"Mother, I am not Xiaohua's nanny. I don't need to be by her side 24/7, and I have my own life, too."
"What are you saying? Your sister is weak and has to be constantly under watch! How can you leave her to have fun on your own? Didn't your conscience feel hurt at all enjoying your life while your sister is holding herself back?" Su Suyin frowned in disapproval.
"Mother, that's what you think. I know you feel guilty for Xiaohua, but please don't force your idea onto me. Just because I was born healthy, I have to always cater to Xiaohua's needs? I don't think that's right."
Su Suyin choked on her words. She stared at her eldest daughter in disbelief. "Xiaoyi, you really are…."
"Mother," Li Caiyi cut her sentence and took a deep breath. Talking with Su Suyin was one hundred times more arduous than talking with Li Jirong. Because unlike him, her mother showed her some love, however little that was. She made it hard for Li Caiyi to hate her completely.
"Aren't I your daughter too? I won't ask you to like me, but can you please at least try to understand my stance even once?"
Su Suyin's eyes narrowed down when she heard that. She gave Li Caiyi a disappointed look as she sighed in exasperation.
"So you want to say that I was being unfair to you? I knew it. You threw a tantrum like this because you were angry I didn't buy you anything today. Your father is right. Xiaoyi, don't you realize you become more insensible as days pass by? This is why I don't like you to go out often. Your friends must have influenced you badly. What a disappointing older sister you are."
Li Caiyi let out self-mocking laughter after hearing that. She really could not communicate with her mother at all.
Whenever she tried to say something, her mother would always brush it off by saying she was just jealous and throwing tantrums like a child, which was disappointing because it was right for her to be more generous as an older sister.
"Mother, the feeling is mutual. I'm also utterly disappointed in you." Li Caiyi suppressed the feeling of sadness in her. "It seems like you don't want to see me anymore, so I'll leave you alone now."
Su Suyin angrily shouted at Xiaoyi's back. "Where are you going?! We have not finished our talk yet!"
Li Caiyi did not heed her mother's scolding behind her and went into her room, leaving Li Chunhua and Su Suyin, whose chest was suffocated from annoyance.
"That girl really will become the end of me! She used to be a very nice and obedient child, since when did she become an impertinent child like that?!"
Li Chunhua embraced her mother's arm gently and consoled her gently, "Mom, don't be angry at her. Xiaoyi is right. It's because of me she always had to hold herself back. I don't want to be a burden for anyone anymore, so let's just let her do anything she wants this time."
Su Suyin looked at her precious daughter sadly. "It's not your fault. Your sister is just too easy to influence. Her friends must be the ones who convince her to go out often, leaving you alone."
"It can't be helped. If I were there, everyone would act cautiously around me, and the mood will turn awkward, eventually." Li Chunhua said with her head lowered, looking extremely aggrieved.
Su Suyin could not bear to see her making a face like that, so she quickly hugged her and stroked her back. "There's no way it's true. You are the source of my happiness and my cutest daughter. You are a charming and good kid, people who can't see that are just blind."
"Thank you, Mom. But please don't scold my sister anymore. If you scold her, she will hate me more, and I will be left alone."
Su Suyin angrily rebuked her. "She dares! Xiaohua, don't worry about your sister anymore. I'll make sure she will never leave you alone, so don't be sad anymore. Mom will protect you, so don't be scared."
Li Chunhua smiled happily. However, her eyes were dead cold as she leaned into her mother's embrace more. "Thank you, Mom! I know Mom is the best!"
***
To forget the unpleasant exchange earlier, Li Caiyi began to write a rough draft of her story. If last time she had made a more philosophical story about those who stood in the vague borderline of past and future—like her, this time, she wanted to make a heartwarming story. Usually, she would just let her hand move as she poured all complicated feelings and thoughts into it.
However, she could not focus. She tried to make a few sentences, but it looked forced when she reread it.
'Well, after what happened earlier, no wonder I lost the mood to write.' Li Caiyi thought.
She leaned back in her chair with her sight nailed to the ceiling. While her mind was wandering, she received an incoming message on her phone.
Li Caiyi checked it, and her eyes lit up upon seeing the sender. She opened it with anticipation.
[Dai Shenqiang: I finally finished this drawing today. I hope you will feel cheered up whenever you see this!]
Next, he sent her a picture of his drawing. It was the same as the one she saw the other day, but the line was much cleaner this time. He also added a drawing of one girl with two boys who played happily. The smile on the kids' faces unknowingly brought a smile to her lips, too.
Li Caiyi saved the picture and quickly typed a reply.
[Li Caiyi: You did this with your left hand only? You are a genius! I love it so much! :D]
[Dai Shenqiang: Really? It's very messy. I can make it better one thousand times if I use my right hand! I'm glad you like it, though."
[Li Caiyi: It's excellent! I especially liked the kids you drew in it.]
[Dai Shenqiang: Oh, that? When I drew it and saw some children running around, I suddenly remembered when my brother and I played tag together. Then, I thought I should add you too while I'm at it, and that's how it turned out].
[Li Caiyi: Whaat?? O.O Are you saying these kids are us?! So cute!].
[Dai Shenqiang: Haha, I knew you would say that. I was just trying to score more points from you by adding that, but I don't know it works so well].
[Li Caiyi: I will give you 100 points for this drawing. I want to see it in color next time.]
[Dai Shenqiang: Roger that. When my right hand is healed, I'll put some color in it and show it to you again. By then, the point should be tenfold! Promise?]
Li Caiyi smiled, looking at the text. She just could imagine Dai Shenqiang's puppy-like face, wishing for someone to give him a treat.
[Li Caiyi: It's a promise, then. I really thank you for this. It cheered me up tremendously].
[Dai Shenqiang: Why? Did something happen?]
Li Caiyi was about to type 'nothing happened', like she usually did when she suddenly thought of something. Later, she erased her previous sentence and changed it.
[Li Caiyi: I was scolded by my mother, and I felt down because of that.]
[Dai Shenqiang: I see. Getting scolded always sucks, no matter how many times you receive it. When you feel down, you can look at the picture I sent you, and then you will automatically think about me. That will cheer you up! >.O]
Li Caiyi chuckled when she saw his over-confident reply. Dai Shenqiang must have been trying to cheer her up with that. She was glad she chose to be more open and not keep everything to herself anymore.
[Li Caiyi: Thank you. I'll do just that. ^^]
Li Caiyi put down her phone. Her mood had gotten much lighter after chatting with Dai Shenqiang. She felt like she could finally write something good this time.
Feeling motivated and pumped up, Li Caiyi held her pen again.
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