In Chapter 25, I silently weighed the meaning of his word "friend".
As Fuwa spoke, she slowly moved over with her short legs and gently leaned against the bed.
The child was short, only a tiny bit taller than the bed frame.
At this moment, he was clinging to the edge of the bed with both arms, like a cheerful little ornament, his full and radiant face, like the autumn moon, showing a sweet smile.
It's warm and comforting.
I blinked slowly, and for some reason felt a tightness in my chest.
Perhaps it's because this is the purest, warmest, and most straightforward kindness I've received since I came to this place.
The other party was just a complete stranger.
At such a young age, she is innocent and fearless, and seems to have been a pampered child. Compared to Li Xiao, she is less arrogant and more genuine and gentle.
I want to sincerely say to him, thank you.
Before he could even speak, a fair hand suddenly reached out from the side, grabbed the doll by the back of the neck, and lifted him high into the air.
—It's Li Xiao.
In the boy's hands, the child's round, short arms and legs flapped and thrashed in the air, just like a fish scooped out of a pond.
"Let go, let go..."
"What's all the noise about? It's not like I'm going to eat you right now."
Li Xiao said impatiently, frowning as she lifted the Fuwa doll further away from herself: "Honestly, you still have the nerve to criticize others, don't you feel like your big face is blocking the way? Look at your little brother, he almost suffocated from being crushed by you."
It has to be said that Li Xiao truly lives up to his name; his mouth seems designed to make people uncomfortable.
When they start arguing, they don't discriminate, they don't even spare children—just a moment ago they were praising someone's grandfather, calling him "Mr. Chang" this and "Mr. Chang" that.
Mr. Chang, standing to the side, made no attempt to stop them, as if he were already used to it. He was stroking his beard and intently writing something on a piece of paper, stroke by stroke.
At first, the little guy was quite energetic in Li Xiao's hands. Especially when he heard the boy complain about his big face, his chubby face scrunched up. Until he heard that I almost suffocated from being crushed by him.
The mascot stopped moving. He looked at me in disbelief, then at himself, and began to question the meaning of life.
"Did I really... do something so outrageous?"
"Yes, yes, congratulations, you finally found it."
Seeing that the other person had finally given up struggling, Li Xiao casually put the person down, clapped his hands, and added in a cheeky tone, "The fact that I used to be an unlikable little fat boy."
The little doll looked bewildered and cautiously glanced in my direction. Somewhat uneasily, she asked softly, "Does the big brother also think I'm being unreasonable and unlikable?"
—I must say, this is a good question.
Having witnessed the entire event, I can confidently say that when it comes to going too far, no one present could compare to Li Xiao.
What surprised me even more was the change in the Fuwa doll's behavior before and after.
Seeing how confidently the child spoke and how uninhibited he seemed in front of strangers, I thought he was the kind of little adult who was fearless.
I didn't expect to feel sad so easily.
...That makes sense, after all, he's such a small child, and he looks so cute and fair-skinned.
Thinking this, I gently shook my head at him.
Although my face was still a little numb, I tried my best to put on what I thought was a friendly smile.
"No, that's not true... I should thank you. It's the first time I've seen such a lovely child like you, and it makes me very happy."
The mascot blinked, its dark, grape-like eyes brightening. It pursed its lips and smiled, its cheeks flushed, making it look even more like a chubby baby from a New Year's painting.
"really--"
Fuwa suddenly shook off her previous dejection, shook her head happily, and announced: "Big brother is much cuter than that big idiot who only bullies the weak."
Although the words didn't name names, the implication was clear. Not to mention the child's frequent glances towards Li Xiao as he spoke.
Li Xiao's fist hardened, and his temple twitched. He crossed his arms and looked at the man in front of him with a forced smile: "Do you know what it means to know when to stop?"
Fuwa shrank back and ran up behind Mr. Chang in a few steps.
"Heh, now you know to look for a backer." Li Xiao said with a look of disdain. "If you're so capable, why don't you try hiding?"
Fuwa shook his head frankly and said sincerely, "I'm a child, and children need to know how to protect themselves when they're outside. Right, Grandpa?"
Just then, the grandfather he mentioned also finished writing the last stroke on the paper.
He picked up the prescription and examined it closely, seemingly quite satisfied. Then, he handed the prescription to Li Xiao and instructed, "Just do it this way, apply it externally and take it internally. I'll come back in three days."
Li Xiao listened without asking any further questions, silently took the order, turned around and went out to give some simple instructions to the outer room.
Hearing that familiar voice responding, I realized that the steward's son had never left.
Li Xiao returned to the house and politely and respectfully thanked Mr. Chang.
Mr. Chang waved his hand with a smile: "Not at all, I'm just doing this to help people out of trouble."
He paused, then lowered his voice slightly and said, "Moreover, the person who invited me here is unaware of my connection with your family, yet they promised me a very generous reward. It's like earning two cents for one job, so it's worth it."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiao's expression became noticeably subtle.
I can roughly understand how he feels right now.
Since it was Li Xiao who asked for the doctor, it was naturally charged to Li Xiao's own account.
In other words, Dr. Chang was essentially paying twice for the same job. From Li Xiao's perspective, it meant paying twice as much for someone to do the work. Not only that, but the other party proudly bragged about it to him, the sucker.
It's hard not to feel conflicted... especially since it seems Li Xiao really can't argue with Doctor Chang.
Mr. Chang finished speaking cheerfully, then seemed to belatedly realize that he had just heard someone calling him. He looked around but found nothing, and finally looked down at the little bun's chubby, round cheeks.
"Oh, so this is where my precious grandson is."
The old man laughed heartlessly, seemingly oblivious to the gloom on his grandson's face.
"Grandpa made double the money today. Let's go back and have a good meal together... Oh right, Grandpa forgot, which pastry shop did you say you wanted to eat at last time? Was it in the east or west of the city?"
Fuwa listened with a helpless expression: "The pastry shop you mentioned isn't here at all, and... that was two months ago, Grandpa."
The way he called out "Grandpa" was undeniably plaintive.
Mr. Chang coughed lightly and slapped his palm dramatically: "Oh, oh, oh, Grandpa remembers now, that's right... It's alright, if we can't have snacks, we can buy other things. Hmm, by the way, didn't you have your eye on that storybook written by so-and-so the time before last? This time, let's not hold back and just buy the whole set."
"That's clearly what Grandpa wanted to see."
"That's not entirely true."
Seeing the old man joking around, I felt a sense of déjà vu, and couldn't help but take another look at Li Xiao.
To their surprise, Li Xiao was also looking in their direction. When their eyes met, both of them paused for a moment. Li Xiao then gave a soft snort and turned his head away first.
I think it's probably because he's still holding a grudge against me for speaking up for Fuwa.
The argument between the grandfather and grandson over there ultimately ended with Mr. Chang's defeat.
"Alright, alright, this time it's your way. Spend it however you want, okay?"
Mr. Chang sighed as he wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with a clean white handkerchief he pulled out from somewhere. He then smiled and looked at me, saying, "I'm sorry, it's just a little family matter. Please excuse my rudeness."
"No...no, loquat is the one..."
I have little experience dealing with elders, and I immediately became so nervous that I stammered as soon as I opened my mouth: "Thank you for... Mr. Chang's care."
Mr. Chang smiled, a kind face I had never seen before.
"Well, it's all fate. Besides, I've watched Ah Xiao grow up from a little kid to this age. Since he's Ah Xiao's friend, he's no stranger to me."
As the old man spoke, he cast a smiling glance at the silent boy beside him, as if seeking his agreement.
I silently weighed the meaning of his word "friend" in my mind.
The relationship between Li Xiao and me is more accurately described as that of sworn enemies than just those two words.
Perhaps not wanting to offend Mr. Chang, Li Xiao unexpectedly did not directly deny the old man's statement, but simply snorted and said nothing.
Upon seeing this, Mr. Chang stroked his long beard, winked at me, and cupped his round, plump hand to his mouth, whispering, "She's shy."
"I didn't do that—"
Li Xiao almost exploded, but when he met Mr. Chang's kind face, which remained as unmoved as Maitreya Buddha, he seemed to suddenly come to his senses. It was as if a piece of burning coal had been thrown into ice water with a thud; in an instant, not even a spark remained.
Mr. Chang seemed completely oblivious to this, continuing to list Li Xiao's merits like a loving mother.
"Ah Xiao has always been like this since he was little. He's not a bad person at heart, although he's a bit sharp-tongued, has a grumpy face, spends money extravagantly, and has a quick temper..."
—Well, it doesn't seem like it has any advantages.
Fuwawa stepped in at the right moment and tugged at Mr. Chang's sleeve: "Grandpa, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to speak ill of people so openly in front of them?"
Perhaps worried that the old man had gone too far and that Li Xiao might get angry and withhold the consultation fee, they grabbed Mr. Chang's robe and tried to pull him outside.
Mr. Chang was caught off guard and stumbled, but managed to regain his balance. He seemed to feel extremely wronged by being wronged and insisted that he would finish speaking right there today.
“I didn’t say ‘but.’ Cough cough cough, but—” Mr. Chang coughed to clear his throat, striking a pose of being ready to speak, and then everyone else waited for him to continue.
Then... he got stuck.
But after all that, he couldn't come up with a clear answer.
His grandson, standing nearby, couldn't bear to watch any longer: "That's enough, Grandpa, let's just stop. Don't force yourself anymore. You're already so old, there's no need, really no need."
Mr. Chang's round, chubby face turned bright red as he took out his handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
"Sigh, it's all your fault. Why did you have to interrupt me like that? Now look what happened... I'm stuck here too." He turned his head, looked apologetically at Li Xiao and then at me, his helplessness bordering on childish.
I've heard that some people's character doesn't change with age or appearance; even with gray hair, they retain a childlike heart, which is called returning to simplicity.
That's how I feel about Mr. Chang right now.
I think it is precisely because of elders like Mr. Chang that children as bright, intelligent and lovely as Fuwawa can be raised.
“Pipa knows.” I took over the conversation softly, and slowly said under Mr. Chang’s somewhat surprised gaze, “Young Master Li is extremely protective of those he is truly close to and cares about. He asks for nothing in return, keeps his promises and is truly affectionate.”
It felt like addressing Young Master Lan, and also like addressing Madam Lan, whom I had never met...
When Mr. Chang heard me say that, the surprise on his face gradually faded, and he revealed a look of gratified joy.
"Not bad, not bad. It seems I was just worrying unnecessarily and wasting my breath."
He sighed, then looked at Li Xiao: "I've figured it out. You're a bit short-tempered, but you're quite lucky. Hmm, loquat is a good name too. It's good for clearing heat and detoxifying, and it's a perfect match for Li Xiao, who's a powder keg that's ready to explode at any moment."
Without waiting for the boy's response, she tucked the handkerchief she was using to wipe her sweat into her bosom and prepared to get up and leave.
Fuwa followed behind him, turned her head to look at me, and suddenly slapped her forehead: "Look at me, I almost caught Grandpa's senility."
As she spoke, ignoring the rather interesting expression on Mr. Chang's face behind her, she continued with a smile, "I haven't introduced myself to you yet, young man. My name is Li, the Li of 'gift.' You can call me whatever you like, young man."
If Mr. Chang's surname is Chang, then the child's full name should be Chang Li.
Common etiquette...common sense.
It's quite a unique name, and it sounds very reasonable.
I laughed at my own thoughts, and a hint of amusement crept into my voice: "Okay, I've got it, Xiao Li."
"Mm." Chang Li nodded, her cheeks flushed, and waved goodbye to me happily. "See you next time, big brother, remember Xiao Li!"
Li Xiao escorted the two to the outer room. When they returned, they ran into the steward's son, who had returned, along with his father and a somewhat familiar servant.
The steward's son and the servant boy each carried a different item: medicine and meals, respectively. The steward himself carried a cloth bag, which contained many bottles and jars.
“It’s all according to the list you gave me, Young Master Li.” The steward smiled obsequiously. “I was afraid my good-for-nothing son would mess things up for you, so I’ve checked everything several times to make sure there won’t be any mistakes.”
She looked around the room with a curious expression, rubbing her hands together. "Where's the one you brought back..."
Actually, the steward's son should have known that I was lying in the inner room.
I don't know if this person forgot to tell his father, or if he actually did, but given the manager's cautious nature, I still think it's more reliable to see it with my own eyes.
Regardless, since the manager asked that question, Li Xiao answered it the same way.
"I was freezing outside, so I'm wrapped in a blanket to keep warm." He said it so confidently and naturally, without any thought that his words might cause any misunderstanding.
The manager gave a very brief "oh," saying something like "I see," but seemed to have no intention of leaving immediately.
They even peeked into the inner room.
Li Xiao was clearly impatient: "Is there anything else?"
The steward gave an awkward smile: "No, no, I just came to deliver something, and also to see if Young Master Li has any other instructions?"
"No." Li Xiao replied succinctly.
Logically speaking, in this situation, there should be at least one person in the house to serve.
But Li Xiao was an exception. He hated being followed or being in a room with unfamiliar people... it was like the territorial instinct of some kind of animal.
Seeing this, the manager knew he couldn't linger any longer, so he left with a forced smile and his men.
I heard the sound of the outer door closing softly.
After a while, Li Xiao was seen carrying something, walking into the inner room with a long face, muttering, "He keeps rambling on and on, I don't know what he wants to say, he's even more annoying than the old man at home..."
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