Chapter 61: Protective
A few scattered stars hung in the sky’s edge. Jiang Qiao heard rustling sounds at her door. She put down her book and looked up, seeing a hint of white through the bottom gap of the door. She had an uncomfortable feeling of being watched. She placed her book on the table, turned off the desk lamp, and lay down on her bed. Only then did the rustling stop. She knew who was at the door without having to guess.
Early the next morning, Cui Shumei was already up. Just as she was about to knock on Jiang Qiao’s door, it opened. They made eye contact, but Jiang Qiao said nothing and walked past her, carrying her cup and toothbrush that she’d taken into her room.
“Oh my, child, you’re being so cautious. What’s the meaning of taking your cup and toothbrush into your room?”
Jiang Qiao merely glanced at her and said quietly, “There are many bacteria in the mouth. Using the same toothbrush can lead to bacterial and viral infections. It’s unhygienic.”
“Well, I used to chew food for your mother when she was little. Did you ever see her get infected with any bacteria or viruses?”
Knowing it was pointless to argue, Jiang Qiao said nothing more and went straight to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Tian Ling sighed helplessly, “Mom, why bring that up? That was a different era. It’s the 21st century now. Pre-chewing food was already unhygienic, let alone sharing toothbrushes.”
“I raised you and your brother that way, and nothing happened, did it?”
“Times have changed, Mom.”
“You just think I’m old and can’t keep up with the times.”
Tian Ling sighed again, “Breakfast is ready, let’s eat first.”
Jiang Qiao drank a glass of milk and ate a few steamed dumplings before putting down her chopsticks. Seeing how little she ate, Tian Ling couldn’t help asking, “Qiao Qiao, are you full? Would you like something else? We have youtiao and baozi.”
Jiang Qiao shook her head, “I’m full.” Then she returned to her room.
She locked her door from inside, put in earplugs, and started doing her homework. She finished two test papers before putting down her pen.
Hearing a knock, she got up to open the door. Auntie Liu stood there with a fruit plate, smiling, “Doing homework, Qiao Qiao?”
“Yes.”
“Have some fruit. I just cut them. I noticed you didn’t eat much at breakfast.”
Jiang Qiao took the fruit plate, “Thank you, Auntie Liu.”
Auntie Liu smiled at her, “Go on back inside now.”
“Okay.”
…
Jiang Qiao heard commotion outside and opened her door.
Cui Shumei was pointing at Auntie Liu’s nose, scolding, “How do you work? You can’t even hold a plate steady! What’s the point of paying you so much? Are you just here to eat for free?”
“I just handed it to you, I thought you had it.”
“Making excuses! You clearly didn’t hold it properly. Why didn’t you put the fruit plate on the table? Why hand it to me? How could I hold something so heavy with one hand?”
Auntie Liu kept her head down without saying anything.
Jiang Qiao came out and looked at the fruit on the floor: “If it fell, it fell. Just pick it up. Besides, you didn’t catch it properly. Why blame Auntie Liu?”
Seeing Jiang Qiao taking an outsider’s side, Cui Shumei became furious. She slapped her thigh, “Oh my! I’m just old and useless now, annoying everyone. You’d speak to your own grandmother like this for a servant!”
“You don’t seem to remember being my grandmother when you talk about me.”
Cui Shumei was speechless at Jiang Qiao’s retort.
After a while, she called out, “Tian Ling, come out here! Look at this, look at how your well-educated daughter speaks to her grandmother!”
Tian Ling, who had only half-finished her makeup, came out. After understanding the situation, she felt it was a minor issue: “It’s just a fruit plate. We can cut more if it’s dropped.”
“Is fruit free? Are plates free? Did they fall from the sky?”
Cui Shumei continued complaining until Tian Ling persuaded her back to her room.
Jiang Qiao looked at Auntie Liu beside her and said soothingly, “Don’t mind her.”
Auntie Liu shook her head, “I don’t. It was my carelessness.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Auntie Liu felt warmth in her heart, her eyes getting moist.
Jiang Qiao smiled at her, “I’m going to the bookstore. Don’t make lunch for me.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Qiao packed her things and picked up her bag. She turned back to Auntie Liu, “I’m leaving.”
“Do you have enough money?” Auntie Liu asked, reaching into her pocket for some bills to give to Jiang Qiao.
Jiang Qiao pushed them back, “I have money.”
She added, “I’ll be going now.”
“Be careful on the way.”
“Okay.”
…
Jiang Qiao took the bus to a nearby bookstore. She found a window seat and took out her homework. It was already noon when she finished.
She packed her things and took out her phone. She saw Yang Shikun’s message.
[Yang Shikun]: Scholar Jiang, can I copy your homework when you’re done?
Jiang Qiao reopened her bag, took photos of the test papers, and sent them to him.
Yang Shikun replied quickly.
[Yang Shikun]: As expected of Scholar Jiang, so fast! Thank you!! [Yang Shikun]: bowing.jpg [Yang Shikun]: elaborate thanks.jpg
Jiang Qiao replied “You’re welcome” and went to find somewhere to eat.
Xu Si felt something stepping on him and woke from his sleep, hearing several “meows.” He groped around and finally found his phone under the pillow. It was already noon.
He sat up and looked at Yuan Yuan, asking, “Are you hungry?”
Yuan Yuan meowed several times.
Xu Si ran a hand through his hair and opened a can for its bowl, “Almost forgot about you.”
He brushed his teeth and washed his face in the bathroom before feeling fully awake.
He opened the unread WeChat messages.
[Yang Shikun]: Si-ge, Scholar Jiang is like my god! It’s only the second day and she’s finished all her homework. She’s amazing! [Yang Shikun]: Si-ge, do you want the answers? I can send you a copy.
The message was from 10:30 AM.
The little traditionalist was up doing homework before 10:30 AM during vacation. Such a good girl.
Xu Si stared at Yang Shikun’s message for a while, feeling inexplicably annoyed. He replied “No” and sent a message to Jiang Qiao.
[Xu Si]: Up early, aren’t you?
He was about to make some food when he opened the fridge and found it empty. Remembering he hadn’t bought groceries, he decided to buy a meal downstairs and then get some groceries.
Xu Si looked at Yuan Yuan: “I’m going downstairs to eat, want to come?”
Yuan Yuan meowed and followed him.
Xu Si bought a rice bowl and went to the supermarket. Passing the snack aisle, he bought some instant noodles and noticed the candy. The little traditionalist seemed to like this flavor. He grabbed a bag.
Yuan Yuan stopped at the seafood section, its eyes full of longing.
Xu Si looked at it for a while, amused: “Didn’t you just have canned food? Greedy cat.”
Despite calling it greedy, he still bought it some small fish.
His phone dinged.
[Little Heartless One]: ?
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