In the evening, several distant relatives came to Zhao Xiaoqingâs home to chat with her parents. The family of three lived in a house that was more than a hundred square meters, but because there were more people there, she couldnât stay there. Zhao Xiaoqing was about to go to her auntâs house next door tonight, but Shi Niange said that the paper would be torn off by her auntâs little baby who had just turned two. After all, her aunt had to take care of her child, and she didnât know if she could sleep well there.
Therefore, Shi Niange decided to bring Zhao Xiaoqing to her place. After all, she was the only one living in the Li Shui Villa. There were two floors and she was alone every day. It would be more lively with Zhao Xiaoqing around.
When the two of them reached home, they finished the two papers and tested each otherâs English. It was already past eight in the evening when they had completed the homework and revision tasks assigned by the teacher.
âI heard from the teacher that from next month onwards, we canât leave school before 6: 00 p.m. until the college entrance examination. We may have to study in school until 9: 00 p.m.â Zhao Xiaoqing leaned on the balcony, holding the milk tea that Shi Niange had made for her. As she drank it, she said with some melancholy, âIn addition to my homework every day, I feel that it will be difficult to sleep before 12: 00 p.m.â
Shi Niange smiled and brought out a cup of milk tea. The milk tea in her house was also handmade milk tea powder made by Auntie Xiang. It was much better than the ones outside and was healthier and cleaner. Zhao Xiaoqing had only taken a sip and was standing on the balcony with a look of surprise. She almost cried out, calling it delicious.
âNian Nian, what time do you usually sleep?â Zhao Xiaoqing asked.
âMe, around 11:00 p.m.â
âThat wonât do. We spend more and more time in school, and we have more and more homework when we go home. We wonât be able to finish it by 11: 00 p.m.â Zhao Xiaoqing looked depressed. âThere are still so many months before next yearâs college entrance examination. I feel like Iâve fallen into the darkness and donât know when Iâll see the light. The college entrance examination is really too scary.â
âWrite some during evening self-study. Write some when you come back tonight. It shouldnât be a problem.â Shi Niange sat down beside her.
The two girls sat on the balcony, drinking milk tea and chatting. The sky had already turned dark. Zhao Xiaoqing looked at the large but seemingly uninhabited villa across the street. âDoes no one live opposite you? Or is the owner of the house not back yet? Why isnât the light on at this time?â
âThere shouldnât be anyone there. Iâve lived here for quite some time, but Iâve never seen the lights on.â Shi Niange saw that the milk tea in Zhao Xiaoqingâs cup was almost finished and reached out to take it. âDo you want more?â
Zhao Xiaoqing said, âI want to drink more, but itâs too late. I donât think I can sleep if I drink too much.â
âI think so too. Then Iâll mix you more milk.â
âOkay, Nian Nian, I really didnât expect that your Shi family is also very famous in Hai City. In the end, your character is so good, and youâre so skillful. Your family is also clean, and you donât have any temper at all. When you grow up, it will definitely be a blessing of several lifetimes for the man who marries you.â As Zhao Xiaoqing spoke, she followed her in. She looked at the milk tea powder in Shi Nianâs hand and pointed. âAiya, more. Donât really add fresh milk. This milk tea powder is really delicious. If thereâs really no other way, Iâll drink another cup. At most, weâll lose sleep together at night...â
The two of them played around at home for a long time until they came out of the master bedroom and guest bedroom. Shi Niange was about to go to the guest room to see if she needed anything when Zhao Xiaoqingâs scream suddenly came from the study next door. âAhââ
Shi Niange heard the heart-wrenching scream and ran to the study in fright. When she pushed the door open, she saw Zhao Xiaoqing sitting on the ground with a pale face, staring at the complete human skeleton in her study with frightened eyes.
Shi Niange :â...â
âNian Nian... this... what is this? Why do you have this in your home?â Zhao Xiaoqing was so frightened that she could not speak properly. Her eyes were red. She stood up on the ground and quickly hid behind her. Shi Niange clearly felt that her hands were slightly cold from the fright.
âCough, I forgot that the guest room is too close to my study. Iâll just close the door.â Shi Niange looked at the human skeleton inside. âDonât be afraid. Itâs just the skeleton.â
âItâs a real skeleton?â
âYes.â
âHuman skeleton?â
âYes.â
â...â
Zhao Xiaoqingâs face turned green, and she took several steps back.
âNo, itâs not a real human skeleton. Itâs completely made according to the size of a normal human skeleton.â Shi Niange quickly said, âIsnât my grandfather a medical practitioner? Iâve been influenced by him since I was young. Iâm very fond of medicine. This skeleton was a birthday gift from my grandfather when I was fifteen. Itâs very rare to see such a material in the market. Many doctors have such things in their homes or offices. Donât be afraid.â
Even if it was fake, it was too realistic. Zhao Xiaobai turned around and walked out with a straight face. Shi Niange quickly closed the door. âWhy donât you sleep in my bedroom? Iâll sleep in the guest room, in case you get too close to the study and get scared when you sleep.â
âIâm fine. Iâll be fine after a while. I was really frightened just now.â Zhao Xiaoqing sat down on the sofa and patted her chest. Then she looked at her in disbelief. âYou really plan to study medicine in the future?â
âWhy not?â
âItâs so tiring to study medicine. I heard that you wonât be able to graduate in four years. Even if you study abroad, it will be very difficult. Your family is in business. Donât you plan on studying finance?â
âIâve followed my grandfather for too long since I was young. Many things are deeply ingrained in me and even affect the direction of my life. I canât change it even if I want to now.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Zhao Xiaoqing couldnât imagine how a cheerful and sweet girl like Shi Niange could face such a terrifying skeleton in the study calmly. Even if it was made based on a personâs body and it was not real bones, she was still a very young girl. She lived here alone every day and faced a human skeleton without changing her expression. It was difficult to imagine how strong her heart was.
At night, Zhao Xiaoqing still couldnât control the fear in her heart. After lying down for half an hour, she couldnât take it anymore and ran to Shi Niangeâs bedroom to sleep. She didnât plan to let Shi Niange sleep in the guest room either. After all, she was already very scared to sleep here alone. In the end, the two girls laid on the bed in the master bedroom. They each held a blanket and chatted with their eyes open until midnight. When they went to school the next day, they each had a pair of dark circles under their eyes. It was especially obvious.