The subsequent day, there was a gathering on the undertaking base.

Gao Jianhong spoke awhile, after which he observed that Zhu Yun appeared a bit absent-minded. “What’s it? Is there an issue?”

“Huh?” Zhu Yun got here again to her senses and shook her head. “No.” She turned to the facet and requested, “The place did Li Xun go right now?”

Gao Jianhong replied, “I don’t know. He known as me within the morning and mentioned he’d be busy right now, and that I’d be in cost right here for the day.”

Busy? Did it must do with that girl from yesterday?

Zhu Yun didn’t need to be distracted, however she couldn’t assist herself from serious about it.

“Let’s proceed.” Gao Jianhong beckoned to Zhu Yun with a hand.

Li Xun skipped all his courses that day. After class, Zhu Yun headed to the undertaking base to find that Li Xun had already returned. As normal, he was curled up in his chair, writing code. All the things appeared regular.

Zhu Yun sat down and casually requested, “The place have been you right now?”

Li Xun answered, “I went for a stroll downtown.”

Zhu Yun requested, “Downtown? Why did you go there?”

Li Xun glanced at Zhu Yun and mocked, “What, now that the princess’ competitors undertaking is all set, she has time to be nosy now?”

“……”

Who cares about finding out you, Prime Rating Debtor.

Zhu Yun inwardly scoffed, after which she turned again to her work. She occurred to note a bag beside Li Xun’s legs; it from the stadium downtown…

That night, Gao Jianhong invited Zhu Yun to have dinner. On the way in which, they thought concerning the particulars for his or her competitors undertaking. “Trojan horse evaluation has been accomplished many occasions earlier than. Ought to we strive one thing new?”

Zhu Yun mentioned, “Certain, however there are just a few instructions you possibly can take with this safety competitors. Perhaps we will do one thing with the {hardware}—” She instantly paused and Gao Jianhong requested, “What’s it?”

Zhu Yun appeared towards the varsity gate and noticed an individual standing there.

“Zhu Yun?”

“Yeah…” Zhu Yun opened her mouth. Gao Jianhong mentioned, “Let’s go. What do you need to eat? Wish to exit?”

Zhu Yun mentioned, “No, let’s simply eat in school, after which get again to work.”

Gao Jianhong laughed. “No must rush. Loosen up. I’m not Li Xun.”

They headed to the cafeteria, and Zhu Yun stored her head down all the stroll, counting the pebbles on the bottom. Not one of the issues Gao Jianhong mentioned caught in her head. Simply as they have been about to stroll up the steps, Zhu Yun stopped.

“Um…” Zhu Yun known as out to Gao Jianhong. “I simply remembered one thing. I’ve to make a cease at my dorm.”

“What’s it?”

Zhu Yun blurted out the very first thing that got here to ming. “My mother informed me to ship her some issues, and I almost forgot. Don’t look ahead to me. Go eat first. I’ll goodbye on the base.”

“Okay then.” Gao Jianhong walked into the cafeteria on his personal, and Zhu Yun rapidly headed over to the varsity gate.

Was she there?

Was she there?

Was she there?

Zhu Yun appeared throughout, and eventually, she noticed a determine throughout the road, in entrance of the dessert store. Really, at such a distance, it was laborious to see clearly. Zhu Yun solely acknowledged her due to her unsophisticated garments.

Pretending as if she have been simply passing by, Zhu Yun walked over to the woman and appeared over her. Her complexion was sallow and her pores and skin was in poor situation. She carried a big sack, her shoulder stooping. She appeared very drained.

Zhu Yun walked previous, after which she rotated and walked previous once more. She continued this a couple of occasions earlier than stopping. Then she appeared round, and when she didn’t spot Li Xun, she determined to stroll as much as the woman immediately.

“Aiyo!” Zhu Yun walked as much as and into the woman, rapidly apologizing, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

The woman appeared startled, however rapidly replied, “I-it’s okay.”

Zhu Yun mentioned once more, “I’m sorry. My thoughts was elsewhere, and I wasn’t cautious…”

The woman shook her head. “It’s okay.” She had a really sturdy nation accent, however she spoke a bit powerlessly. She was skinny and appeared very frightened.

As if having a pleasant chat, Zhu Yun began asking, “You’re carrying such a giant suitcase all by your self. You need to not be from round right here, proper?”

“What? Oh… Sure, that’s proper. I’m visiting from elsewhere.”

“Are you right here for a trip?”

“No…”

“Then what are you visiting for?”

The woman’s reactions have been very gradual. Each time Zhu Yun requested her a query, a number of seconds would go earlier than she began to answer.

“…I’m searching for my youthful brother.”

Zhu Yun took a second to research her response, after which she felt like her chest had exploded.

Youthful brother!

Youthful brother!!

So she was searching for her youthful brother—!!!

Zhu Yun appeared on the woman’s face once more. Contemplating what the woman had mentioned, Zhu Yun instantly realized that she was fairly tall. Zhu Yun herself was about 168 cm, however she was nonetheless half a head shorter than this woman. And when she took one other look, she felt that the woman’s face was okay trying as nicely. Although she appeared outdated and her pores and skin wasn’t so good, her fundamental construction was tremendous…

And people double lidded phoenix eyes…

Zhu Yun felt a bit anxious. She didn’t fairly perceive it. Even when she’d met Li Xun’s modern, large-chested girlfriends, she’d by no means felt this manner.

However in entrance of her now was Li Xun’s older sister. She was his household. If Zhu Yun wasn’t mistaken, she clearly remembered that this was exactly how Zhang Xiaobei had threatened Li Xun earlier than. His deal with was listed within the countryside, however the college was unable to contact his household…

He didn’t go residence for New 12 months’s.

Contemplating how Li Xun had handled the woman final evening, he absolutely wasn’t on good phrases together with his household. If she wasn’t cautious and misspoke, and Li Xun discovered, it definitely wouldn’t be a laughing matter.

Zhu Yun questioned if she ought to simply depart and faux she’d by no means met this woman.

The woman had her head lowered. At her facet was an quaint, worn out, dusty material bag. She additionally carried one other massive bag in her arms. Although she was tall, she was very skinny. Standing on the facet of the street all by herself, she appeared actually exhausted.

Zhu Yun didn’t have the guts to simply depart. This was nonetheless his older sister. So, she pointed to the espresso store close to them and requested, “Ought to we sit awhile?”

The woman rapidly shook her arms, “No, that’s okay.”

Zhu Yun mentioned, “I occur to be ready for somebody too. Let’s wait inside.”

“It’s actually not obligatory.”

Zhu Yun gave it her all and placed on her brightest, sincerest smile. Her face had gone stiff when the woman was lastly concinved to go into the espresso store.

The place wasn’t a low-quality one. The waitress was a part-time pupil and appeared a bit snobbish. When she noticed the opposite woman’s look, together with all her baggage, her expression turned bitter. “We require a canopy cost right here.”

It was the primary time in Zhu Yun’s life that somebody had spoken to her with such a tone. She was so stunned that she almost grabbed the following desk’s espresso and tossed it in her face.

The woman lowered her head and mentioned, “Neglect it… I’ll wait outdoors.”

“No, no, no. Come and sit.” Zhu Yun pulled the woman right into a seat and ordered two cups of espresso.

When the espresso got here although, the woman didn’t drink any. She simply stored her head lowered, afraid to the touch something.

Zhu Yun tried to determine what to speak about.

“Um… What’s your title?”

“Li Lan.”

Her final title was additionally Li.

“Is he your organic brother?” (t/n: As a result of usually, you would possibly name any shut, youthful male a ‘youthful brother.’)

Li Lan shook her head.

“Cousins?”

Once more, she shook her head.

……

Zhu Yun modified the subject a bit. “How lengthy has it been because you’ve seen him?”

Li Lan spoke extraordinarily quietly. “A really, very very long time.”

Zhu Yun requested a couple of questions and he or she found that Li Lan had grown nonetheless and silent. When she appeared fastidiously, she realized that Li Lan’s shoulders have been trembling, as if she have been crying.

“Are you okay?”

Li Lan replied, “I’m tremendous.”

However she appeared extraordinarily upset.

Zhu Yun hesitated and pulled out her telephone. “Is your brother a pupil at our faculty? What’s his title? Perhaps I do know him, and I may help you name him.”

“No,” Li Lan instantly rejected her supply. She appeared up, and her eyes have been crimson. “Don’t search for him. He doesn’t need to meet with me…”

There are tons of issues he doesn’t need to do. You may’t all the time let him have his method.

“It’s not a giant deal. It’s only one assembly.”

“No, actually. He’ll get indignant!”

Zhu Yun checked out Li Lan’s passive look and felt a bit vexed. She frowned and determined she wouldn’t skirt round anymore. She requested immediately—”In the event you aren’t actually siblings, what sort of animosity do you may have between the 2 of you? Why can’t you meet with him? He simply hates you, as a result of?”

Li Lan’s complexion paled instantly.

Yah, yah, yah… Crap, screwed up! Zhu Yun rapidly tried to salvage the state of affairs. “That’s not what I meant. Simply that it looks as if—”

“He in all probability hates us,” Li Lan murmured. She had a hand over her face. “It’s solely proper that he doesn’t need to see us…”

What was this case?

Zhu Yun slowly provoked Li Lan, sporting away her wariness. It didn’t appear to be Li Lan ordinarily had many individuals to speak to. She slowly began to calm down as she talked with Zhu Yun, this stranger.

Zhu Yun was alarmed as she listened to Li Lan’s story. Not as a result of the story itself was grand and luxurious, however as a result of Li Xun was the protagonist. With out his permission, she’d uncovered one among his secrets and techniques. She wished to cease, however she couldn’t.

—

Li Lan and Li Xun hailed from a fertile area. Zhu Yun had heard of the place earlier than; it was well-known for the lake there. The surroundings was lovely, even when it was within the countryside.

Zhu Yun thought to herself that, it was no marvel that his pores and skin was so good, having grown up in nature.

Li Lan hadn’t had a lot education, so there have been many issues that she couldn’t precisely categorical clearly. However the necessary factor in storytelling was emotion. And as Li Lan stumbled by her story, Zhu Yun might hear many feelings that had been buried over time.

These step-siblings had the identical father and completely different moms. Li Xun joined Li Lan’s household when he was six years outdated. Earlier than then, nobody had recognized of his existence.

Li Lan’s father, Li Chengbo, was initially a farmer. Later, following the development, he began working in international commerce. He even opened a manufacturing facility. It wasn’t small, so there have been a whole lot of staff. Amongst them was Li Xun’s mom.

The best way Li Lan informed it, Li Xun’s mom was very lovely. In contrast to the opposite manufacturing facility employees, she had an ostentatious magnificence. Although she was very poor, she lived fashionably. She made fairly garments and listened to the most well-liked bands’ music cassettes.

Within the manufacturing facility, she endured a whole lot of criticism. Everybody would gossip about her behind her again, however she didn’t appear to care.

Li Chengbo rapidly discovered himself attracted by this girl. He hid the truth that he already had a household and began to court docket Li Xun’s mom. From Li Xun’x look, it was straightforward to guess that Li Bocheng was additionally very good-looking. Tall, younger, match, with a terrific resolve. It didn’t take lengthy for her to fall in love with him and change into pregnant with Li Xun.

Li Chengbo had the identical mentality of the older technology within the countryside. Worth males and belittle females. When Zhu Yun’s mom went for a checkup and was informed that her little one was a woman, Li Chengbo informed her to eliminate it. It doesn’t matter what Li Xun’s mom mentioned, he wouldn’t relent. And so, when she was eight months pregnant, she left the manufacturing facility.

In a while, Li Chengbo’s enterprise failed and after going bankrupt, he returned to his residence village. He’d gotten temperamental as nicely.

Li Lan was 5 years outdated on the time, the youngest in her household. She additionally had three older brothers. Li Chengbo didn’t like her and would usually scold her. As a result of her mom was frightened by her father, she didn’t deal with Li Lan too nicely both. She lived a hand-me-down life, utilizing no matter was left behind by her older brothers.

Her father finally fell into playing and ingesting. Their residence was stuffed with a foul environment. Everybody had a giant mood, other than Li Lan, for she had nobody to take her mood out on.

When she was ten years outdated, Li Xun’s mom introduced Li Xun to their residence.

Li Lan was nonetheless younger on the time, and he or she hadn’t recognized what the arrival of this mom and son pair would carry. She was merely very comfortable as a result of she would not be the youngest of their home. Perhaps she’d be capable to let her mood out on Li Xun too. However actuality had a crueler image in retailer. Li Lan quickly realized that this new youthful brother was even worse than all three of her older brothers mixed. Neglect bullying him. Simply strolling close to to him would trigger him to lash out at you.

However there was one advantage of Li Xun’s arrival. Li Lan’s brothers and mother had one other punching bag now, a brand new goal. And for the primary time ever, Li Lan had somebody on her facet in opposition to everybody else.

Beforehand, Li Chengbo would torture everybody from his alcoholism, however there was instantly a brand new addition to the meals chain. With a powerful will that she’d by no means used earlier than, Li Lan’s mom handled Li Xun’s mom like an undesirable visitor. She would ridicule and verbally abuse Li Xun’s mom. In entrance of everybody, she criticized and denounced Li Xun’s mom as a whore for seducing one other girl’s man, and he or she cursed Li Xun as a bastard.

After Li Xun’s mom’s arrival, Li Lan’s mom’s life grew to become much more energetic. Even nonetheless, Li Xun’s mom persevered and remained of their residence. On the time, she had a severe sickness and no household to depend on. If she didn’t go there, then 6-year-old Li Xun would don’t have any means for survival.

In an effort to appease Li Lan’s mom, Li Xun’s mom stopped caring for her look. She stored her hair messy and her face untidy, disappearing into the group. She was cautious and solemn about the whole lot she mentioned and did.

Li Lan would clear till very late each evening. Even after everybody else had gone to sleep, she would nonetheless have work to do. A number of occasions she’d seen Li Xun’s mom admonishing him to appease his older brothers and get together with them, although Li Xun by no means agreed to. Then his mom would develop upset and hit him, and he would cry, however nonetheless not agree.

Li Lan was soft-hearted, and he or she by no means felt that the mother-son pair have been as evil as the remainder of her household claimed. She pitied them actually. And so, Li Lan began to assist them. On the time, Li Xun’s mom might hardly sleep at evening due to her sickness. Whereas the remainder of her household slept, Li Lan would secretly cook dinner porridge for her and have a tendency to her.

She slowly grew to love Li Xun’s mom. His mom used quite simple materials to make her a gown. It was the primary gown she ever had. His mom additionally gave her music tapes to hearken to. Li Lan fell in love with these new-age issues, and he or she would search the pair out at any time when she had time.

Li Xun wasn’t excellent at caring for others, so he was utterly helpless together with his mom’s sickness. As his older sister, Li Lan berated him, “You need to hearken to your mother.” She knew her older brothers nicely. Their favourite factor to do was bully others and provides folks a tough time. You merely needed to associate with them, and they’d develop uninterested in you.

She pleaded with him sincerely, however sadly, Li Xun didn’t hearken to her. Li Lan angrily shouted at him, “That is what your mother needs!”

Li Xun glared at her and replied, “It’s not!”

Unable to speak with him, Li Lan determined to disregard him as nicely.

Later, Li Xun’s mom handed away. Her passing was very tragic. Her physique misplaced its form and he or she curled up. It was such a daunting sight that Li Lan’s mom didn’t go to trouble them throughout these days.

She handed away in the midst of the evening. Li Lan was current then. And when Li Xun realized that his mom wouldn’t make it by the evening, his cries seemed like he wished to die himself.

On her deathbed, his mom held his hand. As in all occasions previous, she informed him to get together with the remainder of the household. Seeing his mom on this state, Li Xun cried with out making a sound, and he lastly nodded his head, quietly agreeing to his mom’s request.

It had been her life lengthy want, however for some cause, when he lastly agreed, his mom appeared like she’d been hit with the world’s biggest ache. She lifted her hand up, a grim expression on her face, as if an evil spirit had possessed her. With countless resentment and ache, she grabbed Li Xun’s hand—

“No!” His mom’s eyes shook. Utilizing the final little bit of her power, she informed her son, “Li Xun, you possibly can by no means change into like them!”

His cries then have been earth-shattering. As if he have been shouting out all of his grievances, he shouted, “I do know!” After listening to this, his mom peacefully left.

Li Lan stood on the facet, her entire physique trembling. She didn’t know the right way to describe what she felt on the time. It was the primary time in her life that she felt such an attachment to somebody outdoors of her household. It was like a scorching flame burning cleanly, scorching you, and leaving you with no place to cover.

A thought got here to her thoughts, that she needed to discover a method to assist this youthful brother who by no means known as her “sister.”

Later, Li Xun began would begin college. As a result of the varsity there was small, the elementary and junior excessive college students attended collectively. Li Lan’s oldest brother had already graduated, and her second and third brothers have been in junior excessive. Li Lan solely studied for 3 years earlier than staying at residence to assist with household issues.

From the second Li Xun began college, Li Lan realized that her brothers would bully him much more severely. She didn’t perceive the place their anger got here from, however they have been like enemies who couldn’t presumably stay beneath the identical sky. Li Xun by no means tried to get revenge although. He was only a little one; he couldn’t beat them, so he simply needed to bear their remedy. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than his complete physique was coated in bruises.

Her brothers would secretly rip aside his books, toss away his backpack, and use any methodology to maintain him from going to high school. However, irrespective of what number of bruises he received, or how ripped up his books have been, Li Xun by no means missed a day of sophistication. And he additionally realized to not examine round her brothers. And so, within the evening, beneath the lamps, other than Li Lan washing garments, there was additionally a finding out Li Xun.

His perspective in direction of her remained poor as normal, or maybe it’s extra becoming to say that he continued to hold a heavy hostility in direction of their complete household. Li Lan didn’t thoughts. In any case, there have been many individuals who disliked her, and he or she didn’t really feel that Li Xun’s fierceness was completely real.

She quietly took care of him, washing his garments and feeding him, serving to divert her brothers’ consideration from him. And like that, the times handed, till one night, when to her shock, Li Lan didn’t see Li Xun finding out. She headed to the again courtyard and located him within the junk pile. He was clutching at his ribs, and when Li Lan requested him what was fallacious, he didn’t reply.

In a while, she discovered that Li Xun had gotten into the one “prime class” that was really thought of respectable at their rotten college. The category was situated within the north constructing, which was a substantial distance from the place Li Lan’s brothers took their classes. However extra importantly, the particular class required a faculty charge, and Li Lan’s mom wouldn’t give Li Xun the cash, so he was unable to hitch the category. He ended up returning to his authentic class.

Her brothers had been very comfortable about it, as if he have been the identical as them once more. They fortunately beat him up, breaking his ribs.

Li Xun didn’t go to the hospital. Li Lan wrapped him up merely and secretly saved cash to purchase him pork stew. When Li Xun was capable of stand once more, he made a request to Li Lan for the primary time—he wished to borrow some cash.

Li Lan didn’t have any cash herself, however Li Xun didn’t care. He shouted at her, and he or she even cried. Ultimately, she lied to her mom and requested for some cash. Li Xun took the cash and went to city on his personal. When he returned, everybody, together with Li Lan, have been startled to see that he’d bleached his hair blond.

Throughout that point, dying your hair wasn’t frequent, and particularly, such outrageous colours have been hardly ever seen. Due to his individualism, Li Xun suffered much more. His father was particularly livid. Li Chengbo was so indignant that the remainder of the household stayed within the nook, nobody daring to step ahead.

There had been a couple of occassion when Li Lan thought her father would beat Li Xun to demise… However even to the tip, Li Xun wouldn’t admit any wrongdoing and he wouldn’t dye his hair again.

Finally, everybody grew uninterested in hitting, of yelling, they usually all grew to become accustomed to the way in which issues have been. And so, that 12 months, a younger boy used this easy although infantile methodology to show how completely different he was to the remainder of them.