The little girl still remembers that her brother wasn't always like this, so dejected. He was handsome and talented, excelling in both academics and martial arts. But ever since their mother disappeared two years ago, her brother has become a completely different person, turning into the person he is now.

As for his father, the little dumpling shook his head.

Not only did she not know who her father was, but neither did her mother and brother.

Four years ago, she came to Qinghe Town with her pregnant mother and brother. For some reason, the two of them had lost their memory and did not remember anything from before, not even how they came to Qinghe Town.

She has always lived with her brother and mother.

The little dumpling sniffed her slightly frozen nose, and before she knew it, she had arrived at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

"Sister, I've brought the bowls and cups!" The soft voice had a slight hoarseness.

As soon as the little dumpling finished speaking, two older sisters and a servant ran out of the restaurant.

The servant quickly took the wooden bucket from the little dumpling's hands.

The two older sisters, Caiyun and Caixia, are twins who opened the Zuixian Restaurant together and ran it very successfully.

Over the years, thanks to the care of her two older sisters, Xiao Tuanzi has been able to keep washing dishes and earning money.

Caiyun and Caixia looked at the little dumpling with her red nose and looking like a little rabbit from the cold, and they felt sorry for her, so they pulled her into the restaurant.

The little dumpling took the hot tea poured by Sister Caiyun, and after taking a sip, the chill in her body was immediately dispelled.

After the tea was finished, Sister Caixia brought a hand warmer for the little dumpling and said, "Look at your little hands, they're so cold. Quickly take this hand warmer to warm them up."

The little girl smiled sweetly at her two older sisters and said, "Thank you, sisters."

The little girl's face, as round as a steamed bun, had crescent-shaped eyes that melted Caiyun's heart. She gently rubbed the little dumpling's soft face and then got up to walk towards the counter.

"Little dumpling, this is your wages for today." Caiyun took out a few copper coins and stuffed them into Little Dumpling's hand.

The little dumpling carefully counted them and found there were eight in total. She took out three and handed them to Caiyun.

“Sister Caiyun, you miscounted. We agreed on five copper coins, but you gave me three too many.”

Her two older sisters, Caiyun and Yunxia, ​​take good care of her, so she absolutely cannot be greedy for small gains.

Caiyun looked at the innocent-looking little dumpling, smiled gently, and stuffed the copper coins into her pocket, saying, "Today is the Lantern Festival. These three copper coins are a little red envelope from your older sisters. Go back and celebrate the festival with your brother."

Caiyun and Yunxia both knew that Xiaotuanzi had a troublesome older brother, so they gave her extra money today. In addition, Xiaotuanzi was usually very honest when she worked, and she always washed the dishes cleaner than the servants. These three copper coins were rightfully hers.

One copper coin can buy four steamed buns! That's enough for her living expenses for two days.

The little dumpling was surprised to have such an unexpected gain today, and its eyes immediately lit up with stars.

After thanking her two older sisters, Caiyun and Yunxia, ​​she ran home happily.

On the way, she specially bought some glutinous rice balls with two copper coins, preparing to go home and celebrate the festival with her brother.

Red lanterns were hung high on the street, and firecrackers crackled and popped incessantly, creating a festive atmosphere.

Infected by the atmosphere, the little dumpling hugged the glutinous rice ball in her arms and ran home quickly, hoping to see her brother as soon as possible.

Surprisingly, unlike the festive atmosphere on the street, Xiao Tuanzi saw that her house was surrounded by neighbors, each with their heads down and sighing, their faces covered with frost.

The little girl's heart skipped a beat, and a bad feeling rose in her heart. She walked over with heavy steps.

"Aunt Zhang, why are you all standing here?"

"It's cold outside, why don't you all come inside and warm up?"

The little dumpling slowly opened its mouth.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhang looked up at the little girl, her red eyes immediately welling up with tears. She choked out, "Little girl, you... you should go in and see your brother one last time."

The little boy froze, a bad feeling creeping into his heart. "Aunt Zhang, what do you mean, 'last look'? What happened to my brother?"

Aunt Zhang could no longer hold back and picked up the little dumpling, bursting into tears.

"Your brother fell into the river today, and by the time we pulled him out, he was already dead!"

boom!

The little dumpling's mind suddenly exploded, and the glutinous rice balls she was holding fell to the ground and rolled away.

The little girl shook her head. She couldn't believe it. Her brother, who had been talking to her this morning, could have fallen into the river. And now he was dead?

It must be a lie.

The little dumpling pushed Aunt Zhang aside, burst through the door, and saw a person lying in the center of the room, covered with a white sheet.

The little dumpling looked around, but couldn't find her brother anywhere.

She collapsed to the ground and slowly crawled toward the person lying in the center.

Her little hands trembled as she lifted the bed sheet, revealing her brother's ashen face.

"elder brother!"

The little girl let out a heart-wrenching cry, grabbing her brother's arm and shaking him incessantly.

"Brother, wake up! Little dumpling is back."

"I earned three extra coins today, aren't I awesome!"

"I bought you some glutinous rice balls. Shall we cook them together and eat them together?"

"Waaaaah, brother, please wake up! Please wake up!"

The little girl cried louder and louder as she spoke, but her brother on the ground didn't open his eyes no matter how much she shook him.

The neighbors behind her were all touched by the little girl's sadness and silently wiped away their tears.

Brother, how could you leave Little Dumpling all alone!

Mother is gone, and so are you.

From this day forward, the little dumpling will have no family left!

The little boy lay on his brother's body, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam.