Chapter 551 Protecting One's Own (Second Update)

The windowsill was a bit high, but Xiao Jingkong was a clever child. He moved a flowerpot over and stood on it, braced his hands on the windowsill, and with one short leg, he slid up onto the windowsill.

Huangfu Xian looked at the little mushroom with a look of disgust.

Completely unaware that it was being disliked, the little mushroom turned around on the windowsill, facing its little bottom toward Huangfu Xian, and slid down.

It's too high up here, I'll get hurt if I jump down, this is the only way I can come down.

Huangfu Xian looked at the little butt that almost shoved into his face and struggled to suppress the urge to poke it off the windowsill.

After landing, Xiao Jingkong turned around and politely greeted Huangfu Xian again: "Big brother!"

Huangfu Xian snorted.

An ordinary person would find Huangfu Xian annoying and eccentric by this point, but Xiao Jingkong didn't feel that way at all.

On the contrary, Xiao Jingkong felt very comfortable with it.

After all, that's how Gu Yan treats people at home.

However, Gu Yan didn't have the same level of ferocity as Huangfu Xian. Gu Yan's temperament was spoiled, while Huangfu Xian truly lived in darkness. His heart was incredibly gloomy, and he remained motionless and lifeless for an entire afternoon, sometimes resembling a corpse.

Nobody liked him, or rather, nobody wasn't afraid of him.

Children would cry out in fear at the mere sight of him, and his father and mother would always be met with unexpected expressions whenever he revealed his crippled leg.

That was truly... an expression that made him so happy he wanted to burst into a ferocious laugh.

"Little brother, are you waiting for me?" Xiao Jingkong pointed to the spot where he was sitting, which was very close to the window, so he could see the commotion in the courtyard at a glance.

"What are you waiting for? Can you eat or drink?" Huangfu Xian asked irritably.

"I have some food! Here you go!" Xiao Jingkong took out a small oil paper packet from his purse, opened it to reveal a few shiny candied fruits, "These are candied fruits made by my great-uncle, they are especially delicious!"

Huangfu Xian: "..."

Does this child not understand human speech?

Huangfu Xian dislikes eating sweet and greasy food, and he also dislikes pretty children.

Of course, he dislikes people who are ugly even more.

In short, he doesn't like anyone!

"Here you go, little brother." Xiao Jingkong stuffed a packet of candied fruit into his hand.

The child had just played in the snow; their fingertips were icy cold, but their palms were sweaty, a soft little ball of flesh—a wonderfully tactile sensation.

After giving him the candied fruit, Xiao Jingkong withdrew her little hand and leaned on the armrest of his wheelchair, looking at him: "Big brother, has your injury healed?"

"Hmm," Huangfu Xian responded indifferently.

"Let me see." Little Jingkong is a meticulous child; he insists on seeing things for himself.

"Why are you making things so complicated?" Huangfu Xian muttered impatiently.

He wouldn't willingly show his wounds to others, but when Xiao Jingkong reached out his soft little hand to grab his, he didn't resist.

That soft, cat-paw-like touch is back again.

Xiao Jingkong examined it carefully, and after a while, nodded seriously: "Hmm, it's healing well. This scab will fall off in a few days, so please don't scratch it."

Huangfu Xian coldly snorted: "Do you need to tell me?"

"Little brother, your hands are so beautiful." Xiao Jingkong grabbed his clean and slender hands, making no attempt to hide the admiration in her eyes.

To be fair, Huangfu Xian's hands are indeed beautiful, with distinct joints, long and fair, as exquisite as jade carvings.

This was the first time someone had complimented him on his looks, even if it was just on his hands.

He was disabled, and everyone who saw his crippled leg would show a look of disgust. He knew from a young age that his legs were ugly, and gradually he felt that his whole body was ugly.

He was an ugly and despicable person.

They shouldn't and have no right to embarrass themselves like this.

"It looks so good."

Little Jingkong's two chubby little hands grabbed Huangfuxian's hands and looked at them over and over.

It's often said that children don't lie, but that's not true. When children lie, they can even believe their own lies.

But no child would tell such an unnecessary lie to a disabled person like him.

They couldn't get food or toys by swindling.

Xiao Jingkong played with his hands, and he watched Xiao Jingkong play with his hands.

Lian'er returned at that moment.

When Lian'er saw the little guy who had suddenly appeared in the room, she exclaimed in surprise!

Huangfu Xian wanted to stop her, but it was too late. Princess Ning'an was nearby and had been alerted by Lian'er's cries.

"What happened?" Princess Ning'an asked, standing at the door.

Lian'er pointed into the room: "One, a child!"

Princess Ning'an stepped inside and took a closer look, recognizing Xiao Jingkong.

Huangfu Xian subconsciously withdrew his hand from Xiao Jingkong's grasp, his face returning to its usual indifference.

However, no one knows a son better than his mother. The moment Princess Ning'an entered the room, she clearly saw a different Huangfu Xian.

Princess Ning'an walked over with a smile: "Is this Jingkong? Do you recognize me?"

“Hmm…you are…” Xiao Jingkong had been to Renshou Palace and had of course met Princess Ning’an. He also knew that she was Huangfu Xian’s mother. His eyes darted around and he greeted her politely, “Princess Ning’an.”

Princess Ning'an smiled gently and reached out to touch his cheek.

Huangfu Xian said, "Mother."

Princess Ning'an paused just before her hand touched Xiao Jingkong. She turned to look at her and smiled slightly, "What's wrong?"

Huangfu Xian said coldly, "I'm tired and want to rest."

Princess Ning'an smiled helplessly, but said to him with affection, "That's not right of you. Why didn't you tell your mother that you have a new friend? Your friend just arrived. Spend more time playing with your new friend. There's no rush to rest."

“I’m sleepy.” Huangfu Xian said, his eyelashes trembling, and he quickly added, “He’s not my friend! His bird flew into my yard, and he just came in to look for his bird.”

Xiao Jiu, who was tearing things apart on Huangfu Xian's pillow: ...?

Princess Ning'an smiled faintly and said, "Since you're already here, there's no harm in making friends. Jingkong is Doctor Gu's younger brother, and the Empress Dowager dotes on him. I think it wouldn't be wrong for you two to be friends."

As she spoke, she leaned down slightly and looked tenderly at Xiao Jingkong: "Jingkong, would you like to be friends with Brother Xian'er?"

Xiao Jingkong nodded.

Princess Ning'an reached out and rubbed his little head.

Little Jingkong dodged back, pressed his two small hands against his head, patted his palms gently, and said, "My head can't be touched by other women, only Jiaojiao can touch it."

Princess Ning'an chuckled, "Alright, I won't touch it." She turned to look at the door, "Lian'er, go and get the chestnut cake from my room."

"yes!"

Lian'er turned and left.

Before long, she brought over a plate of delicate chestnut cakes.

Princess Ning'an took it and personally handed a piece to Xiao Jingkong: "This is chestnut cake that I made myself. It tastes different from the ones in the palace. Jingkong, please try it."

Xiao Jingkong hesitated and said, "But, but Jiaojiao said I can't eat other people's food."

Princess Ning'an smiled and said, "I'm no stranger. I'm your great-aunt's daughter. We're family."

Xiao Jingkong thought about it seriously: "Hmm... then am I a family with my older brother?"

Princess Ning'an nodded: "Of course, you are all family."

Food belonging to a family should be safe to eat, right?

Xiao Jingkong slurped his saliva and took the snacks handed to him by Princess Ning'an.

Before he could even put it in his mouth, Huangfu Xian slapped his hand on the back.

His little hand hurt, and he loosened his grip, dropping the snack.

Huangfu Xian said coldly, "Who gave you permission to eat our food? We won't give you any!"

Princess Ning'an: "Xian'er."

Huangfu Xian seemed very angry and angrily knocked over the plate in Princess Ning'an's hand, causing all the pastries to fall to the ground.

Princess Ning'an's face darkened: "Xian'er!"

Huangfu Xian roared at Princess Ning'an, "My things are not for others to eat! I hate it when you're nice to other people!"

Xiao Jingkong glanced at Huangfu Xian with a hurt expression and said sullenly, "...I won't fight you for my mother, I have Jiaojiao."

Huangfu Xian seemed not to have listened to his explanation at all, and said with a look of disgust, "Get out! I don't want to see you! If your bird ever dares to fly into my yard again, I'll kill it and make a pot of eagle soup!"

Xiao Jiu, who was tearing the house apart, suddenly felt it wasn't so appealing anymore!

Little Jingkong, with his head drooping, grabbed one of Xiao Jiu's wings and left looking aggrieved.

Xiao Jiu, who sat on the ground and was dragged around like a mop the whole way: ...

Princess Ning'an stared intently at Huangfu Xian, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became strange.

Lian'er sensed an atmosphere of impending doom.

However, Princess Ning'an only took a few deep breaths, slowly exhaled, and then turned and walked out.

"You go out too."

Huangfu Xiandao.

Lian'er, who had just stepped one foot over the threshold, reluctantly pulled it back.

The huge house was now empty except for Huangfu Xian.

He gazed at the silent courtyard, as if no one had ever been there, as if he had always been the only person in the vast world.

That's fine too.

That would be best.

He doesn't need friends.

No pity is needed.

Happiness is not necessary.

They approached him with pity and sympathy, but ultimately abandoned him with fear and disgust.

He was already fed up with it.

"Hey handsome!"

That little mushroom has sprouted up from under the windowsill again!

Huangfu Xian was so startled that he stumbled and tumbled off his wheelchair...

(End of this chapter)