"Yining, we siblings can return home without getting lost," Xu Nianhua felt that Pei Yicheng and his sister were only offering to send them home because they wanted to accompany them.
"I spend every New Year’s Eve with Grandfather."
Pei Yicheng’s gaze lingered on Xu Nianhua’s face, filled with boundless sympathy. He had lived in Gaoliang County for so many years, yet it wasn’t until last summer that he had met her.
"I sometimes spend New Year’s with Grandfather too. This year, I’ll be keeping him company. Having a companion is just perfect." Pei Yining, while holding Xu Nianhua’s hand, whispered into her ear, "Nianhua, don’t you want to go back with us?"
"Of course not," Xu Nianhua immediately denied, worried that they were insisting on returning to South City just to accompany them. Since they had been planning to spend the New Year with Grandfather anyway, there was nothing more to discuss.
"The wheelchair you had has been d, and this is a thank-you letter from the recipient." Pei Yicheng took a thank-you letter out of his pocket, which he had just received.
Xu Nian’an and his sister didn’t know how to handle the donation, so Pei Yicheng took care of everything on their behalf.
"Let me see." Xu Nianhua took the letter and read it. The delicate characters written upon it made it evident that the author was a girl.
The girl’s name was Lao Jia, who had lost both legs since childhood. Her family was impoverished, and her father used to carry her to school. She longed for a wheelchair. Now a primary school teacher, although she could not stand, she never gave up hope in life.
With the donation, Lao Jia expressed special gratitude in the letter, vowing to educate the children well so they could have a bright future.
"At least the wheelchair hasn’t gone to waste," Xu Nianhua remarked thoughtfully, feeling sympathy for the girl who had been without legs since childhood.
Xu Nian’an finished reading the letter which, apart from explaining how she had lost her legs, was filled with thanks for them.
"Yes, the wheelchair has indeed fulfilled its purpose. I believe Lao Jia will certainly become a good teacher." Reflecting on her own past as a teacher, Xu Nianhua thought that she must do something more for them in the future.
They had to catch the train early the next morning, so they went to bed early.
"Big brother," Xu Nianhua suddenly called out to Xu Nian’an, who paused before asking, "Little sister, what’s wrong?"
He looked at her hesitant expression and couldn’t help but ask, "Is your leg okay?" looking instinctively at her legs.
"No, my leg is healed. I have something I want to ask you," Xu Nianhua’s gaze was intense as she demanded, "Big brother, you must answer me truthfully."
"Okay," Xu Nian’an answered earnestly, ready to listen attentively.
Xu Nianhua hesitated before asking, "Big brother, what do you think of Su Xi?"
Xu Nian’an had thought she would ask about something else. Why was she asking about Su Xi?
"Su Xi is the one we saw today, the one in the white down jacket," Xu Nianhua clarified pointedly.
"She’s quite nice," Xu Nian’an lowered his eyes.
"How about having her as my sister-in-law?"
The unexpected suggestion startled Xu Nian’an.
"Little sister, you, I..." Xu Nian’an was so flustered he couldn’t even finish his sentence.
"Big brother, you’re twenty-one this year, it’s normal to have someone you like," Xu Nianhua stated with a knowing and understanding air.
Xu Nian’an gave her a big eye roll and retorted, "Little sister, you better mind your own business. As for her, my feelings are just admiration, an appreciation of beauty."