Chapter 44: Likes?
After finishing lunch, since Xia Yu was a guest, she didn’t have to clean up or wash the dishes. As soon as she finished eating, Xia Ling grabbed her and pulled her out to play.
They hadn’t gone out in the morning because they were worried about missing lunch. Now that lunch was taken care of, they had fewer concerns.
Besides, their father, Xia Hong, was already drinking and wouldn’t be back anytime soon. So during this time, the two could walk around the village instead of sitting there playing games, which would get pretty boring.
Xia Yu and Xia Ling had been to Grandma’s house before, but only once a year. It wasn’t entirely unfamiliar, but they weren’t exactly pros at it. They knew better than to get lost, though.
Xia Yu’s tummy still felt a bit off, but she couldn’t resist Xia Ling’s insistence, so she tagged along.
The weather outside was lovely with the sun shining, not too harsh even in the cold winter. At least Xia Yu thought so.
Throughout their walk, Xia Ling held onto Xia Yu’s arm, having taken Xiao Yu to be her younger sister. Sisters and brothers need to be close sometimes, right?
The village wasn’t big, and Xia Yu and Xia Ling wandered aimlessly. Soon they found themselves passing by the village’s small convenience store.
Predictably, Xia Ling dragged Xia Yu toward the store. Boredom was better served by exploring the new wares rather than aimless wandering.
Xia Yu became captivated by the array of toy guns on display. She used to be a boy, after all, so it wasn’t surprising.
But attracted as she was, Xia Yu didn’t dare buy any. She remembered spending thirty bucks yesterday on sanitary towels for Xia Ling. If she bought these guns now, her parents might notice the huge gap in the siblings’ New Year’s money come spring, and she’d be in trouble.
“Little sister, do you like these? Which ones catch your eye? I’ll buy them for you.”
Hearing Xia Ling’s words, Xia Yu snapped out of her toy-induced trance and turned to look where she was pointing.
Xia Ling stood by boxes filled with cute little girl trinkets, clearly intrigued. It made sense; while the owner made money from boys with toy guns, girls brought in the dough with these adorable items. Cheaper as they were, every bit helped.
Looking at the cute hair ties, clips, delicate ribbons, and tiny earrings Xia Ling offered, Xia Yu’s eyes rolled back. Wasn’t she supposed to be her second brother now? Why was she suggesting all this girly stuff?
Perhaps the hormones from menstruation were to blame because Xia Yu secretly adored these cuties, yet didn’t want to show it.
So Xia Yu replied, “No, thanks, Little Ling. You know me, I won’t use these. Just get what you like.”
Meanwhile, the shop owner was outside playing chess with villagers. There were plenty of kids Xia Yu and Xia Ling’s age shopping, and he couldn’t cater to everyone. He knew they’d pay up after picking their things.
