Chapter 70: Chapter 70 She Wants to Take It Back Chapter 70: Chapter 70 She Wants to Take It Back That was the carrying basket Bai Dan had specifically woven for Xingxing, and Wu La was about the same height as Bai Zhi, which made it a perfect fit.
All the items were placed inside the basket, and after securing it on Wu La’s back, Bai Zhi saw them off from the stall.
Wu La looked at Bai Zhi for a long time before finally squeezing out a single sentence, the only one he uttered,
“I reluctantly agree to let you be Wu Wa’s big sister, fine, here’s her bracelet, and you need to cherish it—it’s very precious.”
Wu La had always watched, even envying it; if it weren’t for the fact that he couldn’t take it back, he would have wanted to snatch it back.
Seeing Wu La’s conflicted look, mixed with slight dislike for her, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but laugh. If she hadn’t known it wasn’t their first time taking this route, she would have been worried, but after Wu La’s demonstration of cutting stone with his hand, she felt much more at ease.
When she returned to the stall, Bai Dan had already packed up, ready to take his granddaughter home.
“Xingxing, is that your friend?”
If Xingxing had made a friend, that was truly wonderful. The smile on Xingxing’s face just now was as dazzling as the stars in the sky.
“Yes, it is.”
Later, Bai Zhi wondered, why did she like Wu Wa? Was there really no reason at all?
She thought maybe it was because she could never possess the pure and clean look in Wu Wa’s eyes or her heart that unconditionally trusted Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi thought that apart from her grandfather, she couldn’t trust anyone; even with her grandfather, there were secrets they couldn’t speak of or were afraid to reveal. Yet with Wu Wa, she didn’t have to think about anything—it was effortless.
Ye Xiu woke up at noon with a splitting headache. The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was Bai Da sitting beside her, which made her frown.
“Aren’t you going to work?”
Bai Da immediately poured a glass of water for her and handed it to Ye Xiu.
“How can I go to work when you’re not feeling well? You shouldn’t go to school this week either. Just rest at home, money is endless but health is important.”
How nice that sounded, and it was hard not to be moved by it, but it also depended on the circumstances.
“Yesterday, you bought cake and gifts, what about your wage? Do you still have any left?”
Bai Da always spent freely, and he never spent on himself, only on her and the children, except for Xingxing.
Before, she would have been touched by him, a man who, even with only fifty cents in his pocket, was willing to spend it all on her.
But, if life itself became an issue, something they couldn’t sustain, what was the point of romance?
Moreover, she didn’t want to see him now, much less Xixi.
“I still have some, don’t worry Xiuxiu, I’m here for everything.”
Bai Da paused for a moment, then spoke up quickly; as a man, he naturally couldn’t let Xiuxiu worry like that.
“Get lost.”
Ye Xiu rolled her eyes at Bai Da; she realized that she couldn’t be too subtle, otherwise, Bai Da would act as if he didn’t understand, and besides, he was also forgetful.
She had clearly told him that she didn’t want to see him for now, but he acted as if nothing had happened, let alone that he probably felt as if nothing had really happened at all.
“Everything is up to me?” Ye Xiu looked at him sarcastically. “It’s because I trusted you too much that today, my daughter is disappointed in me, and I’ve lost her. Do you realize that?”
Whenever she thought of Xingxing, her nose would feel particularly sour. Tears would fall uncontrollably, and her heart would ache terribly.
“Bai Da, I’m really tired. I hate myself for not realizing all this sooner. I just want some peace now, please, don’t disturb me. I’m going back to school.”
She was afraid of staying any longer. She might end up hating Bai Da and displacing her anger onto him.
“Xiuxiu, I really didn’t mean to neglect her. Can’t I change?”
Bai Da looked at Ye Xiu anxiously. His heart was in a panic, as if something was out of control.
It seemed like not long ago, their family was living happily.
“Is it still not good enough for you, Xiuxiu? Believe me, I can do better, really.”
Bai Da tried desperately to convince Ye Xiu. He absolutely couldn’t bear the thought of her being unhappy.
“I know, I know you love me, but Bai Da, it’s not just about your love for me. You should also take up the responsibilities of a father. When you have money, you spend lavishly, but when you don’t, you skimp?”
Ye Xiu sneered. The reason she hadn’t realized this before was that every time she came back, he had bought a lot of food, making it seem like their home life was quite good.
Plus, with Xingxing being so capable and taking care of everything at home, feeding the pigs and chickens, they were never short of food. But now, the school fees were becoming a significant issue.
With school starting in a month, he couldn’t even come up with the children’s tuition fees. And yet he was buying cakes and expensive gifts?
Ye Xiu didn’t understand what Bai Da was thinking, but what disappointed her most was his attitude toward Xingxing.
He took it for granted that what Xingxing did was expected, maybe even thinking that Xingxing was being unreasonable or that Xingxing was bullying Bai Yu and Bai Ye, not to mention Nan Xi.
Sorry, she didn’t really like her right now.
If it weren’t for her, would Bai Yu and Bai Ye have ignored Xingxing so thoroughly? Impossible. Even if she hadn’t done anything, her mere presence was the reason.
People are selfish, and she was no exception. She could devote time and energy to her students, but that didn’t mean she could allow someone to hurt her daughter.
Damage had already been done, yet she still felt guilty, guilty for thinking her displacement of anger was wrong?
How ironic, her logic and emotions were fighting. So, she had to return to school; she wanted to see if she would still feel guilty after some time.
“No need to worry, our house has plenty of food, vegetables, and meat. But what about you, staying outside, not eating well, and do you have enough clothes to wear? Should I buy you a couple more?”
Bai Da shook his head with a grin, seeing no issue with their household lifestyle.
“No need, Bai Da, you still don’t understand. Just stop buying things randomly in the future. What about the children’s tuition and living expenses? You’ve spent this month’s salary, haven’t you?
And I don’t want to see you, I’ll say it again, I want to be alone for a while.”
Ye Xiu rubbed her throbbing forehead; she was really exhausted. She wanted to see Xingxing but feared it would upset her, preferring not to face what was in front of her.
“Xiuxiu?” Bai Da was completely dazed and suddenly grabbed Ye Xiu’s hand. “Don’t talk like that, please don’t, I can’t accept that. I love you so much, isn’t it enough that I treat Bai Zhi well?”
“Not enough.” Ye Xiu rejected him coldly, her gaze filled with deep disappointment.
“Stop saying that, I’ve had enough. Just don’t bother Xingxing anymore, that’s all I ask. Please treat her as if she were just a relative’s child, okay? She doesn’t owe you anything.”