Chapter 10, Soft-hearted

He did not look much longer and went back carrying the honeycomb coal.

Jiang Sui looked at Jiang Xue's gossiping face and almost burst out laughing. Her sister was good at everything, yet she was uniquely afflicted with a romantic mindset

It truly makes one feel so soft-hearted that it is uncomfortable all over

The wool gloves have become dull and gray, and the yarn has also worn down slightly

Chi Yiming let out a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat more at ease

However, Chi Yiming looked at his brother, who had just returned home still wearing autumn clothes, and gritted his teeth without saying a word. He still had a cotton jacket from two years ago, while Chi Yan was wearing an autumn coat, the zipper pulled up to his throat.

Behind the door beam, Jiang Sui was dressed in a peach-red winter outfit, and her gaze inadvertently fell upon Chi Yan's hand

Jiang Sui could not sleep, so she simply turned on the light and emptied her piggy bank.

Zhao Nan is still making a fuss: "Mom, what about my new clothes? Didn't you say to let Chi Yan buy them?"

Chi Yan said: "No, it's in the passbook for the monthly settlement."

Liang Jun said: "When I shout 123, go! Then we all throw together"

The young boy held a rope and a worn-out bamboo winnowing basket in his left hand, while in his right hand he carried an airtight bag

Deng Yulian went out in the morning to buy New Year goods, and when she returned, she took out a beautiful red cotton coat from the plastic bag

Chi Yan did not move: "Wen Lei has been in prison, having stabbed someone seven times"

She did not know what Chi Yan had experienced, but later everyone said that Mr. Chi Yan's hands were not very agile. In the future, everyone would respect him, yet this year, no one cared for him

Once the mother and daughter had left, Chi Yiming finally relaxed his tightly clenched fist. Deep resentment was hidden in his eyes as he gazed at their retreating figures

The largest bag was impossible for the two men to throw onto the vehicle, and both of them were drenched in sweat

Chi Yiming was afraid that his aunt would find out, so he hurriedly put on the new padded jacket underneath and then wore the old cotton jacket on top.

The bell tolls, and the New Year has arrived

Her tone was soft, yet her expression was extremely serious

Chi Yan set down the burden, said little, and came over to help

Zhao Nan described Liang Qian'er's clothing, which left Deng Yulian feeling somewhat embarrassed

Chi Yan glanced at her and took out an object from the bag he was holding in his right hand, handing it to her: "Take it and play with it"

Chi Yan felt particularly exhausted; this winter's snow was like knives, cutting into the skin with a cold pain. In the afternoon, he repaired five motorcycles and braved the wind and rain to tow a flat-tired vehicle to a more distant location

The recipient, Liang Jun, brightened his eyes and said: "Young man in black clothes, come over and lend a hand"

She took out a pair of gray gloves and said, "This is a gift from your father; they are his old gloves. I hope you don't mind."

He was too lazy to argue with the woman and got up to leave.

Brother, is your salary really settled annually

Jiang Sui is eager to help, but her strength is as limited as that of a small kitten, rendering her unable to be of much use. She can only pour hot water for her father and Uncle Liang Jun, who is in charge of the delivery.

It feels as if the cold has momentarily been cut off, and the body has become warm and cozy

Do not overindulge in disdain

The brand new gloves seem to dispel the wind and rain, brightening one's mood.

Wait a moment! Deng Yulian glanced at the young man and said, "You have been working at the motorcycle shop for more than three months now. Where has your salary gone? The New Year is approaching, and I don't need it all; isn't it reasonable to take out some to buy clothes for your sister?"

The courtyard is adorned with red lanterns, and every household is enveloped in a festive atmosphere

Jiang Xue cradled her face and said with a hint of sorrow, "Why has your vanished beauty not graced me?"

Chi Yan found it marvelous that a person's long and lovely eyelashes could actually catch snowflakes

She counted the prices of the year on her fingers and happily fell asleep

A small sparrow, whose claws and wings are bound, struggles desperately in a state of despair.

In the courtyard, Chi Yan is a person with a very weak presence. He is always busy, his young body constantly striving for a living, and he hardly has time to converse with the people in the courtyard

Zhao Nan shook open her clothes and saw the gaudy embroidery on them, and her happy mood instantly dissipated. She recalled her good friend Liang Qian'er’s winter coat, which was pure white, with a beautiful and soft fur collar, and the buttons were also exquisite and attractive

Jiang Xue sighed with worry and suddenly asked in a gossipy tone: "Are there any boys in your class who, um... particularly like to tease you?"

Bags of nylon pockets were thrown onto the vehicle

Jiang Sui nodded slightly

Jiang Xue felt extremely regretful: "If only you could be like you were when you were younger, the whole class would surely love you."

Jiang Sui secretly bought a pair of woolen fingerless gloves, and her soft little hands slipped inside, feeling large and warm

Try it out and see if it fits

However, the little girl in front of me was short, and her eyelashes resembled two butterflies. She clumsily wiped away the snowflakes that had fallen on her eyelashes

Chi Yiming glanced at the weary Chi Yan and suddenly felt uncomfortable with such warmth

Jiang Shuisheng was taken aback, and Jiang Sui was also momentarily stunned

Chi Yiming shook his head: "Brother, you wear it. You still have to work, I am not cold, and I don't need to go out"

If you cannot catch it, then let it go

She asked in a soft, childlike voice, "Are you going home?"

After Chi Yan returned, he glanced at him and said: "Come over and get dressed"

The young boy, dressed in thin autumn clothing, walked with remarkable steadiness. His uncle, Zhao Songshi, struggled to carry the honeycomb coal twice, while he was able to carry it home in one trip.

At that time, Chi Yan happened to be carrying a load of honeycomb coal over.

He is still dressed in autumn attire, with his boots stepping on the snow, exuding a somewhat desolate atmosphere

The little girl did not smile either, nodding seriously. It felt like a handover of a secret mission

Deng Yulian was taken aback for a moment, then incredulously raised her voice and said: "What did you say? Year-end!"

Jiang Sui looked at it several times with reluctance before resolutely dirtying it and then polishing it again

Jiang Sui's big eyes sparkled with a smile, and her tone was soft and slow: "I know, but I can't react in time"

Chi Yan nodded slightly, leaving behind a series of deep, winding footprints in the snow

Even if it is the little demon Chi Yiming, at least it is dressed for winter

At that time, Chi Yiming was doing his homework in the grocery store, the door closed, and he was still shivering from the cold

This meaning was also conveyed perfectly to Chi Yan, who responded: "Thank him for me."

Jiang Sui hurriedly walked out: "Chiyan Gege!"

Chi Yiming hesitated as he picked up the clothes, and indeed they were a bit short, suitable only for himself to wear. Chi was tired of having grown taller this year and being unable to wear them.

Chi Yiming meticulously writes out practice problems, feeling that indeed, different people have different fates. If given a warm new piece of clothing, he would wear it even if it were women's.

Jiang Shuisheng had to return with Jiang Sui before the year was over, as the medicinal herbs he had stored had sprouted, which was quite troublesome

Deng Yulian was also feeling frustrated: "What’s the fuss about? I can just return this and buy you a new one!" She was unwilling to let Chi Yan change jobs; after all, wouldn’t it be a waste of three months of effort if he switched now? She could only endure a little longer.

However, even after the passing of a year, he is still only fourteen years old

She widened her eyes, her delicate white fingers pinching the thin string, astonished and at a loss as she asked, "It, it, it... is moving, what should I do?"

Xiao Nan, what is this?

Jiang Suiping usually does not spend money, after all, she is not like her peers. She does not eat snacks or buy toys, and now she has saved so much money.

However, before Chi Yiming could say anything, the door was opened by someone. The wind and rain rushed in, and Deng Yulian walked in, followed by Zhao Nan

In comparison, this red garment in hand appears utterly vulgar

Chi Yan would not persuade anyone; he threw his clothes onto the table and lay down on the bed, closing his eyes wearily: "It's too short, I can't wear it."

She noticed that Chi Yan left in the morning and has not yet returned. Jiang Sui looked out the window, and when the sun was fully out, Chi Yan also came back.

Thank you, it is possible but not necessary

The horse is tired of looking back

Hmm. Chi Yan has never dealt with such creatures; the most he has encountered in his life are individuals like Deng Yulian and Zhao Nan.

Upon hearing this, Chi Yan's cold and indifferent gaze revealed a hint of sarcasm. How could Zhao Nan be considered his sister? He coldly replied, "Boss Wen said that I am a minor, classified as a child laborer, and my salary is settled annually"

Seeing Chi's indecisiveness, Deng Yulian said: "No, how can we settle it at the end of the year! We should go find him now and demand that he pay the wages owed."

The nylon bag was thrown onto the car, and Jiang Sui watched anxiously, fearing that the wound on his hand would burst open.

The weather is getting colder day by day, and the first snowfall of winter arrives particularly late, just as the New Year is approaching

Zhao Nan received new clothes, and they all heard it. This room is not soundproof, and with Zhao Nan making such a loud noise, how could they not hear it

In elementary and middle school, boys express their affection in a clumsy manner by teasing and bullying.

The person who came to collect the goods drove an old delivery truck

It is truly ... ...

Jiang Sui was amused to the point of giggling by her tone

It is written all over my face that my father made me do this

Liang Jun smiled and patted his shoulder: "Young man, not bad, full of energy, hahaha, why are you dressed so lightly? Don't catch a cold."

Jiang Sui shook her head

Deng Yulian, having given birth to a daughter at an older age, considers Zhao Nan to be the apple of her eye. Thus, she asked: "What kind of [thing] does little Nan want?"

The New Year is approaching soon. After Jiang Shuisheng became a widower, he would take Jiang Sui to her uncle's house to celebrate the New Year together every year.

The wind and snow continued to rage outside at night, and Jiang Sui tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She recalled the hands of the young man. In fact, over the past few months, she had tried her best to avoid any contact with Chi Yan and Chi Yi Ming, often walking past the place where Chi Yan repaired cars without glancing sideways.

Chi Yan frowned, and the little girl walked in a way that was striking to behold. However, a pair of bright eyes seemed to be adorned with the vivid colors of spring. The peach blossom eyes were truly beautiful and sparkling, but unfortunately, the little girl's face, tinged with shades of green and purple, was heart-wrenching to look at

He opened the bag in his hand, and inside was evidently a new cotton-padded jacket

Jiang Shuisheng said: "I apologize for the trouble, Chi Yan"

Jiang Xue said: "Little fool, don't you know to protect your face?"

Zhao Nan, who was warming himself by the fire in the room, saw the new clothes and his eyes lit up. He rushed out and hugged Deng Yulian, saying: "Thank you, Mom"

Fortunately, he was strong enough to merely calm his breath slightly

Jiang Sui stumbled her way to stand before him

Yet at this moment, the hands eroded by the cold are already prematurely shadowed by a future that has yet to come

The little girl instinctively caught it, while Jiang Sui had never caught a bird in her two lifetimes

Jiang Xue caught Jiang Sui and carefully examined her small face: "What happened to your face? You were so well-behaved when you were young, but now you have so many injuries. Will it ruin your looks? I can hardly remember what you looked like, and you still fall often?"

Deng Yulian glanced at Chi Yan and frowned discontentedly: "Chi Yan, what do you mean by sleeping as soon as you come back? The water tank has frozen over, aren't you going to take care of it? The household coal is also gone. I provide you with food and shelter, and you do nothing but sleep!"

Liang Jun did not recognize him; seeing his tall stature and great strength, he naturally called on him to lend a hand

Moreover, Zhao Nan's skin is not fair, and wearing red makes her complexion appear sallow. Zhao Nan immediately pouted unhappily and said, "Mom, I don't like this flower. If I wear it, Liang Qian'er and the others will laugh at me for being unsophisticated."

His hands were not aesthetically pleasing, frozen to a deep red, and afflicted with frostbite, the backs of his hands cracked and marked with faint traces of blood. The scars of life had etched themselves into the boy's hands, one cut after another.

Chi Yan said: "Hmm"

The sound of coins clinking, along with the pocket money that was just added this year, scattered in a heap.

Brother, once you have saved enough money, you should return to school

Chi Yan rubbed his temples and sat up from the bed

Those who are reckless are the most frightening. Deng Yulian hesitated immediately and glared at Chi Yan with indignation: "Useless thing, let's see what kind of job you can find!" After saying this, she pulled Zhao Nan out.

Chiyandun paused for a moment and then said, "Hmm."