Chapter 59: Chapter 59 I Don’t Like It Chapter 59: Chapter 59 I Don’t Like It “Grandpa, didn’t I say…”
I don’t really like cake that much, do I?
“Okay, quickly bring the cake inside, today is your birthday, have you forgotten?”
Bai Dan handed the cake to Bai Zhi, then looked towards Bai Fei.
“Feifei, we’re eating at home today, and go call your grandpa to have a couple of drinks with me.”
Today was Xingxing’s birthday, although in the village, a child’s birthday was merely celebrated with a simple bowl of chicken egg noodles. If the family was a bit more particular, they would cook a piece of meat, and that was considered celebrating a birthday.
But he always wanted to give Xingxing a little surprise.
Bai Dan had bought not only a cake but also a fish, a marinated duck. There were also cold chicken feet, all to celebrate Xingxing’s birthday.
“Grandpa…”
Bai Zhi’s nose tingled, and she really had forgotten. In the original owner’s memory, birthdays seemed to be deliberately ignored.
She and the group pet shared the same birthday, but Bai Da always bought a cake and a birthday present, either books or a pretty dress.
For the original owner, it was just a dry happy birthday, at most an extra line.
“If you behave better in the future, I’ll also buy you gifts,
if you study harder, I’ll also buy you books?”
Hearing such words too often, it seemed that there were no expectations left, and she just forgot that she, too, had a birthday.
As for Ye Xiu, it wasn’t about favoring one over the other; they both got two pens, but what happened later?
She couldn’t remember.
“What’s wrong, want to cry? That won’t do, Xingxing is the strongest, today you go with Feifei and call your Great Grandpa, while grandpa will cook.”
Xingxing was little birthday star today, she should rest.
Bai Zhi wanted to say she would cook, but was pulled away by Bai Fei.
“Bai Zhi, so today is your birthday, why didn’t you say so? Let’s go to my house…”
Bai Fei dragged Bai Zhi away. If she had known it was Bai Zhi’s birthday earlier, she definitely would have prepared a gift.
She would have lent her beloved drawing book.
“I forgot too…”
Could she say that she had never remembered this at all? Or perhaps the original owner just didn’t want to remember.
They hadn’t walked far when they saw Bai Da hurrying back, also carrying many things, including a cake.
No need to guess, that wasn’t for the original owner. The original owner didn’t even think about stopping Bai Da; they just watched him hurry back home on the small path.
“Bai Zhi…”
Bai Fei didn’t know how to comfort Bai Zhi, but it seemed like Bai Zhi didn’t care.
“Weren’t we going to your house?”
Bai Fei was startled for a moment, realizing how hurt Bai Zhi must be, and quickly nodded.
“Oh yeah, let’s go, let’s go.”
Bai Fei got home and took out her most treasured comic books, those her father had bought for her.
“Here, I’m giving you these two to read.”
Two books were stuffed into Bai Zhi’s arms, one was ‘Havoc in Heaven’, the other was ‘Nezha’s Rebellion in the Sea’.
Bai Zhi was seeing comics from this era for the first time, colorless and crudely drawn, barely recognizing the likeness of a monkey.
But this was still a very precious gift. She could see Bai Fei’s eyes clearly in pain, yet showing no reluctance.
“Cousin, thank you.”
Bai Zhi held the comics in her hands. Although she was past the age for comic books, it was the thought of this young girl that counted, and even just that thought needed to be cherished.
Seeing Bai Zhi happy, it seemed all reluctance disappeared instantly, and Bai Fei happily lifted her chin, taking her to find Great Grandpa.
Bai Fei’s grandfather, Bai Ming, was already over sixty years old this year, a full ten years older than Bai Dan.
But he was still full of energy, often walking around with his smoking pipe.
Seeing Bai Fei and Bai Zhi, he pulled a handful of sunflower seeds from his bag and followed them,
until Grandma Bai chased after him, handing him a plate of stir-fried chives and eggs for them to have with their drinks.
As the two little girls walked, their pace slowed, and Bai Ming didn’t wait for them.
“Xingxing!”
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind them, and Bai Zhi didn’t want to turn around. It was Ye Xiu’s voice.
Ye Xiu hadn’t wanted to come back this week, but since it was her daughter’s birthday, she had bought two identical dolls as birthday presents.
Only when she got home did she discover that Bai Ye was hurt, reportedly pushed by Xingxing. This time, Ye Xiu didn’t believe it.
Seeing that Bai Da’s cake and the gifts were only for one, and not having thought of coming to look for Xingxing, she felt annoyed and brought out the dolls.
“Auntie, you’re back?”
It was Bai Fei, speaking very politely, as she tugged at Bai Zhi’s hand.
“Mhm, I’m back, today is Xingxing’s birthday,” Ye Xiu placed the dolls in front of Bai Zhi, looking at her gently.
The recent Xingxing, she looked much healthier, still thin but spirited.
“Xingxing, mommy bought you a doll, do you like it?”
Ye Xiu looked at Bai Zhi with anticipation, hoping to see a glint of fondness in her eyes.
“I don’t like it.”
Bai Zhi coldly replied, not giving Ye Xiu any face at all.
Ye Xiu was stunned, a look of loss passing through her eyes. Xingxing didn’t like it?
Then what did Xingxing like? She… had no idea.
“Are you mad because I said I don’t like it?”
Bai Zhi looked at Ye Xiu, her eyes edged with faint sarcasm.
The doll, that was the group pet’s favorite thing, which had also been chosen by the group pet when they asked what they wanted for a birthday gift not long ago.
They had never asked what the original owner liked.
“No, not at all.”
Ye Xiu shook her head quickly, feeling a bit hurt inside. How could she, as a mother, not know what her own daughter liked?
“I wasn’t thoughtful enough, not knowing what Xingxing likes. Could you tell mommy what you like, so I can buy it for you, would that be okay?”
Ye Xiu took Bai Zhi’s small hand, noticing how small it was, covered in calluses. Was this the childhood they, as parents, had left her with?
“I don’t know what I like, I haven’t had the time to think about it. I have to go back now.”
Bai Zhi swiftly withdrew her hand. What did the original owner like? Perhaps not even she knew, because there was never any time to think about it.
Later, she just wanted to catch their attention…
And then there was no later.
Bai Zhi moved so quickly that Ye Xiu couldn’t catch her. She stared at her own empty hand, still feeling the warmth of her daughter’s touch on it.
“Xingxing, I’m sorry…”
Suddenly, Ye Xiu shouted out to Bai Zhi, tears following.
Bai Zhi stopped in her tracks, and Ye Xiu quickly approached, hugging the petite figure from behind.
“Xingxing, I’m sorry, truly sorry, mommy has been too selfish, not realizing the life you were living, not knowing what you liked, am I not a good mother?”
I’m sorry, she wasn’t a good mother.
For not being there during Xingxing’s difficult times.