Huo Jiayuan thought for a moment, then shook her head with a smile.
Zhao Ashuang was somewhat surprised and looked at her quietly.
“You are not a monster,” the little princess’s voice was soft yet firm. “You are a good person.”
"you……"
"And who said you were disgusting? It's just that your lifestyle is different from most people. Does that make you disgusting? You like to wear women's clothes and consider yourself a woman. That's not your fault."
Ah Shuang was stunned for a long time, her eyes gradually reddened, her lips moved but she didn't say anything.
He simply held her hand tightly.
“I…I have something else,” he choked out, “You might find it disgusting after hearing this…My family was poor, and I had to start earning money to support them at a young age, but because I’m so strange, no one wanted to hire me. Then, I accidentally discovered that when I walked around this street dressed as a woman, those perverted men would come and approach me…So I…”
Huo Jiayuan was stunned; she didn't know what he was going to say next.
But that probably isn't a good thing.
Seeing Ah Shuang's evasive eyes, her heart ached.
Having grown up in such a comfortable environment, she was oblivious to the hardships of life and couldn't understand how such a simple wish—to become a woman—could be so difficult to fulfill.
The Huo family provided her with too much protection, making her feel too safe. She had no idea that the world had such a dirty and ugly side.
"No, I won't." After a long while, she gently patted the back of his hand. "I don't find you disgusting; I just feel sorry for you."
Zhao Ashuang could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face.
His words were mumbled, and she could only catch these few words intermittently: "They... all look down on me, only Brother Yan... respects me."
"And now you're part of the mix too!"
He burst into loud wails, drawing attention on the bustling street and startling Huo Jiayuan.
"No, don't cry..." Huo Jiayuan gently pushed him, "Hey, don't cry..."
"Little sister-in-law, you and Brother Yan are truly a perfect couple. You two are the only ones in the whole area who treat me so well!"
"Can you please stop crying?"
"Wow--"
"..." Huo Jiayuan covered her face with her hands.
"I swear!" Zhao Ashuang suddenly raised her tear-streaked face and solemnly said, "I will do anything for you two, even die a thousand deaths!"
"No, no, no!" Huo Jiayuan exclaimed in fright. "These words are a bit serious."
"It's not serious," Zhao Ashuang wiped away her tears. "If anyone dares to interfere with your relationship, I'll fight them to the death!"
Huo Jiayuan gave an awkward laugh.
The enthusiasm came too fast, like a tornado, and she was a little overwhelmed.
"Let's go!" Zhao Ashuang grabbed her again.
Where to?
"I made some money yesterday!" he laughed heartily. "I'll treat you to something nice; let's go eat authentic Biandu cuisine!"
*
Zhao Ashuang was different from the friends she had made before.
The people on this street were all different from those she had known before.
Her former circle of friends was similar to her own background; they all came from prominent families, attended prestigious schools, and were surrounded by upper-class elites.
This is a completely different world. They live at the very bottom of society, amidst bloodshed, slaughter, scheming, and conspiracies, but also with the glimmer of humanity and warmth. They adapt to the cruel environment in their own way, breaking down their original selves and molding them into various shapes.
Meng Yan told her, "They are hateful, but also pitiful."
Based on Huo Jiayuan's understanding, she couldn't fully comprehend that statement. She often thought of Xiaoman and had even inquired about her from the neighbors, but to no avail.
Now, will Xiaoman also become both pitiful and hateful?
The thought of this made her heart ache, and she felt an urge to cry.
When Meng Yan returned home that day, she saw Huo Jiayuan sitting on the carpet again, fiddling with the red string in her hand.
He frowned, slammed the roast chicken on the table, and sullenly picked up two sets of bowls and chopsticks.
"It's freshly baked." He tore off a chicken leg for her. "Eat up!"
Huo Jiayuan was taken aback, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. All he ever did was follow along with chickens and cows; had he incurred the wrath of these two animals in his past life?
Meng Yan tore off a piece of chicken breast and ate it in big bites. She glanced at the person opposite her and couldn't help but frown—the little girl's eating habits were really frustrating.
"Don't you like it?"
"Huh?" Huo Jiayuan was taken aback.
In my heart: I really don't like it.
Brain: Watch your words, you're no match for this rough man!
Then, she opened her mouth and gave a sweet smile.
"You seem to... really like eating these, huh?"
"I wouldn't say I particularly like it," Meng Yan said casually. "Chicken and beef are rich in protein, and every boxer eats like that."
Are you trying to train me to be a boxer?
Meng Yan looked at her with the same expression he used to look at an idiot.
"If you go into the ring, you'll get beaten to death, the boss will go bankrupt, and the audience will laugh themselves to death."
"you……"
"Eat more!" he said in a deep voice, tearing off another chicken leg for her. "You're so skinny!"
Huo Jiayuan's heart skipped a beat.
She had heard her grandmother tell stories about her grandfather when they were young. Back then, her grandfather had concealed his identity, and her grandmother had just married him. Her grandfather would put all the meat in her bowl and tell her, "Eat more, you're so thin."
She smiled gently and looked down to fiddle with the chicken in her bowl.
Perhaps sensing her smiling gaze, Meng Yan was puzzled, and for some reason, her heart suddenly raced.
He turned and went to the kitchen to get an ice-cold beer, took a big gulp, and tried to hide the embarrassment on his face.
After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "Tomorrow... I'll make you something you like to eat."
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