### Chapter 238: Discussion Time
The time always flies when playing games, especially when Xia Yu and Xia Ling were in the middle of a group battle. But suddenly, Xia Ling’s phone got a call. And guess who it was? It was Dad.
Well, naturally Xia Jing couldn’t complain about anything and had to suppress her anger saying, “Dad, what’s up?” “Where are you and Xiao Yu right now? Bring your big brother back so we can eat.”
“Okay, got it.”
With that, they quickly wrapped up the conversation.
When Xia Yu looked back at the battlefield on her phone, as expected, their team lost. Their opponents were currently advancing. Seeing this, Xia Ling didn’t know what to do but could only sigh in resignation, leaving the game first, then took Xia Yu’s little handy hand leading her towards Xia Le. Yep, unlike Xia Yu, Xia Ling always knew her brother was here playing basketball, hence no need to search elsewhere.
Focused Xia Yu finally noticed the many familiar faces on the court. This left him quite disoriented.
Xia Ling, however, didn’t dwell too much; she pulled Xia Yu with her straight into the crowd of guys to find Xia Le, “Dad said we can go home for dinner now.” “Oh, I got it. You guys go back first.”
Xia Le wiped sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. He seemed reluctant to go back just yet.
In those few seconds, Xia Yu and her so-called ‘brothers’ exchanged glances with no words uttered. Xia Yu, feeling self-conscious, lowered her head, trying to avoid eye contact.
Although she knew this was a rather naïve approach, Xia Yu had no clue how else to handle all these gazes otherwise.
Meanwhile, Xia Ling began moving, taking Xia Yu by the hand, leaving the basketball court, away from the scrutinizing looks.
“Brother Le, what happened to your younger brother? He acts like a girl now, nothing resembles the way he used to be.”
“You ask me? Ever since he came back after not seeing each other for half a year, he’s changed. He doesn’t follow me around anymore nor does he talk much,” Xia Le replied.
“Uh-huh, heard he has some mental issues, correct?”
“Mom and Dad mentioned depression. He’s prone to sudden mood swings. He got an episode at school. So just don’t provoke him,” Xia Le replied, jumping and attempting a three-pointer.
—
Upon returning home, they had prepared dishes made from ingredients bought recently. It was fragrant and abundant.
“Back already? Go wash your hands and grab cutlery for dinner.”
Seeing both daughters holding hands joyfully, Wang Wenjuan naturally felt elated. Yet as Xia Yu and Xia Ling went to wash their hands and prepare the utensils, they stumbled upon Grandma.
Noticing Xiao Yu’s long hair, Grandma wasn’t too pleased, “Xiao Yu, I told you to get your hair trimmed when you went out. Now people might comment on you.”
Xia Yu was too indifferent to argue further on the matter, washing her hands and grabbing utensils silently before heading out. Observing Xia Yu, Xia Ling remained silent too, finishing her own hand-wash and following her sister.
Wang Wenjuan, being attentive, observed Xia Yu’s uneasy expression and asked worriedly, “Xiao Yu, what’s up? Did Xia Ling bully you?”
“No, Mom—”
Hearing Xia Ling blaming herself, Xia Ling wasn’t happy one bit, “No, it’s Grandma who wanted the little sister to get a haircut.”
Understanding dawned on Wang Wenjuan’s face. She stroked Xia Yu’s head warmly, “It’s fine, Xia Yu. I’ve told you, ignore what others say. Nobody can force you.”
Xia Yu nodded, acknowledging the advice.
That moment, Xia Hong and Grandpa brought down two expensive-looking wine bottles Xia Yu and Xia Ling hadn’t any knowledge what they were.
“Is Xiao Le not back yet?
“He just left to play basketball. We’ve also called him over.”
Xia Hong sat down, pouring drinks for himself and Grandpa, “Dad, these wines are quite strengthening; you can have them anytime.”
Just as grandma brought out the last dish, they could start dining. As predicted, Xia Le was still out having a blast. Finally, it was grandma who went out to fetch him, he came back happily with a laptop in tow.
Meanwhile, Xia Yu finished her meal and stood up, “I’m done, everyone, enjoy.”
From the start of dinner to now, just mere minutes had passed, Xia Yu’s lightning-fast eating speed caused some frustration in Xia Hong, “Why hurry? Not in school, take your time, have more, grow, talk, whatever.”
Xia Yu: “…”
At this point, bold Wang Wenjuan interjected, “Enough, see Xia Yu’s discomfort. Don’t push.”
Saying, she nudged Xia Yu gently, “Xiao Yu full? Then go upstairs and watch TV.”
Xia Yu gratefully accepted her mom’s gesture and left. Nobody commented further.
But on the second floor, they continued their chat.
It’s unclear if rustic people were all like this, but in Xia Yu’s home, the elders spoke loudly as they feared being unheard, making sure everyone in the house could listen.
Not surprisingly, Xia Yu heard their discussion about her.
“What you all spoil her into not eating or getting her hair cut; she’s losing her student image entirely.”
“That’s enough, let her do as she pleases.”
“But have you heard what Fourth Sister said about her?”
“How come?”
“She claimed Xia Yu was possessed by a ghost at the hospital; she wanted to contact me for some ritual. What should we do?”
“Don’t mess around. There’s no such thing as ghosts. Don’t believe in these tales.”
—
Overhearing intense loud talks downstairs, Xia Yu felt utterly dejected, questioning why she must change just because she grows her hair longer.
Unconsciously, Xia Yu rested her arms on her knees while pondering over what to do next, oblivious that Xia Ling had gone upstairs as well.
“Hey, why are you sitting there? Let’s head to my room and take a nap if you’re sleepy.”
Unaware of the situation, Xia Ling approached Xia Yu normally and tried pulling her up, only to notice her reddened eyes and tears glistening, a clear sign of recent crying.
Panicking slightly, Xia Ling rushed over, hugging Xia Yu like a supportive older sister, “What’s bothering you? Speak up if you have something troubling you.”
With that, Xia Ling led Xia Yu back to her room and sat down on the soft bed.
Xia Ling wished Jiang Kekai was around; she was certain Jiang could do something to cheer Xia Yu up. But how did Jiang usually cheer her up?
Trying hard to recall, Xia Ling came up blank…
Suddenly, Xia Ling linked the dots with the downstairs discussion, realizing it must be due to those conversations that changed Xia Yu.
Though somewhat fed up, as a primary uneducated child, she had barely any power to change things, so Xia Ling simply rubbed Xia Yu’s back, hoping Xia Yu would realize herself and take those words less to heart.
And indeed, after shutting the door, Xia Yu’s condition improved significantly, slowly normalizing.
Sighing resignedly, Xia Ling threw herself onto the bed, grinning playfully, “Come, let’s have a siesta, better than feeling gloomy.”
Xia Ling held Xia Yu firmly, grinning broadly, determined not to let go until Xia Yu agreed.
Xia Yu resisted futilely, “N-no, I don’t want to.”
But Xia Ling persisted, “Yes, yes, you must siesta with me, or you’ll get bored alone!”
Xia Yu rolled her eyes, knowing resistance was futile. After all, Xia Ling was family, so a nap wouldn’t hurt.
Finally, Xia Ling accompanied Xia Yu to the bathroom to wash her tear-streaked face, then returned to rest together.
