It was unclear how much time had passed, but Xiao Qi remained motionless, as if he were a clay statue, deep in thought with his hand on his forehead. The lamp wick grew thicker and thicker, and the candlelight dimmed, making the room dark and gloomy.
Wanwan started to lose patience, peeking out every now and then to check on Xiao Qi, trying to make sure he was asleep.
"Brother Xiao, are you asleep?"
Wanwan couldn't help but rub against him, standing on tiptoe, her little hand resting on Xiao Qi's wrist. His hand was cool, completely different from his usual soft and warm one.
The moment Xiao Qi's skin touched his hand, he silently turned his head away, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed, his eyes clear and bright, showing no signs of drowsiness, but rather carrying a heavy sorrow, like dark clouds covering a clear day, one could almost smell the dampness and coldness just by looking at him.
It seems Brother Xiao has been frowning and thinking about this for a long time!
With a touch of tenderness, Wanwan reached out her chubby hand to smooth the wrinkles between Xiao Qi's brows. The moment her warm little hand touched his brows, a warm current flowed through her.
Wanwan didn't rush to ask any questions. After smoothing out Xiao Qi's worried brows, she obediently lay down on his lap, her bright eyes looking at Xiao Qi with a radiant glow, rippling with tears, and even more captivating in the candlelight.
"Brother Xiao, Wanwan wants to open another shop."
Wanwan hadn't asked about the contents of the letter yet. After spending so many days together, she already knew that Xiao Qi wasn't the kind of person who could easily share his worries. If she asked, she would only get an incomprehensible answer. But she knew that Xiao Qi was currently worried and troubled, and all she could do was try to make him happy.
Maybe we'll come up with a solution if we're happy!
Wanwan was calculating in her heart, and looked at Xiao Qi with even more sincerity.
Caught in the little dumpling's straightforward and sincere gaze, Xiao Qi's eyelids twitched, his eyes flickered, and he reached out to pat her head, "What kind of shop does Wanwan want to open?"
When Wanwan heard him ask the question, she immediately became excited, and the temperature in the room seemed to rise instantly, making Wanwan feel warm inside.
She excitedly reached into her pocket and pulled out the seashell she had just picked up on the beach. Just as Xiao Qi was about to reach out to take it, she pulled her hand back and carefully wiped it with her sleeve, afraid of getting Xiao Qi's hands dirty.
"Brother Xiao, look at this! Isn't it pretty? Wanwan wants to open a jewelry shop and string together lots and lots of pretty seashells. The bracelets and necklaces she makes will be absolutely gorgeous! I remembered this when I saw Yang'er collecting seashells the other day!"
Wanwan opened her mouth and spoke in rapid succession, her voice clear and sweet, like sweet glutinous rice balls. As she spoke, she gently shook Xiao Qi's knee and gestured wildly.
Xiao Qi picked up the seashell from his palm and examined it against the candlelight.
The soft flesh inside the shell had been eaten away, leaving the interior clean and smooth. The shell had some swirling patterns that changed color frequently under the light.
“Using seashells to make jewelry is indeed a novel idea. Nowadays, whether in the city or the countryside, cheap jewelry is made of inexpensive wood, while precious jewelry is made of jade and agate. Seashells are a new material.”
Xiao Qi seemed to be deep in thought.
Hearing him praise her, Wanwan became even more excited. Her round eyes widened like autumn waves, filled with little stars, and the light of excitement and joy almost jumped out.
She was trying to please Xiao Qi, but now she's the one who's having the time of her life.
"Yes, yes! And each seashell has its own pattern, so we don't have to carve them. There are so many seashells on the beach, we can collect a lot in no time!" Wanwan happily bounced around, supporting herself on Xiao Qi's knees.
Looking at the energetic little dumpling in front of him, Xiao Qi's slightly furrowed brows unconsciously relaxed, and the corners of his mouth also lifted up, and the lingering sorrow in his eyes dissipated considerably.
“But…” Wanwan stopped again, her little brows furrowed slightly, and the excited light in her eyes gradually dimmed. “Grandpa just renovated our big house… Wanwan only had this idea, it’s not that we have to open it, it doesn’t matter if we don’t open it.”
The little figure in front of him smiled awkwardly, as if to comfort him.
Xiao Qi understood what she meant, placed the small seashell in her palm, and turned to take out a small box from under the desk.
Before Wanwan could ask any questions, he turned the lock.
Inside the box lay a stack of silver notes and some gleaming silver ingots.
The silver ingots are of uniform size, smooth and lustrous, like silver dolls sleeping on silver notes.
"The Wan family is probably facing a tight budget right now. If Wanwan needs money, just ask me as soon as possible. You can take as much of the silver notes and silver as you need, and you don't have to pay it back."
Wanwan opened her almond-shaped eyes wide, both eyes filled with the light reflected from the silver, making her look like a little money-grubber.
But after a moment, Wanwan's infatuated gaze vanished, and she carefully closed the box, turned it around, and returned it to Xiao Qi.
"Wanwan can't take Brother Xiao's money."
Wanwan's eyes were unusually serious, her small chest puffed out, and her back straight. "Although Brother Xiao and Wanwan have a good relationship, I can't just accept money from him. My aunt told me there's a saying: 'Even close brothers should keep clear accounts.' I can't just take Brother Xiao's money because we have a good relationship."
Xiao Qi's smile widened. The little dumpling's serious expression always made him chuckle. Just as he was about to say a few more words of persuasion, Wanwan said seriously, "Brother Xiao, you don't need to persuade Wanwan anymore. Wanwan will discuss it with Grandpa, and Grandpa won't agree to Wanwan accepting money."
After saying that, as if to avoid Xiao Qi's insistence, Wanwan hurriedly pushed the box in front of Xiao Qi again, turned around and strode back to the Wan family with her short legs.
Wan Suizhou has returned and is discussing something with his family in the hall.
Just as everyone had arrived, Wanwan tossed aside her oil-paper umbrella, stood tall and proud in front of them, cleared her throat, and drew everyone's attention to her, looking as if she were about to deliver an important speech.
Wan Suizhou was happy to see the little dumpling. Before Wanwan could even speak, a kind smile had already appeared in Wan Suizhou's eyes. He leisurely stroked his beard and looked at Wanwan intently.
Zhang Xiu, who was still holding a hot water bottle, stood in the hall and refused to leave upon seeing this.
"Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt, Brother," Wanwan solemnly called out to everyone present, "Wanwan wants to open a new shop."
The group exchanged curious glances.
Wanwan took out the seashell again and held it up in front of everyone. "This is it. Wanwan wants to use seashells to open a jewelry shop!"
Everyone stared in astonishment. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Wanwan repeated Xiao Qi's words, albeit haltingly, but at least she managed to make sure everyone understood.
The result was beyond Wanwan's expectations. After some discussion, everyone agreed with Wanwan's suggestion, and Wan Suizhou named the shop that very evening.
Not long after, the shop opened for business.
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