Chapter 123: I’m Truly a Dedicated Big Brother
The next day, Dragon Brother took Hu Yu Ying to check out some other places for market day.
This time, Dragon Brother didn’t stick to his stall but strolled around some nearby clothing booths like a market pro.
Meanwhile, Hu Yu Ying patiently perched on a little stool, watching Dragon Brother as he casually exchanged smokes and laughter with a bunch of vendors. Who knows what they were chatting about, but they all looked like they were sharing a good laugh!
As the market filled up with customers, Dragon Brother finally returned to his own stall, cranked up the loudspeaker, and unleashed the devilish charm of his sales pitch. With prices that sounded more like a steal than a sale, he grabbed the attention of every passerby.
The whole morning whizzed by in this merry hustle.
When lunchtime rolled around, Dragon Brother grabbed a few pieces of clothing and made his way to another booth—business savvy at its finest.
After a bit of haggling, he strolled back with a middle-aged uncle in tow, an embodiment of “let’s make a deal.”
Hu Yu Ying finally figured out that Dragon Brother had managed to sell off the remaining goods—shirts at ten bucks and pants at fifteen—like he was on a game show!
“If it weren’t for school registration, I’d definitely want to sell for a couple more days!” Dragon Brother squatted down, counting the clothes one by one, grinning ear to ear.
“Who would’ve thought?” the uncle remarked, puffing on his cigarette while counting the items Dragon Brother had tallied.
With that suave market vibe, the flippant exchanges, and laughter, you’d think Dragon Brother was running the place! If he hadn’t claimed to be a student, the uncle wouldn’t have believed it at all.
After leaving a few colorful outfits for themselves—“Let’s keep these for personal use,” Dragon Brother announced—the uncle paid up without a hitch. Business folks are sharp; he had money left to spare, and the proximity meant the two young guns had raked it in that morning.
With cash in pocket, Dragon Brother and Hu Yu Ying were off again.
Just before they left, they caught a faint shout: “Stole a little sister-in-law away!”
Dragon Brother and Hu Yu Ying burst into laughter.
“Where to next, Dragon Brother?”
“Of course, we’re heading home now.”
Back home, Dragon Brother threw all the random stuff onto the tricycle, planning to haul it back in one go.
“Dragon Brother, let’s eat!” Hu Yu Ying chirped as she peeked through the bamboo curtain, catching Dragon Brother still wrapped up in his tasks.
“I’m coming!” he replied, putting down the stuff and clapping his hands before walking over.
“Dragon Brother, wash your hands first, I’ve already dished out the food.”
After washing up, Dragon Brother returned to the living room, eyeing Hu Yu Ying who was absentmindedly resting her chin on one hand, and chuckled, “What’s with the dazed look? Hurry, let’s eat!”
He figured she was just adjusting to the sudden break from all the frenzy.
“Feeling a bit strange now that there’s nothing to do?”
“Treasure this fleeting time of leisure!” he advised, “Once you graduate, you won’t have a second to breathe…”
“Dragon Brother,” Hu Yu Ying called softly, her gaze turning up to him, looking all contemplative.
“What’s up?”
At Dragon Brother’s inquiry, Hu Yu Ying bit her lip nervously, “Dragon Brother, I might need to head home for a bit and won’t be able to cook for you.”
She wanted to visit home but felt a tad uneasy about leaving Dragon Brother all on his own.
Last time they met on the street and went back together, Dragon Brother downed two bowls of her thin pork porridge without breaking a sweat!
Having known Dragon Brother for a while, Hu Yu Ying had a rough idea of his family life. Two burly guys? She worried they might not take care of themselves too well…
(Psychologically, this just emphasizes the importance of having a woman at home, right?)
“Hah! I thought it was a big deal, making me jump like that!”
“Don’t worry, I can manage just fine,” he said, though a warm feeling crept into his heart. With Hu Yu Ying around, he felt like the head of the household who didn’t have to fret over a thing…
“If you’re leaving, let me know so I can see you off.”
“No need, Dragon Brother, you’ve already done so much for me! I can handle it myself…”
For some reason, Dragon Brother felt that phrase carried the weight of a farewell.
“Alright, my little sidekick’s grown up and it’s time to stand on her own!” he joked, but it didn’t land as humorously as he’d hoped.
As the sun set, Dragon Brother rolled the tricycle out of the door.
“I’m off!”
“Okay, take it slow on your way, Dragon Brother.”
Watching his retreating figure, Hu Yu Ying mustered her courage, “Dragon Brother, I’ll be back soon and I’ll cook for you again!”
As the tricycle rumbled away, she stepped forward a couple of paces and, with a barely audible sigh, wondered if he heard her.
Only when he disappeared from sight did she snap back to reality and start tidying up at home.
Not like there was much to pack.
A backpack, a bit of cash, a book, a couple of photos, and two changes of clothes.
Meanwhile…
Dragon Brother parked the tricycle and unloaded the goods, heading back to his empty house, which felt like a ghost town with the old man still out.
He stripped off his clothes, planning to take a shower first.
After his shower, he flopped onto his bed, taking a long breath of relief.
His eyes caught a glimpse of the cookie box sitting on the stool and a few bland “bunny” biscuits scattered around (specifically picked to avoid messing up his teeth).
“Having swiped Hu Yu Ying’s cookies today, I’d better buy her some snacks for the road, or she’ll starve all the way back!”
With that thought, Dragon Brother nodded to himself, “What a dedicated big brother I am!”
He hopped on his bike and pedaled like there was no tomorrow.
When he arrived at the corner store, he pulled up and decided to head inside.
Just as he stepped inside, a figure wearing a backpack turned the corner.
They exchanged a quick glance at the bicycle parked to the side before the stranger continued on.
A few steps in, the figure paused and turned back, their pretty eyes flashing with curiosity.
Not giving it another thought, they turned to head onward.
As they stepped onto the main road, Dragon Brother emerged triumphantly from the store with a big bag of snacks: “This should be enough to munch on!”
He hastily hung the bag on the bike and was about to zoom off.
Just as he kicked off…
“Dragon Brother, where are you rushing off to?”
With a screech, he slammed on the brakes!
Turning back, he saw Hu Yu Ying, breathless but beaming, standing there with her backpack.
Still smiling, though panting a little, her heart raced like a scared rabbit…
