Chapter 4

Ikuo Tsushima kept looking over at the flood relief team, resting her chin on her hand, as if she were pondering some issue.

"I can manage today, I can manage tomorrow, and I can manage the day after tomorrow, but I cannot manage you for a lifetime. I can manage in the welfare home, but I cannot do so in school." Old Jiang took a puff of his cigarette, "One day, you will have to leave the welfare home and enter society. When that time comes, the situations you encounter will be far more complex than the fights among children now. Start learning to handle problems on your own, so that when you face issues in the future, you will have your own ideas. This is called cultivating your independence and autonomy."

"Little Jing." Cao Xueqing ruffled his hair, "Thank you."

Cao Xueqing is a girl and does not need to do such rough work; the cook asked her to take a pair of scissors to shell the edamame. However, Cao Jing and his two brothers were not so fortunate; they had to carefully handle the freshly removed pig intestines, which were foul-smelling and greasy. Even the roughest among them, Cao Yang, had a pale expression.

I have taken this, is that alright

She usually wears men's clothing, very loose T-shirts and shirts, and ordinary jeans. Cao Jing has always thought that his sister is naturally beautiful, but she does not pay much attention to her appearance. After Cao Xueqing awakened, it was as if nothing had happened; there was no significant difference between the previous Cao Xueqing and the later Cao Xueqing

The luminous sphere before him suddenly dispersed, transforming into a flowing beam of light that intricately wove together the three characters: I am here.

Cao Xueqing picked it up, gently caressed it, smiled, and then placed it back into the pile of toys

Yet perhaps all of this is merely my own self-inflicted turmoil. I am but a speck of dust, unable to control my fate amidst the bustling world. Who can truly be certain of grasping their own destiny, of seizing the elusive light within the torrent of life, and attaining enlightenment and liberation

I want to join the army, said Cao Yang

Cao Jing briefly thought that she was going to call him over to "teach him a lesson," but Tsushima Ikue pulled his arm and led him to a corner. After checking that no one was around, she hesitated for a while and said, "Is this what you want?"

What is that book about

That storyteller! I have something to tell you

Cao Jing's beloved sister, Cao Xueqing, has been taking care of him since he can remember. When he was very young, she was already the "head" of the flood relief team, appearing gentle, quiet, and serene, yet possessing great decisiveness. She rarely spoke, but always showed her love for her younger siblings through her actions; whenever she did speak, it usually signified the final outcome

Will you take this later

On the playground, the chubby boy from the naturalization class was still running laps in the rain. The members of the naturalization class had gathered under another eave, with someone keeping pace for the chubby boy in Japanese. Tsushima Ikue sat on a wooden crate, resembling a piece of art carved from white jade. The chubby boy gradually began to tire, prompting the members of the naturalization class to start singing, likely a folk song from their hometown, while two mischievous boys began to dance comically to the rhythm.

After washing for a while, Lao Jiang suddenly asked: "Xiao Xue, have you ever considered joining the army in the future?"

In simple terms, she wants to pull me into the naturalization class. Cao Jing said in the dark, The Chinese character proficiency of the people in the naturalization class is very poor, and she wants me to help them learn Chinese. Moreover, there is a personal reason behind this; she has a book that she wants me to read to her, a somewhat complex history book, as she wants to learn a bit of history

The awakening of Tsushima Yuki was as if it happened overnight, while Cao Xueqing seemed to have been Cao Xueqing from the very beginning

Damn it, after peeling this, I feel like I won't be able to eat meat for three days. Cao Dan, with a frown, picked up a piece of intestine from the blood water and made a retching motion

When it was Cao Jing's turn, he took a white shirt. In the welfare institution, your clothes will not be replaced with new ones until they are beyond repair. Cao Xueqing took a black down jacket. Due to the large quantity of clothes, each person is allowed to take two turns.

Lao Jiang ran his fingers through his short hair and looked at Cao Jing, asking, "You little one, you sure have a lot to say. So let me ask you, how long do you think I can manage you all?"

In the welfare institution, everyone appeared rather unsophisticated. Cao Jing remembered that he had always worn a blue tracksuit, which fit him reasonably well and was quite comfortable. Before the awakening of his adolescent consciousness, boys generally did not pay much attention to their appearance, while girls tended to focus more on their grooming.

I do not know

A few small orbs of light silently appeared before the three brothers, resembling three small light bulbs, providing a slight sense of comfort. Old Jiang glanced over and said with a smile, "Let me shed some light for you, it's quite good."

Listening to you, it seems that the class leader of this naturalization class possesses some foresight and insight

Jinshan Yujian looked at him and said: "You help me with one thing, no, two things. In exchange, I will give you this hairpin"

People sorted the old clothes into several categories based on the type of clothing and neatly arranged them on the ground. Cao Jing was over there organizing toys and books when suddenly, his hand was pricked. Upon closer inspection, it was a silver hairpin

Cao Jing greeted his elder sister, holding a slender, silver hairpin resembling a phoenix. This small piece of jewelry was nestled among a pile of odds and ends, lying in the midst of a large box of toy soldiers, distinctly different from the surrounding crude trinkets. It is hard to imagine that someone would place such a beautiful item in a donation box; perhaps it slipped from a girl's head when she bent down.

Next. Old Jiang marked a tick on the roll call, "Wang Jinde."

... ... remember

"Boss Jiang, why didn't you intervene when I was fighting at noon today?" Cao Jing asked after finishing his laughter.

"Ah, dear brother, do not make such a frightening expression." Tsushima Ikue sneered, "I have yet to settle the score with you for tripping me before. Let me ask you, do you want this hairpin? Go give it to Old Cao, so she can rub your head again?"

That night, after having dinner, it rained

In Cao Jing's view, it is difficult to judge Cao Xueqing by the standards of "beauty and ugliness" or "attractive and unattractive". To him, his sister has always been his sister, and her appearance holds no significance. Regardless, she is the most important family member in Cao Jing's heart

"I will not change," said Cao Jing. "Everything I have experienced, my brothers, my sisters, my enemies... is a part of my life. I spent a long time understanding and accepting who I truly am, recognizing myself, and only then could I find my place in this world..."

"Sit down." Old Jiang pointed to the four small stools, prompting the four individuals to obediently take a seat. "To make sausages, we must first wash the intestines!"

On the day the donations were delivered by truck, the Naturalization Class won first place in the lottery, the Growth Class second place, and the Flood Relief Class third place. The supplies mainly consisted of clothes and books, which were divided into two piles. The books were uniformly sent to the library, while the clothes were selected in turn by each class according to the previously agreed numbers.

Jinshan Yujing took out the silver hairpin and shook it, and Cao Jing immediately realized that she had heard the conversation he had with his sister earlier

As the first person in the naturalization class, Tsushima Ikue spent some time rummaging through the pile of clothes, but none of them met her expectations. Finally, she walked around the heap of miscellaneous items, suddenly bent down, and picked up the silver hairpin.

Perhaps it is not so unfortunate, Cao Jing thought, there are many people in the world who are alone, while I still have someone to rely on

When helping in the kitchen, all four of them let out a sigh. The kitchen was covered in blood, and the director of the welfare institute, Elder Jiang, along with the cook, was sweating profusely as they cleaned up the pig entrails

Sister

She was indeed very thoughtful. Cao Jing remained silent in the darkness for a moment, "She saw the core of this contradiction and took the initiative to try to seize the initiative for change in her own hands. Looking back now, her thoughts were quite mature for her age... perhaps too mature. It is possible that from that book onward, the course of her later life was determined.

"Modern History of the Asia-Pacific Republic." More specifically, she wishes to understand the history of Japan's participation in the Asian People's Political Conference during the 1930s, as well as the transformation of the initial Republic of China into the Asia-Pacific Republic. "Cao Jinghe said, 'In search of her roots, this is her way of attempting to bridge the gap.'"

In this way, do you still remember the black market we talked about before

In the darkness, Lei Xiaoyue remained silent; he lacked the experience to comprehend what I was saying, Cao Jing thought with a hint of helplessness

Well

What is the matter

The core contradiction of the event is not me, but rather the conflict arising from the differences between the flood relief class and the naturalization class. In simple terms, the initial division made by Lao Jiang forced us into opposition. The individuals in the naturalization class are originally ethnic minorities of our country, and their internal society is quite closed. Lao Jiang not only failed to break this cultural isolation but instead formalized it. This has led to an increasingly intense conflict between our two classes. " Cao Jing took a sip of tea, " and I am merely a catalyst in this matter.

"Then what does that have to do with me www.hetushu.com?" Cao Xueqing said calmly, and everyone laughed

Because of her action, Cao Jing's mood improved significantly, lasting until the selection began

Cao Jing's heart settled down. When he turned his head to look, his sister merely raised her head to meet his gaze for a moment and smiled.

"How wonderful it is to be a soldier," Cao Dan said enviously, "Pretty girls all like it."

Later, when Cao Jing reflected on it, he realized that before awakening her abilities, Tsushima Ikue was merely an inconspicuous little girl in the naturalization class. It was only after she gained her abilities that she gradually began to exhibit the confident brilliance that she later became known for. It was as if she strived to become a model in order to be worthy of the talents bestowed upon her by heaven.

"Are you trying to say that my family is already very happy and that one should be content?" Lei Xiaoyue tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table

Old Jiang lit a cigarette, took a few steps towards the kitchen door, and looked at the sun outside. After a while, he said: "You are a good seed. If you join the army, you could make a significant contribution. I know a few friends; when you are a bit older, you can go to the training center for further study... But ultimately, this matter depends on your own choice; I will not force you."

"None of your business." Cao Jing retorted decisively

"Do not frown, there will be food for you all when the time comes!" Old Jiang, with an imposing demeanor, chopped the kitchen knife on the cutting board, "Wash it well, and after peeling, rub it with salt."

"You are just fit to be a soldier." Old Jiang laughed heartily, "It's quite similar to my younger days; I liked to fight, and I knew deep down that I was not meant to be an academic."

In contrast to the distinctly charismatic Tsushima Ikue, Cao Xueqing is quiet and reserved, yet possesses a surging, restrained strength of character. Later, Cao Jing felt that in his youth, he harbored a blind yet fervent love for her, a love devoid of carnal desire, pure to the point of being fervent admiration. He was willing to dedicate himself to his beloved sister, to sacrifice for her, to die for her. At that time, Cao Jing believed he was unworthy of her, even unworthy to be her brother. He was willing to dedicate himself to his beloved sister, to sacrifice for her, to die for her. At that time, Cao Jing believed he was unworthy of her, even unworthy to be her brother.

When the black rabbit went to get the clothes, Cao Jing instinctively turned his face and saw his sister frowning deeply, clearly displeased that the silver phoenix had fallen into the hands of Jinshan Yujiang

Compared to Cao Xueqing, Tsushima Ikue's beauty is even more outstanding. Even though she has not yet fully matured, Tsushima Ikue already displays an astonishing youthful beauty. Her skin is naturally fair to the point of being dazzling, her figure is slender, and her long hair is meticulously styled every day, with delicate features... However, all these innate qualities pale in comparison to her confident aura that seems to disregard her surroundings. Tsushima Ikue possesses a particularly cherished white shirt embroidered with lotus flowers, which is impeccably clean, paired with an old black skirt. At a time when aesthetic appreciation had yet to blossom, this created a visual impact on the boys and girls at the welfare home.

If I could make a choice, I would exchange with your family. Cao Jing said to Lei Xiaoyue in the dark, Guess whether I would do it or not

After finishing the cleaning, something happened. It took an entire afternoon, and then everyone went to wash the newly arrived clothes. At that moment, Tsushima Ikue called out to Cao Jing

Is it true? Lei Xiaoyue clearly thinks that Cao Jing is bragging, saying, "You speak as if you are the center of the event."

The members of the flood relief team were all sitting under the eaves of the dormitory building by the playground. Cao Jing opened a book and read aloud in the light: "The Adventures of the Toy Dog, Chapter 17, The Great Battle with the Big Beard..."

The other children in the welfare institution do not have a clear understanding of their unfortunate circumstances; most of them have not yet reached the age where they would feel troubled by this issue. Only Cao Jing is among the few who enjoys reading, and he has come to realize this, understanding the concept of "separation," which brings him melancholy. The definition of "misfortune" arises from comparisons between individuals. Cao Jing thinks, having come to know that there are many children in the world who are happier than I am, I have become "unfortunate".

These three characters vanish in an instant, reconstituting into a luminous sphere meant to illuminate

He read in books about what a normal family is like, with parents who care for their children, having their own independent rooms, private toys and books, and the ability to go to the zoo or amusement park every weekend. Moreover, before they finish their studies, they do not have to consider the relationships that come with entering society. In the lives of normal children, there is a long period of being in a "protected phase," which they do not have.

Cao Jing remained silent; he had read numerous books in the library and had his own thoughts, understanding the difference between ideals and reality. Long ago, he had already accepted his fate as an orphan in a welfare institution, relying solely on his siblings for companionship.