Xiao An glanced at her indifferently, then looked away at the window, exuding a melancholic and serene aura.
Lin Chacha smacked her lips and stared intently at Xiao An, saying, "Xiao An's skin is so fair, and he looks so handsome even from the side."
Good-looking people are beautiful from every angle.
"It's just that her personality isn't likable," Yan Xin said disdainfully.
"Exactly, just because she's pretty, she gives people attitude. What's so great about her?" Lin Xiaoxue had long disliked Xiao An. Her hair was so black, why was Xiao An's hair yellow and split?
Although Lin Xiaoxue and the others were still thin and their hair was still yellowish, they grew very tall and looked strong after eating ginseng soup, which was a great tonic.
Unlike Xiao An, who, apart from having a meticulously sculpted face, was extremely thin and didn't like to talk to people.
"You're so ugly, you don't have any flesh on your face. How old are you? Why are you so short?" Lin Xiaoxue was just nitpicking, trying to find fault with Xiao An.
“I’m four years old this year, my eldest sister is eight, my second sister is six, and Taozi is two. We are all taller than others.” Whether in Linjia Village or in the town, they are indeed half a head taller than their peers, after all, she has eaten ginseng stewed chicken soup.
Xiao An didn't react, as if he hadn't heard her. His expression was calm and composed, but only he knew that his heart had skipped a beat.
Her hands, hidden under the blanket, quietly clenched into fists, and her ears turned slightly red.
Sorry to bother you.
He was actually nine years old, but because he hadn't had enough to eat for several years, he suffered from malnutrition, so he was always shorter than his peers.
At nine years old, he looked like a seven-year-old. But Xiao An was still young. When he first saw Lin Xiazhu, he subconsciously thought she was older than him because she was half a head taller and stronger than him.
These past few days, he'd been calling her "sister" without a second thought, but now that he suddenly knows she's a year younger than him, he's completely bewildered.
When Lin Xiazhu returned after washing the basin, she saw Xiao An sitting there awkwardly. Despite the large number of people in the ward, he seemed lonely and unable to fit in.
"Who bullied Xiao An again?" She seemed to be speaking to everyone, but Lin Xiazhu's eyes were fixed on Lin Xiaoxue.
"I, I didn't," Lin Xiaoxue panicked for a moment, but quickly calmed down. She shouted in her childish voice, "I just asked him how old he was, but he just ignored me." I hate him, but she didn't shout the last sentence out loud.
Since Xiao An woke up, he hasn't spoken to anyone. He ignores the doctors and nurses when they ask him questions, as if he doesn't hear them and doesn't even respond with a glance.
So no one knows how old he is, not even Lin Xiazhu. Judging from his height, he is probably six years old.
Hearing Lin Xiazhu say this, Xiao An felt even more uneasy. Subconsciously, he felt that if he said he was nine years old, Lin Xiazhu would not take care of him. After all, how could a younger child take care of an older child?
But she couldn't say she was six years old, that would be too far off. Xiao An spoke with difficulty in a low voice, "Sister, sister, I, I'm seven years old."
"You're a year older than Chacha, so from now on you're the older brother. An older brother has to take care of and be tolerant of his younger sister, okay? If Xiaoxue says something that makes you angry because she's being naughty, don't take it to heart, okay?"
Lin Xiazhu was afraid that he would be too bothered by what Lin Xiaoxue said, so she said that.
Xiao An nodded dejectedly. Sure enough, older children have to take care of their younger siblings, and if they don't do it well, they will be beaten and scolded. He used to have to take care of three younger siblings every day at his uncle's house.
If his younger siblings complained, he would be scolded or even beaten, and he would also be punished by being hungry.
Although he used his cleverness to lie about his age because of his small stature, and Sister Lin—no, Sister Lin—believed him, he still felt a little guilty.
Why only a little bit? Of course, it's because he's still young and needs to be taken care of. But in a few years, when he grows up, it will be his turn to take care of Lin Daiyu, and then he won't feel guilty anymore.
However, he waited for many years without daring to tell Lin Xiazhu his real age, until it was exposed, but that's another story.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Lin Xiazhu and the others spent ten days going back and forth between the county hotel and the hospital. They were tired of it and finally waited for Xiao An to be discharged from the hospital.
After completing the discharge procedures, Lin Xiazhu went to the police station again, but still had no news of Xiao An's family. She left the addresses of the town and Linjia Village, and also copied down the police station's phone number for easy contact later.
"Okay, we'll contact you as soon as we have any news about Xiao An's family," the police officer said with a smile, clearly impressed by the helpful young woman.
Back in Shanhe Town, Lin Xiazhu carried Xiao An off the bus and headed towards their rented room, with Yan Xin and Lin Chacha following behind, carrying large and small bags of luggage.
"Sister, look, those people in front look like Grandma and Uncle." Lin Chacha was the first to spot Grandma Lin and Lin Shanfu and the others.
Soon, Old Lady Lin also saw them and immediately slapped her thigh hard, "Oh my God, where have these women been? Why are they only coming back now?"
Then she rushed over and grabbed Yan Xin, "You wretched woman, where did you take my granddaughters? I asked you to go to the construction site to carry bricks, but you couldn't even do it for half a day. If you don't have any work, why don't you come home? Why are you still renting a house in town? You're such a spendthrift woman."
"Stop pulling and tugging, stop touching me. Don't talk to me. I don't know you. If you have something to say, talk to her. Don't come to me." Yan Xin forcefully shook off Old Lady Lin and pointed at Lin Xiazhu in annoyance.
"You, so you don't recognize me now? I knew you were a heartless, rotten piece of trash. I saw right through you a long time ago. Ten years of marriage into the Lin family has been a waste. You're just a rock that can't be warmed up, an ingrate."
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