She needed to eat less everyday, and exercise more.
After completing her run, she washed her face with cold water. Post that, she contacted her lawyer and made a trip to the prison with him.
…
In the visiting room, a long stone counter was separated by a glass fixture. Fang Xinxin waited there impatiently.
Her lawyer, Li Shaohong, stood by her side.
A moment later, Fang Shaohua was led into the room by a prison guard.
He was wearing the prison uniform. Although he had a tall and handsome figure, his hair had been shaved and his usual sunshine disposition was replaced by a gloomy aura.
There was a bruise on the corner of his lips and a bandage on his forehead.
The moment he appeared, Fang Xinxin’s eyes became wet.
Her brother had lost a lot of weight. He also looked despondent.
She knew that her pitiful elder brother had been bullied seriously in jail!
“Brother!” Fang Xinxin stood up from her seat in agitation.
The moment Fang Shaohua saw her, a hint of shock appeared on his depressed face. He immediately became joyful. “Third sister!”
Through the glass, they could not hear each other. Still, they understood one another from the movement of their lips.
Fang Xinxin leaned against the glass panel and pressed her palms against it. She wished she could embrace him at this moment.
Fang Shaohua imitated her movement. He dearly wished to hold her too, but was helpless.
One of them was trapped behind the wall, while the other was watching from outside.
They were so close, yet were worlds apart.
Fang Shaohua saw the tears on Fang Xinxin’s face and his heart ached for her. He mouthed repeatedly. “Third sister… don’t cry… don’t cry.”
He knew that his third sister rarely cried.
At the sight of her tears, he was deeply moved. However, he also felt very guilty.
Fang Xinxin’s heart ached for Fang Shaohua. Since young, her elder brother had doted on her, even more than one would care for their blood-related siblings.
Despite Fang Xinxin’s agitation, when she noticed her brother’s worry, she wiped her tears away.
She pointed to the side of the glass panel and gestured towards the telephone. She picked up the receiver.
Fang Shaohua sat down as well. He picked up the receiver, and through the glass panel, his refined and husky voice could be heard. “Third sister… you’ve gained weight.”
“Brother, you’ve lost weight.”
She spoke at the same time.
When she heard her brother mentioning her weight gain, she laughed, easing the sorrowful atmosphere.
“Brother, what happened to your lips and your forehead?” Fang Xinxin asked him with a frown.
“Nothing much.” He spoke calmly. “I had a small conflict with my cellmate and we fought a little. It’s a small injury. Don’t worry.”
“I’ve already asked someone to look into your situation. Your cellmate, Pan Dalong, is always bullying you.” Fang Xinxin’s gaze was enraged. “Don’t worry. He won’t dare to do it again.”
“How did you find out about this?” Fang Shaohua’s expression turned helpless. “Your brother is useless. I made you worry.”
“You’re my brother. It’s my responsibility to worry about you.”
Fang Shaohua took in her strangely overweight figure. “Three years ago, you weren’t this chubby. What happened? And the acne on your face seems to have become worse… this isn’t right.”
Her brother’s eyes had always been sharp. Her current figure and acne were caused by Fang Manxue but Fang Xinxin did not wish to tell him this and add to his worries. “I’ll definitely get better. You don’t have to worry.”
Fang Shaohua said in concern, “Third sister, where are you staying now? The Fang home is abnormal. It’s better if you move to Bai Qinghao’s place.”
Only God knew how difficult it was for him to tell her to go to Bai Qinghao’s side.
Fang Xinxin deliberated over this. Her brother had been in jail for the past three years. This meant that he had noticed something amiss with the Fang family three years ago.