weekend.
Standing in front of the mirror, Xia Shizhao, dressed in a simple light green dress, twirled around and turned to look at Gu Ke, who had just woken up. "Xiao Ke, I hope the elders won't dislike me dressed like this?"
Gu Ke, her hair a mess, looked over groggily and gave an OK sign. "She looks quiet and gentle, the kind most elders like. No problem."
"That's fine then."
After saying that, Xia Shizhao picked up the shoulder bag next to him and ran out the door.
Although Teacher Ling Shuang said she wasn't in a hurry, she couldn't really keep people waiting there.
I hope that Aunt A-Tong won't dislike me.
It's too much to ask someone to chat with their elders.
I can only put together an outfit based on the elders' preferences, hoping to leave a good impression.
"Shizhao, over here!"
Ling Shuang waved from a distance, her cheongsam unchanged for years, but the fan was no longer in her hand. The pattern on her dress was pale purple wisteria, making her look exceptionally elegant.
Xia Shizhao ran over quickly, like a butterfly fluttering in the air.
"teacher."
From a distance, Ling Shuang looked at her with loving eyes, "Zhao Zhao looks so beautiful today!"
"Really? As long as you like it."
Xia Shizhao scratched his head shyly, then took out a camellia from behind his back and handed it to her, saying, "Here you go."
"That's thoughtful, much better than my husband who only knows how to fight."
Ling Shuang laughed and affectionately took her arm. "Let's get in the car."
"good."
When Xia Shizhao got into the car, she realized that the driver was a young man. Ling Shuang saw her looking at her daughter and introduced her: "The driver is my daughter. She's your senior, a senior in the mecha department."
"Hello, I am Gu Lian."
"Hello..." Xia Shizhao was about to introduce himself when Gu Lian spoke first, saying his name.
He said in a very formal tone, "I know your name, Xia Shizhao. My mother often mentions you."
He spoke coldly, like a robot, as if he didn't like him much. Xia Shizhao scratched his head awkwardly.
Before the awkwardness could last long, Ling Shuang pulled her into chatting about this and that.
Then Xia Shizhao inexplicably gained a godmother.
"arrive."
The car came to a stop, and the sound of freezing cold drifted from the front, reminding Xia Shizhao of her presence.
"Let's go, get out of the car. You don't need to be too awkward later, just chat with me."
Xia Shizhao nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
The air felt so fresh as soon as I got off the bus. I was so busy chatting with Teacher Ling Shuang that I didn't even notice the scenery outside.
Besides the chirping of cicadas and birds, there was also the rustling sound of leaves being blown by the breeze. All the restlessness disappeared here. Xia Shizhao looked curiously at the courtyard house inside the bamboo forest.
Is Aunt Tong inside?
"Yes."
"Xiao Ling, you're here," said an elderly man with white hair and a kind face, dressed in casual clothes, as he came out from inside, carrying a watering can.
"Uncle Mu, how is Atong doing today?"
A hint of bitterness flashed in the old man's eyes. "It's much better than yesterday. You'll see when you go and take a look."
As he spoke, he looked at Xia Shizhao beside him with surprise in his eyes, "This must be little Xia Shizhao."
Xia Shizhao greeted the old man, who kindly handed her a necklace.
"Here, this is for you. Thank you for your help. I hope you like it."
"Ah, this..." Xia Shizhao shook his head to indicate that it was not necessary.
Ling Shuang smiled and took it, placing it in Xia Shizhao's pocket. "Take it if it's for you."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"You're welcome."
The old man paused for a moment, looked at her for a while, and said, "Yes...it looks quite similar."
Unfortunately, their ages don't match.
He shook his head helplessly, his straight back hunched over. "Come with me, your Aunt Shu is inside telling her stories."
Knock knock—
"Come in."
The person who opened the door was an elderly woman with short, slightly curled hair and gold-rimmed glasses. Time had given her the marks of age and a unique charm. She smiled gently at them and said, "You've come in."
As soon as Xia Shizhao entered, he saw the woman sitting on the balcony reading a book.
The soft, golden sunlight gently bathed her hair, which was half-up and hung lazily over her shoulders. Her long eyelashes were half-drooping. There was a basket of cotton on the table, and her slender, pale fingers were making a small rabbit doll with needle and thread.
Her light black, wispy hair swayed in the breeze.
Hearing the noise at the door, she tilted her head slightly, raised her eyelids slightly, and spoke softly, seemingly very happy, "Ah Ling and Xiao Gu came to chat with me today too?"
"Yeah, I've been so busy lately that I haven't been able to watch it. I finally managed to skip work to come back and spend time with you, aren't you touched?"
Ling Shuang grinned and stuck her head out in front of her, acting silly.
"How old are you? Still so immature," Mu Tong lightly tapped her forehead with her index finger, smiling as she looked at Gu Lian, "Little Lian..."
She suddenly widened her eyes, looking at Xia Shizhao behind Gu Lian, her eyes brimming with tears, her lips trembling slightly, "Yu... A-Yu..."
She shook her head sharply again. "No."
He stood up, seemingly a little excited, and walked to Xia Shizhao's side, cautiously asking:
"Child, what...what's your name...?"
"My name is Xia Shizhao."
How old are you?
"I'll be 18 in a month."
Actually, it's 24. But time is frozen in the system space, isolated from the world for four years, so Xia Shizhao's body data is still from the year he was 18.
Mu Tong lowered her head slightly in disappointment, but quickly took Xia Shizhao's hand again, her eyes full of seriousness: "Zhaozhao, do you like little rabbits?"
Everyone present, except for Xia Shizhao, was taken aback.
Oh no, Aunt Tong/Aunt Mu has had a relapse!
"I really liked it. I had one when I was little, but... it disappeared later."
Xia Shizhao looked at the rag doll in her hand, his eyes filled with nostalgia, "It kept me company when I was little..."
How long have they been with me?
Xia Shizhao was stunned; she seemed to have no memory of what happened before she was adopted.
I could only bite the bullet and say, "I lost it after I was adopted, and I was heartbroken for a long time."
"Here, take this."
Seeing that someone had caught it, Mu Tong seemed very happy, her eyes crinkling with laughter, "What else do you like? I'll make it for you next time."
"Hmm? One is enough."
Xia Shizhao answered blankly, then suddenly felt a sharp pain in his wrist. Grandma Shu gently stroked Mu Tong's hand, forcefully pulling the hand that was gripping Xia Shizhao's wrist away, her tone gentle and coaxing:
"A-Tong, didn't you say you were going out to pick flowers this afternoon? Ask Shi Zhao if she'd like to go with you."
Mu Tong's tearful expression vanished instantly, replaced by a hopeful look as she gazed at Xia Shizhao.
Xia Shizhao noticed that something was wrong with her and quickly nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Aunt Mu, we're going outside to pick flowers. I happen to know how to make flower cakes, would you like to try?"
"Really? Let's go quickly!"
Mu Tong picked up the hat, put it on Xia Shizhao's head, and then dragged her outside as fast as she could.
"Aunt Mu, slow down! Don't fall."
Ling Shuang and the others, who were being ignored, looked at each other in bewilderment.
"It seems like you're getting along quite well?"
"Ah, yes, Atong is much easier to coax than usual."
"Grandma, Mom, stop talking and go see Aunt Mu and Xia."
Gu Lian sighed as she looked at the two unreliable adults and quickly chased after them.
Aunt Mu's condition fluctuates, and she is prone to harming herself and others, so someone needs to be by her side at all times.
That's why we bought this mountain so Aunt Mu could recuperate in peace.
The only people who usually take care of Auntie are Grandma Shu and Grandpa Mu.
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