You little brat, you don't believe in happy endings at all, do you? Do I have to make up a lie to fool you?
Just kidding, I love to joke. The ending I just mentioned was actually just to cheer Liu Xiaoxiao up. After achieving the desired effect, Chen Bing revealed the ending of the story she truly wanted to tell.
"Actually, the shooting star didn't grant my friend's wish. He was so engrossed in looking at the stars that he fell off the second-floor balcony. However, it was this fall that made my friend determined to make up his mind."
One day during his hospitalization, filled with remorse, he told his mother about his thoughts from years ago.
The story's current trajectory may not align with Liu Xiaoxiao's wishes, because while her friends in the story can confide in their mothers about their guilt, the person she wants to confide in is already buried in the earth.
Her eyes dimmed, and the pain in her heart gradually accumulated.
"But then Mom told him a different story. When she was little, her elementary school class asked students to fill in their parents' occupations. Because her grandfather was a veterinarian who cleaned cows' rear ends, she was ashamed to reveal it. So she lied and said her father was a farmer. She thought that a farmer was better than a veterinarian who cleaned cows' rear ends."
At this point, Chen Bing smiled gently and continued, "My mother said that many people have similar life experiences, and she had long since seen through her own inner thoughts. But none of that matters. What truly makes her feel gratified is that her child has grown up from that age and is now able to bravely speak out about those experiences and tell her own story."
So, what does this story tell us?
"They didn't tell us anything. Not all stories have to make sense. In fact, they just wanted others to know gently."
So, what exactly is Chen Bing trying to say in this story? Actually, it's best to say nothing at all, because it's a gentle story with no clear beginning or end. But it's precisely because of this that she can offer gentle redemption to some lost souls.
"Oh, I see." Liu Xiaoxiao wiped the tears from her face and moved away from Chen Bing, then sat down properly on the sofa.
"Is your throat sore? Would you like some ice-cold Coke to soothe it?"
"want."
Chen Bing felt a little relieved that she could say it so confidently. After pouring another glass and handing it to her, Liu Xiaoxiao took the glass and gulped it down in one go.
"Not cold enough."
Little girl, I advise you not to have too many things to do.
"Isn't it cold enough? Why don't you put it in the refrigerator for a while before taking it out?"
"No, I want to watch TV now." After putting the cup on the coffee table, Liu Xiaoxiao kicked off her slippers and sat cross-legged on the sofa.
So bold! So this is what you're like after letting go of your worries.
To increase the intimacy between the two, Chen Bing followed suit and sat cross-legged on the sofa.
"I want to hug a cat."
"I'll go and call Zhaocai over for you right away!"
After getting off the sofa, Chen Bing dashed into the room and grabbed Zhao Cai, who was sunbathing on the balcony.
After finally getting to hold the cat, Liu Xiaoxiao rubbed its head, revealing a very satisfied expression.
Seeing that the other person was in a better mood, Chen Bing gradually relaxed and cautiously inquired about some related matters.
From the ensuing conversation, Chen Bing learned that Liu Xiaoxiao's grandfather had passed away when she was in the third grade. After returning home and hastily handling the funeral arrangements, Liu's father hurriedly returned to the city.
For the next two years, Liu Xiaoxiao spent most of her time living with her grandmother. Occasionally, Liu Jing would come back to visit during holidays, bringing food and drinks, but these visits became less frequent. Furthermore, although Liu's father claimed to be busy working in the city, Liu Xiaoxiao had actually learned from subtle clues that he was starting a new family.
Although her grandmother's care for Liu Xiaoxiao wasn't exactly meticulous, she never abandoned her like her parents had. Now, the only person she could rely on has left. And today is that person's funeral.
Today, Liu Xiaoxiao was supposed to stay home to attend her grandmother's funeral. But during the meal, she overheard her father and aunt arguing and pushing each other, which caused a conflict. The once peaceful courtyard suddenly became noisy and unfamiliar. All of this made her think of when her grandmother was still alive, and then she recalled the words her grandmother had said the day before she passed away. In a moment of sadness and impulsiveness, she ran away from the village.
After hearing all this, Chen Bing didn't know how to comfort Liu Xiaoxiao. But seeing that the other party's expression was relatively calm, and that she had obviously come to terms with it, she continued to ask, "So, are you going to live with your father from now on?"
Liu Xiaoxiao nodded slightly, and then continued, "It should be. He told me last night that he was going back to Shangping to live... He said he had found a girlfriend here and they would get their marriage certificate in a while."
Chen Bing wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of living with a stepmother. Based on his limited experience, most stepmothers, while not necessarily abusing children, wouldn't show much care either, especially after having their own children.
Just as the room fell silent, the sound of a door opening suddenly came from the entrance hall.
"We're back! It's so cold! Is the air conditioning on at home?"
Hearing Liu Yue's cheerful shouts, Chen Bing subconsciously wanted to tidy up the mess on the table, but he immediately calmed down, thinking that he was no longer a child and that buying some food to eat at home was no big deal.
It was all because I had just recalled something from my childhood, and for a moment I was startled by it.
After calming down, Chen Bing stood up, glanced at Liu Xiaoxiao beside her, and then looked towards the doorway. There, her beautiful mother, wearing a floral dress and with her hair styled in a bun, appeared happily carrying several bags.
Behind her was Chen Shichao, who was carrying even more things.
Welcome back.
Following the direction of her son's voice, Liu Yue looked towards the living room sofa. The first thing she noticed was her precious son. Next, she saw a short-haired little girl sitting behind him, currently watching her.
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