Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
âItâs school holidays, why havenât I seen your brother around?â
âXiachun, why donât you ask your brother to come out with us?â
The children surrounded me and pestered me. They didnât even hesitate in giving me pocket money to buy candy. At that time, I was a little greedy and foolishly got bought over by the benefits. Naturally, I kept their words to myself.
So after dinner, I pestered Dongyu, who was walking towards the study, and made him come with me to the village square instead.
When I saw Dongyuâs expressionless face darken when we were suddenly surrounded by a group of children, I lost all joy, and the candy in my mouth became rather bland.
For the first time in my life, the sweet little tequila candy bar tasted somewhat sourish.
From a young age, I had hoped that my brother would join us in our games. However, when such a day did come, I felt awkward.. I felt as though I had made a big mistake, pushing Dongyu to the other kids.
I hated it when other girls tried to hold his hand.
I hated it when the others got physically close to him.
I hated the way those people drew his attention.
I suddenly regretted âsellingâ Dongyu for the price of a few lollipops.
Dongyu, on the other hand, didnât seem to like interacting with other children. He wasnât like other boys his age. He was energetic and vigorous, and his body always exuded excessive steadiness. At that time, I didnât think there was another person in the world that was like him. He had matured before he had even grown up. Dongyuâs youth didnât seem to make him naive in any way. Instead, he protected me under his wings like an adult.
When we got home, I silently took Dongyuâs hand and held it tight.
After a long silence, I finally spoke, rather gloomily.
âDongyu,â I said, âI donât like you hanging out with the others.â
Dongyu lowered his head and looked at me. He couldnât help laughing as he said, âYou were the one who brought me here.â
I pouted. I wasnât satisfied, so I became a little unreasonable. âDonât play with them anymore, okay? Just play with me.â
When Dongyu heard this, his eyes curved and the corners of his lips turned upwards slightly. He pinched my cheek lovingly but did not give me an answer.
But I knew he would do as I say.
Every time I thought about this scene from childhood, Iâd feel terribly lucky. Life is a long journey, and not everyone would tolerate another personâs unreasonable behavior.
*****
Among the children, there was a little girl named Menglan who was close to me. She was three years older than me. One day, she held my hand and whispered to me.
âXiachun, when I grow up, can I be your sister-in-law?â
I didnât get it. I frowned and asked, âWhatâs a sister-in-law?â
âA sister-in-law refers to the wife of your brother. Someone who will marry your brother in the future.â
âMarry my brother?â I still didnât quite understand.
âYes, just like your father and mother. They got married, lived together, and had children!â
I stood up and pushed her away coldly. âI donât want you to be my sister-in-law. My brother is mine and mine alone. In the future, Iâll be the one who will be with him, get married and have children!â
Menglan had been pushed to the ground by me. Her face turned red, but she was stumped when she heard what I said. âXiachun, you canât be together. Youâre siblings. Mom says that siblings canât get married!â
âWhatâs the basis for that?!â
âAnyway, my mother said so!â
I was so angry that my eyes reddened. I stomped my foot and insisted, âI donât want you to be my sister-in-law!â
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