Courtyard house: Just the right amount of pressure, leaving you bewildered but not brain-damaged.

He Yushui circled the bicycle several times, touching the handlebars, crossbar, and seat, showing great interest in it.

"Brother Sheng, why are you buying meat again?"

After the initial novelty wore off, Xiaoyushui noticed the half-pound of pork hanging on the handlebars.

"I saw your brother when I went to the third canteen for lunch."

"I told him that if he eats lunch and dinner here from now on, I guarantee he'll grow up healthy and plump."

Gao Xiaosheng picked up the rice and noodles and walked towards the kitchen. He Yushui followed behind, carrying pork. She couldn't suppress the smile on her face as she looked at Gao Xiaosheng's back with starry eyes.

"Did my brother agree?" He Yushui asked hopefully.

"Well, I guess that counts as an agreement. I went to eat right after I finished speaking, and he didn't call me back, which means he tacitly agreed."

"Hehe." He Yushui covered her mouth and laughed so happily.

Gao Xiaosheng had no idea, but she knew all too well how stupid her brother was.

What do you mean by default? It's clearly a brain strike, a cerebellum spasm, a battle between the left and right hemispheres, and it's frozen in place for a moment.

But none of that matters. Brother Sheng is right; no objection means yes.

"Rain, what did you eat for lunch? Are you full? You'd better try to gain some weight, don't let me break my promise."

He Yushui nodded, her eyes curving into crescent shapes. "I'm very full."

"I steamed a bowl of rice and stir-fried a dish, and we ate it all."

For ten-year-old Xiaoyushui, being able to eat well and be full every day is the happiest thing.

"That's good." Gao Xiaosheng didn't turn around, but bent down and put the rice, noodles and meat into the cabinet one by one.

After everything was tidied up, I suddenly felt that it was very quiet around me. I turned my head and realized something was wrong. "Hmm? What's wrong?"

"No, nothing, I just thought of my dad." He Yushui pouted, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Gao Xiaosheng scratched his head; little girls think differently from boys.

Boys are simple-minded and straightforward until they enter society; they laugh when they're happy and cry when they're sad.

Wipe away your tears, and you're ready to go out and have some fun the next second.

Girls are the opposite; they often start laughing and then start crying.

"My dad used to treat me so well. He would buy me whatever I wanted to eat, and when we got home he would supervise my brother to cook it. If it wasn't cooked well, he would scold me."

"My brother always says I'm a glutton."

Gao Xiaosheng patted He Yushui's head, secretly rejoicing.

Fortunately, Xiaoyushui wasn't introverted and was willing to speak her mind; otherwise, he would never have guessed that she had thought of these things.

"Back then, you would definitely have plenty to eat, and you would eat well too."

"Yeah, my dad's cooking is better, my brother's... it's alright." He Yushui nodded vigorously.

Gao Xiaosheng was filled with jealousy upon hearing this.

What are you saying?

Two chefs are cooking for you, and you're still picking and choosing.

Don't underestimate He Yuzhu just because he's a cook in the factory canteen; his skills are quite impressive, otherwise he wouldn't have gained the favor of the higher-ups later on.

Others might not be able to afford the special meals that He Yuzhu prepared, but Yushui actually complained about them.

"Well, actually, although my brother's cooking skills are a bit lacking, he's pretty good to me, much better than my dad, who doesn't even want us anymore."

Fortunately, Gao Xiaosheng didn't follow He Yushui's words, otherwise he would have really been hurt by this reversal.

You have to admit that girls' brains are really unique; they're constantly jumping between different ideas, and you never know whose side they're on.

"How do you know your father doesn't want you anymore?" Gao Xiaosheng asked.

He Yushui pursed her lips, "In the winter of 51, my brother took me to Baoding to look for him."

"Oh? Your father severed ties with you to your face?"

He Yushui shook her head. "I didn't see him, but I saw his wife. It was his wife who told me."

Gao Xiaosheng pinched Yushui's little face to prevent the little girl from continuing to be sentimental. If she started crying, it would be hard to coax her.

"Don't rush. When the time is right, I'll take you and your siblings to Baoding again. There are some things we need to clarify in person. We can't just believe whatever others say."

"Huh?" He Yushui looked up at Gao Xiaosheng. "Brother Xiaosheng, are you saying we've been scammed?"

"Whether it's a lie or not, you'll find out for yourself when the time comes. Regardless of what your father is thinking, abandoning you and your siblings and running off to Baoding is definitely wrong."

Gao Xiaosheng didn't dare to make any definitive statements.

However, He Daqing cannot escape the charge of abandoning his minor children, and this matter can barely be considered to fall under the jurisdiction of the security department.

Because He Yuzhu is a cook in the factory canteen, the security department can get involved in crimes committed by factory workers and their families.

"Hmm, I need to ask him properly how he could bear to leave me alone."

"Brother Sheng, when are we going? How about in two weeks? My summer vacation starts in two weeks."

Unexpectedly, He Yushui is an impatient person.

"Summer vacation is definitely out of the question. I just started working at the factory, and I'll be busy for several months."

Gao Xiaosheng quickly shook his head. Seeing Yu Shui's eyes gradually dimming, he added, "Let's go in winter. When you have your winter break, we'll find some time to go."

"Really, Brother Xiaosheng?" Yu Shui excitedly grabbed Gao Xiaosheng's big hand.

"Yes, really. I promise I'll take you to Baoding to see your dad during winter break." Gao Xiaosheng nodded emphatically.

He didn't make that promise lightly.

If I remember correctly, He Daqing sent 100,000 yuan every month, but the money did not end up in the hands of He Yuzhu and his sister.

Otherwise, He Yuzhu would have had no reason to interrupt his apprenticeship and go to work at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

From 51 to now, two and a half years have passed, and the whereabouts of three million yuan must be found.

It would also be good for He Yuzhu, since he stole someone's sister, so he should give him some benefits.

"I knew Brother Xiaosheng was the best." He Yushui laughed and threw herself into Gao Xiaosheng's arms, secretly rubbing against him a couple of times, and wiping her tears on Gao Xiaosheng's uniform.

"Oh right, Brother Sheng, after I finished lunch, I washed your shorts and they're hanging out to dry inside."

The little girl's words struck Gao Xiaosheng like a thunderbolt, leaving him completely stunned.

"Pants, underwear?"

"Yes, it's the one you put under your pillow. I found it when I was folding your blanket and washed it for you."

He Yushui nodded and recounted in detail how she discovered the underwear.

Well, Gao Xiaosheng's last sliver of hope has been shattered.

Those underwear were the ones he wore last night when he was having a rendezvous with Zhou Gong's daughter; there was some "evidence" left on them.

I woke up late again this morning and didn't even have time to fold the blankets. I just stuffed them under my pillow and planned to clean them up with soap and water after get off work.

"Ahem, Rainwater, thank you, um..."

Even someone as capable as Gao Xiaosheng was somewhat speechless, unsure of how to begin.

Not letting the rain help wash the clothes? The little girl will definitely be sad.

Not allowed to wash underwear? That would be like protesting too much, or perhaps the rainwater didn't notice anything amiss.

"Oh, there's no need to thank me." The little girl grinned, feeling a bit embarrassed by Gao Xiaosheng's thanks.