Chapter 19
Her silent back view was like a knife.
Time flies, and soon it was the last week of Chen Zhiyu's summer vacation. Qiao Xi still remembered her promise and was preparing to fulfill it by planning to take him out to play.
The weather at the end of August isn't too hot anymore, so it's a good time to go out and have fun.
After returning to work, Josh only had time on Saturdays and Sundays, so the two of them didn't plan to go far. However, Tang Ning recommended a farmhouse nearby, saying that two days and one night would be enough for them, which was also a good fit in terms of time.
So the two of them decided to book that farmhouse restaurant online.
Josh had never participated in an event like this before. In college, her class had a dinner party and suggested a barbecue by the lake, but she couldn't go because she was too busy with work.
So this time, Josh was well-prepared, and even bought snacks and fruit.
The evening before, Josh and Chen Zhiyu squeezed together in front of the sink, washing the fruit they were going to take to camping.
"It's so annoying, why is your phone ringing nonstop?" Josh's hands were wet, so he nudged the person next to him with his elbow, gesturing for him to check his phone. "Is your classmate trying to contact you urgently?"
Chen Zhiyu didn't have many close classmates, and Yao Chen could be considered one, but he knew Yao Chen well, and this messaging rhythm was clearly not his.
Yao usually sends two messages first, and if he doesn't get a reply, he'll wisely stop sending them.
Chen Zhiyu left his phone on the coffee table in the living room. He obediently wiped his hands clean, glanced at his phone, and sure enough, it wasn't Yao Chen. He explained to Qiao Xi, "It's a message from the class group chat, sent by our homeroom teacher."
As for the series of crackling sounds that followed, they were all from parents in the class group chat.
Upon hearing that the message was from Chen Zhiyu's homeroom teacher, Qiao Xi quickly put down the fruit she was washing and went to the living room. Her own phone was charging in the room, so she simply moved closer to him and stood on tiptoe to read the message.
Chen Zhiyu lowered his phone and scrolled through the messages. A full minute passed before he finally saw the message from his homeroom teacher.
Chen Zhiyu's homeroom teacher is a very responsible teacher who has been teaching him since the first year of high school. Qiao Xi has a very good impression of the homeroom teacher. As the senior year of high school approaches, not only the students and their parents, but also the homeroom teacher are making efforts for the students who will soon be entering their senior year.
With the start of the senior year of high school just around the corner, Chen Zhiyu's homeroom teacher sent out some important notes and encouraging words in the group chat in advance.
It was a long and detailed piece of writing.
It's quite responsible to discuss students' mental health in the context of their physical health.
Josh didn't feel anything when she was in her senior year of high school, but now, seeing what Chen Zhiyu's homeroom teacher posted, she suddenly tensed up.
With a high school senior in the family, Josh suddenly felt a great responsibility as a parent.
In the group, some parents are also selflessly sharing their children's nutritious meals and ways of providing psychological support.
Other parents shared their experiences.
Every time Josh reads a message, he feels like he's a terrible parent. Seeing what other parents do, he wishes he could take notes and copy it down on the spot.
Forget about what to eat or how to nourish her body; throughout the summer vacation, it was mostly the senior high school students who cooked for Josh.
"Don't bother, I'll definitely be very busy in my senior year of high school. I won't be able to stay at home for more than a few days." Chen Zhiyu really disliked Qiao Xi putting him in the position of a parent.
"That won't do. My child must have everything that other children have."
At the top of the class group chat is a group announcement from the homeroom teacher reminding students what to bring to school. "College entrance exam registration requires a household registration booklet; parents are requested to cooperate by preparing the booklet in advance."
Chen Zhiyu lives on campus and will stay there for about a month after the start of the semester. He probably won't be back until October.
Mid-October is roughly the time for college entrance exam registration. Upon seeing the announcement, Chen Zhiyu turned to Qiao Xi and asked, "Are our household registration books with you?"
If I remember correctly, all the important family documents are in Josh's possession.
Josh's hands were still wet. She shook them off as she thought, "Here." Worried that she might forget later, she went to her room and took them out to prepare.
Josh opened the wooden box under the bed, which was filled with certificates, awards, and household registration booklets. Seeing a red booklet lying prominently on the surface, she picked it up casually and tossed it to Chen Zhiyu, who was in the living room.
After finishing everything, I went into the kitchen to wash the fruit.
After Chen Zhiyu received it, she immediately realized she had taken the wrong one when she opened the first page. The household registration was under Qiao Xi's name, and this was Qiao Xi's own household registration book.
After Qiao Dacheng left home, Qiao Mai and Qiao Xi's household registrations were combined with Grandma Qiao's. However, now, only Qiao Xi's name is on the household registration book.
The household registration document is just a thin sheet of paper.
Chen Zhiyu carefully closed the household registration booklet, walked to the kitchen door, and handed it to her, saying, "This is your household registration booklet."
"Huh? Is that so?" Josh took the household registration book that was handed to him, opened it and took a look. It really was true.
Josh turned around and went back to his room, rummaged through the pile of old things again, searched from the bottom and found another household registration book, opened the first page and confirmed that it was correct.
Josh returned to the living room and complained to him, "It's such a hassle. There are only two of us in the family, and we have to keep two household registration books." She suddenly had a bright idea, "Why don't we just put our household registrations together tomorrow?"
Chen Zhiyu's heart skipped a beat, then his face turned cold, and he firmly refused, "No."
Seeing that Chen Zhiyu refused without even thinking, Qiao Xi wondered, "Why not? Am I not good enough for you? Am I not qualified to be your older sister?"
It was just a casual remark, but Josh felt very uncomfortable after being so firmly rejected.
Chen Zhiyu was extremely worried.
Hearing that made his head spin, especially when he heard the words "older sister." His attitude became even more resolute, and he stubbornly turned his head away, saying, "No means no."
"No way, no way. Who wants to be your sister?" Josh stopped talking and turned to go into the kitchen.
The air in the room suddenly froze.
Both harbored their own thoughts and could not hope to gain the other's understanding.
Chen Zhiyu stood there blankly for a long time, watching Qiao Xi's busy figure in the kitchen. Her silent back was like a knife, stabbing him with countless holes.
But he had no choice; at least not now, he couldn't confess to her.
With a heavy heart, Chen Zhiyu walked towards Qiao Xi, slowly approached her from behind, and wrapped his arms around her.
Josh was caught off guard by the hug and was stunned. He instinctively tried to push her away.
Chen Zhiyu rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered, "Sister."
Josh placed his hand on the back of his hand, and upon hearing those words, he stopped pushing him away.
He hadn't called Josh "sister" in a long time, but this time his tone carried a hint of coquetry. Chen Zhiyu placed his hands on her waist and explained with a pang of heartache, "We don't meet the criteria."
Chen Zhiyu's arms were strong, and his taut muscles gripped Qiao Xi tightly. Unlike the living room, the kitchen was small and cramped. The rice that had just been cooked was still steaming, and she soon felt the heat.
The burning heat unique to young people, like a boiled sweet potato, was scalding her, clinging tightly to her.
Josh froze, unsure how to react.
Seeing him holding her tightly for so long, Josh naturally thought of the message shared by a parent in the class group chat, saying that senior high school students at this stage are the most sensitive.
High school seniors at this stage are under a lot of pressure, and parents should understand and be considerate of them. Parents should learn to be their children's emotional support system.
Given the special circumstances at home, Chen Zhiyu must be under even more pressure. Qiao Xi sighed, slowly turned around to face him, and slowly raised her hands, which were originally hanging down at her sides, to Chen Zhiyu's waist and back, gently wrapping them around him and patting him to comfort him.
Chen Zhiyu froze, seemingly not expecting a response. He buried his forehead in Qiao Xi's neck and hugged her even tighter.
Feeling the other person hug her tighter, Josh was forced to stand on tiptoe and switch to a gentler, more comforting tone.
Josh tried to ease his pressure, gently saying comforting words, "It's normal to feel stressed as the college entrance exam approaches. Relax and don't feel pressured."
"If you're under any pressure, you can try talking to me about it later." Afterwards, she said in a low voice, "Don't worry, there will be more difficulties waiting for you after the college entrance examination."
Chen Zhiyu held her tightly, refusing to let go.
Josh tried to distract him, "When senior year starts, won't it all be review?"
"Okay," Chen Zhiyu obediently replied.
He longed for her, and could only use this as a reason to stay close to her for longer. Using this reason of being needed, Chen Zhiyu held her tightly and made another request, "There's an event at school around New Year's Day."
"New Year's Day? What month is it?"
"The homeroom teacher notified us in advance."
"Can you senior high school students participate in New Year's Day activities?"
Chen Zhiyu denied that senior high school students were not allowed to participate in any entertainment activities. He was a little embarrassed and explained to her, "I want to give a speech as a representative of outstanding senior high school students."
"Wow, my brother has made something of himself."
Josh felt himself being squeezed even tighter after he said those words.
"Are you going?" Chen Zhiyu asked in a muffled voice.
"What am I supposed to do there?" Josh asked, puzzled.
"As a parent of an outstanding student," Chen Zhiyu said with difficulty, "the event is in the evening."
He added, "The next day is the New Year's Day holiday. If parents go, students can go home with their parents early."
Josh calculated the time and said, "There shouldn't be any problems."
Chen Zhiyu finally felt a little relieved. "Then it's settled."
*
Chen Zhiyu will start school in early September. After the agritainment business ends, it will be almost time for school to start again. He won't be back until October.
On the first day of school, Chen Zhiyu had to leave early in the morning and needed to get to school early to pack. He didn't have much luggage, so he didn't bother Qiao Xi before leaving.
Josh only gets to sleep in two days a week.
Josh woke up after nine o'clock and found the house empty.
Six months ago, when Josh was away from home, she was mostly alone. But after returning for a month, she got used to Chen Zhiyu's presence.
Now that no one is home, she feels powerless to do anything. On the square dining table is the breakfast that Chen Zhiyu prepared before leaving home.
Next to the breakfast was a box wrapped in pretty wrapping paper, tied with a ribbon bow, and accompanied by a card.
Josh picked it up and read it aloud, word by word.
The card read, "Happy Birthday, Josh."
Josh's birthday is at the end of September.
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