Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Du Xiaoshuan would always bring food for his sister whenever he collected ingredients for the hotpot restaurants. Then Du Xiaoju would share her food with Li Mei, saying Du Xiaoshuan had brought enough for two of them to eat.
Li Mei no longer felt sleepy when she thought about that. She thought her sisters had already fallen asleep, but one of them suddenly spoke up, âBig Sister, itâs good that Xiaoshuan came to help us fix our roof. Otherwise, it would have collapsed like before with such heavy snow, right?â
The family could not sleep if there were a blizzard in the past. It was freezing, and their brick bed would be cold because they had to use their firewood sparingly.
Now that Li Mei and Li Wei were earning money, they could afford to buy charcoal for their furnace and use more firewood to warm their brick beds.
They also had new cotton blankets to keep themselves warm.
Li Wei was twelve years old and worked at the embroidery shop, so she received a silver tael last month. She was overjoyed and only remembered running straight home to give her money to Li Mei.
The whole family was thrilled that day and made dumplings to celebrate. The whole family enjoyed eating dumplings, especially meat dumplings.
Li Mei felt much more relaxed now that one of her sisters could also earn money. Li Mei no longer had to bear the familyâs burdens alone. She could relax a lot more in terms of mentality.
For some reason, Li Meiâs mood inexplicably improved after meeting Du Xiaoshuan. She would feel happier after seeing him sometimes, looking like she had seen the sun for the first time.
However, she felt a little confused and guessed that Du Xiaoshuan only treated her as a sister.
Li Meiâs parents were no longer around, so she could only keep such things to herself. She did not know who to talk to about these things and could not fall asleep whenever she thought about it.
âDonât worry, Li Wei.â She looked at her sister. âThere wonât be any problems with the roof this winter. You can sleep well tonight.â
Li Wei turned to face Li Mei and said, âBig Sister, I think Xiaoshuan is quite good.â
Li Mei was stunned. âWhy do you say that?â
âWell, obviously because he treats you well, Big Sister.â To Li Wei, no one cared as much about her and her siblings as Du Xiaoshuan, especially since her parents were no longer around.
Du Xiaoshuan would bring them food and care for them, even telling them to seek him out should they need help.
Li Mei was mature for her age and knew Du Xiaoshuan treated her sister differently. âXiaoshuan is good to you, Big Sister.â
âGood to me?â Li Mei asked with a raised brow.
Li Wei looked at her sisterâs confused expression and said excitedly, âOf course, heâs good to you. He buys things for us and even brings water for us. Xiaoshuan even helped to chop our firewood.
âHe also told us to eat better and not to lift the water buckets ourselves. Heâs strong, so he carries them for us.â
Li Mei was stunned when she heard all that. âSo, our water tank is full, and there are firewood piles for us? Xiaoxhuan did all that?â
Li Wei noticed her sisterâs shock and asked, âYou didnât know that?â
âN-No, I didnât,â Li Mei replied with widened eyes, âI thought Second Sister, you, and Little Brother did all that.â
Her younger siblings always took care of the housework whenever she was busy. Therefore, she did not overthink it.
Li Wei said, âXiaoshuan has been handling those things for us recently, Big Sister. Do you think he likes you?â
Li Meiâs face instantly turned red. âY-You⦠What nonsense are you spewing?! Donât say such things, child!â
She did not expect her younger sister to say such a thing. Fortunately, it was nighttime, and Li Wei did not know that her eldest sister was blushing.
âI think itâs true, Big Sister. Otherwise, why would Xiaoshuan help us so much? Also, I saw how he looks at you. It was a look of love.â
Li Wei was no longer a little girl, even though she was only twelve. In addition, she worked in the embroidery shop, and the employees would discuss many things whenever they had free time, so she learned a lot.
She suspected that Du Xiaoshuan liked her eldest sister. Some workers in the embroidery shop also discussed it.
When Li Mei heard that, she stuttered, âH-How do you know what I-love means?!â
Li Wei nodded. âOf course, I understand. You must treat him well if you like him back. Xiaoshuan doesnât treat anyone else as well as you.
âEveryone notices it, even the neighbors. Someone even asked if you were going to propose to Xiaoshuan.â
Li Mei said conflictedly, âN-No, donât speak of such nonsense. Xiaoshuan didnât mention that to me.â
âP-Perhaps heâs only helping my family out of pity. After all, I work with his sister and have a good relationship with her. Thatâs why Xiaoshuan is helping us.â
Li Wei gazed at her eldest sisterâs conflicted expression and felt she had to help Li Mei.
âIâll ask Xiaoshuan about it next time.â
She paused momentarily and leaned closer to her eldest sister, âSo tell me, Big
Sister. Do you like Xiaoshuan?â
âI⦠How would I know?â Li Mei instinctively wanted to retort. However, she felt she could not say one thing and mean another. Still, she did not know how it felt to like someone.
After some thought, Li Wei asked, âDo you feel happier whenever you see Xiaosuan? You see, heâs perfect and treats you well. I also heard that his sister and mother are good people.â
Li Wei and Du Xiaoju were of the same age. They had much to discuss whenever they met. Therefore, Li Mei also liked Du Xiaoju very much.
Li Mei looked at her younger sisterâs serious expression. She knew Li Wei had to become more mature since their parents had passed away early. Li Wei would oversee the house inside and out while caring for their other two siblings whenever Li Mei worked.
However, since Li Wei had also started working, only their younger siblings stayed home to do the housework. Moreover, their neighbors were kind and would come over to help if anything happened.
Still, Li Mei did not want to trouble others constantly.
âYou must be honest, Big Sister. Previously, we feared you would find a husband that wouldnât care about us. But now, we want you to find someone who will treat you well.â
Since Li Mei and Li Wei worked for Su Binglan, they earned good money.
Therefore, many people went to propose to Li Mei. No one minded that she still had younger siblings to care for.
However, she tactfully rejected them because her younger siblings were still young.
After pondering, Li Wei asked, âBesides, didnât Xiaoshuan settle down here recently? He also bought land in our village, so you two can be together in the future if you want. The house he plans to build will just be a row away from us.â
Li Mei finally understood what her younger sister meant.. âSister, who taught you these things?â