In early November, the weather had turned completely chilly, and everyone had to put on slightly thicker autumn clothes.
The big event recently in the neighborhood was that Officer Pei's family was moving.
Cao Li and Pei Haobin had been married for over a year and had lived in the neighborhood for a year. This woman was quite skilled at getting along with people and had made several good friends in the neighborhood.
However, Zhao Zhilan had gotten along fairly well with Pei Haobin's ex-wife, Jiang Wenjuan, so over the past year, she had felt somewhat awkward around Cao Li. Thus, she wasn't as close to Cao Li as the other ladies were.
Moving was considered a happy occasion, and Pei Haobin had specifically chosen an auspicious day for the move.
Pei Haobin was upright and refused all gifts from neighbors, also instructing Cao Li not to accept any. Though Cao Li felt a bit regretful inside, she understood the importance of such matters and quickly agreed.
When the Pei family hired a moving company to start preparing for the move, Pei Haobin hesitated and asked Bai Yutong again.
"Did he really say he isn't coming back?"
Bai Yutong's eyes flickered nervously, and she stammered, "Yeah, that's right."
Pei Haobin let out a long sigh. That slap seemed to have created an abyss between him and Pei Chuan. He couldn't bring himself to bridge the gap, and with Pei Chuan's stubborn nature, he would never compromise.
But if Pei Chuan didn't come back, what would happen when he someday found out that the old home was gone?
Pei Chunli and Liu Dong also came to congratulate the Pei family on their move.
Liu Dong beamed with joy: "Big brother, if there's anything I can help with, just say the word. Oh, this must be Tongtong? She's even prettier than last year. And sister-in-law, you're looking great too."
Cao Li was pleased by the compliments and hurriedly poured tea for the couple: "You're too kind."
Pei Chunli hesitated before speaking: "Brother, now that you're moving... what about Xiao Chuan..."
The festive atmosphere suddenly froze. Liu Dong secretly pinched his tactless wife hard.
Pei Chunli felt a wave of sadness, remembering the lonely teenager who had stayed by Pei Haobin's side over a year ago, afraid that his father would never wake up. At that time, no one had taken care of him, and her own unfeeling, sycophantic husband Liu Dong had refused to take Pei Chuan in.
As Pei Chuan's biological aunt, Pei Chunli persisted despite the awkward atmosphere: "Xiao Chuan won't be an adult until next summer. How will he manage all alone outside? Big brother, the child may be rebellious, but it's not a crime. What about when he goes to college, looks for a job, or gets married? What will he do without family?"
Seeing the somber expression on Pei Haobin's face, Liu Dong quickly said: "Chunli doesn't know any better. Xiao Chuan is capable—hasn't he been doing fine this past year?"
Bai Yutong remained silent. She naturally didn't want Pei Chuan to return. That person had a terrifying temper, and the thought of him made her fearful. But she could never openly express her wish for Pei Chuan not to come back—no matter how foolish she might be, she wouldn't say such a thing in front of Uncle Pei.
Instead, Cao Li smoothed things over with a smile: "Chunli has a point, but a few days ago, my Tongtong went to ask him, and the child said he doesn't want to come back."
Liu Dong thought disdainfully: A cripple, still talking about college and marriage? Wishful thinking—what family would be willing to marry their daughter to him? His wife was so brainless. But he couldn't scold Pei Chunli in front of Officer Pei and could only watch Pei Haobin's reaction.
Pei Haobin lowered his head and said: "I'll go ask him after work."As the head of the household, his temperament wasn't much different from Pei Chunli's, and no one dared to object when he made such a decision.
Pei Haobin arrived at Third High School at dusk. It was his first time there, and he felt somewhat awkward.
Evening self-study had just begun at Third High. Pei Haobin went to find Pei Chuan's homeroom teacher.
Pei Chuan's homeroom teacher was a woman around forty years old. After understanding Pei Haobin's purpose for visiting, she said in surprise, "You're his father? But his file states that both his parents are deceased."
Pei Haobin was shocked, furious that this unfilial son had even altered his records.
The homeroom teacher said, "Since you're his father, how come you haven't shown up at all in the past year or two? You didn't attend parent-teacher meetings, nor did you inquire about his situation. Initially, we had high expectations since he was admitted through recommendation, but later he started idling his days away with those rich kids in class, and we couldn't control him no matter how hard we tried. You, as a parent, never thought to discipline him either."
A belated chill settled in Pei Haobin's heart.
What stood between him and Pei Chuan was never just the divorce from Jiang Wenjuan. There were also those severed legs—the shared nightmare that haunted him and Jiang Wenjuan in the dead of night, the medal stained with their son's blood.
Both parents deceased.
This was Pei Chuan's perception and choice.
Pei Haobin didn't know how he walked out of the school. His posture remained upright—after all, he was only forty this year—but his heart felt as if weighed down by a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.
In the end, the Pei family moved away, leaving one less household in the neighborhood.
The Pei family packed and took many things with them, but in the end, no one went to fetch Pei Chuan.
~
Zhao Zhilan said, "Although Officer Pei is a decent man, I always feel he's a bit clueless when it comes to Pei Chuan. Ah, it's frustrating just talking about it."
However, other people's family matters were merely topics for casual conversation over tea or meals.
Autumn passed quickly, and winter arrived swiftly. Little Bei Jun had grown another year older after the New Year, last year's cotton-padded jacket no longer fit him, and it was time for him to attend preschool.
Zhao Zhilan was under immense pressure. She had taken a year off work when she gave birth to her second child, and raising two children was a huge burden on the family.
Not to mention, every family has its own troubles. For her family, the trouble was her own younger brother—Bei Yao and Bei Jun's uncle. He had hit someone while driving before, spending a fortune to get him out of trouble, which drained all the Bei family's savings.
Zhao Xing was hopeless, wasting the following years at home without repaying the money, becoming a bottomless pit.
Zhao Zhilan felt deeply sorry for her husband and children.
Although she vowed not to lend Zhao Xing another cent, the money already lent was gone for good—it wasn't as if they could kill him over it. The one suffering the most now was Bei Yao's grandmother, after all, Zhao Xing was her only son. The preference for sons over daughters was too deeply ingrained in that era.
It was almost 2008. Zhao Xiu's family was doing better and better, the Pei family had moved away, and even Chen Hu's family had been doing quite well these past two years. Only their family, because of Zhao Xing's issues, was struggling to make ends meet.
Zhao Zhilan simply dressed Bei Jun in Bei Yao's old clothes from childhood: "It's not like you're as delicate as your sister anyway. What does it matter what you wear? Just make do this year."
Bei Jun, wearing girls' clothes and holding a small toy sword, didn't mind at all, running around wildly.
Children his age weren't particularly concerned about face.
But Bei Yao found it both amusing and exasperating, feeling a bit sorry for her brother.Zhao Zhilan said, "Yao Yao needs new clothes. She'll be seventeen next year. The other day at the store, I saw a winter dress that everyone says looks best on young girls."
Before Bei Yao could refuse, Bei Jun chimed in, "Yes! Buy pretty clothes for sister!"
Zhao Zhilan thought to herself, at least she hadn't given birth to this son for nothing. He knew to care for the only girl in the family.
In December, the first snow of the year fell in City C. With Zhao Zhilan and Bei Licai both at work, Bei Jun said, "Sister, I really want to go downtown. I heard there are bright lights for the New Year, people built snowmen, and Xiao Gang even bought his toy gun downtown."
Bei Yao's school was located downtown, so she was familiar with the area. Glancing at her brother's mismatched outfit, she went back to her room and took out her savings. "Let's go, I'll buy you some clothes."
Bei Jun didn't care about clothes at all - just being able to go out made him ecstatic.
As Bei Yao carried Bei Jun to catch the bus, a disheveled man emerged from a corner. Watching the siblings walk away, he knocked on the door: "Sister! Brother-in-law!"
No one answered.
Zhao Xing anxiously rubbed his hands, thinking about his wife's divorce demands, and hurried after the siblings.
~
Though it snowed in City C during winter, it wasn't particularly cold.
Holding her brother's hand, Bei Yao noticed how easily children get hungry. Checking the money in her pocket, she took him to KFC - something Bei Jun had never experienced before.
Leaving KFC, Bei Jun kept sucking his fingers: "Sister, this 'Deji' is really delicious."
Bei Yao wiped his mouth: "Children shouldn't eat too much of it, or they won't grow tall."
She meant to discourage him from craving it, but Bei Jun thought for a moment and said, "If I can eat this 'Deji', it's okay if I don't grow tall."
"..."
Late 2007.
Amid the swirling snow, Bei Yao held her brother's hand, her porcelain-white face even more beautiful than ice sculptures. Even hurried pedestrians couldn't help stealing glances at her.
Bei Yao remembered her mission to buy her brother a winter coat. Not strong enough to carry him continuously, she led him by hand.
With China's successful Olympic bid, the streets were bustling with prosperity. 2008 was sure to be a great year.
After buying Bei Jun new clothes, she took her brother's hand and boarded the bus home.
Zhao Xing had been following them the whole way, unable to find a good opportunity. His niece was so striking that she drew attention wherever she stood. Though anxious, he had to be patient. His sister Zhao Zhilan was no longer willing to lend him money, leaving him with no choice but this desperate measure.
But if he waited any longer, Bei Yao would take Bei Jun home.
Zhao Xing could wait no longer - after all, it was his own nephew. He rushed over suddenly, scooped up Bei Jun and started running.
Bei Jun, who had been holding his sister's hand, was terrified when grabbed, clinging desperately: "Sister! Sister!"
Bei Yao was equally shocked. Recognizing the person, her heart sank with dread: "Uncle."
"Let go, Bei Yao! I'm just taking Bei Jun to play for a couple of days."
How could Bei Yao let go? She immediately shouted: "Someone's kidnapping a child!"
The crowd turned to look. Zhao Xing's face flushed crimson: "What nonsense are you talking? I'm your uncle!"
Gritting his teeth, he shoved Bei Yao hard and tried to carry Bei Jun away. Bei Yao wouldn't release her grip, but with children's fragile bones, if she didn't let go, Bei Jun's arm might get dislocated.
Zhao Xing didn't care about such things, but she had to.Bei Yao looked around, her eyes red with desperation. "Please, everyone, he's a human trafficker!"
Bei Jun was crying pitifully, and some people took pity, stepping forward to block Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing's eyes turned fierce. "Don't come closer, don't come closer!" He actually pulled out a folding knife and pressed it against Bei Jun. "I'm this child's uncle, I won't hurt him. Get away, all of you get away!"
Someone had already quietly called the police, and this action made Zhao Xing's already tense nerves nearly snap. "No calling the police!"
~
When Pei Chuan ran downstairs, Jin Ziyang and the others hadn't yet processed what was happening.
This shopping mall had recently opened—it was part of Ji Wei's family business. They had originally come to check out the commotion, but who would have thought Pei Chuan's expression would suddenly change.
Zhao Xing's face was streaked with tears and snot, his body trembling slightly. The terrified Bei Jun in his arms was wailing loudly.
Zhao Xing couldn't hold him steady, and Bei Jun fell to the ground.
Bei Yao pushed through the crowd and rushed forward to pick up her brother.
Zhao Xing's eyes were bloodshot. "Don't take him, don't take him!" He had completely lost his rationality and stabbed forward with the knife.
Snowflakes landed on her eyelids as Bei Yao tightly shut her eyes.
Bei Jun's cries were ear-splitting. The next moment, a warm embrace enveloped them both.
He caught the blade—the sharp tip pierced straight through his palm.
Pei Chuan stood up and punched Zhao Xing in the face.
Seven years of boxing training meant that when he decided to hit someone, no one could stop him.
By the time Jin Ziyang and the others came downstairs, the man called Zhao Xing was curled up on the ground, his face covered not only in tears and snot but also blood.
Ji Wei was frightened, almost too scared to look.
Pei Chuan seemed to have gone mad with rage, throwing punch after punch. In just three blows, Zhao Xing was barely breathing. If that knife hadn't pierced through his palm, it would have stabbed Bei Yao.
Bei Yao shouted, "Pei Chuan!"
The veins on Pei Chuan's arm bulged. He shuddered and released Zhao Xing. Someone in the crowd had already called the police.
The police arrived first, followed by an ambulance.
Bei Jun cried, "Sister, my hand hurts."
Pei Chuan stood quietly to the side, then turned to leave.
Bei Yao was both worried and frustrated. In Zhao Xing's condition, he definitely needed to be sent to the hospital under police supervision. Bei Jun also needed medical attention. After placing her brother in the ambulance, Bei Yao begged the nurse, "Please watch my brother for me. Wait a moment, please."
She ran across the snowy ground and, before Pei Chuan could reach Jin Ziyang and the others, grabbed his uninjured hand.
Pei Chuan frowned and turned back, his voice hoarse. "What is it?"
"Come to the hospital with me." She lifted her gaze, her eyes reflecting his image.
Pei Chuan pressed his lips together. "No."
He tried to shake off Bei Yao's hand. His other injured hand throbbed painfully, blood streaming down, making it difficult for him to speak calmly.
Ji Wei whispered behind him, "Brother Chuan, maybe you should go..."
"Shut up!"
Ji Wei obediently fell silent.
Bei Yao was furious. Since childhood, she had never known how to handle Pei Chuan's stubbornness. What was he planning? If he kept refusing to go to the hospital, was he going to wait for his personal doctor to come and give him a hasty patch-up?
Pei Chuan had already broken free from her grip. After all, with Bei Yao's limited strength, it was effortless for him to shake her off if he really wanted to.
Bei Yao was both angry and scared, mixed with an indescribable sadness.
Why do you have to be so worrying and annoying!
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to sob.Not far away, Bei Jun started crying even louder upon seeing his sister in tears. Pei Chuan frowned deeply, glancing at Bei Yao before shifting his gaze to the wailing Bei Jun.
The little boy was dressed in the pink outfit Bei Yao had worn as a child, making Pei Chuan pause momentarily.
Both siblings were delicate as porcelain dolls, their crying tugging at heartstrings.
Pei Chuan felt irritated. "Let's go."
In the end, he still accompanied them to the hospital. The doctor marveled, "The child's hand is fine—just a scratch from a fingernail. But you..." He pointed at Pei Chuan, "Such a large bloody gash. Do you think you're Guan Yu?"
Disinfection, stitches, bandaging—the whole process took a long time, but fortunately, no bones were injured.
Bei Jun cried loudly as his hand was disinfected with alcohol. Afterward, Bei Yao blew on it gently until he fell asleep, still sobbing.
Pei Chuan was in the next room. She put her brother down and went to check on him.
The teenage boy remained silent, stubborn to the core, clenching his jaw tightly.
By the time Bei Yao arrived, the doctor had already finished bandaging and left.
Outside the window, dusk had fallen, and thick snowflakes drifted beautifully through the air. Pei Chuan stood up to leave, only to run into Bei Yao at the door.
Her eyes held the purity of ice and snow as she whispered, "I'm sorry... Thank you."
His hand still aching, he replied hoarsely, "It's fine. Step aside."
Ultimately, Bai Yutong's words from that day remained like a thorn, making him want to hibernate his emotions throughout the entire winter.
Pitiful, you're so pitiful.
Bei Yao gazed at the boy's pale, indifferent face and suddenly recalled what she had searched for that night. Softly, she said, "Um... Earlier, my brother was in pain too. He said there's a way to make it stop hurting."
He frowned. Impossible.
Determined to give it a try, her cheeks slightly flushed, Bei Yao looked up at Pei Chuan, who was much taller than her. "Sit down."
He had no intention of indulging her whims, but it had been so long since he had seen her—from early autumn until the snowfall. After Pei Haobin moved away, he had only caught a distant glimpse of her once.
He sat down in silence.
Bei Yao's ears tinged red as his dark pupils fixed on her.
Her heart raced. Outside the window, December snowflakes danced—Christmas was approaching, a time when every child would receive a gift.
She closed her butterfly-wing-like lashes, leaned forward slightly, and gently pressed her cherry lips against the boy's cheek.
A fleeting touch.
Flustered and blushing deeply, she dashed out of the room. He sat there stunned, his heart exploding.
In Pei Chuan's world, the snow ceased in an instant.
Where did she hear about this pain-relief method? Damn it...
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