Chapter 34

Xie Dong was almost ten years old and was only in the second grade, which meant that Wei Qian had made Xie Dong drop out of school within two years of taking him away.

This woman deserves to die.

But he should be the one who deserves to die, for leaving Xie Dong to be raised by this woman.

Song Youran brought Xie Dong to the school where she worked, taking him to school in the morning and back in the evening. He was tied to the child every day—not Xie Dong hanging from his waist, but he was tied to Xie Dong's rope. This way, even when he didn't have classes, he had to spend time at school. He wasted his time, unable to work part-time, and felt like he was being tortured.

He can go out on weekends, but he will have to go out for the whole day and Xie Dong will be alone at home.

After trying for two days, Song Youran discovered that Xie Dong did not eat a single bite of the lunch left for him.

Song Youran thought her cooking skills weren't good enough for the child, but then she realized that without anyone to urge her, Xie Dong could sit on a small stool all day, refusing to eat, drink, or sleep. He didn't cry or make a fuss, and he refused to go out.

Song Youran took Xie Dong to see a psychologist, but the two-hour consultation fee made his day's part-time work go to waste.

The doctor said to proceed step by step and give the child more care and patience.

A few light words are easier said than done. Given the current family conditions, it is difficult for Song Youran to show care and patience.

If he didn't have to worry about making a living and didn't have to worry about the debts he owed, and could just lie in bed and count money every day, his patience and care would be so much that it would drown all the living things on the earth.

You are truly my ancestor.

Every time Song Youran saw Xie Dong's dead fish face, he would complain in his heart, but on the surface he would act like a good brother, not daring to show it at all, because Xie Dong was now more fragile than a porcelain doll.

"How about we go to City A? We can live in Mom's house and save on rent. Don't underestimate these two thousand yuan a month. That's twenty thousand yuan a year. Twenty thousand yuan, I have to work a lot outside to earn that."

Xie Dong said nothing. If no one brought him any food, he would not eat any vegetables and would only eat white rice.

Song Youran served him some food. "Do you remember when you were little and I grabbed the meatballs from me and spanked you? You were so cute back then!"

The past was too painful to recall. Song Youran muttered to herself, "Mom's house is our home. Once I pay off the debt, I'll take you back to City A and find you a new school while I find you a new job. Okay?"

Xie Dong's chopsticks fell on the table. He threw himself into Song Youran's arms with tears in his eyes: "I don't want my mother, I don't want my mother..."

In Xie Dong's eyes, his mother represents Wei Qian, not Xie Xueruo.

Song Youran stroked Xie Dong's little head. "Not the fake mother from before. This is our mother, your brother's and yours." He wiped away the child's tears. "Mom is gone. You've never seen her. When there's a chance, I'll take you to visit her grave."

The child leaned in Song Youran's arms, his tears wetting Song Youran's clothes.

Xie Dong became a little fool. He would never yell again, call Song Youran a bad brother, or burrow into the quilt angrily.

Song Youran covered the sleeping Xie Dong with a blanket. His cell phone lit up dimly next to the pillow. He picked it up and saw that it was another message from Yang Xu.

Yang Xu: How have you been recently?

Yang Xu: I am very worried about you.

Yang Xu: Have you seen the news?

Song Youran felt that Yang Xu was weird. Ever since he asked Yang Xu to borrow money, Yang Xu sent him messages every now and then. The emoticons were gone, the mean feeling was gone, and all that was left was a sticky, gelatinous substance.

Maybe Yang Xu was afraid that he would default on his debts or run away, so he coaxed him to stay in touch. After all, the one who owes money is the boss.

Song Youran: Sorry, I'm trying hard to save money recently.

Song Youran: How about this, I will pay you back in installments. It may be a little less this month, but it will be more later. I am willing to pay you any interest rate.

Song Youran sent a transfer, but Yang Xu confiscated it and did not reply to the message.

The next evening, Song Youran received news that the transfer had been returned.

Yang Xu was not satisfied with his installment repayment and was angry?

Song Youran frowned, determined to find a way to return the money to Yang Xu as soon as possible. He didn't want to sell the house, so he had to work, but Xie Dong couldn't leave him alone...

Song Youran searched for a nanny online, and the quotes were like a rip-off. He worked hard to earn money, only to have to hire a nanny to spend it all. With all this money going in and out, was he crazy? He might as well stay home and take care of the kids.

But taking care of a child costs money. Who can help him take care of the child?

"You're too impatient to go on a blind date at such a young age."

Two other teachers were chatting in the office.

"I have to be anxious. The last time I went to a class reunion, some of my classmates' children were already busy with cooking."

"It really depends on fate. I have a classmate who started dating in high school, got married right after graduating from college, had a child the following year, and now has three children."

"I'm so jealous. I never get such a good thing. I'd better just go on blind dates honestly. Meet more people, maybe I can meet someone I'm destined to be with."

"Don't worry," said another. "Good things take time."

He stood up and walked over to Song Youran: "Teacher Song, aren't your hands hot?"

The water dispenser was flowing, luckily it wasn't boiling water.

Song Youran pressed the switch of the water outlet, put the overflowing teacup aside, and used a rag to clean the excess water on the countertop.

"Does Teacher Song have a lover?" asked the teacher holding a cup of water.

Song Youran laughed dryly: "We're talking."

"Ah, I'm the only bachelor in this office." The teacher who was keen on blind dates cried sadly.

News about Yang Xu returned. He didn't mention repaying the money, but instead shared articles and videos about child counseling with Song Youran.

Song Youran saw it and became anxious.

He casually mentioned Xie Dong's situation, and Yang Xu took it too seriously.

Every message and every text sent by Yang Xu became Song Youran's death warrant, and Song Youran became more and more unbearable.

He took the time to visit a matchmaking agency and left his information and requirements.

"I have a younger brother who needs to be taken care of. He's a little older, likes children, and is loving."

The matchmaking agency asked him if he had any gender requirements.

He said either was fine, and then added, "Married people are also fine, but they need to be in better conditions. My brother is still very young, and I need to reach a joint custody agreement with him."

The matchmaking agent looked at him with a mocking look: "People with better conditions have better choices."

This means that if he wants to marry a rich man, he might as well dream on.

"When I paid my dues, you told me I didn't need to worry, because you had plenty of attractive bachelors." Song Youran asked him, "When will you arrange a meeting with me? When do you hold any social events?"

The matchmaking agency said, "Don't worry, it's only your first day. I'll input your information into the system and arrange for someone to meet you in a couple of days."

"If there's nothing, I'll report you."

Song Youran's eyes widened. "I'm in a hurry, really in a hurry. You'd better hurry up."

"Okay, okay." The matchmaking agency pushed him out the door. "Go back and wait for news."

Getting married is harder than finding a job.

Song Youran squatted in front of Xie Dong and held Xie Dong's hand. "I can't take care of you by myself. I need a helper. Then there will be one more person at home. Can you accept that?"

Xie Dong sat in the chair without saying a word or looking at Song Youran, but just looked down at his shoes.

He became a puppet.

Song Youran smiled helplessly. He wondered if he was destined to be with wood in this life. Before there was Wen Chu, and now there is Xie Dong.

Wen Chu used to be a wooden block, neither crying nor laughing. Last time we met, he had become human. Xie Dong used to be able to cry and laugh, but now he hardly cries. Perhaps the wood virus in Wen Chu had transferred to Xie Dong, which was why he had become wooden.

It would be great if Wen Chu could turn into wood again and Xie Dong could become a normal person again.

Why are you reluctant to accept other people’s kindness?

Song Youran thought about this problem carefully. He believed that material debts were easy to repay, but debts of gratitude were impossible to repay.

Yang Xu is probably the creditor who cares most about his debtor in the world. Song Youran felt like a huge stone was pressing down on his heart. Before paying back the money, he felt that he should reciprocate and be a debtor who cares about his creditor.

Song Youran: Don’t keep asking me how you’ve been lately.

Yang Xu: Very good. I’m going to participate in a professional car race soon.

Song Youran: [Like] I wish you win the championship

Yang Xu: It’s impossible to win the championship, so I’ll just try to make myself known to the public.

Song Youran: Are you so depressed now? If it were you in the past, you would definitely say that the championship must belong to me.

Yang Xu: The championship belongs to me.

Song Youran stared at the screen of her mobile phone. Why was Yang Xu so stupid?

Xie Dong finished his homework and was packing his schoolbag. Song Youran put down his phone and went to the bathroom to prepare hot water for Xie Dong to take a bath.

After sending Xie Dong to bed and covering him with a small blanket, Song Youran picked up her cell phone and looked at the message sent by Yang Xuxin.

Yang Xu: Are you still angry with Wen Chu?

Song Youran: Why don’t you call me senior anymore? Have you turned love into hate?

Yang Xu: No.

Yang Xu: Senior called you, why didn’t you answer?

Song Youran: Do you still like him? I advise you to turn back.

Yang Xu: "I'm typing..."

Song Youran didn't have time to wait for him, and blurted out everything she wanted to say: Don't blame me for saying bad things about your senior, he spends too much money.

Yang Xu: "I'm typing..."

Yang Xu: He doesn’t spend it.

Song Youran: Can you please stop being in love?

Song Youran: Forget it, just think that I am unhappy with him and talking nonsense.

Yang Xu: How did he make you angry?

Song Youran: No more talking, I'm going to sleep

Yang Xu: Good night

Song Youran stared at the words "Good night" and all the hairs on her arms stood up.

The matchmaking agency recommended a man to Song Youran. She added him as a friend, chatted with him for two days, and made an appointment to meet offline.

The man was well-maintained and looked less than 30 years old. He spoke softly and seemed very cultured.

Song Youran explained her situation directly. The man smiled and said that he didn't mind raising his younger brother with him, and praised him for his sense of responsibility.

Song Youran was ashamed. His sense of responsibility might be lighter than the leaves floating above his head.

They strolled along the riverbank, occasionally stopping at the railing to watch the boats passing by. Whenever this happened, the man would try to put his hand on Song Youran's shoulder, but Song Youran would smile and walk to the side, deftly avoiding each of his attempts.

After the date, Song Youran and the man said goodbye on the roadside.

The man said he had a good impression of Song Youran and suggested that they meet more often in the future.

Song Youran agreed.

A few days later, at a social party, the man was dancing cheek to cheek with a tall beauty on the dance floor.

The matchmaking agency said that this is the fast-food era and if you hesitate you will be eliminated.

Song Youran didn't want to eat fast food because he was going there to get married.

He told this to Yang Xu as a joke, and Yang Xu asked him on the phone why he wanted to go on a blind date.

Song Youran: Of course it’s for marriage.

Yang Xu: No

Song Youran narrowed her eyes and the message was withdrawn.

Yang Xu: What are your requirements for a marriage partner?

Song Youran: No requirements

A gentle old man is not a good person either. Money is more important.

Song Youran: I want to work less for two years and find a rich man [laughs]

Yang Xu: Is it enough to have money?

Song Youran: I'm kidding, rich people don't like me.

Yang Xu: I like it

Song Youran's heart skipped a beat. She typed two words, deleted them, and typed again.

Song Youran: Don’t say it’s you

Yang Xu: [Shy]

Song Youran typed quickly: Go to the hospital and check your brain!

Song Youran finally couldn't help but get angry at his creditor, but he didn't regret it at all.

No matter how many messages Yang Xu sent, Song Youran never replied.

Song Youran became a hard-working horse, seizing every opportunity to make money, earning every penny and saving every cent.

The matchmaking agency called Song Youran and told him that someone had taken a fancy to him and invited him to dinner. Even if the deal didn't go through in the end, he could still get a very expensive dinner for free.

Song Youran went there happily, thinking it would be a waste not to take advantage of a stranger.

The other party had invested heavily, and the venue was set at a star-rated restaurant. Song Youran licked her lips and decided to just give him the meal money in cash.

He followed the waiter through the courtyard with gurgling water and entered the private room. The dining table was hidden by a screen, and on one side of the room was a hot spring with smoky air.

This is too wild. Are you planning to soak your feet while eating?

The hot steam from the hot spring dyed the ground into an orange band of light. A man was squatting by the pool, playing in the water. His long hair fell along his slanted shoulders, and the ends of his hair disappeared in the mist, perhaps getting wet.

The sound of water in Song Youran's ears gradually disappeared, and he seemed to be in a trance as if he was dreaming.

The man playing in the water turned his head and saw Song Youran standing stunned beside the screen.

"Of course!"

He walked quickly towards Song Youran with a faint smile on his face and his long black hair tied behind his head.

Song Youran took a step back: "I went to the wrong place."

Wen Chu hugged Song Youran from behind, nuzzling his neck. "You didn't go wrong. I came here specifically to find you."

Song Youran pinched Wen Chu's wrist. Without the obstruction of the beads, the teeth marks on the skin were particularly obvious.

"What do you want to play now?" Song Youran asked.

"I missed you so much, I came to meet you-ah!"

Wen Chu was thrown against the wall, his neck gripped by Song Youran's hands. "I let you go last time, but you didn't learn your lesson. This time, I'll make sure you remember it well."

Song Youran let go of his hand, and Wen Chu knelt on the ground, holding his stomach. He raised his head, his forehead covered with sweat from the pain.

"Why?" he asked Song Youran, his eyelashes fluttering and a tear appearing at the corner of his eye.

Song Youran's heart trembled——

This Wen Chu is not the Wen Chu from last time.

Song Youran watched Wen Chu's hair grow longer. He knew very well how long it would take for short hair to grow from ear to waist-length hair - this was definitely not the short-haired man in the private room two years ago.

Song Youran picked up the person on the ground and put him on the chair. She took the opportunity to run her five fingers through Wen Chu's long hair on his back. Every strand of hair was smooth and soft, and it was definitely not a wig.

"Uncle, did I make you angry again?" The person in the chair leaned his head on Song Youran's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I don't know what I did wrong. Can you tell me?"

"Don't you understand what I'm saying?" Song Youran grabbed Wen Chu's hair. "Don't call me uncle, and don't appear in front of me!"

Wen Chu whimpered and was forced to look up, tears welling up at the corners of his eyes again.

The tiny tears were gently kissed away by the fluttering eyelashes, leaving only slightly red eye sockets.

Song Youran froze and loosened her fingers. "Don't come to me again."

"Of course!"

Wen Chu wrapped his arms around Song Youran's waist and rested his head on her back: "I've given you my heart. I don't need to drink juice anymore."

"Come back!" Wen Chu said.

Song Youran pulled Wen Chu's hand away, "I don't need your heart anymore."

He fled from the restaurant, not caring about the high taxi fare from the restaurant to his residence. He just wanted to get as far away as possible.

He did not recognize Wen Chu and mistook someone else for Wen Chu. His feelings for Wen Chu must be fake. No one would mistake their sweetheart.

"Teacher Song has an iron hand." The young teacher who came over with an empty cup sighed.

Song Youran quickly closed the water outlet, waited for the young teacher to finish filling it, then picked up a rag to clean up...

"Teacher Song is distracted again."

"Maybe there's something wrong with the relationship."

In the office, the two teachers put their heads together and talked in a low voice.

"You mean Mr. Song's girlfriend thinks Mr. Song is too burdensome and wants to break up with him?"

"Let me ask you, are you willing to help your partner raise a younger brother?"

"You can't say that. It depends on the situation."

"How about this, wait until Mr. Song becomes single again, and then you can pair up with him. You've been on so many blind dates and haven't met your soulmate anyway."

"this……"

"Are you really considering it?"

"Except for the heavy burden, everything else is fine, haha..."

Song Youran was absent-minded and didn't notice the glances going back and forth in the same office. He received a reminder from his psychologist, made an appointment with the other party for a consultation, and turned down his part-time job on Sunday afternoon.

On the day of the treatment, the weather was fine. Song Youran put a helmet on Xie Dong and rode an electric scooter to take him to the psychological clinic.

There was a man standing at the door of the clinic.

After Song Youran and Xie Dong entered the clinic, they pulled the man with long flowing hair to the stairwell outside.

"Why are you here?" Song Youran pushed the man against the wall.

Wen Chu leaned against the wall, lowered his eyes and said, "I'm having trouble with my relationship. I'm here to see a psychologist for help."

Song Youran didn't believe it: "Did you send someone to monitor me?"

Wen Chu pouted: "If I were to spy on you, your blind date would have been me from the beginning."

Song Youran pursed her lips and said, "Do you know what you are saying?"

Wen Chu raised his eyelids: "I don't know." He frowned, "Of course, why can others date you, but I can't? Why can't I?"

Song Youran didn't answer the question, but ran her hand from Wen Chu's hair to his cheek.

Wen Chu tilted his head and rubbed his face into Song Youran's palm. This action was like adding fuel to the fire for Song Youran. He could no longer control his frantic heart. He used his knees to separate Wen Chu's legs, pushed him against the wall and kissed him hard.

Wen Chu cooperated by loosening his teeth and holding Song Youran's waist with his hands. Every time Song Youran left his lips and took a deep breath, he excitedly called out Song Youran's name: "Ranran, Ranran..."

His excitement was palpable. Song Youran whispered in his ear, "You didn't drink the juice, did you?"

Wen Chu rubbed his waist against Song Youran and replied blushingly, "No."

"Every time I dream of you, it stands up and it's so uncomfortable..."

Song Youran stopped Wen Chu from moving his waist: "Don't lie to me."

Wen Chu blinked and looked at Song Youran aggrievedly. "What should we do now?"

"I didn't drink the juice. It went down in a while."

Wen Chu rested his head on Song Youran's shoulder. He knew that it would be over soon, and this was not what he wanted.

Wen Chu thought that if Song Youran kissed him, she would come back to him. He was too naive. After Song Youran left the stairwell, she looked at him as if he were invisible.

The little monkey with a horse face walked out of the clinic and was taken downstairs by Song Youran. He put on a helmet and put it on the back seat of the electric scooter.

That position had once been his.

Wen Chu leaned against the car window and glared at the two people riding bicycles on the non-motorized vehicle lane with a look of resentment.

Song Youran deliberately went against him, turning before reaching the intersection and entering a small alley that cars couldn't enter.

The driver stopped the car on the side of the road and turned around to ask Wen Chu: "What should we do now?"

Wen Chu leaned back in his chair in frustration and closed his eyes.

Song Youran parked the car in front of the vegetable market and took Xie Dong in to buy vegetables.

The two men did not take off their helmets and wandered among the vegetable stalls, like two big-headed whales shuttled through the flowers.

After buying the vegetables, Song Youran threw them into the basket at the back of the car. She looked up and saw Wen Chu wearing a pink helmet on the side of the road, and next to her was a pink and white car.

Song Youran looked at it twice more, her throat became dry, and then the car key didn't fit into the lock.

"Brother?" Xie Dong asked.

Song Youran turned the key and reminded Xie Dong: "Sit tight."

In autumn and winter, the wind is a bit cold.

Xie Dong hid behind Song Youran and turned his head to see the small white car running parallel to the side.

The brother riding the bike had legs that were too long, and they were squeezed in front of the little white bike uncomfortably. The wind blew up his long hair under his helmet, making it look like a big umbrella that was about to open but not yet opened.

Is this a brother or a sister? Xie Dong was confused.

Wen Chu followed all the way, wherever Song Youran went, he went.

Song Youran pushed the electric scooter into the carport, and Wen Chu pushed the small white car into the carport; Song Youran took off his helmet and hung it on the car, and Wen Chu also took off his helmet and hung it on the car.

Song Youran carried vegetables in one hand and held Xie Dong's hand in the other, and walked towards the door of the apartment building; Wen Chu had nothing to carry, so he carried himself and followed Song Youran closely.

Xie Dong came to the conclusion that the one with long hair is not necessarily the older sister.

The long-haired brother occupied a corner of the dining table, holding the rice served by his brother in his hand, and ate most of the dishes on the table.

After dinner, he didn't leave. He sat on a chair, rubbing his stomach, holding the hawthorn water made by his brother in his hand.

My brother said, "It's raining outside, ask the driver to pick you up."

The long-haired brother said, "The driver is off duty."

My brother said, "I'll call a taxi for you."

The long-haired brother said, "It's dark now. What should we do if we encounter bad guys?"

My brother said, "You are so tall, who would dare to hurt you?"

The long-haired brother put down his water cup, stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go."

The long-haired brother took two steps and was pulled back by his brother: "It's useless for a weak chicken like you to meet a bad guy even if you are tall."

My brother took out the bedding from the cupboard and spread it in the living room: "There is only one bed, you have to sleep on the floor."

The long-haired brother squatted beside him and watched his brother help him tidy up the floor bed. "Will you sleep with me?"

My brother said, "You wish!"