A Young Woman's Heart

“It takes skill.” Li Wanyan watched intently as the little boy flew the kite higher and higher until it was almost invisible, and the string in his hand reached its end.

“If you really can’t fly it, let Dad fly it. Wanyan, let me tell you, Dad is amazing at flying kites. When I was in elementary school, he flew kites that were bigger than me back then. They could fly very, very high, even as high as eagles!” Mo Xueyao shook her head gently. “I haven’t flown a kite since I started junior high.”

“My mom is also very good at flying kites.” A slight smile appeared on Li Wanyan’s lips. “She can even make them herself; they’re actually quite simple.”

“I learned this in elementary school, but… well, the kites I make myself seem harder to fly. Maybe my skills are just too bad. Anyway, I’ve never flown one before. I wonder if I can make it this time.” Mo Xueyao muttered, as if recalling a painful memory. “Oh, right, Xiaoxi asked us to go to the farm this weekend. Wanyan, do you want to go?”

"Either is fine." Li Wanyan paused for a moment, then asked for more details, "What day of the week, what time?"

"I haven't asked that yet. I'll ask tomorrow. It's her brother who asked Xiaoxi to bring some of his close classmates to play. By the way, has Wanyan ever been to a farm?"

"No." Li Wanyan finally finished her ice cream, took out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped it. "In the countryside, there are mostly farmlands."

“Hmm, farmland and farm are quite different. A farm is a large enclosed area, maybe like an estate?” Mo Xueyao scratched her cheek. “I have a dream that I can open a farm. It must be amazing.”

Li Wanyan smiled and changed the subject: "Does Yaoyao go back to the countryside often?"

"Not much. I basically grew up in the city, and I only go to the countryside during the Chinese New Year."

"I studied in the countryside until the third grade of elementary school."

"So, is the countryside better or the city?" Mo Xueyao asked, tilting her head. "People in the countryside are more honest and simple. If you get used to it, the countryside might be better, right? It's just not as convenient."

Li Wanyan shook her head: "People in the countryside have a lot of disputes because they know each other too well. I still prefer city people to be like this. Neighbors know each other, but they don't know you too much. They will greet each other, but they won't interfere in your life."

"Oh—Wanyan said so much in one breath!" Mo Xueyao's attention was completely misplaced. "Recently, Wanyan has been speaking at length more often. She seems to have become more talkative."

"I just feel more relaxed when I'm chatting with Yaoyao." Li Wanyan reached out and pinched her cheek. "Does Yaoyao think I'm a cold person?"

"Hmm... that's true when I don't talk much; I feel like an emotionless learning machine."

“I just…” Li Wanyan lowered her head shyly, which was unlike her usual self. “I just don’t like to show my emotions when there’s no need to.”

“Yeah, but at this age you should be more carefree. Wanyan is sometimes so mature that she doesn’t seem like a high school student. This is the right way to be! Don’t keep everything bottled up inside.” Mo Xueyao put her arm around Li Wanyan’s shoulder, just like when she puts her arm around her best friend’s shoulder.

“Sometimes, I just don’t know what to say.” Li Wanyan looked at her with her eyes, which didn’t seem very bright because she had taken off her glasses. “...I’m not as complicated as you think.”

However, Mo Xueyao didn't hear those words at all; she was distracted by a large dog passing by.

"Holy crap, it's huge! What a massive dog! It's as big as me! Maybe even bigger, it looks like you could ride on it!"

"You can't ride it," the young man holding the dog said with a gentle smile.

"Ah, it's coming closer!" Mo Xueyao took two steps back. Although it looked very docile, it was still such a big dog, and it was still quite intimidating.

"What kind of dog is this? It's huge! Hmm, come to think of it, it looks a bit like Grandma Jin's 'Haha'."

“A little.” Li Wanyan stepped forward and stood between Mo Xueyao and the big dog.

"Ugh... no, don't come any closer..." Although Mo Xueyao was used to the husky, her childhood experiences still made her afraid of unfamiliar dogs, especially large breeds like this. "They're too big... will they bite?"

"It won't bite, it's very docile. Would you like to pet it?" the young man asked with a smile.

"Ah..." Mo Xueyao felt a little tempted by its fluffy fur, but fear still prevailed. "I'd better not..."

The big dog sniffed at Li Wanyan, seemingly uninterested in her, and then pulled its owner forward again.

"Slow down!" The young man suddenly lost control of the dog leash and was pulled along by the dog.

Mo Xueyao stared blankly as the person and dog ran away, murmuring softly, "What strength..."

……

Chapter 229 Not Always Heartless

The fruit shop was still full of customers. The father seemed unusually busy today and didn't even realize that his two daughters had arrived home.

There was no familiar sound of chopping vegetables, nor the familiar nagging.

There were no small gas cylinders at the shop entrance, the cutting board was hanging properly on the wall, there were no fresh vegetables in the refrigerator, and the metal bowl for the brittle was empty...

"Where's Mom?" Mo Xueyao looked around. The noisy crowd around her didn't make her feel lively; instead, it made her feel lonely.

He casually placed the kite on a cardboard box beside him, his earlier enthusiasm seemingly vanishing without a trace.

"Ah? Oh, he didn't come. He's resting at home. These two fruit baskets are really the lowest price I've ever seen. I'll be honest, making ten yuan isn't unreasonable, is it? You have to make money to run a business, otherwise what will you eat?" the father said 'sincerely', continuing to busy himself with his business.

"Not flying kites anymore?" Li Wanyan picked up Su Tang, gently stroked her, glanced at Mo Xueyao, and asked softly.

"Phew... I'm a little worried about Mom." Mo Xueyao muttered softly, "Even if she has a fever, as long as it's not too serious, she should still come to the fruit shop."

"Maybe I want to take a break sometimes."

“…That’s so unlike her.” Mo Xueyao stared at the candy in Li Wanyan’s arms, making the latter feel uneasy. Then she couldn’t help but jump off her arms and slip into the cardboard box.

"If you're worried, go back and check."

"Hmm...! It's definitely better to go back and check." Mo Xueyao made up her mind, and without even putting down her schoolbag or ignoring the kite she had been so excited about flying, she turned to leave.

She noticed Li Wanyan staring intently at her and, feeling somewhat uneasy, asked in a low voice, "Wh...what's wrong?"

“Yaoyao isn’t always so carefree,” Li Wanyan gently smoothed her long hair. “I’ll go back with you.”

“What do you mean by heartless! You could be, but… um… never mind.” Mo Xueyao originally wanted to say, ‘Dad’s pretty busy, why don’t you stay and help him?’ But after hesitating for a few seconds, she didn’t say it. If she really said that, it would seem like she was using someone as a tool.

It wouldn't matter if it were anyone else, but Mo Xueyao knew Li Wanyan very well; she was actually quite sensitive...

But Li Wanyan understood her words: "Is it okay for you to go back alone? Or should I stay here and help my godfather?"

"Cough, cough!" Mo Xueyao almost doubted whether she had just said it out loud. She pretended to be stupid and asked, "Eh? Why are you saying that all of a sudden...? What's wrong?"

Li Wanyan looked at her with a helpless yet amused expression, without explaining, "Be careful on your way back."

"Um... then, Wanyan, aren't you... coming with me?" She was actually a little unaccustomed to going back alone. Except for the occasional time when Li Wanyan was called back to the fruit shop to help out by her teacher, every time she actually went home in the past few months, she had her by her side.

Today, she suddenly wasn't with Mo Xueyao, and it felt a little strange.

Humans are just so contradictory.

Mo Xueyao's expression also became somewhat awkward because of what she had just said.

Like a mature older sister looking at an immature younger sister, Li Wanyan sighed, shook her head, and took Mo Xueyao's arm: "Alright, let's go together."

Mo Xueyao felt much more at ease. It was indeed better to let her father take care of things. He had already been busy all day, so a little more time wouldn't make a difference.

"Dad, we're going back now!"

"You went back so suddenly? Oh, go check on your mother!" Mo Wenli looked up and replied.

Mo Xueyao then heard people behind him asking him questions such as, "Is this your daughter?" or "Are they both your daughters?"

The father always sounded quite proud at these times, and every time he would say, "These two are my daughters."

Mo Xueyao hasn't taken the bus during rush hour for a long time.

Even if I take the bus to school, I leave very early so I don't have to worry about the bus being full. After school, it goes without saying that I can just walk to the fruit shop. I don't go home until after dinner.

The crowded people made Mo Xueyao feel very uncomfortable, and all sorts of smells mingled around her:

There are cheap perfumes, strong body odor, and the smell of sweat that just won't go away.

When the car finally arrived, Mo Xueyao was even a little reluctant to get on.

But they were still pushed onto the car by the crowd.

This bus, which has two carriages and looks like a small train, was crammed with people, all of whom were packed inside like sardines.

Mo Xueyao felt dizzy from the mixed smell.

Li Wanyan also got separated from her when they squeezed onto the bus, and now she doesn't know where she is—even if she stands on tiptoe, her view will be blocked by most people.

Actually, 1.62 meters isn't considered too short for a girl these days, but it seems like it's mostly men squeezing onto buses these days...

She was already quite fortunate to be able to grab onto a handrail.

The bus was getting more and more crowded, to the point that Mo Xueyao felt almost unable to move.

Even though it's only a few stops away from the final stop, there are still so many people.

It was only at times like these that she would sigh... there are just too many Chinese people.

"We have arrived at Desheng East Village. Passengers, please take your belongings with you when you get off the bus..."

The car radio blared, and Mo Xueyao, who was stuck at the junction of the two carriages, hurriedly squeezed towards the door.

"Hey, make way, make way, I'm getting off!" Mo Xueyao shouted, finally managing to squeeze all the way to the bus door, only to have the door slam shut with a 'bang'.

"Driver, driver! There are still people who haven't gotten off!" She hurriedly knocked on the car door, and the door opened with a 'whoosh'.

"Phew..." She finally got off the bus and breathed a sigh of relief. Taking the bus during rush hour was just too painful.

Li Wanyan was already waiting on the platform, but even she had her hair squeezed and made a bit messy.

"Yaoyao, over here." Li Wanyan waved to her and glanced at the gloomy sky above.

Just before I got on the bus, the sun was shining brightly, but now it's been covered by thick, dark clouds, making it look like it could rain at any moment.

Li Wanyan had already taken the umbrella out of her schoolbag and held it over her head.

"It hasn't rained yet," Mo Xueyao teased with a smile. "Wanyan, aren't you in a bit of a hurry?"

"It'll be raining soon." As soon as Li Wanyan finished speaking, there was a 'thud' sound from the umbrella, followed by a continuous 'thud' sound like popping beans.

It was as if someone had used the city as a drum to beat a rhythmic melody.

Mo Xueyao was speechless for a moment, and without opening an umbrella, she and Li Wanyan huddled under one umbrella and returned home.

Before even opening the door, Mo Xueyao heard the sound of a television coming from inside, seemingly one of those romantic soap operas her mother liked to watch.

It's basically just everyday family drama, the kind that's really melodramatic.

But this relieved her.

This means that the mother is indeed fine; she just wants to rest for a day, which is rare for her.

"Mom, I'm home!" Mo Xueyao shouted cheerfully as she pushed open the door, her voice more energetic than ever before.

"Hmm." The response she received was not her mother's question, but a muffled groan of pain.

Mo Xueyao looked at her mother and found that her brows were furrowed, and she was trying to distract herself from her pain by watching the television.

The bamboo chair creaked as she swayed slightly, seemingly uneasy.