Chapter 7

Chapter 7

My heart skipped a beat.

My Adoptive Mother shot me a sharp look. “Your biological parents already know where you live. There’s no guarantee they won’t come back again.”

“For the sake of you calling me ‘Mom,’ I’m certainly taking a huge loss here.”

She was a woman of action. That very night, we moved into a vacant property belonging to my younger uncle.

My aunt had already tidied the place up a bit in advance.

Winter snow fluttered down, falling silently in the quiet dusk.

The roads were slick, and the Santanas on the street drove slowly.

It felt as though the entire world had grown gentle under the heavy blanket of snow.

My aunt took my hand with a beaming smile.

“Xiao Jue is getting prettier and prettier. I’ve already bought your new clothes for the New Year.

“Once you give me your New Year’s greetings, I’ll give them to you!

“Now that we’re living closer, you should come over to our house to play more often.”

After speaking to me, she turned to scold my brother.

“Chu Qi, you see me and don’t even greet me?

“You’re getting more and more disrespectful. Do you not want your New Year’s red envelope this year?”

After teasing the two of us, she complained to my Adoptive Mother about my uncle. “Chu Hai ran off to some art academy for further studies. He’s still making a fuss about wanting to be an actor.”

“He’s at such an age already… None of the men in the Chu Family are reliable!”

Although we had moved, I had to wait until the next semester to transfer schools.

When I returned to school after the weekend, my classmates were all whispering and pointing at me.

“So she was actually sold by her real parents.”

“How annoying do you have to be to get sold? My dog had puppies and my mom couldn’t even bear to sell those!”

“Her Adoptive Father bought her but never comes to pick her up or drop her off. He must hate her too!”

…

I didn’t have any friends to begin with, but now things were even worse.

Everywhere I went, I was treated like the plague; my classmates couldn’t get away from me fast enough.

I finally endured until the end of the day. Clutching my backpack, I couldn’t wait to escape.

I ran all the way to the school gate, only to hear a familiar voice: “Xiao Jue…”

The sky had cleared after the snow, and the setting sun looked like crushed gold scattered across the white drifts.

My Adoptive Father was leaning against his motorcycle, standing under a pine tree laden with snow.

In his hand, he held a massive string of wind chimes.

They were crafted from colorful stones.

As the wind blew, fine snow fell from the pine tree, and the stones clattered together with a crisp, melodic sound.

It sounded like a movement from a heavenly symphony.

He shook the wind chimes in his hand. “Xiao Jue, this is the gift I promised you.”

The school gate was crowded at dismissal.

My Adoptive Father was being so flashy that he drew many eyes.

He smiled brightly, pointing to a large bunch of colorful lollipops hanging from the front of the motorcycle.

“I’m Xiao Jue’s dad. Are you all her friends?

“If you are, come and take a piece of candy!”

…

The students hesitated for a moment. Then, some of the bolder ones came over. After taking a candy, they asked to see the wind chimes.

My Adoptive Father smiled. “These are a gift for Xiao Jue. Why don’t you ask her if she’s willing to let you see?”

I nodded.

Soon, I was surrounded by a crowd.

There were even some people I didn’t recognize.

They were full of envy.

“These wind chimes are so big and beautiful.”

“I want one too!”

“Your dad is so good to you!”

…

After a while, Chu Qi also finished his classes.

He walked over with a long face, waving them away. “Alright, alright, look at them next time. We have to go home.”