The children's hostility came out of nowhere, and their friendship came just as suddenly. By the time the children came up from the cellar, they were already good friends, covered in dirt but laughing and joking together.
One pot was used for cooking, and another for boiling water. After the meal was cooked, the three children had all washed themselves and sat in a row on the kang (a heated brick bed).
It turns out that Jian Xin used to look like a young girl, but now, compared to her, wow, she's even darker-skinned than Cheng Rui and his brother.
Cheng Chao also noticed that Cheng Rui and his brother had been running around the training ground in the compound since they were little, so their skin wasn't fair to begin with, and they weren't afraid of getting sunburned, unlike Jian Xin, who would get tanned as soon as she got sunburned.
The contrast between the children sitting together is quite striking.
"This, cough, might be congenital."
Cheng Chao couldn't help but chuckle.
"Eat, eat. After you finish eating, try the watermelon that Xin Xin grew. Xiao Rui and Xiao An, you two try it and see if the watermelon from our hometown is sweeter or the one that Xin Xin grew."
The little girl shook her head proudly.
"Of course, the ones I grow are sweeter. Can yours be sweeter?"
The two boys, who didn't have a younger sister, seemed quite fond of this little girl, speaking to her sweetly and affectionately.
"We've never grown this before, and we don't know how. Can you teach us?"
There was no rule against talking while eating or sleeping, and even a meal could be quite lively. However, after the meal, when they were full and the heated kang bed beneath them was still warm, the two boys were already quite tired, and their eyelids could barely stay open.
When Jian Dan and Cheng Chao finished cleaning up the kitchen and came back in, the two boys were already fast asleep, and the little girl, joining in the fun, was also fast asleep on her back.
"Goodness, this is great, I don't need to eat anything, I'll have to sleep all afternoon."
The two of them went up and changed the children's positions, then covered them with blankets before sitting down to talk.
Cheng Chao had invited Cheng Rui and his brother over to keep Jian Dan company, but after how busy he was with just this meal, he regretted it. Wasn't he just giving her more work to do?
“If there’s work, just send them to do it. A few days later, when there’s another bus going that way, send them back on that bus.”
"Huh? It's already this late, there's nothing to do going back, right? Why don't you go back after the New Year? Is it really that urgent?"
I'm puzzled. Wasn't the child supposed to come and keep her company? Why is she sending the child away now that they've arrived?
Are you sure?
I was thinking of having them come and keep you company, so they could also get out and about.
Today, I see you're all alone, but with those two around, you can't have a moment's peace and quiet.
Even if they're both very sensible, they're still children. If they really spend the New Year here, you'll have to worry about them a lot.
She smiled simply. She had had this thought before, but in the short time they'd met today, she hadn't shown the slightest impatience or annoyance.
"Brother, if you say that, then you're really treating me like an outsider."
I've been staying at my second uncle's house for over half a month, causing trouble every day, and I even brought my child along, which resulted in the child getting hurt. My second aunt didn't say anything, and you're still telling me this? Are you just trying to make me feel bad?
"You're my brother, and they're my younger brothers too. It's perfectly normal for a younger brother to stay at his sister's house, even if it's just for a winter break or Chinese New Year, even if he stayed there every day."
Cheng Chao leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, feeling that the current Jian Dan was a perfect blend of the quiet, aloof yet warm-hearted girl he had first met who had saved him and cooked for him.
He always said that his sister was perfect in every way.
"elder brother?"
She simply waved her hand in front of his eyes.
What are you thinking about? Why are you spacing out?
Did you hear what I said?
When Cheng Chao came to his senses, he saw Jian Dan's concerned gaze.
"I heard you, I heard you, you're right, brother, you're welcome."
On the kang (heated brick bed), Cheng An turned over, a smile playing on his lips, and fell asleep peacefully.
"How many days can Xin Xin stay? What about you? Are you going back today?"
"I have to go back. Let the child stay with you at home for a few days, and I'll come back to pick her up in a few days."
During this time, people said this child was quite hardworking, and Old Jian was also ruthless, taking her to train with those greenhorns. Except for the particularly high-altitude exercise, she managed to keep up with everything else.
Looking at her child sleeping soundly on the kang (a heated brick bed), Jian Dan still felt a pang of heartache.
"What does Uncle Jian mean by letting this kid join the army? Or is it simply for self-defense?"
"Old Jian has suffered so much, he probably wouldn't want his child to go through the same hardships. Besides, the Sheng family only has two sons left. As for Old Jian, does he have any plans to get married? This child is the Sheng family's only hope."
Speaking of this, Jian Dan recalled the huge sum of child support Sheng Zhiyuan had given him. She glanced at the child, lowered her voice, and asked Cheng Chao,
“Brother, now that Xin Xin has found her family, there’s no need for the Sheng family’s things to be in my hands. I asked Uncle Jian before, and he said that if it’s given to me, it’s mine, but I still feel uncomfortable.”
The legitimate members of the Sheng family have also appeared. I want to find an opportunity to return everything. I accepted it before because Sheng Zhiyuan entrusted his son to me. If I didn't accept it, he wouldn't feel at ease.
Moreover, there's a possibility that someone else might covet or misuse it. Out of consideration for my rights, I'm keeping it safe for now and leaving it to Xin Xin later. No matter what, it's her foundation and capital for making a living.
Now, there's no need for me to keep it.
Cheng Chao pondered for a moment,
"Old Jian must be sincere when he says that. The Sheng family, aside from anything else, are grateful and keep their word."
Sheng Zhiyuan's promise was not something he could break himself.
Furthermore, the Sheng family is a large and powerful clan with deep roots; they are not so easily defeated. They may still have other contingency plans, waiting for the right opportunity to make a comeback.
He made her laugh.
"Dude, can you use a different word? It sounds so awkward."
Cheng Chao patted himself and chuckled.
"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue, let's start over, let's start over."
"If you really feel that it's too hot to handle the Sheng family's things, then I'll go and sound him out later."
However, in this situation, girl, you'd better keep a low profile, otherwise you'll get yourself into trouble, and that wouldn't be worth it.
When she met Cheng Chao's meaningful gaze, Jian Dan's gaze flickered for a moment as usual, but then she regained her composure when she met Cheng Chao's eyes again.
"Don't worry, I'm a professional at hiding things."
After looking at it for two seconds, Cheng Chao nodded.
"Okay, just keep it to yourself, and... don't let anyone else know."
The second half of the sentence was a bit awkward and vague, but Jian Dan burst out laughing immediately. This person is just too adorable.
He was very curious, but he managed to refrain from asking any questions. He even remembered to remind her to be careful. Putting everything else aside, he was a qualified older brother.
Cheng Chao was a little annoyed by her laughter, and his ears turned red.
After thinking for a moment, he pulled out another wad of cash and bills, didn't even count them, and stuffed them all into her hand.
"Buy whatever you need, don't be stingy. I'll send you more when you run out. I'm going back now, I'll come back to pick her up in a few days."
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