CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54 RELATIONSHIPS CLOSER THAN FAMILY

Shi Yang still had to go back to study. When he got downstairs, he rode his bike and took Zhao Meimei along.

Liu Xiue worriedly instructed, "Meimei, listen to your Brother Yangyang. Don’t be naughty and affect his studies."

Zhao Dazhuang also chimed in, "Yangyang, don’t spoil her like this next time!"

Xu Xu looked longingly at Zhao Meimei sitting on Shi Yang’s bicycle.

Zhao Meimei was gradually growing up, with slender eyebrows and eyes, an oval face, a slim figure, black hair, and a sparse forehead cleverly covered with bangs. Upon closer look, she was quite a cute little girl.

Zhao Meimei sat on the front beam of the bike, snuggling in Shi Yang’s embrace. Her facial features curved with lively lines, and the naturally exuberant youthful aura deeply attracted Xu Xu’s gaze.

He silently watched the curve above Zhao Meimei’s lips, softly muttering, "Meimei, are you just going to leave me behind?"

Zhao Dazhuang happened to hear this and chuckled, rubbing Xu Xu’s head, "Meimei wants to be with her Brother Yangyang for a day. Uncle will take you home later, okay?"

Xu Xu obediently nodded, his gaze glued to Zhao Meimei, watching her talk cheerfully with Shi Yang, a joyful smile on her slightly tilted face. For a moment, Xu Xu could hardly breathe, seeing only Zhao Meimei’s crescent-shaped eyes, glued firmly to her Brother Yangyang’s face, without the slightest glance towards him.

After sending off Shi Yang and Zhao Meimei, Xu Xu, feeling downcast, went back with Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue, holding the packed food Liu Xiue had given and rode home while clutching Zhao Dazhuang’s hand.

On the way home, Xu Xu quietly asked Zhao Dazhuang, "Uncle, when I grow up, will Meimei treat me as well?"

Zhao Dazhuang didn’t quite understand what he meant, and asked, "What do you mean by treating well?"

Xu Xu blinked his bright eyes twice, "Just like Meimei and her Brother Yangyang are."

Zhao Dazhuang laughed, reached out to rub Xu Xu’s head, much like how he would pat Zhao Meimei, "Of course, as long as you continue to treat Meimei well, she will naturally treat you well."

Xu Xu thought for a bit and asked again, "Then, Uncle, if I treat Meimei even better than her Brother Yangyang does, will she be closer to me than she is to her Brother Yangyang?"

Zhao Dazhuang understood. The little guy was jealous of Zhao Meimei’s closeness with Shi Yang.

Zhao Dazhuang felt like laughing, finding the children’s world so simple and beautiful.

Zhao Dazhuang soothed the child, answering softly, "She definitely will."

Xu Xu’s large dark eyes suddenly sparkled brightly with anticipation. He had never been more eager to grow up quickly, becoming a big kid like Zhao Meimei’s Brother Yangyang.

Shi Yang took Zhao Meimei home, with the hot meal from Liu Xiue hanging from the bike handles for them to have for dinner.

Shi Yang was taking Zhao Meimei to stay at the house in the street. Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang, aside from worrying Meimei might affect his studies, agreed heartily. The wholehearted trust Zhao Meimei’s entire family showed towards Shi Yang birthed an intense sense of responsibility from within him, viewing Zhao Meimei as his responsibility, a bond recognized by Meimei’s parents that went beyond sibling-like closeness, not blood-related yet closer than family.

Shi Yang parked the bicycle outside the large supermarket in the community, took down the lunch box from the handles, and led Zhao Meimei into the store.

In the supermarket, Shi Yang carried a plastic shopping basket, walking ahead, clad in branded clothes and pants, a trendy pure leather belt around his waist, walking with an upright posture, smart and stylish.

Zhao Meimei followed closely behind, bouncing along, darting towards Shi Yang and hugging his leg whenever she saw something fun or tasty.

Every time this happened, Shi Yang would lower his eyelids, the pride and vigor in his tone, casually saying, "If you want it, take it, your brother will buy it for you."

Shi Yang used the money in his wallet to buy Zhao Meimei several snacks not available in Liu Xiue’s grocery store and a box of colorful plasticine.

Zhao Meimei chose treats from the imported food section, which were expensive and imported from a neighboring country across a large river, unavailable in Liu Xiue’s grocery store.

Zhao Meimei gleefully carried a large bag of snacks, costing her Brother Yangyang a whole hundred-yuan bill. At that time, Zhao Dazhuang’s monthly salary wasn’t even that much.

The bag of snacks Zhao Meimei carried was enough for a common household’s weekly grocery budget. It was only possible because Shi Yang’s family was well-off, with a father who was a factory director. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to tour such a supermarket or taste foreign children’s snacks.

Shi Yang himself carried a bag of things filled with fruits, a habit since he was young of eating a bit of fruit every day, lest his mouth feel dry and tasteless, as if something was missing.

Shi Yang peeled a banana, bit off the black tip, and first offered it to Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, eat a banana."

Zhao Meimei was never fond of fruits. She glanced at the banana offered, unwilling but cooperatively opened her mouth, intending to take just a small bite as a gesture, but Shi Yang deliberately pushed it deeper, filling her mouth.

Zhao Meimei, with her mouth full of banana, "Oh oh oh..."

Shi Yang firmly said, "Finish it. You never eat fruits, that’s why your hair isn’t black."

Zhao Meimei spit the banana out, holding it in her hand, taking another bite and eating, while pulling her hair to her face for inspection, "Is it really not black?"

Shi Yang suppressed a laugh, tricking her, "Of course, you have to remember to eat fruits every day, or you’ll grow up to be ugly."

Zhao Meimei was not very concerned with beauty or ugliness. She opened her mouth and tossed the last bit of banana into her mouth sloppily, muttering, "Ugly, then so be it."

To get her attention, Shi Yang blurted out, "If you turn ugly, I won’t like you anymore."

Zhao Meimei paused, her slender eyes wide open, earnestly asking, "Really?"

Shi Yang wanted to laugh but suppressed it with a cough, "Mm."

Zhao Meimei pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then reached into the bag, pulled out another banana, and quietly peeled and ate it.

In the afternoon, Shi Yang studied while Zhao Meimei leaned in bed reading. After eating a belly full of snacks, she soon felt sleepy.

Shi Yang finished a sheet of exercises and turned to see Zhao Meimei curled up in bed, fast asleep, looking adorable and fetchingly sweet.

Shi Yang adjusted the pillow, covered her with a blanket, then returned to his study desk, working on exercises till he was tired, occasionally glancing back at Zhao Meimei, realizing the once empty and somewhat lonely quiet room now felt infused with warmth and familial affection.