Chapter 2
Chapter 2
I found a strange sense of balance.
I stopped throwing tantrums at home.
I even felt a little bit of pity for Ni Jiajia.
I went out to play whenever I wanted.
I had a huge group of friends.
That day, I played with my friends until I lost track of time.
By the time I realized it, the sun had long since disappeared.
The streetlights in the neighborhood were already lit.
One by one, my friends were picked up by their parents who came looking for them.
Some were angry, some were worried, some were grumbling, and some were gentle.
They were all taken away by their moms and dads.
Ji Shu was also dragged back by his ear by his older brother.
His brother looked quite a bit like him.
He looked even more handsome than Ji Shu.
Before Ji Shu left, he turned back to remind me:
“Go home soon, Xiaoxiao.”
The bustling playground suddenly fell silent.
I only then realized that I was the only one left.
It was so quiet.
I looked up at my own home.
It was so high up.
The lights in the living room were on.
Why didn’t Mom and Dad come looking for me?
I kicked a small stone at my feet.
If it were Ni Jiajia who didn’t come home…
There was no such possibility.
Mom was always accompanying Ni Jiajia.
Going to all sorts of different classes.
Actually, I could have gone back immediately.
But I didn’t know who I was trying to spite.
I simply refused to move my feet.
I crouched down and drew in the sand-drawing cats, drawing castles, drawing princesses, drawing bows, drawing…
The entire sandbox became my drawing paper.
Just as I was about to fill it up.
The people coming and going from work had all returned.
Still, no one came to find me.
The people in the neighborhood grew fewer and fewer.
My stomach also let out a growling sound.
The wind blew through the leaves.
It made a rustling noise.
Like ghosts charging through the trees.
My back went stiff, I didn’t dare look back, and I took off running.
I sprinted all the way to the building in one breath, got into the elevator, and pounded on the door.
It felt as if a ghost were chasing me.
Three…
Two…
In one more second, I was going to be snatched away…
I was almost crying from the panic.
The door opened.
White light spilled out from inside the door.
The ghost instantly vanished.
I wasn’t snatched away.
It was Mom who opened the door. Seeing me, she huffed:
“Where did you go this time? Coming home so late.”
“I left some food for you, it’s in the pot.”
I was immersed in the joy of a narrow escape that I had created for myself.
I just grinned foolishly and said:
“Thanks, Mom.”
I quickly changed my shoes and came in to eat.
Ni Jiajia was in the living room watching cartoons.
I quickly wolfed down my food and sat down to watch with her.
It was a little detective story.
A ruby in an old man’s house had been stolen.
There were four suspects.
A suspect with a round face, tiny eyes, and a shifty, rat-like appearance appeared.
I said, “It’s definitely him.”
Ni Jiajia glanced at me, not bothering to pay me any mind.
I said, “Believe me? Let’s make a bet. If I win, you give me half your allowance.”
She didn’t speak.
Acting all cold and aloof.
I stared at her with wide eyes.
She got annoyed by me and clicked her tongue. “Reason.”
I said, “He just looks like a bad person!”
“Oh.”
Ni Jiajia said, “He looks quite a bit like you.”
My anger flared up instantly. Just as I was about to square up with her.
Mom called out, “Jiajia, come over and practice the piano.”
Ni Jiajia’s face fell immediately.
She went over with great reluctance.
I suddenly felt smug and gloating again.
I continued watching TV.
Mom said:
“Ni Xiaoxiao, you’re not allowed to watch anymore. Your sister needs to practice, don’t disturb her.”
I gave a quick “okay,” muted the TV, and kept watching.