Chapter 679: Chapter 679: Born to be Useful
Bai Youwei watched from the side, her heart feeling uncomfortable.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the severed hand peeking out from under the couch and shot it a glare!
The thumb retreated in fright.
Seeing this, Bai Youwei became even more irritated.
This severed hand never ceased to cause trouble– always moving about like it had ADHD. It was supposed to be locked away in the storage room and she guessed that it must have heard Aqing constantly asking for water out of curiosity, hence its brazen act of getting water on its own volition.
Mainly it was merely reveling in the excitement of the situation.
Asarina picked up the spoon from the floor, returned to the dining room and placed the spoon on the dining table, looking weary.
“That… was one of my props.” Bai Youwei explained to her, in order to avoid any misunderstanding. “It doesn’t listen very well, I usually keep it locked up, but I think it snuck out when it heard Aqing’s voice.”
“It’s ok…” Asarina managed a weak smile, “It’s just a spoonful of water. Besides, most of it spilled anyway. I’m just more concerned about Aqing’s condition.”
Bai Youwei didn’t know how to comfort her.
Fortunately, Asarina didn’t sulk for long. She gave Bai Youwei a faint smile and said, “I’m going to bed now. You should rest soon too. We can think of a solution together tomorrow morning.”
As soon as Asarina had gone upstairs, Bai Youwei started tidying up the draft papers on the table. Absently, she noticed Teacher Chang peeking from the staircase.
“What’s the matter, Teacher Chang?” she asked doubtfully.
Teacher Chang hesitated for a moment, then crept downstairs lightly and quietly, whispering to her, “Weiwei, should we really not give him any water? If he doesn’t drink for several days, will something bad happen…”
“He’s been poisoned, drinking water will only make him die faster.” Bai Youwei frowned slightly, taking a good look at Teacher Chang. “Teacher Chang, did you happen to make that severed hand deliver the spoonful of water?”
“No, no way!” Teacher Chang waved his hands, speaking in defense of the severed hand, “Don’t be mad at it, it has a childlike nature and meant no harm.”
Bai Youwei pouted, “Whether or not it means harm, it’s a constant troublemaker! Always creating trouble, never useful for anything!”
Teacher Chang said in a low voice, “It’s not entirely useless…”
Bai Youwei rolled her eyes and asked, “What’s it good for?”
After pondering for a while, Teacher Chang hesitantly replied, “…feeding chickens?”
After a long silence, Bai Youwei sighed, “Teacher Chang, I really don’t have the energy to joke with you right now. Next time I lock it away in the storage room, don’t be soft-hearted and let it out again. You’ve already spoiled it.”
Feeling somewhat awkward, Teacher Chang smiled, “Okay, I got it. I’ll help you back to your room and after that I’ll lock it back in the storage room. You don’t have to worry.”
Bai Youwei propped up her arm, took great effort to stand.
Chang Weicai supported her arm.
“You just need to help me to the stairs, I want to go up on my own.” said Bai Youwei.
So Chang Weicai let go and watched as Bai Youwei slowly, one step at a time, ascended the stairs.
Then, Chang Weicai looked under the couch, shaking his head in resignation.
He opened the door to the storage room, saw that the severed hand had no intention of returning to the room, and coaxed it gently: “Come on, there’s only dust under the couch. If you get dirty, you’ll be scolded.”
Only then did the severed hand crawl reluctantly out from under the couch.
It was scared of Bai Youwei, but not afraid of Chang Weicai. Because Chang Weicai spent most of his time in the dollhouse, the severed hand was closest to him.
The storage room was filled with all sorts of items, messy but orderly, organized by Chang Weicai.
There was a round basket on the storage rack, the severed hand’s little bed.
The basket contained a small pillow and a blanket–all crafted by Chang Weicai himself. Scattered around were various toys, jewels and trinkets that belonged to the severed hand.
Chang Weicai placed the severed hand back in the basket, speaking softly to it: “You have to behave. No more causing trouble. You must live a life of purpose to make your existence worthwhile.”
In the end, he sighed lightly, “Don’t be like me, utterly useless…”