Disabled Childhood Sweetheart: A Humble Puppy Begs for the Young Lady's Pity

On Friday, Wenxi had no classes that day, so he took a bus home in the morning.

The moment I opened the door, the lingering scent of cigarettes wafted out. The curtains were half-drawn, and the light inside was dim and intermittent.

Wen Zhiting and Xiang Qin were both sitting in the living room, having not gone to work. Wen Xi called out in surprise, "Dad, Mom!" Seeing their daughter return, the couple's gloomy faces immediately brightened with smiles. Wen Zhiting stubbed out his cigarette, and Xiang Qin stepped forward to take her bag: "Girl, why are you back so early today?"

"I didn't have class today, so I came back early." Wenxi bent down to change her shoes, looking at the two of them with a questioning gaze: "You two didn't go to work today?"

Xiang Qin put her bag on the dresser next to her, took her hand and led her to sit down on the sofa: "Your mom and dad have something to tell you."

Now that things have come to this, they have no intention of keeping it from Wenxi any longer.

"Little Magpie, the factory where your parents work has gone bankrupt and closed down." Xiang Qin held her hand and said with a wry smile, "Your living expenses will probably have to be reduced from now on."

The small living room was simply yet warmly furnished. Several medicine bottles sat on the coffee table, belonging to Wen Zhiting. They were a jumble of different kinds, some for headaches, some for insomnia... Since Grandpa Zhou passed away, Dad's medicine bottles had become even more varied.

Wenxi stared in astonishment for a long time, then put her arms around Xiang Qin and Wen Zhiting's shoulders and said with a smile, "Living expenses don't matter. My parents finally don't have to work so hard anymore."

Wen Zhiting sighed: "We can't move to the new house for now; we'll have to continue living in the compound."

"Where we live doesn't matter, as long as I'm with Mom and Dad. We've lived in this compound for so many years, and I think it's great, so peaceful." Wenxi smiled and playfully shook Wen Zhiting's arm. "Dad, when I'm on summer vacation, will you have time to take Mom and me out for a trip?"

A light smile appeared on Wen Zhiting's gloomy face as he pinched his daughter's cheek: "Okay, I'll definitely take my eldest daughter and wife on a trip during the summer vacation."

As soon as Wenxi returned, the house became lively and vibrant. Xiangqin went to buy groceries, planning to cook her a nice meal that evening. Wen Zhiting felt much more relaxed, watching his daughter walk around the house, sometimes snuggling against his back and acting cute, sometimes clinging to his arm and telling him about her funny stories from school. A warm feeling washed over him.

Jiang Xiaoya received a call from Wenxi, who came to her house to visit in the afternoon. The two of them rode their bikes to the Hongxing Machinery Factory together.

A bankruptcy notice stamped with a red official seal was posted at the factory gate. Cigarette butts littered the ground, untouched. A gust of wind blew by, bringing a sense of desolation.

Jiang Xiaoya's parents were also factory workers, but now they have both been laid off.

Two girls pushed their bicycles and walked slowly along the outer edge of the factory area.

Wenxi asked, "Xiaoya, what are your parents planning to do next?"

Jiang Xiaoya said, "Our whole family is moving to the south of the city. My brother is studying at university there, and my aunts are doing business there. They're asking my parents to come with us."

"Then how will you go to school?"

Jiang Xiaoya and Fang Haoyu went to the same university. Of all the people from their alley, only Wenxi went to an art school.

"I'll stay at school and visit them during holidays."

Wenxi took her arm and said, "You can come and stay at my house sometime."

Jiang Xiaoya grinned and said, "Okay."

The two walked to Haiping Park, where they used to play as children, and found a small pavilion to sit down. The park was dilapidated, neglected, overgrown with weeds, and desolate.

Wenxi rested her chin on her hand, looked at her best friend, and hesitated before speaking: "Xiaoya, I want to tell you something..."

"I...I went to the beach with Zhou Jingchen during the May Day holiday."

"I know."

How did you know?

"Fang Haoyu told me. Zhou Jingchen couldn't get in touch with you, so he called him and asked him to help confirm whether you had arrived at school safely."

Wenxi lowered her head: "I...we kissed."

"Huh?" Jiang Xiaoya almost jumped up; her expression was beyond astonishment.

"You...you...you kissed Zhou Jingchen?"

"Hmm." Wenxi drooped her head, her two fingers intertwined.

"Are you two together?" Xiaoya asked.

"No." She shook her head.

"He doesn't like me." Wenxi looked at her dejectedly.

"Wait!" Xiaoya stood up, rubbing her chin as she walked around the round table. "You mean you like him, but he doesn't like you?"

She added, "Isn't that right? You told me back then that you couldn't possibly like Zhou Jingchen."

Wenxi gently nibbled on her knuckles: "Oh dear, I don't really know either, but I like him now, I like him a lot."

Xiaoya poked her head: "You're getting your just desserts. You bullied people like that when you were little, no wonder they like you!"

"But Wenxi... don't you mind his legs?"

Wenxi shook her head: "In my eyes, he's not much different from ordinary people. He can do everything. He's been doing housework since he was little, washing my underwear, cooking, and even making brown sugar water for me when I have my period. He's good at studying, smart, and quick-witted. He's so much better than the average person..."

"What?!" Xiaoya screamed, frantically pushing her arm a few times: "He washed your underwear?"

"Hmm." Wenxi lowered her head again. "You've been washing clothes for so many years, aren't you very capable?"

"No...is this something he should be doing? He washes your underwear! Oh my god, he actually washes your underwear? And he even makes you brown sugar water, he's treating you like a concubine!"

Wenxi blushed at her words and stammered, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Let me tell you, my brother is super nice to me, but he won't wash my underwear. If I ask him to wash my underwear, he'll just slap me a few times, you know? Tsk tsk, you two are so ambiguous, playing these games since you were little..."

Wenxi stamped her foot. "Xiaoya, I'm serious. You have to help me. What should I do?"

"I'm serious with you too." Jiang Xiaoya sat down on the stone bench and solemnly patted her best friend's shoulder. "Wenxi, I think your ambiguous relationship is not a good thing."

"If you really like him, give him a call and ask him to come in person and make things clear."

"Explain what?"

"Tell him you like him, and ask him how he feels about you."

Wenxi shrugged and shook her head: "I don't dare. If I tell you, we won't be able to be friends anymore."

Xiaoya gripped her shoulders tightly and shook her: "Sister, where's your usual courage? Why are you such a coward when it comes to love? You're so pretty, how could you not win him over?"

She continued, "If you beckon him with your finger or wink at him, Zhou Jingchen will kneel down and fawn over you."

Wenxi shook her head again, "I haven't answered his calls since I came back from the May Day holiday. He's probably still angry with me."

"Don't be afraid, trust me. Call him in the next few days and ask him to come and meet you at the end of the month. Talk to him face-to-face then."

Xiaoya cupped her face and squeezed her cheeks together: "Wenxi, believe me, you're so pretty and cute, Zhou Jingchen won't dislike you."

Before parting, Wenxi told Jiang Xiaoya: "Don't tell Fang Haoyu about this. He's a blabbermouth."