Chapter 146: Chapter 145: Pure Admiration
Qian Yonggui has his father handling things on that end, so Shi Yang is fully focused on the Naughty Castle installation and selling kindergarten supplies.
Shi Yang is busy with work, and Zhao Meimei is busy copying and catching up on her winter break homework.
When Zhao Meimei, carrying her backpack and two packs of milk candies specially prepared by Shi Yang’s mother, knocked on Xu Xu’s door, she was immediately greeted with a warm welcome from Xu Xu, who was thrilled to tears.
When Xu Xu pulled Zhao Meimei into his embrace, she suddenly realized that Xu Xu had grown so tall without her noticing. She looked up at the nose tip touching her forehead in surprise and exclaimed, "Xu Xu, have you grown taller again?"
Xu Xu tightened his arms around her as if holding a long-lost treasure, hesitated for a moment, and reluctantly let go, slightly lowering his head to look at Zhao Meimei.
Zhao Meimei got slimmer; her previously chubby cheeks had slimmed into a pointed chin, her face lost its excess flesh, making her eyes and brows stand out, and she blossomed into the unique delicate beauty of a teenage girl.
Xu Xu picked up slippers for Zhao Meimei to change into and led her back to his bedroom.
A heavy book was spread open on Xu Xu’s desk. Zhao Meimei casually tossed her backpack and milk candies onto Xu Xu’s bed, went over to take a glance, and found that it was an original English novel, densely packed with words that left Zhao Meimei mind-boggled.
Xu Xu pulled her by the arm to sit side by side on the bed, asking with concern, "Where have you been? I’ve looked for you several times, but your family was never home, and the grocery store was closed. Did something happen?"
Zhao Meimei told him about her grandmother falling ill in detail.
Xu Xu was shocked upon hearing this; his face changed color: "What? Does this mean your family really has to move back to your hometown?"
Zhao Meimei’s hometown is in the south, far away. If they really moved away, it would be hard to see each other again in the future.
Xu Xu got anxious: "How can that be! We’re about to enter our sophomore year soon, the time when studying gets intense. Changing schools now is nonsense! The family shouldn’t move just because they want to care for the elderly!"
"Besides, the differences between north and south are huge! You won’t even understand the local dialect there and can’t get used to the food and living conditions, how will you live then!"
Xu Xu is always gentle, polite, and courteous, never truly lost his temper. However, now he’s so shocked that a trace of hostility even added to his handsome features, completely changing his demeanor.
Seeing Xu Xu’s anxious and angry appearance, Zhao Meimei suddenly found it somewhat amusing, noticing a sense of righteous anger in his expression.
Bright sunlight streamed in through the window, and Zhao Meimei felt a warm glow inside. She was moved by Xu Xu’s friendship and saw the pure heart of a young boy.
Zhao Meimei soothingly patted Xu Xu’s shoulder: "My family originally planned to do that, but my Brother Yangyang stopped it."
Zhao Meimei recounted what happened when they returned: "I’m staying at my brother’s place now, my parents have already gone back to our hometown."
Xu Xu felt relieved when he learned she was living with Brother Yangyang now, especially after the huge impact of Zhao Meimei’s family potentially moving away turned around to be such great news.
Even if Xu Xu is meticulous and has many thoughts, he is ultimately a shy student, staying in school wholeheartedly devoted to studying. His life’s experiences are as simple as a blank sheet, and poverty often cultivates resilient character. However, the growth and maturation of one’s mind is something that is slowly honed through the trivial matters of life, whether good or bad, kind or sly.
At this moment, young Xu Xu, his thoughts are extremely simple and sincere; his heart only holds Zhao Meimei. Because of their childhood friendship, his admiration for her is completely subconscious affection, becoming deeper with time as it gradually begins to shift from liking to loving.
Intense emotions are incredibly cherished and treasured in a young heart.
He is self-conscious of his own circumstances, yet still hopes to shoulder the entire burden of caring for Zhao Meimei. In sensitive adolescence, Xu Xu always lived a fragile yet strong life.
He only wishes to be kind to one person, and truly harbors no other thoughts at that time.
Zhao Meimei casually tore open the milk candy bag, grabbed one piece, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth, then unwrapped another and stuffed it into Xu Xu’s mouth.
Xu Xu hadn’t recovered from the shock and joy when he felt the candy at his lips. He instinctively opened his mouth, enveloping Zhao Meimei’s fingers with the candy, and before he could come back to his senses, Zhao Meimei withdrew her hand and busied herself with retrieving her winter homework from her backpack.
Xu Xu tightly pressed his lips together, seemingly startled, and suddenly stiffened after a brief jerk.
Zhao Meimei, carefree, noticed nothing and pulled out her workbook, looking up to ask: "Have you finished your winter homework? Let me copy it."
Xu Xu was still lost in thought, not making a sound.
Zhao Meimei patted his arm: "Hey! What are you thinking about! You’re zoning out! Give me your homework."
Xu Xu finally snapped back to reality: "Ah? Ah."
Seeing him in a daze, Zhao Meimei was speechless: "Your winter homework!"
Zhao Meimei occupied Xu Xu’s study desk, lying on it, diligently copying his homework.
Xu Xu’s handwriting was clean and elegant, with a comprehensive math problem, from formulas to steps, written neatly and systematically, looking particularly pleasing.
Since childhood, Zhao Meimei had always written in wild cursive, even though she was forced by her Brother Yangyang to practice several handwriting books, she never developed the habit of writing with clear strokes.
Xu Xu clutched that original language book, sitting on a small round stool, occasionally peeking over to see where Zhao Meimei had reached, and every time he saw her wild cursive, his eyelids uncontrollably twitched twice.
Zhao Meimei sensed his gaze, turned her head, frowning, and asked: "What’s wrong?"
Xu Xu shifted his gaze aside; being in such close proximity to Zhao Meimei made him anxious, worried she might see into his heart through his eyes.
Xu Xu casually changed the topic: "Your Brother Yangyang’s place, where is it?"
Zhao Meimei: "Right in the residential area of the old museum, hey? You pass by there on your way to school!"
"The old museum?" Xu Xu’s eyes brightened: "Isn’t that directly between my home and school?"
Zhao Meimei laughed: "Exactly!"
Xu Xu: "Then I can go with you to school and back every day."
Zhao Meimei casually replied: "Probably after school, during your commute, do you know what time I take the bus!"
Xu Xu glanced at her without saying anything, his beautiful eyes rolling beneath his eyelids, pondering his own thoughts.
Zhao Meimei didn’t dare take Xu Xu’s homework home to copy, worried that Shi Yang would notice. Every day, she ran to Xu Xu’s place like clockwork, barely managing to complete all her homework two days before school started.