Zhao Dazhuang reached out and ruffled Zhao Meimei’s hair with a sigh, turning to look at Liu Xiue: "Old Li called, said there’s news from above, and it looks like the factory might be bought out."
Liu Xiue was extremely surprised, "Is it really going to be bought out?"
Zhao Dazhuang didn’t look pleased, and Liu Xiue didn’t ask further.
Zhao Meimei didn’t understand what they meant by a buyout, but seeing her dad’s strange expression, she didn’t dare to say much.
That night, lying in bed, Zhao Meimei called her Brother Yangyang and briefly talked about hanging out with Da Baozi in the afternoon, feeling a bit regretful when mentioning Da Baozi didn’t plan to continue school.
Shi Yang had the phone on speaker, sitting alone in the company, with the computer in front of him. He lowered his head, tiredly rubbing his temples. Hearing Zhao Meimei’s sigh, a gentle smile appeared at the corner of his lips, "Maybe the path he’s choosing now is more suitable for him."
Zhao Meimei was somewhat doubtful, "Really?"
Shi Yang shook his head, feeling his congested brain ease a bit before saying, "Do you think he would study seriously if he continued school?"
This time, Zhao Meimei answered confidently, "No."
Shi Yang laughed, leaning back in his chair, his voice a bit hoarse, low, sounding lazy and tired through the phone line, "So, the path of study is a dead end for him. Maybe after taking a detour, the road ahead becomes smoother."
Zhao Meimei lay on the bed, her long legs in shorts crossed over each other. While listening to her Brother Yangyang, her feet swayed in the air, "That’s true. Oh, right, brother!"
Zhao Meimei covered her mouth with her hand, whispering, "My dad called today, saying their factory might be bought out. What does that mean?"
Shi Yang’s slightly closed eyes suddenly opened, "Your dad’s factory?"
Shi Yang’s brows slowly furrowed, picturing Zhao Dazhuang’s kind smile. He discreetly changed the subject, "You eavesdropped on your dad’s call again?"
Zhao Meimei hurriedly refuted, "I didn’t eavesdrop. I came in while he was on the phone."
"Came in?" Shi Yang asked, "Oh, you went to hang out with Da Baozi tonight?"
Shi Yang: "Meimei, you’re starting school soon, right?"
Zhao Meimei indeed was led astray in thought, "Yeah."
Shi Yang squinted his eyes, staring at an aimless spot in the air, "You’ll have to transfer buses to get from your home to No. 1 High School, right?"
Zhao Meimei: "Yeah, five stops, and then transfer. Let me count, one, two, uh, seven stops."
Shi Yang lightly hummed, chatted about some other things, and then hung up the phone.
That night, Shi Yang returned home, took out the account book from the drawer, carefully calculated the balance, and his expression gradually relaxed. He muttered to himself, "The toilet’s done, the kitchen’s done. Next, it’s time to focus on the living room..."
On the official first day of school, Zhao Meimei was dragged out of bed by her mom early. After washing up, her mom helped her braid her hair. Since the school hadn’t issued uniforms yet, Zhao Meimei chose a light blue dress bought for her by her Brother Yangyang last month.
Since Shi Yang started his business, Zhao Meimei’s expenses on food and clothing were quietly shouldered by him bit by bit.
Initially, Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang felt embarrassed receiving things from Shi Yang. Gradually, they got used to it. Whenever Liu Xiue bought something, she subconsciously thought of Shi Yang, as if the family really had two children from the start; the elder one became independent and now takes care of the younger. It strangely became justified.
Before Zhao Meimei left, Liu Xiue followed behind, reminding, "Don’t miss the stop, be safe, do you have your change ready?"
Zhao Meimei agreed to everything, then ran downstairs to catch the bus.
After getting off at the fifth stop, just as she steadied herself, she heard a familiar voice calling, "Meimei!"
Shi Yang stood on the other side of the bus stop, sunlight shining brightly on him, his white shirt reflecting a golden glow. To Zhao Meimei, her heart felt intoxicated.
Looking at her Brother Yangyang’s gentle smile, her heart suddenly felt like a mischievous hand softly tickled it, a little itchy, a little numb.
Zhao Meimei jogged over, surprised, asking, "Why are you here?"
Shi Yang smiled and reached out, initially wanting to ruffle her hair, but seeing her neatly braided hair, his hand twirled in mid-air and landed on Zhao Meimei’s shoulder, "It’s your first day of high school; I’m here to see you off."
Shi Yang placed his arm around Zhao Meimei’s shoulder, waiting for the bus with her.
Zhao Meimei tilted her head, gaze slightly raised, "Brother, how long have you been here? Didn’t you drive?"
Shi Yang glanced at his watch, "Not much earlier than you, the car’s at the company, purposely didn’t drive."
Zhao Meimei pressed her lips and smiled, feeling elated inside.
The bus slowly arrived; Shi Yang paid the fare and led Zhao Meimei inside. It was crowded, and the two squeezed their way to the middle before being stopped by a wall of people ahead.
Zhao Meimei looked up at the high handrail, just about to stretch her arm to reach it when her waist was suddenly tightened. She turned and met her Brother Yangyang’s smiling eyes, "I’ll hold you."
Zhao Meimei’s heart skipped, feeling like the spot where she was held was branded with an iron, slightly burning.
Shi Yang held the handrail with one hand and Zhao Meimei’s waist with the other, keeping her securely in his embrace. This protective stance clearly distinguished them from the others.
The bus stopped and started, swaying slightly at every stop. Each time Zhao Meimei was about to sway, she felt the grip on her waist tighten.
Shi Yang held her tightly, steady and firm.
Catching the opportunity during a sway, Zhao Meimei unhesitatingly stretched her arms, wrapping them tightly around her Brother Yangyang’s well-built waist from the side.
Shi Yang’s body tensed slightly; he looked down at Zhao Meimei’s neatly parted hair. As he watched, his body and gaze softened, as if his eyes were reflecting a shimmering light.
Zhao Meimei sensed the gaze from above, making her heart tremble a bit. She sneakily peeked with her peripheral vision and saw her Brother Yangyang turning to look out the window.
Zhao Meimei sighed in relief, quietly resting her face little by little against her Brother Yangyang’s solid, broad chest. Through the shirt, she could hear the strong heartbeat, quickly syncing with her own, creating a sensation of them being in a separate space where everyone else disappeared, leaving only the two of them tightly embracing.