C11 A Hug

From an early age, Changshun understood the harsh reality of the world: it was survival of the fittest, and luck played a big part. He had been sleeping in a makeshift shelter at the construction site, but he quit his job to care for his grandfather.

Now, returning to the construction site, he couldn't resume working there. It wouldn't be right for Xiuxiu, a young woman, to share the communal sleeping quarters with him, especially with the rough men who might take advantage of her.

"Brother Changshun, am I causing you trouble again?"

"No, we'll find a hotel to stay in for now and look for a rental tomorrow."

Xiuxiu pondered for a moment, then pulled a pink leather wallet from her pocket – the kind you'd find for ten yuan at a street stall. She opened it to reveal over a hundred yuan in cash and a bank card, which she handed to Changshun.

"Brother Changshun, this is everything I have. There's over ten thousand yuan on the card."

"That much?" Changshun was taken aback.

Xiuxiu, looking down and fidgeting, said softly, "When I was studying away from home, I worked part-time. I saved money during the holidays, and I didn't spend the money my dad gave me. It added up to this amount."

"You should keep it. I still have money."

"Brother Changshun, we grew up together, and I know your situation. You send most of your earnings back to help with grandpa's medical expenses, so you don't have much saved. Now that I have no family, I can only depend on you. Consider this my contribution for room and board. If you don't accept it, it's like you're saying I'm a burden."

Xiuxiu looked up earnestly as she spoke. Changshun, seeing the shyness in the girl who was willing to do anything to stay with him, couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"I'll hold onto it for now."

"It's not just holding onto it. Use it if you need to. From now on, we're family. You wouldn't abandon me, would you?"

Changshun found himself at a loss for words.

Xiuxiu, noticing his silence, quickly reached out and grasped his arm, pressing the fullness of her chest against it. The soft, springy sensation nearly caused Changshun to have a nosebleed.

"Brother Changshun, if you reject me, I'll truly have nowhere to go."

Tears streamed down Xiuxiu's face like a cascade of beans, tugging at Changshun's heartstrings.

"No... I won't reject you. Like I said, from now on, you're my sister. My own sister."

Xiuxiu seemed somewhat let down, yet she clung to Changshun's arm even tighter.

The gentle warmth from his arm felt even more palpable.

"Oh, Brother Changshun, why are you bleeding? Did you get hurt?"

Xiuxiu looked up to see Changshun's nosebleed and released his arm to examine him.

But as she leaned in closer, her slightly unbuttoned shirt gaped open, and Changshun caught sight of two soft, fair mounds pressed tightly together.

"Brother Changshun, don't frighten me. We should go to the hospital."

Regaining his composure, Changshun quickly turned away and discreetly stuffed his nose with a tissue.

He was mortified, especially since his little soldier was tenting his trousers, visible to anyone who looked.

Thankfully, he had a jacket in hand. To avoid further embarrassment, Changshun draped it over his arm and against his abdomen, effectively concealing his awkward predicament.

"Let's find a place to rest for a bit. You must be tired after walking for hours."

Changshun located an affordable hotel nearby, charging only fifty yuan for the night. Ideally, he would have preferred separate rooms for himself and Xiuxiu for the sake of propriety.

But Xiuxiu adamantly refused, threatening tears if he insisted. Reluctantly, Changshun booked a single room.

"Brother Changshun, I'm not tired yet. You go ahead and sleep."

Changshun, indeed feeling weary, made no fuss. Instead of the bed, he grabbed a blanket and stretched out on the floor, quickly falling into a deep, sonorous sleep.

Xiuxiu seized the chance to freshen up in the bathroom while Changshun was deep in slumber. Emerging without clothes, she simply wrapped herself in a towel and made her way to Changshun's side.

Changshun was sleeping so soundly that he remained oblivious when Xiuxiu slipped into his bed.

As he slept, Changshun began dreaming of the belle once more.

"Are you okay? I thought you might have..."

"I'm not going to die, but things aren't exactly looking up. What about you? I gave you a list of items; why haven't you prepared anything?"

Changshun felt extremely awkward under the belle's scolding.

"Well... The things you're asking for are way too expensive, and some I've never even heard of. I'm broke and without resources; how can I possibly find them for you?"

"Fool, that's precisely why I say each generation is worse than the last. Regardless, I'm the bride your grandfather promised to you, and I can't leave because of you, so you need to take responsibility."

"I... I'll take responsibility, but..." Changshun was flustered.

He was more than willing to take responsibility for such a charming beauty demanding his attention, but he was so impoverished that he struggled to support himself, let alone Xiuxiu. He simply didn't have the means to procure the exotic treasures the belle desired.

"This is such a hassle. Look, since you obviously can't get those items right now, just pawn that jade piece you have on you."

Upon hearing this, Changshun's head began to shake vehemently.

"No way. My grandfather entrusted me to guard it. If I pawn it, he'd never forgive me, even in death."

The thought of his previous nightmarish dream sent a shiver down Changshun's spine.

"Hmph! You may seem naive, but you're quite lucky with the ladies. Wake up quickly, or you'll be completely devoured."

Before Changshun could gather his thoughts, the belle lifted her skirt, revealing her delicate, fair jade feet adorned with a bell. She abruptly raised her foot and kicked Changshun squarely in the chest.

Changshun's eyes snapped open before he could even cry out.

He then realized he was being embraced, and a small hand had crept to his abdomen, inching dangerously close to his little soldier.

Changshun abruptly sat up.

The blanket slid off, revealing the face of the person lying next to him.

But what was most shocking was that Xiuxiu, nestled within the covers, wasn't wearing a thing. Her towel had been discarded long ago.

The sight of her soft, pale skin dazzled Changshun.

He quickly covered his eyes.

"Xiuxiu, what are you doing? Get dressed, quick!"

"Changshun, you've always protected me since we were kids, and I've had feelings for you for the longest time. It doesn't matter to me whether you return those feelings or whether you're ready to make a commitment. I just want to be with you, to be your woman. Please, grant me this wish."

Changshun's ears burned at her words.

How could Xiuxiu speak so daringly?

"Stop kidding around, I've always seen you as a sister."