When Leng Yi Xuan arrived in front of Xinâerâs house, he couldnât help but stare at it in shock.
It was a very small house. There was a wooden fence surrounding it and in the little courtyard was an area that some vegetables grew.
Leng Yi Xuan only ever had to eat. He never had to cook, so he had no idea what type of vegetables they were.
Xinâer skillfully lit up the oil lamp and Leng Yi Xuan was able to view his surroundings.
Inside the house was a small room, a small living room. Outside, there was a tiny kitchen and a place to take a shower at the corner.
Since Leng Yi Xuan had grew up in a palace, he had never seen such a shabby place before.
The little wooden bed was big enough to fit both of them, but when Leng Yi Xuan sat down, his bottom hurt.
The bed was rock hard.
Xinâer had no idea these thoughts were running through Xuanâerâs mind. âOlder brother, are you hungry?â
âMm. Iâm really hungry.â Xuanâer admitted.
Xinâer quickly went to the table, climbed on on chair and took out a steamed bun from the plate. âHere, older brother! You can eat this!â
âUmm.. isnât that your dinner?â
Although Leng Yi Xuan was a child, he could kind of tell Xinâer wasnât from a well off family. Her family wasnât around to take care of her.
Xinâer smiled. âYes, mommy comes home really late at night. But usually, mommy would leave Xinâer two steamed buns. Xinâer doesnât eat a lot, so Xinâer only eats one now. But if older brother is hungry, you can have it!â
Xinâer handed the steamed bun to Leng Yi Xuan.
Leng Yi Xuan shook his head. Xinâer thought he didnât want it because it was too hard.
âOlder brother, do you want me to warm it up?â
Although Xinâer was a child, she could tell that Leng Yi Xuan was from a much more wealthier background than she was. He probably wasnât used to the food that she eats.
But actually, Leng Yi Xuan was worried if he ate it, Xinâer would have nothing to eat. Seeing her sorry expression made him feel bad though. So, Xuanâer took the steamed bun and teared it in half. He gave half to Xinâer and kept the smaller half for himself. âNow, we can eat.â
Xinâer smiled and started to munch on the steamed bun. She was actually hungry too! So, she really savoured the taste.
However, to Xuanâer, the steamed bun was disgusting. It was cold and hard and it tasted weird. But since he was starving, he didnât care. After taking the first bite, he wanted to spit it out. But when he saw Xinâer heavenly expression, he decided to take another bite.
Watching Xinâer eat made the bun taste better.
By his third bite, he thought the bun was sweet!
By now, it was nighttime. Xinâer took Leng Yi Xuan to the courtyard outside. There were a few buckets of water waiting for them. Xinâerâs mother must have left it for her daughter.
Xinâer took off her dress and began to take a shower.
Leng Yi Xuan stared at Xinâerâs smooth white skin and felt like it was jade.
Although his skin was quite good, he felt like Xinâerâs skin was even better.
She looked so pretty and cute too.
All of a sudden, Leng Yi Xuan was just staring in astonishment.
Xinâer was confused and stared back at Leng Yi Xuan. âOlder brother, what are you doing? Come and shower with me! Itâs going to rain soon! We have to hurry. Weâll look for your family in the morning!â
âOhhhh. Ok..okâ¦â
So, Leng Yi Xuan tried to take off his clothes. However, ever since he was a baby, he had never taken off his clothes on his own. So, Leng Yi Xuan was struggling tremendously. After a long time, he still couldnât take off his clothes.
In the end, Xinâer personally helped him.
Leng Yi Xuan felt ashamed that a little girl had to help him remove his clothes. He was such a stupid child!
So, Leng Yi Xuan decided right then and there that he will be the one to remove his own clothing from now on. He didnât want to be served anymore!
Xinâer placed Xuanâerâs clothes on a seat to keep them clean. She really liked the material of older brotherâs clothes. The material was so smooth and soft.
She had never seen such lovely clothes before.
Anyhow, the naked Leng Yi Xuan imitated Xinâer and picked up a ladle to pour water on himself.
Since it was summer, the cold water felt very refreshing. This was the first time Xuanâer had ever taken a shower like this.
In the past, Auntie Ping would prepare warm water for him and fill it up with lots of fresh flower petals. After his bath, he would smell so nice.
Auntie Ping would wipe him clean and put a refreshing powder on him that prevented itchiness.
However, Leng Yi Xuan knew he wouldnât get treatment like this here. But he found the new showering experience very interesting and Leng Yi Xuan liked it too.
Suddenly, Leng Yi Xuan felt something strange. He lowered his head.
Xinâer had bent down and started poking his little bird out of curiosity.
âOh God! Older brother, you have a weird object growing on your body! It looks so scary!â she yelled.
âEhâ¦?â
Leng Yi Xuan wasnât shy at all. After all, he was only a child and had no idea that they shouldnât be showering naked together.
Xinâer continued to poke his little bird with her tiny finger. Leng Yi Xuan exclaimed, âThatâs not a weird object!â
âNot a weird object? Then how come you have one but I donât? Look at me!â
Leng Yi Xuan stared and realized Xinâer had no birdy.
Suddenly, he freaked out.
Oh God! Why does he have a little bird but Xinâer doesnât? Could it really be a weird object?
If other people know about this, will they still play with him? Or will they think heâs a monster?
The more Leng Yi Xuan thought about it, the more scared he became. Perhaps Xinâer could sense this, so she patted her chest and reassured Xuanâer. âDonât worry, big brother! Xinâer wonât tell anyone about your weird object! Xinâer will continue to play with big brother!â
âWuwu, Xinâer, youâre so kind!â
Wow, she didnât mind his weird object!
Leng Yi Xuan was very grateful and was determined to treat Xinâer well forever.
After all, he didnât have any younger siblings. Plus, if anything, he can always cut it off in the future. It might hurt though!
If the older Leng Yi Xuan recalled what his younger self had said, he would have freaked out. Fortunately, he didnât do it at the time!
After taking their showers, the children changed back into clothing. Since Leng Yi Xuan had nothing else to wear, he wore the same outfit.
As for Xinâer, she changed into another pink dress that looked very similar to the previous one.
Soon, it started to rain heavily outside. Leng Yi Xuan and Xinâer were laying on the little bed together.
The flashing lightning was causing the room to light up from time to time. The two children shivered together from fright.
Ever since Leng Yi Xuan was a child, he was scared of lightning. However, he always had an adult to cuddle with.
Right now, he only had Xinâer.
Although he was the older one, he was too scared to protect Xinâer. Instead, he started trembling underneath the blanket.
Little Xinâer hugged him and comforted him. âDonât be afraid, big brother! Xinâer is next to you! Mommy says the Thunder God will only punish those who has done bad things. We havenât done anything wrong, so we wonât be punished!â
âReally?â
âOf course! My mommy wonât lie to me.â
âOkay then.â
Eventually, the two of them fell asleep in each otherâs arms.
The next day, Xinâer was shaken awake by her mother.