Huo Yingyue and Liu Qiqi were like an old madwoman leading a little madwoman around.
Liu Qiqi was so frightened that her eyes went blank, and Huo Yingyue wasn’t doing much better.
Huo Yingyue wanted to go back and find Huo Yingnian, but the guards came over and drove them out.
The matter wasn’t accomplished, so they could only go back.
During the Chinese New Year, no restaurants were open, and there were no buses either. Huo Yingyue had no choice but to walk with Liu Qiqi to the train station. It was only when they went to buy tickets that they discovered all their money was gone.
Over at the compound, when everyone heard that Yaya had been bullied, the family was both angry and heartbroken for her.
But Yaya was already fine. She turned her grief into appetite and ate quite a lot at lunch.
Afraid she’d get indigestion, Huo Jiusi took her out for a walk nearby.
The moment they stepped outside, a big yellow dog came running toward them wagging its tail, carrying a small cloth bag in its mouth. It came up to Yaya, opened its mouth, and set it down at her feet.
“Erhuang, don’t just pick up random things!”
Yaya gently patted the big yellow dog’s head, and Huo Jiusi had already picked up the cloth bag.
He opened it, and there was over a hundred yuan inside.
“Money!”
Yaya’s eyes lit up instantly. She knew it—when she got up this morning and saw the magpie perched on the crabapple tree outside chirping at her, she just knew she was going to strike it rich.
“Little money-grubber!”
Huo Jiusi tapped the tip of Yaya’s little nose. “You got so many red envelopes, and you’re still this happy to see money!”
“Little devil, the way you put it! Money is money no matter how much or how little. How could anyone not be happy to see money?”
If the bills weren’t so dirty, she would’ve grabbed them and kissed them.
This hundred-plus yuan could buy a lot of meat for the little dogs, little cats, little birds, and little Grey Grey and the others.
The little dogs and cats would protect her, the little birds would help out and could pass along messages.
And little Grey Grey and the others—needless to say, they’d already formed a network across the whole city. Whatever information she wanted to know, she now left it all to little Grey Grey.
“Little devil, help me put this money away. Help me buy more tasty things for my friends—I want to properly thank them for standing up for me.”
To Yaya, all these adorable little animals in the compound were her friends.
Last time with Ma Laidi, she’d been the one who told them to act. But this time, it wasn’t her.
Liu Qiqi did break the steamed bun, but she’d also pushed her. She was a civilized little kitty—she wouldn’t lower herself to the level of a rude little brat.
But she had to admit, her friends were truly loyal. She’d already heard about the miserable state Huo Yingyue and Liu Qiqi were in, and it felt absolutely great.
“You hold onto the money. I’ll have someone go buy things.”
Huo Jiusi put the money into Yaya’s clothes pocket. “When we get back, put it in your little piggy bank.”
“Okay~” Yaya didn’t argue with Huo Jiusi. She was already used to him being good to her.
“I’m tired. Carry me.”
They’d walked quite far. Halfway there, Yaya tugged on Huo Jiusi’s hand.
Huo Jiusi crouched down, and Yaya climbed onto his back and kissed him on the cheek. “Little devil, you’re so good!”
Huo Jiusi’s heart felt sweet, sweeter than eating a White Rabbit milk candy.
“Yaya, since I’m so good to you, will you always stay by my side?” After asking, Huo Jiusi couldn’t help feeling nervous, afraid he’d hear Yaya say she didn’t want to always be with him.
“I can do that, but how many years apart are we? I’m still in school, and you’re already supposed to be in high school. By the time I get to middle school, you’ll already be in college. So we definitely can’t be together then.”
“But you study first. You’re so smart, you’ll definitely learn really well. Then when there’s something I don’t understand, you can teach me.”
“I really want to go to school. I want to learn lots and lots of knowledge, and then travel the whole world.”
As Yaya spoke, she stretched her little arms forward. “And eat all the delicious food in the world, and see all the beautiful people in the world… no, beautiful scenery.”
Although Yaya said the word “people” very quietly and quickly corrected herself, Huo Jiusi still heard it.
He ground his back teeth and secretly made up his mind—when the time came, he would definitely keep a close eye on Yaya.
No, wait. Yaya said he couldn’t interfere with her life, that he had to respect whatever she did.
He couldn’t watch her, or she’d be unhappy.
He needed to watch the people around her. He absolutely would not let any random person with improper intentions toward her get close.
After they got back, once Yaya was asleep, Huo Jiusi went with Huo Yingnian to the next house.
Huo Yingnian was cheerful. “Oh, the sun’s rising from the west today? Why aren’t you napping with Yaya? Coming back with Grandpa? Is something up?”
Huo Jiusi was very direct. “Grandpa, is there any way to keep Yaya in the same school as me the whole time?”
After hearing what Yaya said, he realized the age gap really was a big problem.
In a few days he’d go to the kindergarten’s senior class, and half a year later he’d register for elementary school. But Yaya was still little—she’d definitely have to stay in kindergarten. Then wouldn’t the two of them have to separate?
He didn’t want that!
Even if it was just being apart for such a short time, he wasn’t happy about it!
Huo Yingnian thought about it carefully and quickly understood what Huo Jiusi was thinking. He rubbed his chin. “Either you repeat a grade, or Yaya skips a grade.”
“You and Yaya are five years apart. You can’t repeat five years, right? And Yaya—even if she skips, she’d only skip two or three years. Skipping five years at once isn’t very likely either.”
“Grandpa, is there really no other way? Or I repeat a few years and Yaya skips a few years—would that work?”
Huo Jiusi stepped forward and took Huo Yingnian’s hand. “Grandpa, please think of a way, okay? I want to go to school with Yaya.”
If he were at his dad’s place, it’d be much easier. After all, the school was sponsored by their family, so he could decide for himself. Then he could bring Yaya to school with him, or just have teachers come directly to the house.
Right—bring Yaya to school with him!
Huo Jiusi’s eyes brightened. He told Huo Yingnian his idea, and Huo Yingnian reached out and tapped Huo Jiusi’s forehead. “Nonsense! You’re going to school—how can you bring Yaya along?”
“Yaya is very sensible, but she’s still little after all. She doesn’t have that much energy.”
Seeing the corners of Huo Jiusi’s mouth droop, Huo Yingnian couldn’t bear it and couldn’t help relenting. “Even if I could let you bring Yaya to school, your Grandpa Yue’s family wouldn’t be willing either.”
Huo Jiusi caught the meaning in Huo Yingnian’s words and immediately looked up, his gaze burning. “Grandpa, so if Yaya agrees, and Grandpa Yue and them agree too, then you’ll let me bring Yaya to school?”
Huo Yingnian didn’t make a firm promise. He waved his hand at Huo Jiusi. “First get your Grandpa Yue and them to agree, then we’ll talk.”
Huo Jiusi quickly started thinking about what to do.
If he brought it up directly with Grandpa Yue and them, they might not be willing. Even though he could take very good care of Yaya, like his grandpa said, Yaya was still too young.
The key to this whole thing was Yaya!
