Translator: 549690339
Qiao Zhen knew, Xiao Yu was truly different now.
The Xiao Yu of the past was always carefree and ready to forgive anyone.
The look on Qiao Zhenâs face was somewhat hurt, he was still unsure why Xiao Yuâs disappearance panicked him so much, or why he wanted to explode that bad guyâs head.
A friend had introduced him to a potential partner, he figured he was getting on in years and so agreed. In fact, they had only met once and had dinner together. Nothing was truly official yet.
He had also planned to explain the situation to Shi Yu after he returned from his business trip. He assumed that the little sister who clung to him would be upset.
But before he could say anything, she had an accident.
Qiao Zhen didnât have time to think about this woman, his mind was filled with thoughts of Shi Yu, the little one who had grown up in his arms. He feared she wouldnât come back, that sheâd be in danger, or that sheâd be traumatized.
But she returned safely, showing no signs of trauma, and even seemed like a whole new person as if she had suddenly matured.
When she said calmly that he should go and find a girlfriend, he suddenly felt a great void in his heart.
Wasnât this the outcome he had always been hoping for?
Why did it ache so much when she expressed it?
It wasnât pain, but a suffocation in his heart, his little sister no longer needed him.
If it werenât for the hints given by Yu Minglang, he would have blown the guy to bits. Not for anything else, but to vent his anger for her.
The look of confusion on his face was apparent to Xiao Yu.
The look on Shi Yuâs face still feigned maturity and aloofness. Inside, the little person in her heart made a victory gesture. Bravo to Boss Qian! See how deeply I understand men. Qiao Zhenâs look of confusion delighted her.
He deserved it, deserved to find a girlfriend, deserved to have a fickle heart.
Come on, letâs hurt each other!
âXiao Yu, in fact, she can hardly be called my girlfriend yet, just someone a friend introduced. I havenât made up my mind yet. I realize that Iâm not in a position to date anyone. Elder brother has neglected you. Elder brother wants to spend more time with you.â
Hahaha, Boss Qian, youâre brilliant! Xiao Yu kissed Boss Qian a thousand times in her heart, but her face remained indifferent.
âNo, donât accompany me. I have lost interest in men now. I am tired of all men. After this incident, I realised that only the bond between two women is real. You can see how talented and capable Boss Qian is, very good.
âWhat?!â Qiao Zhen was heartbroken. What happened? Did she get traumatized?
This wonât do, he has to let Xiao Yu see that not all men are scum, there are good men too, at least, elder brother is a good man!
âDonât waste time, hurry up, take me to settle accounts.â
âWhere to?â
âTo Xiao Xuanziâs house.â
âShe⦠Xiao Yu, donât be sad, people like her are not worth your anger.â Qiao Zhen was also furious; he constantly heard his little sister praising her childhood friend.
Facing betrayal by her best friend, he was worried that Xiao Yu would collapse.
But Xiao Yu merely gave a faint smile.
âIâm not upset, Iâll make her upset.â
As Qiao Zhen watched Shi Yuâs mature demeanor, he couldnât pinpoint the taste in his heart.
He should be glad that his sister has grown up, yet why does it feel like, once sheâs grown up, she no longer clings to himâ¦
It hurts so much.
Xiao Xuanziâs house is in a very ordinary neighborhood in Qiang City. The house is already old, with mottled walls, and it is very close to a gutter. In summer, if the window is open, one can smell the rancid water.
This place is the preferred residence for migrant workers; itâs very chaotic.
When Qiao Zhen drove Shi Yu here, he hesitated for a moment.
âAre you sure you can stay calm when you see her?
âIâve been through the worst, thereâs nothing to be afraid of. When people who do wrong things are still lively, why should I be afraid to see her? Letâs go upstairs.â
Shi Yu walked confidently into the building first
In the stairwell during winter, there were stacks of cabbage because they had been left there for a long time. The aroma of mold filled each floor, and people even put their pickled vegetable jars in the hallway. Various smells mixed together, and the stair handrails, not cleaned by anyone, were covered with a thick layer of dust.
Shi Yu knocked on Xiao Xuanziâs door. She kept knocking, and there was no answer from inside.
Due to her pregnancy, Xiao Xuanzi wasnât taken into custody. The case was still being processed, and she was awaiting trial at home.
Shi Yu knocked patiently all the while, while speaking.
âI know youâre in there, open up, best friend.â
Ever since Xiao Xuanzi was scared by Yu Minglang, she had been jumpy the past few days. Added to that, she knew she was in trouble and felt hypersensitive. Hearing Shi Yuâs voice felt like a chill down her spine.
âBest friend, do you want me to keep knocking? Do you want everyone in the building to know what youâve done?â Shi Yuâs voice was neither warm nor fierce.
But it was like a sharp sword piercing into Xiao Xuanziâs heart. The repeated âbest friendâ tore at her, leaving her heart bleeding.
Seeing that she wouldnât open the door, Shi Yu simply started singing softly. âAster flower, aster flower, braving the wind and rain. Hard working people are speaking, blossoming now!â
This was the nursery rhyme that she and Xiao Xuanzi liked to recite as children. The reason Shi Yu gave Boss Qian the Aster flower ankle chain was because her subconscious held on to the childhood yearning for treating a friend well.
Qiao Zhen watched Shi Yu, she was not angry, but just stood there, using a method she had never used before to deal with a person who had hurt her.
This was not his kind little sister, but this altered version of his little sister evoked a feeling in him that he couldnât articulate.
His heartbeat, seems a bit fastâ¦
When Shi Yu sang for the third time, Xiao Xuanzi finally couldnât stand it anymore and opened the door, falling to her knees with a thud.
âIâm sorry, beg you, stop singing, please stop!â
Shi Yu reached out to help her up while smiling faintly, her eyes revealing an insurmountable distance to Xiao Xuanzi.
âBest friend, whatâs wrong? Iâm just singing a song, why are you so agitated? Oh no, youâre on your knees? Why the long face, I am the one who was sold. Best friend, your expression might make people think that Iâm treating you unfairly.â
Xiao Xuanzi kneeled on the ground, looking up at her in despair.
âXiao Yu, spare me, I beg you. Iâm pregnant, can you tell your family to drop the lawsuit, please, I beg you!â
Shi Yu chuckled a little, her fingernails brushing Xiao Xuanziâs face.
âNot to accuse you, huhâ¦â
âYes, we are such good friends, we grew up together, donât take it to the extreme??? â
âBastard! Who took it too far? You thought about her being your friend when you sold her?!â Qiao Zhen couldnât bear it any longer.
Shi Yu turned around, pressing a finger to his lips.
âBrother, donât interfere in my business, Iâll handle it myself.â
Qiao Zhen sadly realized, his little sister really didnât need him anymore.
âGive me a reason, Xiao Xuanzi, where did I go wrong, why, why did you do this to me.â