Early on, when Teacher Ye decided to give up on Shi Wangyue and Ning Youguang, a young male teacher next to him was already itching to make a move.
Soon, Ning Youguang and Shi Wangyue were called to the teacher’s office together.
When Teacher Ye, looking displeased, asked if they would be willing to transfer to Class Two, You Guang glanced at the Class Two homeroom teacher beside him, who was smiling with a youthful expression, and nodded happily.
Shi Wangyue unconditionally complied with any decision his sister made.
...
Xiong Mengmeng was sad for many days after Ning Youguang transferred to Class Two.
"Mengmeng, I didn’t go far, I’m just next door. You’re always welcome to come see me whenever you miss me."
A girl younger than herself was gently comforting her, wiping away her tears.
Xiong Mengmeng was amused and finally stopped crying.
Shi Wangyue leaned against the railing of the school building, basking in the sun as he watched his sister comfort Xiong Mengmeng. Even the noisy laughter of the campus around him couldn’t stop a chill from rising within him.
Over the years, he had long noticed that although his sister was only half a year older than him, she spoke and acted in a way that was nothing like a child.
He couldn’t quite articulate this quality, but it always brought warmth, reassurance, and strength to others.
In the second year of knowing her, he was still a child who didn’t know how to protect himself, who was always submissive and self-critical, often feeling suffocated under Shi Tongyang’s brilliance and sharpness.
Whenever he was overwhelmed and sad, he’d only hide in a corner, pitying himself, believing he was disliked by others.
His five-year-old sister would pat his head, telling him, "Little Wangyue, do you know? Borges said that the moon does not bask in its serenity and brightness, nor even realizes it’s the moon, but passively shining can be beautiful because it doesn’t have the sun’s restless side. I still prefer the moon, just like compared to Shi Tongyang, I prefer you. You have never been anyone’s shadow or dark side; you are simply you, the one-of-a-kind you who can be liked and accepted by anyone."
He had long been used to being treated with indifference, disdain, scolding, and ridicule...
But everything changed after he met her.
He was always taken care of by her, encouraged by her, loved by her...
The long companionship made him used to being cared for and loved by her. He had been enthralled by her warmth long ago, longing for the feeling of being by her side, cherishing every moment spent with her, so much so that he couldn’t help wanting to get closer, and closer still.
Just like the Xiong Mengmeng in front of him.
How long had she known his sister?
How much had she been cared for by his sister?
See, hasn’t she already started to indulge in the warmth of his sister and is reluctant to let go?
...
That day happened to be the weekend.
Xia Youqing and Xie Baosheng took Xie Yizun back to her parents’ house, and for some reason, the couple didn’t bring a nanny this time.
Usually, whenever they brought Xie Yizun, they would bring two nannies along.
Without a nanny, Xia Youqing and Xie Baosheng had to look after the child themselves.
Xie Yizun, over a year old, was chubby and white, with six small white teeth showing when he smiled. He could walk, but he preferred crawling.
He squirmed and wiggled constantly when held, even liking to grab people’s hair.
After holding him for five minutes, Xia Youqing lost patience.
Passing the child to Xie Baosheng, who had a big heart and let his son crawl around the ground freely, he would simply let him crawl, gathering dust all over, and if not watched, little dusty hands would be used like a lollipop.
When Xia Youqing saw it, she almost went crazy, yelling at Xie Baosheng, "Quickly pick him up and change clothes, and wash his hands, he’s covered in dust."
Xie Baosheng wasn’t angered by the yelling, chuckling as he said, "All kids are like this." Then he turned around, obediently picking up his son to change clothes and wash him.
After Xie Baosheng walked away with Xie Yizun, Ning Youguang handed a cup of tea to Xia Youqing and chuckled, "Uncle Xie’s temperament is quite good."
Xia Youqing rolled her eyes, "If he didn’t have a good temperament, who would look up to him?"
"Yeah, it’s his good temperament that got him to marry Qingqing, but after all, they are family. We should be more caring and patient with them as everyone hopes to be treated gently."
Xia Youqing paused, "Are you implying I’m not gentle?"