CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43 POOR BOY XU XU (1)

The next day, Zhao Meimei went to school, causing an immediate stir in the classroom. She was always popular, and classmates who saw her had to come over and ask, "Meimei, what’s with the handprint on your face? Did you get a spanking from your dad for being naughty?"

Zhao Meimei raised her little neck defiantly and retorted boastfully, "My dad never hits me! This mark happened when I was protecting Brother Chaozi."

The incident of Zhao Meimei participating in a fight had already spread throughout the school. In the eyes of her peers, getting into a fight with high schoolers was considered a monumental event, and Zhao Meimei accomplished this feat. Her classmates immediately regarded her differently, practically seeing her as the coolest representative of both her grade and the entire school year.

Zhao Meimei was proudly bragging about the fight, when Xu Xu entered the classroom carrying his backpack. He immediately saw Zhao Meimei surrounded by people, hurried over, squeezed to the front of the group, and stood closest to Zhao Meimei, feeling this was the only way to show he was unique and had a closer connection to Zhao Meimei than anyone else.

Xu Xu was about to speak but froze.

Zhao Meimei didn’t have Shi Yang’s scar-prone skin, but she did have delicate skin. Now the handprint from earlier was beginning to disperse as the blood flowed, and the injury had spread across half her face, making it look bruised and shocking.

Xu Xu blinked his large, watery eyes, and his long, thick eyelashes fluttered twice as he pursed his lips and asked Zhao Meimei, "Who hit you?"

Zhao Meimei casually replied, "Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know them."

Xu Xu moved closer, reaching out a trembling hand, wanting to touch Zhao Meimei’s face. Zhao Meimei quickly dodged, "You can’t touch it. It hurts like crazy. I didn’t even dare wash my face this morning."

Xu Xu stared fixedly at Zhao Meimei’s injury for a long time, then, with a trembling voice, asked, "Does it hurt badly?"

Zhao Meimei was animatedly telling others how Brother Yangyang knocked someone down with one punch, and briefly answered him, "Doesn’t it! I was slapped flying at the time!"

Suddenly, tears welled up in Xu Xu’s black grape-like eyes, quickly gathered together, and rolled down his thick lower eyelashes.

One drop, two drops, a string of them...

Xu Xu initially cried quietly without making a sound, but soon began to sob and hiccup.

Zhao Meimei was in the middle of speaking enthusiastically, when she turned her head at the noise and saw Xu Xu crying like a teary mess.

Zhao Meimei’s back hairs stood on end, and she quickly reached out to stop him, saying, "Hey! Hey, hey! Why are you crying like this, Xu Xu!"

Xu Xu didn’t move and showed no expression, just cried staring at her.

"You must have a reason to cry, right? Is it..." Zhao Meimei was about to say more when Xu Xu suddenly stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her neck, and before she could react, he blew warm air mixed with cool saliva onto her injured side.

"What are you doing!" Zhao Meimei jumped scared.

Xu Xu blew at Zhao Meimei again before releasing her, "Blowing on it makes it not hurt."

Zhao Meimei realized what he was doing, wanted to wipe her face with her hand, but feared it would hurt, so she glared at Xu Xu, and after glaring at him, she ended up smiling, "If you’re going to blow, then blow! Spraying me with your saliva, what’s that about?"

Xu Xu answered with a gulp, "I was crying."

Zhao Meimei frowned at him, "Then stop crying!"

Xu Xu hiccupped, "I haven’t finished crying yet, can’t stop."

Zhao Meimei was convinced, just going to say something when the teacher entered the classroom, instantly seeing the most obedient student crying in front of the least obedient student.

Skipping the investigation, the teacher immediately glared and scolded Zhao Meimei, "Zhao Meimei! Are you uncomfortable a day without causing trouble! What are you doing bullying him!"

Xu Xu was focused on crying and got startled by the sudden shout from the teacher, causing him to hiccup uncontrollably, "Uh... Teacher... not Zhao Meimei... uh..."

The teacher gently comforted him, "Alright, Xu Xu, stop crying, go back to your seat for morning self-study." After speaking, the teacher instructed, "Everyone take out your language books, where’s the class representative? Lead the class in continuing yesterday’s content."

After the teacher spoke, she turned back and pointed at Zhao Meimei from a distance, "Zhao Meimei! If you bully classmates again, go stand outside!"

Zhao Meimei was extremely upset, taking the blame unfairly. She seized the moment when the teacher wasn’t looking to glare fiercely at Xu Xu. That kid was still hiccuping like a crowing rooster!

Just after finishing the third class, the teacher announced a change in plan, today would be a half-day class with an art school using the classroom as an exam venue this afternoon.

The entire class was immediately excited, Zhao Meimei was thrilled, thinking she’d go home for lunch at noon and have her mom take her to see Brother Yangyang at the hospital.

At noon dismissal, Zhao Meimei was packing her backpack when Xu Xu approached, asking her, "Meimei, today’s a half-day, do you want to come over to my house to play?"

Zhao Meimei shook her head, "No, I need to see Brother Yangyang."

Xu Xu tugged gently at the collar of her shirt, "Come on, I’ve got a puppy at home that’s really fun!"

"A puppy?" Zhao Meimei’s eyes lit up. She loved puppies, but her mom didn’t allow them at home because they leave messes and shed hair.

Xu Xu let go and gestured, "Just this big, really fun, all fluffy."

Zhao Meimei thought for a moment and asked him, "Where do you live? Is it far? If it’s too far, I’m not going."

Xu Xu grinned, revealing neat white teeth, "I live at Dongfeng Road Junction, super close to the school."

Zhao Meimei didn’t really know where that was but hearing it was close, she was tempted, "Okay, I’ll check out the puppy with you."

Xu Xu was particularly excited, telling Zhao Meimei on the way, "There are so many fun things at my house! Have you seen a grapevine? It’s just bearing grapes now, so sweet."

Zhao Meimei imagined it, thinking it sounded fun, asking, "When I come over to your house, can I taste your grapes?"

Xu Xu nodded, "Sure, I’ll let you pick some."

Zhao Meimei was pleased, "Alright, I’ve never picked grapes before!"

Xu Xu’s pale face showed a flush of excitement, and he bounced ahead leading the way.

Zhao Meimei followed him for a while, glancing back and seeing the school building completely out of sight, she asked, "Haven’t we reached your house yet?"

Xu Xu pointed ahead, "It’s just up ahead!"

Hearing they were near, Zhao Meimei was relieved and continued walking, and soon noticed the surroundings changing from buildings to low houses.

Feeling a bit tired, Zhao Meimei asked, "How much farther?"

Xu Xu pointed ahead again, "Almost there!"

Xu Xu confidently led Zhao Meimei through winding alleys until even her good memory started to get confused.

She was just about to ask again when Xu Xu ran ahead and stood in front of an old, iron gate, "Here, this is my home!"

As Xu Xu spoke, a series of babyish puppy barks sounded from the yard.

While taking out the key to open the door, Xu Xu called inside, "Dodo! Brother brought a girl to see you! We’ve got a visitor!"

Xu Xu pushed open the door with a creak and gestured for Zhao Meimei to hurry inside, "Come in!"

Zhao Meimei followed inside, before she could look around, her attention was caught by a fluffy ball at her feet.

Xu Xu smiled and introduced, "His name is Dodo, my little brother."

Zhao Meimei reached out to tease the puppy, "Dodo? Dodo! Oh! He’s so fun, he’s licking me!"

After hanging the door back up, Xu Xu joyfully joined Zhao Meimei in squatting down to play with the puppy.

After a moment of playing, Zhao Meimei lifted her head carelessly and froze.

In front of her was a fairly small yard, but it was tidy. One side hung a clothesline, while the other side had two frames with vines of tender green leaves climbing and bunches of plump purple grapes hanging temptingly.

Right opposite the door was a low house, dark inside where nothing was visible from the outside.

Having grown up in residential blocks, aside from the boiler house near Shi Yang’s home, Zhao Meimei had never seen such a house.