Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

"Over the years... I haven't really hated you."

Lin Xi's voice was low and hoarse, carrying the guilt that had been suppressed for many years.

Shen Jingyuan was carefully holding a sterilized needle towards the largest blister on her heel when he heard her words. His fingertips paused almost imperceptibly, but he didn't look up. He just gave a soft "hmm" as a response.

Lin Xi's gaze fell on Shen Jingyuan's lowered eyelashes. She took a deep breath, as if she had finally mustered up the courage to pour out all the words that she had been chewing over in her heart for so long.

“I was too young when my brother passed away. Over the years, although he appears in my dreams from time to time, his appearance is becoming more and more faint. Sometimes, even when I try my best to recall him, I can only remember a blurry outline from a photograph.”

“I’m afraid…” her voice trembled slightly, “I’m afraid that as time goes by, I will really forget what he looks like. He was so good to me. On the last day before he left home, he was still buying me candy… But I, his little sister who was cherished by him, can’t even remember his face.”

At this point, a deep struggle and pain flashed in her eyes. She closed her eyes bitterly and spoke again, her voice hoarse. "So I have to find a 'target,' a target that can remind me at all times that 'my brother is gone because someone else took his place.' It seems that only by repeatedly reminding myself like this can I comfort myself that I am not the kind of heartless person who forgets my loved ones."

She opened her eyes and looked directly at Shen Jingyuan. Gone was the usual pretense of being spoiled or indifferent; only the weariness after being true to herself and frank, and a hint of vulnerability as if she had been relieved.

"And that person is you."

"Only when I treat you badly, oppose you at every turn, and see your similar features to my brother, can I tell myself again and again: Look, I still remember my brother, I haven't forgotten him, I haven't betrayed him..."

Large tears rolled down her cheeks without warning. Lin Xi suddenly closed her eyes, turned her head away, and her shoulders trembled slightly. "But this isn't fair to you."

“You have absolutely nothing to do with my brother’s death. I myself have never really treated you as my brother, let alone fulfilled my responsibilities as a sister. So what right do I have to accuse you of ‘taking the brother’s place’?”

As Lin Xi spoke, she raised her hand and forcefully wiped away the tears on her face, her voice choked with sobs, "I'm sorry, Shen Jingyuan... I've been too naive and selfish all these years. I'm sorry to my brother, and I'm sorry to you too."

Shen Jingyuan's hands froze.

He sat motionless, as if all his life had been drained away in an instant, turning him into a lifeless statue. After a long while, he slowly raised his head and met Lin Xi's red eyes.

Those eyes, which were always calm and unfathomable, were now churning with an obvious surge of emotions, like ice that had been frozen for a whole winter suddenly shattering under the spring sun, revealing a torrent of emotions surging beneath.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently, his lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something, but all the sounds were stuck in his chest, ultimately turning into a short and suppressed breath.

Countless fragments of memories flashed before my eyes, finally settling on that overly bright afternoon in the living room of the Lin Mansion many years ago.

By then, he had finally recovered from his injuries, washed away the filth and humiliation he had brought from the streets, and dressed in brand-new clothes. Led by Uncle Quan, he nervously went to see the benefactor who had pulled him out of the mud and completely changed his fate, as well as his family.

The living room was so bright it was almost frightening.

Three people sat on the sofa: Commander Lin, who exuded authority without anger and sat upright like a pine tree; Mrs. Lin, whose gentle features were tinged with a lingering sorrow in her eyes; and the little girl they cherished in the middle—their only daughter, Lin Xi.

With just one glance, young Shen Jingyuan unconsciously slowed his breathing.

He had never seen anyone so...so beautiful, so clean, like someone who was glowing.

The little girl, about six or seven years old, wore an exquisite Western-style dress, lace stockings, and polished leather shoes. Her hair was styled into two neat buns, tied with ribbons of the same color as her dress.

Her skin was an ivory white, pampered for years, with a healthy blush on her cheeks, like a plump apple just picked from a branch, or like the most expensive and exquisite porcelain doll in a department store window.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, embracing her from behind and coating her entire body with a fuzzy golden edge, making her almost unrealistically beautiful.

At just one glance, young Shen Jingyuan felt a mixture of almost fearful affection and nervous self-consciousness.

Quan Bo had already given him a subtle hint and also revealed Commander Lin's intention to adopt him.

His palms were sweating with nervousness, but he tried his best to straighten his thin back. Under the encouraging gaze of Uncle Quan, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the dignified Commander Lin and the gentle Mrs. Lin, making sure his voice sounded clear and obedient.

"Commander, Madam, and Miss, good afternoon."

Commander Lin simply nodded slightly, his gaze calm. Mrs. Lin, with red eyes, gave him a very gentle yet somewhat sorrowful smile and asked him a few questions about his health and diet in a tender tone.

Then, she gently put her arm around the porcelain doll-like little girl beside her and said softly, "Xixi, this is Jingyuan, Daddy's nephew. From now on... he'll be your brother."

brother.

The word made Shen Jingyuan's heart skip a beat, filled with a mix of fear and a secret, unspoken expectation.

Almost instinctively, he quickly wiped his slightly damp palms on his brand-new trousers before cautiously extending his hand towards the incredibly beautiful little girl, trying his best to give her what he considered the friendliest and most endearing smile.

"Miss... Xixi, hello, I am..."

"Snapped!"

After a crisp crack, Shen Jingyuan belatedly felt the burning pain on the back of his hand.

His outstretched hand was ruthlessly slapped away, frozen in mid-air. The smile he had painstakingly put on his face instantly shattered, leaving only naked astonishment and unconcealed panic.

"You're filthy! Don't touch me!"

Little Lin Xi frowned, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, her small face tense, filled with undisguised disgust. She even shook her hand, the one that had hit him, as if it were covered in some filth that she couldn't shake off.

Shen Jingyuan recoiled as if burned, his fingertips curling up. He had scrubbed very hard while showering, and there wasn't a speck of dirt under his fingernails.

However, the rough skin caused by long-term hunger and wandering, and the dark yellow skin that was so different from the snow-white little hands in front of her, seemed to silently confirm her judgment—he was indeed very "dirty," and from the bottom of his heart, he was incompatible with this bright and clean world.

"Xixi!" Mrs. Lin quickly pulled her into her arms, her tone more tender than reproachful. "You can't be so rude to your brother."

"He's not my brother!" The last memory is of that pretty little girl, who looked like a doll, breaking free from her mother's embrace, jumping off the sofa, rushing to him, tilting her little face up, glaring at him with her clear, bright eyes filled with anger and rejection, and then reaching out and shoving him hard.

"Get away! Imposter!"

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Phew, the main story of this long little world is almost finished in the next couple of days. After adding a few more chapters of side stories, the main story of the whole book will be almost complete.

I may update some side stories about characters from the previous small worlds from time to time, including both main characters and supporting characters. Thank you for your support, my darlings! Love you all!