Chapter 12 (1/2)

As Madam Zhao and Zhao Yuan’s birthdays were close to each other, the Zhao family would always celebrate them together.

It was the same this year too.

Even the students of the Evergreen Class began to give Zhao Yuan gifts a week before her birthday.

“I voted for you. You’re probably going to win the School Beauty Contest again this year. I wish you a happy early birthday.”

Zhao Yuan was surrounded by her adoring fans. She smiled politely. “Thank you.”

E Xiaoxia who was watching by the side also sheepishly gave her her gift. Zhao Yuan looked at her but did not take it.

The two of them were still in an awkward phase due to the allergy incident.

Someone was voting for Zhao Yuan. When they scrolled down, they saw Zhao Mingxi who was at the bottom of the list.

Someone exclaimed, “How did someone with a mask get shortlisted? Who’s the moderator in charge of checking the submissions? Did they take this year’s School Beauty Contest as a joke?”

Zhao Yuan’s expression changed slightly. She took out her phone to look at it as well.

Surprisingly, Zhao Mingxi was at the 20th place.

Someone standing beside them said, “It’s Zhao Mingxi? I’ve never seen her, but I’ve heard of her. She’s the girl who kept on pursuing Shen Liyao. I heard that her looks are only average. Maybe people are just voting for her out of curiosity.”

E Xiaoxia watched as Zhao Yuan turned and kept on looking at her phone with furrowed brows. She couldn’t understand what was going on in Zhao Yuan’s head.

Nonetheless, she still approached her and tried to curry favor with a whisper, “Yuanyuan, don’t worry. Those people must have voted for Zhao Mingxi because they were curious about how she looked underneath the mask. She only has around 500 votes now. You have well-surpassed her with your 3,000 votes. She won’t be able to catch up.”

“Furthermore, only embarrassment would await her if she did manage to get into the first few spots. Think about it, when the voting period is complete, those who don’t know her will think that she’s pretty— Then when she takes off her mask, whoa, the disappointment.”

E Xiaoxia initially thought that after saying these she would be able to salvage her relationship with Zhao Yuan. But unexpectedly, the moment Zhao Yuan heard her words, she kept quiet and the expression on her face turned darker. She didn’t look as if she was relieved at all.

Before E Xiaoxia could speak any further, Zhao Yuan’s other friend, Pu Shuang’s phone vibrated.

“Oh, it’s from Zhao Yuning.” Pu Shuang said in surprise.

[Pu Shuang jie, what should I give a girl so that she will stop being mad at me? P.S. don’t tell Yuan jie.]

As Zhao Yuan was coincidentally beside her, she gave her a look, “Your brother treats you so well. Is he planning to secretly buy you a birthday gift? He told me not to tell you too!”

The corner of Zhao Yuan’s lips curled slightly upwards. Only then did the expression on her face soften.

Zhao Yuning probably wanted to apologize to her as well for when he accidentally yelled at her that day at the sports field.

However, Zhao Yuan was a little shocked. Zhao Yuning was always very direct, yet today he knew how to speak in a roundabout way.

Pu Shuang asked, “Quick. What do you want for your birthday? How should I reply?”

Zhao Yuan gave it some thought before saying, “I don’t really need anything. Just tell him to give whatever he wants.”

Thus, Pu Shuang replied: “Anything, but Shuang jie would recommend you to get a life size teddy bear.”

There was no reply after that. E Xiaoxia, Pu Shuang and the girls around them started to get jealous. “If only I had such a younger brother as well.”

Zhao Yuan smiled as she was in a better mood now. She stood up and packed her bags before saying, “My eldest brother is coming to pick me up. See you all next week.”

*

As for Zhao Yuning, he was currently dragging two of his male friends as they walked around the mall.

He excused himself for the last period after lunch just so he could come out to buy a gift. He wanted to give it to Zhao Mingxi.

He didn’t know if Zhao Mingxi was purposely avoiding him this week or that the academic building for those in Year 3 was too far from that of Year 1, but he never saw Zhao Mingxi at all while he was in school.

Of course, he didn’t relay to the family what Zhao Mingxi said about severing all ties with them as she had said it out of anger.

He was thinking that since their eldest brother was going to personally pick up Zhao Mingxi from school this weekend, she would most probably stop holding a grudge and agree to go home.

Therefore, if he said anything it would only make things worse.

Nonetheless, even without relaying her message, the atmosphere at home was distinctly bad.

The house became quieter ever since Zhao Mingxi left home. Aside from the fact that he could no longer eat Zhao Mingxi’s delicious dishes, he couldn’t find anyone to bicker with him anymore.

Zhao Yuan and Zhao Mingxi had varying personalities.

Zhao Yuan was gracious. As she had learned piano and etiquette, no one could find any fault in her. While Zhao Yuning liked and spoiled this elder sister of his, he felt that he missed the smart mouthed Zhao Mingxi— Only Zhao Mingxi would pull him by the ears to his bed whenever he would stay up to play games.

Although Zhao Yuning didn’t want to admit it, he had to confess that his heart felt empty for the whole of this week.

While he was still a little upset about how Zhao Mingxi had caused such a ruckus because of a small matter, the main point was that she didn’t even care about him anymore.

However, after Zhao Mingxi had spoken to him that day at the lowest floor of the academic building, he also reflected on not only his own actions, but also his family’s.

She was right. They had wronged Zhao Mingxi.

Thus, he hatched a plan. First, he would buy a gift. Then when their eldest brother manages to convince Mingxi to come home, he would secretly enter Mingxi’s room and give her the gift.

But just when he was about to buy a gift for her, Zhao Yuning realized that he knew nothing about what Zhao Mingxi liked.

It was only then that he noticed that for the past two years, he had only given Zhao Mingxi a memory card of a game he had played before on her birthday last year.

For some reason, Zhao Yuning felt bad. There was also a sense of fear, as if everything was too late. He tried his best to push away these odd feelings.

No way. There’s nothing a family can’t get through together.

After an hour of shopping at the local mall, Zhao Yuning still went according to Pu Shuang’s recommendation and got Zhao Mingxi a life size teddy bear which was about 170cm tall.

Once he bought it, he let out a mental sigh of relief. He felt that it was enough; that Zhao Mingxi would be surprised when she received this.

As it was too big, he couldn’t bring it back himself, so he got the salesperson to send it back.

When it was time to fill in the address, he gave it some thought and wrote his house address while stating that it was for Zhao Mingxi.

Since his eldest brother will be showing himself today, he would definitely be able to bring Zhao Mingxi home.

*

The moment Zhao Yuning arrived at school from the mall, he received a call from Zhao Zhanhuai. He quickly pulled his bag tighter and ran to the school gates. “Da ge.”

Zhao Zhanhuai got out from the car with his car keys in his hands. He pulled up his white sleeves and furrowed his brows as he walked to school. “Where is Mingxi’s class? Show me the way.”

“Da ge, you’re finally here.” Zhao Yuning was a little excited. Since it was their eldest brother who came, Zhao Mingxi wouldn’t retaliate like how she did to him, right?

He hurriedly followed behind Zhao Zhanhuai. “There. She’s in the same building as Zhao Yuan, but they’re not on the same floor.”

Zhao Zhanhuai went up to the fifth floor and walked toward the direction of the International Class.

He didn’t know where Zhao Mingxi’s class was, be it before or after she transferred. He only knew which class Zhao Yuan was in.

Previously whenever it was a holiday weekend, Zhao Zhanhuai would personally drive to school and bring Zhao Yuan home.

His feelings toward Zhao Yuan had not changed yet. But ever since two years ago when Zhao Yuan turned from his biological younger sister to someone with no blood relations to him whatsoever, Zhao Zhanhuai felt a stronger sense of pity for her.

He was afraid that she would feel uncomfortable in this house. He was also fearful that she would be bullied by Mingxi who had a stronger personality. Thus, Zhao Zhanhuai treated Zhao Yuan even better as compared to the past 15 years.