In his whole life, Song JinXing had been praised with countless words of approbation, but no one had ever commended him for being virtuous and capable.
Zhong Ruanxing didn't know if he was angry. Anyway, he didn't say a word to her while they were having noodles. She felt nervous in her heart, taking a sip of noodles and secretly glancing at him with the corner of her eyes.
How could Song JinXing not notice her little actions? He felt a bit amused in his heart, but still opened his mouth in the end: "I'm not angry, just eat well."
Zhong Ruanxing heaved a big sigh of relief, happily scooping another spoonful of sauce into her bowl.
The two were eating when there was suddenly a sound at the door. Dai Zhuhe, who was supposed to be taking Zhong You to experience swimming at the kindergarten training class, unexpectedly brought Zhong You back!
Little Zhong You's voice arrived before his person: "Sister, are you at home? YouYou is back!"
She took off her shoes and rushed in with her chubby little bare feet. Seeing the strange man having dinner with her sister at the table, she cocked her head curiously and stood still.
Dai Zhuhe followed closely behind. When she saw the two, her face was both startled and delighted: “JinXing!”
Song JinXing had told her about Dai Zhuhe’s situation. With a reliable person taking care of the family, Zhong Ruanxing was of course more at ease. At this moment, she restrained her emotions a little, stood up and greeted with a smile: “Aunt Dai, long time no see.”
Dai Zhuhe was so excited that her eyes were red. She walked quickly to Zhong Ruanxing, looked her up and down carefully, and choked: “All grown up, grown taller, but hasn't changed much, looks just like your dad. JinXing, you suffered alone abroad these years. It's because Aunt Dai was useless and couldn't follow you to take care of you. I'm sorry to your parents!”
Zhong Ruanxing held her trembling hand and gently comforted her: “Aunt Dai, it's not your fault. I’ve been thinking about you all these years. How is your health?”
Dai Zhuhe was both happy and heartbroken: “I'm fine, I'm fine. But you, this child...” She looked at the two bowls of plain noodles on the table, and quickly said, “Eating only noodles at noon! JinXing, Miss Zhong, please wait a little while, I'll stir fry a couple dishes right away, very soon!”
After saying that, she ran to the kitchen without waiting for them to speak.
Her words were sincere, so Zhong Ruanxing didn't stop her either. Suddenly there was a weight on her leg, and when she looked down, Zhong You had already climbed onto her leg like a little monkey.
Song JinXing was tall with long legs, so it was even more convenient for Zhong You to hang on. This was her killer move since childhood, hanging on Zhong Ruanxing's leg as she grew up.
Seeing her sister whom she hadn't seen for many days, Zhong Ruanxing's heart also softened. She raised her hand and rubbed Zhong You's head:
“Hello YouYou.”
Zhong You looked at her with bright shiny eyes and said loudly: “I like you!”
Zhong Ruanxing was amused by her: “What do you like about me?”
Zhong You: “You're beautiful! Brother, be my sister's boyfriend!”
The little brat! She must have learned it at kindergarten!
Zhong Ruanxing leaned over to pick her up, first pinched her chubby cheeks to satisfy herself, then reluctantly let go under Zhong You's accusing eyes. “I'll be your sister's boyfriend when you're obedient.”
Little Zhong You was anxious: “I'm obedient! I'm so obedient!” She stretched out her little short hands to reach Song JinXing's arm: “Sister, right?”
Song JinXing was merciless: “You were crying while writing last night, you call that obedient?”
Little Zhong You immediately wailed to the sky: “But that word was so hard!”
Zhong Ruanxing laughed out loud without any sympathy.
Amidst the hubbub, Dai Zhuhe also finished stir-frying the dishes. She was fast, not making them wait long. Song JinXing looked at the soy sauce stir-fried eggs with shrimps and spring bamboo shoots with walnuts brought to the table, they were all dishes he loved to eat as a child.
When they really sat down, Dai Zhuhe became nervous instead.
Twenty years was too long, long enough for a child to grow into a broad-shouldered man. He was familiar yet a stranger, making Dai Zhuhe suddenly unsure of how to interact with him.
But she saw him pick up his chopsticks to take some food from both dishes. His originally sharp brow ridges did not show any estrangement at all, his smile was sincere and gentle: “Aunt Dai's cooking skills haven't deteriorated at all, still the old taste, I really like it.”
He spoke with a smile, vaguely able to see the playful look from his childhood.
After coming to the Zhong family, she had also secretly inquired about JinXing's current situation. Rumors said he was ruthless in his ways, both externally and internally, and was a very difficult person to get along with.
When she saw those messages, Dai Zhuhe felt so sad that she couldn't sleep for several nights.
As a child, JinXing was so lovable. With a word and a smile, polite and kind, taking him out to play, no one around disliked him.
How did he become what he is now?
What exactly had he experienced during those twenty-odd years alone abroad?
Thinking of this, Dai Zhuhe felt so sad that tears flowed down her face.
But seeing JinXing like this today, he clearly... clearly still looked the same as when he was a child.
Dai Zhuhe's tightly clutched heart finally eased up. She wiped her eyes to hold back her tears, and kept putting food in his bowl: “Eat more if you like it! Call Aunt Dai in the future if you want to eat this, I’ll cook it and deliver it to you!”
Zhong Ruanxing nodded, and secretly observed Song JinXing again.
He was still calm and tranquil, as if he really was just an outsider. Hearing Dai Zhuhe's words, even Zhong Ruanxing was moved, but he as the person involved had no reaction at all.
She couldn't help but think of his illness again.
How could a mental illness be cured?
If a person blocks all emotions and severs all emotional connections with the outside world, how is that different from a puppet?
It should be curable, right? She thought to herself, there must be a way. He had helped her a lot, so she would also try her best to help him!
After the meal, Dai Zhuhe went to clean up the kitchen. Zhong Ruanxing followed Song JinXing to the room to pack. They would be away for three months this time, so they had a lot to bring, clothes were secondary. The main thing was Zhong Ruanxing's experience accumulated over time.
"This mini fan has a built-in mosquito and insect repellent function. Put it by your feet when you rest after filming, it’s both cooling and mosquito-proof. I attract mosquitoes easily, so I must bring it."
"This brand of essential oil is very useful. Apply some to the temples and philtrum when you’re too tired from filming, it will instantly refresh you."
"These two sun-protective outfits are easy to wear, they can cover your face, neck, arms and more. The Hangzhou sun is toxic, don't get tanned."
"This sunscreen is for the face, this one is for the body, remember? Don't mix them up, apply on all exposed skin."
"I changed to a new brand of body lotion, did you get the delivery? Yes, this one. Apply every night."
She chattered on, and the 30-inch suitcase was soon packed full.
Song JinXing sat on the side, feeling like his wife was helping him pack before a business trip.
But this thought flashed by quickly, and was soon suppressed by him.
When Song JinXing went to the closet to get clothes, Zhong You, who was squatting by Zhong Ruanxing's feet, tugged at her pants and secretly asked: "Brother, you're pursuing my sister, right?"
Zhong Ruanxing raised her eyebrows and pinched Zhong You’s little face: "What do you think?"
Zhong You had a solemn expression: "There are many people pursuing my sister. Brother, it seems you have no other advantages except being handsome. And you're particularly naggy too. I think you need to work harder."
