Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Wu Jia put on a pitiful expression and said, âI was so bored, and I havenât found a suitable job yet, so I ended up watching TV at your place. And, of course, watching TV requires some chips, so I bought some.â
An exasperated Xia Xin replied, âBut why did you have to make such a mess at home?â
Tears welled up instantly in Wu Jiaâs eyes. She said, âAre you blaming me? I didnât do it on purpose. When you eat, crumbs are bound to scatter around. I accidentally dirtied the sofa, thatâs all. Are you mad at me?â
Xia Xin thought, âHow could tears flow so easily?â
Suddenly, Xia Xin felt that something was amiss. It seemed like something was missing from her home. She searched the living room and then realized that Layle was gone!
Panicking, Xia Xin raised her voice and asked, âWhereâs Layle?â
Wu Jia pointed towards Xia Xinâs room with her chin and said âOh, itâs playing in your room.â
Xia Xin was confused. Even if Layle was in her room, it usually rushed out to greet her and offer her slippers as soon as Xia Xin returned home. But none of that happened today.
Approaching her room, Xia Xin could still hear the sound of paws scratching the door. Alarmed, she quickly opened the door and discovered that Layle had been locked inside. Its paws had been continuously scraping the door, leaving a pile of wood shavings on the floor.
Xia Xin opened the door, and Layle immediately rushed out, circling her legs while crying. Tears streaked down its face; it must have been terrified.
Xia Xin quickly picked up Layle and comforted it. She gently stroked its head and said, âItâs okay, Iâm back. Donât be scared.â
Then Xia Xin turned to Wu Jia, her anger growing, and asked, âWhy did you lock it in the room?â
Wu Jia looked at Xia Xin with an indifferent expression and said, âItâs just a dog. Are you going to lose your temper at me? Look at the wood shavings on the ground that it made. You didnât scold it.â
Xia Xin was getting angrier and angrier. She felt like she was a powder keg that could be ignited at any time. She reasoned, âThis isnât about a dog at all! You would be scared if you were locked in a room, but you actually locked it in a room! Had it not been eaten for a day?â
Wu Jia picked up the bag of chips beside her and stuffed a few chips into her mouth. She chewed loudly and said, âHow can animals be the same as humans? I only locked it in the afternoon. I havenât eaten for a day either. It wonât starve to death if it doesnât eat. Besides, if Layle hadnât been disobedient, I wouldnât have locked him in. I just wanted to eat potato chips on the sofa, and he kept scratching me with his claws. Look, my hands are red from his scratching.â
Wu Jia stretched out her hand to let Xia Xin see the back of her hand. There was only a light pink mark. If Xia Xin had come back a little later, the wound would have disappeared.
Xia Xin suddenly noticed the bracelet on Wu Jiaâs wrist and walked over, grabbing her hand. She asked, âWhy are you wearing my bracelet?â
The bracelet had been given to Xia Xin by Zhao Nan on her twenty-fourth birthday, and she cherished it dearly. She had never worn it and always kept it on her dressing table.
Wu Jia impatiently pulled her hand away and said, âDidnât you say I could use your things as I pleased? So, I decided to wear it. Donât tell me you are turning back on your words?â
Xia Xin was irritated and shouted, âI said you could borrow my clothes, not take my things! And thereâs a difference between borrowing and taking!â
Wu Jia started to tear up again. She said, âI know I was careless and did something wrong. Thatâs why you hate me, right?â
Xia Xin suddenly saw Wu Jia crying and said in a daze, âThatâs⦠not what I meant.â
Wu Jia continued, âI know I made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, right? I promise Iâll change. Why are you so angry? Youâre really scary. I was almost assaulted by a man yesterday, and Iâm already scared. Now youâre scolding me.â As Wu Jia spoke, Xia Xin couldnât help but feel a pang of guilt. She thought of Wu Jia as a pitiable young girl. She softened her tone and didnât know how to continue the argument.
Seeing Xia Xin seeming to soften, Wu Jia quickly changed her attitude, wiped away her tears, and said, âIâm hungry.. Can you make me some food?â