CHAPTER 606: CHAPTER 605 XIAO XIAO’S XIAO XIAO

Grandpa Li didn’t notice Xiao Xiao’s departure until a long time had passed; then he discovered his granddaughter had somehow returned and was quietly sitting beside him.

"Huh? When did you get back?" Grandpa Li asked in surprise.

Xiao Xiao, with her head lowered, didn’t speak but simply handed back the two damp bills she had tightly held in her palm, soaked with sweat.

"You didn’t buy a popsicle?" Grandpa Li was somewhat surprised.

Xiao Xiao shook her head. Her unusual behavior caught Grandpa Li’s attention, especially the two dried tear streaks on her cheeks.

Grandpa Li sighed but didn’t ask Xiao Xiao what had upset her.

She had suffered too many grievances; being disliked and given cold looks happened often.

At first, Grandpa Li would inquire a bit, but even so, it was just some words of superficial comfort.

Gradually, Grandpa Li even saved the comforting words because he knew those words were useless. Everything depended on Xiao Xiao herself.

"Have some water."

Grandpa Li handed his large cup of water to Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao reached out and took it, gulping several big mouthfuls from the bottle; she was indeed thirsty.

Seeing his granddaughter’s flushed little face and her bangs stuck to her forehead with sweat, Grandpa Li couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.

"It’s too hot today; don’t pick up bottles in the afternoon. Go rest in the shade or go home first."

Xiao Xiao shook her head, handed the cup back to Grandpa Li.

Then she asked, "Grandpa, will my mom and dad come back to see me?"

"Of course, as long as you are obedient, they will definitely come back to see you," Grandpa Li replied without thinking upon hearing her question.

This was not the first time Grandpa Li had answered Xiao Xiao like this. Each time she heard it, she would beam brilliantly, her eyes sparkling with radiant light.

But today, Xiao Xiao was not happy; her little face was full of grievance, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

"What’s wrong with you? Aren’t you happy that your mom and dad are coming back to see you?" Grandpa Li asked, a bit surprised.

Xiao Xiao shook her head and then turned to walk toward the shade.

After all, Grandpa Li was getting old, and he wasn’t a particularly sensitive person. He just considered it a child’s tantrum and didn’t pay much attention. He continued with his business.

Xiao Xiao sat down in the shade and looked once more toward the direction of the convenience store from earlier.

"Dad doesn’t even recognize me; how could he come back to see me..."

"Maybe I’ve grown up and look different from when I was little, so he didn’t recognize me..."

"Or maybe I’m too dirty, and that’s why he didn’t recognize me..."

"Dad has too many things to do, he’s already forgotten about me..."

...

Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao’s eyes filled with tears.

Xiao Xiao had seen her dad, not just in a photo, but face to face, and she had even called him dad, though that was a long time ago.

Dad had even told her to be obedient and listen to her grandparents. He was very busy with work outside, but he would come back to see her when he had time.

But he never came back; he must be very busy and never has any spare time, Xiao Xiao often thought.

But deep in her heart, Xiao Xiao actually knew that her mom and dad didn’t want her anymore.

But—

But—

When she saw her dad strolling leisurely with another woman today, she could no longer deceive herself.

That’s why she felt very sad and bewildered.

She had always been good and obedient...

Maybe she did something wrong, but she really couldn’t remember. Could they tell her what she did wrong? She could change it...

Granny said that making mistakes is okay. If you can correct your mistakes, you’re a good child...

She missed Granny.

When she was sad, Granny would hold her in her arms, gently patting her back, humming a sweet song.

-----------------

"Coconuts high, coconuts round, coconuts fall with a thud;

Grandpa chops coconuts, sweet water fills, Grandma scoops for sugar cakes (New Year’s cakes)."

...

Granny Cui held Xiao Xiao, her eyes full of heartache.

Then she thought of the little friend, Dou Dou, from last night.

Ordinarily, the words of such a small child would have very low credibility, and they might forget in an instant, it shouldn’t become her hope.

But Dou Dou was her only hope now.

She died and became an old ghost.

Besides watching, she could do nothing.

During the time since she passed away, she had encountered some other ghosts and asked them about some things.

Turns out, everyone was the same, aimlessly wandering the world. From the initial happiness of escaping the confines of the flesh to the ultimate confusion about life, many chose to let go of their obsessions, return to nature, and completely dissipate into this world.

But Granny Cui couldn’t let go because there were still people in this world who held her care and worry.

"Ah~"

A leaf fell from the treetop, fluttering gently onto Xiao Xiao’s hand.

Xiao Xiao picked up the green leaf, choking back sobs while looking up at the treetop.

The leaves don’t have to wither and yellow to fall from the treetop.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, landing on her small face, gently swaying in the breeze like jewels glistening with dazzling light.

"Xiao Xiao..."

"Yes." Xiao Xiao quickly responded.

"Come here." Grandpa Li called out to her.

Xiao Xiao quickly ran over.

Xiao Xiao was very obedient and never questioned why. She just did whatever she was told.

"Here you go." Grandpa Li handed her a cup of freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.

Xiao Xiao was a little surprised and looked up at Grandpa.

"Grandpa, won’t you sell this?"

"There’s plenty. Take it and drink, it’s very sweet. If your mouth is sweet, your heart won’t be bitter." Grandpa Li chuckled.

Then he stuck a straw into the cup and handed it to Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao happily accepted it with both hands.

"Grandpa, you’re so nice," said Xiao Xiao.

Grandpa Li patted her head, sighed, and said, "Your grandpa is useless, letting you suffer with me."

"Hehe..." Xiao Xiao grinned foolishly at Grandpa.

She didn’t feel that following Grandpa was suffering because she never experienced sweetness, so how would she know bitterness.

"Boss, how much is the sugarcane juice?"

Just then, someone approached to ask the price.

Upon hearing this, Grandpa quickly turned around to greet the customer.

Xiao Xiao, holding the sugarcane juice, returned to the shade.

Then she saw the leaf from before, lying on the ground, where she had accidentally stepped on it.

The once-intact leaf was now torn and tattered.

Xiao Xiao glanced at her foot, then walked over and picked up the leaf.

Seeing the damaged leaf, she sighed with a sense of regret.

Then she placed the leaf aside and sipped from the cup in small sips, not daring to drink too quickly, fearing that happiness would disappear too soon.

Granny Cui observed Xiao Xiao’s blissful expression, feeling delighted inside.

Just then, a voice suddenly called from afar.

"Granny Cui, I knew you’d be here..."

Granny Cui turned to look and saw a short, chubby middle-aged man with glasses walking toward her.