Chapter 19 Xiaojie has been home for two and a half days
198.
After choosing a room, Xiaojie fell asleep without even adjusting his pillow. Meanwhile, Dick had just finished his night patrol and hurried back through the teleportation circle drawn by Barbara.
"Where's he?" Dick frowned and looked around as he entered the room. "I thought I could meet this legendary tire thief."
"He fell asleep as soon as he touched the pillow. He slept like a pig." I sat on the sofa, sipping hot cocoa, nodding towards the upstairs. "After all, today he had the most thrilling night of his life—he broke the tire of the Batmobile and had a luxurious fast food dinner with us."
"A luxurious fast-food feast?" Dick scoffed. "Aren't you afraid of spoiling him?"
"Don't be jealous, Dick. You know we love you too." I pinched his little face, which was becoming more and more firm.
"Come on, Dick, he's new here." Barbara rolled her eyes and looked up from behind the computer. "Have you forgotten how many chocolate brownies Alfred made for you when you were first picked up?"
"That's to help me adapt!" Dick retorted confidently, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Besides, I'm Gotham's Robin. I deserve those brownies!"
"Then let Xiaojie be Gotham's tire thief first." I joked, "He seems to be quite concerned about this 'title'."
Dick sighed, taking off his mask and tossing it aside, "Well, well, now that he's asleep, I'll wait until tomorrow to see this new brother."
"He will definitely like you." I said with a smile, paused, and added, "But, Dick, you have to know that he is different from you."
Dick raised his eyebrows slightly, "What do you mean?"
Barbara took a sip from a cup of spiritual tea and said, "This child is much more well-behaved than you were when you were a child."
Dick's eyes widened, an offended expression on his face. "What happened to me when I was little? I was very well behaved, okay?"
Barbara rolled her eyes calmly, "Really? Who nearly blew up the wall of the training room when they were little because they didn't want to do physical training?"
"It was an accident!" Dick tried to defend himself. "I was just... um... experimenting with the ballistics of darts!"
"Yeah, it almost made the entire Batcave an 'experiment'." I added with a smile, "Bruce even applied for additional maintenance budget for Alfred because of this."
"Alright, alright, let's not dwell on the past!" Dick waved his hand as he changed out of his night patrol uniform. "Let's get down to business. What's this little guy like? Where did he come from?"
"His name is Jason Todd." I leaned back on the sofa, my eyes narrowed slightly. "He's a smart and stubborn kid. Living alone in an environment like Crime Alley, he still maintains his integrity and dignity. It's not easy."
I put down the empty cup and looked upstairs. "Besides, we can all see that he wants a home."
Dick was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly, "Then we'll give him a home. We always have extra space here anyway."
"Besides, he's a bit like you," Barbara added softly, "just as tenacious, just as unyielding."
Dick's eyes softened, and the slight anger he had felt because of our affection for him was soothed. He thought of his own helplessness in the past and said, "Sounds like a good brother."
"Aren't you jealous?" I smiled and raised my eyebrows. "After all, Bruce never hesitates when it comes to picking up children."
"There's nothing to be jealous of." Dick turned his head, a hint of barely perceptible pride in his tone, "I'm the first boy to be picked up, the 'eldest son' of the Bat family. This is an irreplaceable position."
Barbara couldn't help laughing. "Well, 'Eldest Son', I hope you don't teach your new brother bad things."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him." Dick smiled confidently. "I'm your older brother after all."
"That's right." Barbara pushed her chair away, stood up, and stretched. "Okay, I'm going to rest now. See you tomorrow."
Dick watched Barbara leave, nudged me with his arm, and whispered, "Did you and Barbara make a bet on when he'd find out Bruce's identity?"
"I did." I raised my eyebrows. "But then I realized she was absolutely right, so I gave up."
Dick said regretfully, "I thought this would continue the tradition that I started."
"When did this tradition start? It was only when you came here that Barbara and I made a bet, right?"
Dick seems really bothered by this Schrödinger tradition...
"I can also gamble with you." I shrugged.
"real?"
"certainly."
"I'll bet three days." / "I'll bet a week!"
"It seems that you all are very optimistic about that little guy." Dick said resentfully.
"After all, Bruce is really perfunctory in covering up his mistake, right? I guess maybe he is enjoying the process of competing with you in wits and courage?" I thought thoughtfully.
"Or maybe he's actually quite proud of the love you showed for Batman when you exposed his identity and questioned whether he was Batman." I curled my lips. "He wants to regain his dignity as a father from this."
"Then I think it would be better for him to go to bed early and get up early every day. That's much more dignified than this behavior." Dick complained.
We looked at each other and bumped fists in tacit understanding.
After all, if you spend enough time with him, you will understand his true nature: a typical night owl.
So he brought up a family of night owls, which is normal and in line with the laws of genetics.
Although Bruce has been trying to get us to have a healthy routine since a long time ago, no one paid any attention to him.
...Maybe Jason Jr. will follow his rules? It's hard to say.
199.
The next morning, Jason woke up early. Rubbing his eyes, he went downstairs. As soon as he arrived at the restaurant, he saw a strange boy sitting at the table eating breakfast. The man looked up and smiled at him, a muffin in his mouth. "Good morning, 'Tire Man'."
That's right, Dick woke up early in the morning in order to talk to his brother as soon as possible. He really tried hard.
Barbara and I woke up early in the morning to be the first to see his joke. We worked really hard.
Ah Fu was so touched that he made breakfast for us. Ah Fu is the hardest working one!
Bruce was still sleeping at noon. I can't say what kind he is.
"Who?" Jason stood at the stairs, half awake from his sleepiness, staring at him warily.
"Dick, Dick Grayson." Dick extended his hand to greet him, leaning lazily back in his chair. "The eldest son in the family, the first son of the Wayne family, Bruce's favorite baby."
Dick, you really are like the man who will trip up the real young master when he returns, and make him realize his vicious male counterpart.
Although we all know Dick probably really does think so.
Jason frowned, his expression like he had just bitten into a rotten, wormy apple.
I think Xiaojie might think that anyone who sits here and stares at him so early in the morning is crazy.
He stared at Dick for two seconds, then walked to the table and pulled out a chair to sit down. "You live here too?"
“Of course.” Dick put down his fork and raised his chin at Jason. “You too?”
"Hmm." Jason drawled out a hum, then lowered his head to pick up the milk on the table and took a sip.
Xiaojie actually loves drinking milk! I saw that Ah Fu's smile became more sincere.
Whistling quietly, he pushed the milk towards Xiaojie.
I was pushed back by Ah Fu with a smile on his face...
Sob, sob, sob.
200.
"Their conversation was so awkward that I almost dug a Disney castle out of my toes!" I turned and whispered to Barbara.
"I think so," Barbara agreed, saying in a voice loud enough for everyone in the family except Jason to hear. "Has Dick ever been this awkward talking to anyone before? I thought he was such a charmer."
Dick pretended not to hear this and even handed Xiaojie a muffin. "Eat something, little hedgehog."
Jason took the muffin and took a bite. He pretended to be nonchalant, but in reality, he was cautious, as if he was afraid that this kindness would disappear at any moment.
"Actually, you don't have to be so nervous." Dick moved closer, his tone light, "Even though there are a lot of people here, none of them will bite. At most, they'll give you a few words."
Jason looked up at him, without saying anything, but there was a hint of relaxation in his eyes.
"Do you think I talk too much?" Dick tilted his head deliberately, blinking his blue eyes. "You can just say it directly. I don't mind."
"...It's indeed a lot." Jason held it in for a long time before finally uttering a sentence.
"I know." Dick said with an expression that said, "I expected this." He continued to eat his toast. "But you'll get used to it."
201.
After dinner, I had to go back to the sect for urgent matters. I said goodbye to Ah Fu and left.
When I came back that night, Dick and Jason were already fighting.
According to Alfu, Dick took Jason around Wayne Island in one day, from the manor to the beach, from the beach to the forest, and from the forest to the top of the mountain.
All the advanced technologies were attributed to "After all, Bruce funded the Justice League, so it's reasonable for him to have some alien technology", Xiaojie said it was reasonable.
But who knows whether he feels it is reasonable in his heart.
Anyway, after a day of friendly interaction, Xiaojie is almost becoming Dick's follower.
Hiss, Grayson is so terrifying.
202.
Xiaojie walked up to me with a red face and shyly.
Dick was silently cheering for him from behind and kept making eye contact with me.
"Is there anything wrong, Xiaojie?" I asked him with a smile.
"Uh... I heard from Brother Dick that the greenhouse garden and the large plantation in the forest are all yours..."
Wow, he even called his brother over. Dick must be so proud.
"It belongs to your sister Leona." I put special emphasis on the word "sister".
Jason was also very understanding and immediately changed the topic and said, "Sister Leona, can I help you take care of them? ... Please..."
He uttered the last two words so softly that I was sure Dick had taught him to.
"Of course you can, sister. I can tell you about their habits in a while." I touched Xiaojie's head. Although he was stiff for a moment, he did not avoid it.
"But I raise many kinds of fish, and these children have different hobbies and habits. It will take me a while to remember them all." I selectively forgot about the automatic irrigation system installed there.
After all, Xiaojie is so cute, so we must fulfill his little wish.
"You can divide them into several parts and I will remember them one by one." Xiao Jie's expression was as serious as if he was going to join the party.
"Then I can also teach in sections. Thank you, Xiaojie, for reducing the burden on my sister." I happily decided to cancel the night patrol tonight.
Come on, compared to those little thugs in Gotham, my younger brother is of course more important.
203.
Dick chuckled and gave Jason a thumbs-up. Jason blushed even more, but he straightened his back and tried to look calmer.
"Well, the plants in the greenhouse can be divided into three categories: tropical plants, medicinal plants, and edible plants." I deliberately cleared my throat and spoke in a lecture tone. "In the forest, they can be divided into trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. Oh, and there are some cold-resistant species on the top of the mountain—"
Of course, what I showed Xiaojie were not the cultivation and alien species, we still have normal plants at home!
Moreover, both the modified and alien species can take care of themselves, which is very considerate. I don’t need to water and fertilize them every day. I just need to appreciate their beauty.
"I can memorize one category a week!" Jason interrupted me immediately, his tone a little impatient. "Take your time. I won't forget."
Wow, Xiaojie is quite perseverant.
204.
"Very good." I nodded with an encouraging smile on my face. "Then let's start with the tropical plants in the greenhouse. After all, these children are very delicate."
"Tropical plants like warmth and humidity, right?" Jason asked as he took out the notebook Dick gave him and prepared to take careful notes.
"That's right." I smiled and pointed in the direction of the greenhouse. "There's a patch of Strelitzia over there, one of my proudest plantings. They like plenty of sunlight, but not too much, so there are automatic sunshades to help regulate the light."
"Strelitzia?" Jason followed my gesture and looked over, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Yes, it's also called Bird of Paradise," I explained patiently. "They are particularly beautiful when they bloom. The bright petals look like birds spreading their wings."
Jason nodded seriously and wrote in his notebook, "Strelitzia: likes sunlight, but not excessive exposure to the sun."
"Wow, Jason, you're a quick learner." Dick patted his shoulder in mock surprise. "It seems you're smarter than I was when I was a kid."
Jason's ears turned slightly red from the praise, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "This is basic knowledge, it's normal to learn it."
"Basics?" Dick raised his eyebrows, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Next time, you have to tell me how the automatic irrigation system works."
"Well..." Jason lowered his head and flipped through his notebook, pretending not to hear Dick's teasing.
205.
"Dick, don't interrupt." I pretended to put on a stern face. "Xiaojie is studying very seriously, don't disturb him."
"Alright, alright, I'll shut up." Dick raised his hands in surrender, a smile still lingering on his lips. "But, Sister Leona, I'm curious, when did you become a botany teacher?"
"From the moment Jason decided to help me take care of these plants," I answered seriously, then turned to Jason. "Next class, we'll be talking about medicinal plants. Do you know what the wormwood in Gotham's alleys is?"
"Wormwood?" Jason was stunned for a moment and shook his head. "Sounds like a medicinal herb?"
"Yes, but it has many other uses, such as making insect repellent." I smiled. "Once you learn how to do it, you might find it useful in the future."
Jason's eyes flashed with excitement, as if he had already begun to imagine how he would use this knowledge in the future.
206.
An hour later, Jason had filled two pages of notes. He looked up at Dick and me with a serious expression. "These plants seem a little complicated, but I'll try my best to learn them."
"You've done very well, Xiaojie." I ruffled his hair. "Take your time. There's no rush."
"Yeah, little brother." Dick came closer, his tone full of pride, "The thing we in the Wayne family have the most is time."
"You could talk less." Jason glanced at him, but couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.
Watching them gradually become familiar with each other, I couldn't help but sigh: "Wow, everyone loves Grayson."
"Of course." Dick smiled proudly, "After all, I'm the number one brother here."
It's so funny. No one called Xiaojie "big brother" before he came.
Dick acted like a boss in front of Jason.
"I thought you were Bruce's 'favorite'?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"There's no conflict between the two." Dick said in a relaxed tone, but his eyes were gentle as he looked at Jason. "Anyway, newcomers have to be protected."
Jason lowered his head and pretended to read his notes, but from the slightly red tips of his ears, it was clear that he didn't dislike Dick's words.
Oh~ Dick's sincere words dealt a critical blow to Xiaojie, and the effect was outstanding!
207.
Dick left soon after to resume his night patrol, and Jason and I stayed in the greenhouse. He was quiet beyond his years, but his eyes held the alertness and sharpness of a small animal, like a hare ready to escape at any moment.
"Sister Leona." He suddenly looked up and asked softly, "Why are you so attentive to these plants?"
"Hmm?" I paused and replied with a smile, "Because they need careful care just like us."
"But they can't talk." Jason frowned, clearly confused. "How do you know what they need?"
"That's the point." I stood up and walked over to a lush oak tree, gently touching its trunk. "Plants can't express themselves verbally, but every leaf, every branch, even every tiny change, tells you their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness."
"Happiness, anger, sorrow, and happiness?" Jason seemed a little surprised, but he didn't laugh at me. Instead, he stared at the oak tree seriously. "Is the tree happy now?"
"Of course." I nodded and patted its thick trunk. "Look at its leaves, so green and bright, it proves that its roots are healthy and absorbing enough nutrients."
"Oh..." Jason nodded thoughtfully, "So, to make them happy, we have to keep them healthy?"
"Smart!" I reached out and ruffled his hair. He subconsciously shrank back, but ultimately didn't dodge and let me ruffle his hair like I would a puppy.
"Don't you think they're a lot like us?" I retracted my hand and said seriously, "Whether it's people or plants, health is the foundation, but what's more important is that someone is willing to treat them with care."
Jason said nothing, looking down at the floor as if trying to process what I said.
208.
At dinner time, Bruce finally got up. When he walked into the dining room in his flannel pajamas, confused and lazy, Jason was discussing the frequency of watering the plants with Alfred.
"It seems like you guys have had a lot of fun." Bruce said in a relaxed tone as he sat down, his eyes moving between Jason and Alfred.
"Not bad." Jason looked up at him, his tone a little reserved, "Sister Leona taught me a lot."
"She's a good teacher." Bruce nodded, a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
"Afu said I could try growing some plants of my own." Jason lowered his head and continued to look through the notes in his hand, his voice revealing an unconcealable excitement.
"That's a good idea." Bruce smiled slightly. "If you need any materials, just tell Alfu and he will prepare everything for you."
Jason looked up at Bruce, nodded, and said nothing more.
As for me, I quietly approached Dick and whispered to him, "How long do you think it will take for Xiaojie to discover the truth?"
Dick gave a sly smile and raised a finger quietly, "One more day at most."
"So fast?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at Jason with some suspicion. He was currently writing and drawing in his notebook, concentrating like a good student.
"Trust me." Dick lowered his voice. "I think he knows it very well, but he just hasn't exposed it."
"I think so too. I don't know why Bruce is so obsessed with this." I sighed helplessly, but my eyes were full of smiles. "But, Xiaojie is really cute and well-behaved."
"Of course." Dick looked at Jason proudly, "After all, he is the most special little hedgehog in our family."
Jason was still busy writing down his plant notes, as if he hadn't heard anything.
But I know he heard it.
209.
Not counting the first night, Jason woke up early the next morning after Xiaojie officially arrived at Wayne Island. He had never lived in such a comfortable environment before. The tranquility of the manor, the spaciousness of the room, and even the light plant fragrance in the air seemed unreal to him.
However, his first reaction was not to enjoy it, but to be subconsciously alert.
"You got up so early." I walked down the corridor with a cup of coffee in my hand, saw him standing in front of the window in a daze, and greeted him with a smile.
Jason turned his head and nodded slightly, "I can't sleep."
"Too quiet?" I raised an eyebrow. "The streets of Gotham aren't this peaceful."
He didn't answer, but walked over to the sofa and sat down, looking down at his hands.
"Want to go out and take a look?" I walked over to sit next to him. "The garden, the greenhouse, or the training ground, whatever you choose."
"Training ground?" Jason looked up, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What do you usually practice there?"
“A lot,” I answered casually. “Running, climbing, fighting… and plant care, too.”
"Is plant care considered training?" Jason obviously didn't expect this, and there was a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Of course." I nodded with a smile. "It can train your patience and observation skills. These things are very important for a person."
210.
After breakfast, I took Jason to the training ground.
"Is this the training ground?" Jason stood at the door, looking at the facilities inside with some surprise - a running track, a climbing wall, sandbags, and some equipment whose purpose he couldn't understand.
"That's right." I nodded, smiled and patted his shoulder, "Do you want to try it?"
“Can I?” Jason frowned, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. “I’ve never used these things before.”
“No one is born knowing how to use it.” I waved at him, “Come on, try the runway first.”
Jason hesitated for a moment, but finally walked onto the track, took a deep breath, and started running.
211.
He ran very seriously, and although his steps were a little unstable, he gritted his teeth and persevered.
"Not bad." I stood aside and praised him when he stopped to catch his breath. "At least your willpower is up to par."
"What's next?" He raised his head, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes. "Anything else you want to try?"
"How about the rock climbing wall?" I pointed to a nearby area. "It looks a bit high, but I think you can do it."
"I'll try." Jason nodded, walked over and started climbing.
Although he was a little clumsy at first, he quickly mastered the technique and successfully climbed to the top.
"Wow." Dick's voice came from the side. He leaned against the door frame with his arms folded, a smile on his face. "The little hedgehog is quite capable."
"When did you get here?" Jason jumped down from the top, frowned at Dick, and there was a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
"Just got here." Dick spread his hands, his blue eyes shimmering with a hint of teasing. "Don't look at me like that. I'm here to cheer you up."
"I don't need it." Jason raised his chin, his expression as stubborn as a rock.
"Okay, okay." Dick raised his hands, looking harmless. "Then you continue. I'll just watch from the side."
Jason glanced at him, said nothing more, and turned back to practice.
Dick winked at me and whispered, "Look, he's starting to get used to it here."
"Yeah." I smiled. "He just needs some time."
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