CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: THE PLACE IN THE HEART

Zhao Meimei hesitated for a moment, looking at the teddy bear wearing clothes with a silly open mouth, and after a while, turned to Shi Yang and asked, "Is Sister Jing really my sister-in-law?"

Shi Yang was taken aback, then immediately refused, "No way! Don’t listen to his nonsense!"

Zhao Meimei laughed and called out, "Brother Yangyang!"

She stood up from the sofa and jumped into Shi Yang’s arms.

"Whoa!" Shi Yang caught her and had to step back a couple of steps from the momentum before steadying himself.

Zhao Meimei’s little legs wrapped agilely around Shi Yang’s waist, and she laughed happily.

Shi Yang hoisted her up a bit and murmured, "Why are you jumping at me all of a sudden?"

Zhao Meimei grinned, revealing neat little white baby teeth, "Hahaha..."

Seeing her laugh so joyfully, Shi Yang firmly supported her round little bottom with both hands, "What are you giggling about? What makes you so happy?"

Zhao Meimei hugged Shi Yang’s neck and innocently confessed, "I thought you didn’t want me anymore! If Sister Jing really becomes my sister-in-law, then you’ll be good to her, play with her, give her all the nice food and fun things, and ignore me?"

Touched by Zhao Meimei’s innocent and strong reliance, Shi Yang couldn’t help but feel a warm current flowing through him, his smile spreading quickly to the corners of his mouth, "You’re talking nonsense! I’ve saved all my good stuff just for you, no way it would be for someone else!"

Zhao Meimei laughed happily and proudly, "I knew it, you’re best with me."

Qu Chaozong laughed with them from the sofa, "I can vouch for this! To say nothing of other things, just the diary from the sports day you’ve been holding onto, insisting on giving it to her—without even considering anyone else in your heart, Zhao Meimei ranks highest in your Yangyang’s heart!"

Zhao Meimei hugged Shi Yang’s neck, kissed his left cheek and then the right, cheerfully announcing, "Same here, my heart is full of Brother Yangyang, no one else."

Shi Yang smirked mischievously and teased Zhao Meimei, "Not even Xu Xu?"

Shi Yang knew that Zhao Meimei had the closest relationship with the handsome little boy named Xu Xu at school.

Zhao Meimei instantly replied, "Of course not!"

Shi Yang shifted Zhao Meimei upwards, seating her on his belt, "What about Da Bao?"

Zhao Meimei replied crisply, "No way! Besides my mom and dad, you’re most important in my heart!"

Shi Yang lowered his head to meet Zhao Meimei’s bright, innocent eyes, feeling a surge of emotion at her words. He reached out to pat Zhao Meimei’s smooth forehead, a smile of delight forming at his lips.

As Shi Yang got busier with school, especially after the start of the second half of the third junior high year, even weekends and holidays were canceled. Zhao Meimei was strictly forbidden by her mom to disturb Shi Yang as he prepared for the middle school exams. The school also started prohibiting elementary and junior high students from wandering across the teaching buildings, with prefects keeping watch at the entrances.

It was then that Zhao Meimei gradually got used to playing with her classmates, and stopped trying to find ways to sneak to the junior high section. She would play wildly with Da Bao and others at home after school.

Mid-June, on the day the middle school exams ended, Shi Yang rode his bike straight to Liu Xiue’s grocery store.

Zhao Meimei was lying on the shelf eating a banana when she heard her mom call out from the entrance, "Shi Yang! How did the exams go?"

Zhao Meimei quickly straightened up, tossed the banana aside, and ran outside.

As she exited the grocery store, she saw Shi Yang just getting off his bike and rushed over, hugging his waist with delight, "Brother Yangyang!"

Shi Yang was wearing a blue and white plaid shirt, tight jeans, and clean bleached canvas shoes, which Zhao Meimei stepped firmly onto, leaving a clear shoe print.

Shi Yang, half laughing, half crying, hugged Zhao Meimei up to rescue his painfully stepped-on left foot.

Zhao Meimei exclaimed, "Brother Yangyang, I’ve missed you!"

Shi Yang smiled, "I’ve missed you too, otherwise why would I come see you right after the exams?"

Liu Xiue scolded Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, come down and let your brother rest a while."

Only then did Zhao Meimei get down from Shi Yang and looked up at her Brother Yangyang.

In these weeks of busy exams, Shi Yang had cut his previously long bangs to a clean and neat short hair; his strands were stiff and stood upright, revealing his clean forehead and handsome features, coupled with his slim and tall figure, making him appear cool and stylish.

Liu Xiue asked with concern, "Yangyang, how did the exams go?"

Shi Yang smiled and replied, "I did okay, should be able to get into First Middle School."

"Oh my!" Liu Xiue was delighted for him, "That’s great! When the results are out, your uncle will host a dinner to celebrate!"

Shi Yang happily agreed, "Sure!"

After months of not seeing each other, Zhao Meimei had noticeably grown taller, her hair longer, her features more relaxed, her eyes starting to elongate, with bright black pupils.

Shi Yang made a request to Liu Xiue, "Auntie, I’ve arranged to meet Chaozi for some kebabs. I’ll take care of Meimei at noon."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Meimei didn’t wait for her mom’s nod of approval, but adeptly climbed onto Shi Yang’s bike frame and swiftly scrambled onto it, habitually ringing the bike bell, waving farewell to her mom, "Bye, Mom."

Liu Xiue laughed and advised, "Listen to your Brother Yangyang, don’t be naughty!"

Shi Yang carried Zhao Meimei to meet up with Qu Chaozong.

Both Shi Yang and Qu Chaozong took their middle school exams in different schools, but they had arranged to meet at the family estate’s old kebab store.

Under the blazing sun, when Qu Chaozong arrived at the kebab shop, Shi Yang was attentively peeling garlic for Zhao Meimei, his clean and slender fingers deftly peeling a small dish of white, tender garlic cloves.

Qu Chaozong took a sip of iced drink and turned to ask Shi Yang, "How did the exams go? I think I did pretty well myself."

Shi Yang replied, "This year’s questions weren’t too hard."

Qu Chaozong grinned, showcasing his white teeth, "Maybe I could hang out with you for the next three years in high school."

Shi Yang laughed, "What do you mean maybe? You have to get into First Middle School, otherwise I’ll look down on you!"

Qu Chaozong laughed heartily, "Exactly, for you to respect me, I must squeeze through the doors of First Middle School!"

After laughing for a bit, Qu Chaozong asked Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, it’s been a while since we last met, why haven’t you shown any signs of missing me? Have you thought about me?"

Zhao Meimei nodded, "I have."

Qu Chaozong laughed, "Not as much as you missed Brother Yangyang, huh?"

"Mm," Zhao Meimei nodded honestly.

Qu Chaozong was speechless and reached out to pat Zhao Meimei’s head, "Couldn’t even fib once to me?"

Zhao Meimei giggled aloud and turned to snuggle into her Brother Yangyang’s embrace.

The meat skewers arrived, and Shi Yang carefully wiped the soot off the tip of the iron skewer with a napkin, then handed it to Zhao Meimei, "Be careful of the heat, remember to bite some garlic after eating to avoid upset stomach."

Zhao Meimei didn’t understand these things, but she did whatever Shi Yang told her.

Shi Yang ate while watching Zhao Meimei, each time she finished a skewer, he would wipe it with a napkin again, occasionally helping to clean the oil from her lips.

Zhao Meimei was always careless about such details, never paying attention, but Shi Yang always carefully noticed them.

At that time, Shi Yang had exhibited an immensely strong desire to care and control, as he gently steered Zhao Meimei in ways that aligned with his preferences, nurturing her development according to his liking.

He greatly relished this sense of influence, regarding Zhao Meimei as part of his inner circle to protect, care for, and cherish. Everything he provided for Zhao Meimei was the very best, and this behavior gradually assimilated into his core, evolving into an instinctive habit.