Chapter 36 (1/2)

Time pa.s.ses quickly when one is having fun. When He Nuo’s elder brother was on his business trip, he thought of how He Nuo had helped him babysit his son throughout the holidays so he brought a piece of clothing back for He Nuo — a white corduroy shirt that even had a cap attached to it. He Nuo was really excited, this was the first time for him to own a new piece of clothing all to himself. But he couldn’t wear it now in this weather, he could only wear it when school reopens in autumn. He tried it on and went to his fourth and fifth brothers’ room to check his reflection in their mirror (at his parents’ side), and when he left the room, he coincidentally b.u.mped into his fifth brother. The He Nuo who was wearing his new clothes felt uneasy, like he had just been caught red-handed in the middle of a theft attempt. He folded his new clothes and placed it in his cabinet.

The next day, his eldest brother ate at home and wasn’t in a rush to return after he was done. Little nephew wanted He Nuo to bring him out to play, and after they had played around for awhile He Nuo saw that the sky was turning dark so he returned home with his nephew. When he entered the yard, he was about to bring his nephew to his parents’ side to look for his eldest brother when he heard the angry voice of his fifth brother, “I don’t care, in any case, I like it, so I want to bring it to school.”

He Nuo was stunned. His eldest brother spoke, “If you like it, I’ll buy it for you on my next business trip. Give it to sixth brother this time ba.”

“No way, I want it this time, you can buy it for him on your next trip.”

“I’ve already given the clothes to him, how do you want me to get it back? How could I even ask for it?” Eldest brother felt like he was being put on the spot.

“Just go get it back from him~ You’re the one who bought it, you can give it to whoever you want.”

“But I bought it for sixth brother.”

Fifth brother didn’t know how to reply to that. He was probably angry now.

“Why did you waste your money on buying that, does he deserve it? Get it back from him and give it to your fifth brother.” An unhappy voice had announced the final verdict of their dispute.

“Pa.” Eldest brother didn’t know what else to say.

“Pa already asked you to give it to me, Big bro go and get it back from him~”

He Nuo held his nephew’s hand as he walked out of the courtyard. He walked over to the end of the single-storey houses, then squatted down and said to his nephew, “Dongdong, can you do Sixth uncle a favour?”

The little guy nodded his head. The kid could sense that He Nuo seemed different. He was still smiling, but the kid felt like Sixth uncle was upset right now.

“Dongdong, don’t tell anyone that we had gone back just now. We’ll go back again now, and when you enter the yard just shout, ‘Papa, I’m back’, then go over to your Yeye’s side to look for your Papa okay?”

“Un.” The kid solemnly nodded his head. He wanted to help his favourite Sixth uncle.