As evening fell, the sizzling sounds of stir-frying echoed throughout the residential area, and the air was filled with the aroma of meals from every household.
Ji Nanchan hummed a cheerful tune, imagining how silly and happy Leng Bingqin would be upon receiving so many gifts.
Passing by Auntie Zhang’s courtyard, she caught a glimpse of two familiar figures out of the corner of her eye. She paused and stepped back to take a closer look.
Fugui was still gnawing on a corn cob, while Leng Bingqin sat on a low stool, clumsily helping Auntie Zhang snap the ends off green beans.
Auntie Zhang was chatting about her youthful romantic escapades, eliciting sweet giggles from the little nanny.
Ji Nanchan stood quietly at the gate, struck by the illusion of a family waiting for her to join them for dinner. She was reluctant to disrupt such a warm scene.
Fugui caught his owner’s scent and wagged his tail in greeting. Leng Bingqin turned her head, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Auntie Zhang grinned and called out, “Why are you just standing there like a fool? We’re having dinner at my place tonight, come on in!”
Ji Nanchan chuckled, not feeling the least bit embarrassed.
“Don’t be so formal! I’d be happy to have you over for dinner every day. The more, the merrier,” Auntie Zhang insisted, handing her a cup of hawk tea.
Ji Nanchan glanced up at the flickering ceiling light and couldn’t resist offering her help. “Auntie Zhang, if you ever need anything like a light bulb changed, just let me know. It’s easy to trip and fall if you can’t see clearly at night.”
Auntie Zhang, carrying a winnowing basket toward the kitchen, smiled warmly. “You’re always so observant. Everything’s in the usual spot.”
Taking the hint, Ji Nanchan went inside, fetched a stepladder, and swiftly replaced the light bulb.
Leng Bingqin sat on her little stool, hugging her knees and watching obediently. Her eyes held a trace of inexplicable admiration for the light-bulb-changing feat.
Perched atop the ladder, Ji Nanchan looked down at the little nanny. Under the glow of the incandescent light, the large bump on her forehead shone prominently.
Leaping down in front of the nanny, Ji Nanchan cupped her face, squishing her cheeks into a pout, and asked sternly, “What happened to your head?”
With her lips still puckered, Leng Bingqin mumbled in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s, “I got bullied.”
Seeing the pitiful look in her eyes, Ji Nanchan’s heart ached as her anger surged. “Who bullied you? I’ll go settle the score with them!”
Just then, Auntie Zhang emerged from the kitchen carrying a pot of steamed rice and chimed in, “It was those unruly kids from the end of the alley. They were throwing stones at Fugui and ended up hitting Qin Qin.”
“Those little brats are asking for trouble!” Ji Nanchan rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront them, but Auntie Zhang stopped her. “Hey, hey, hey! Every family is having dinner right now. Even thunder doesn’t strike during mealtime, what are you going to do?”
“I’ve had it with those troublemakers,” Ji Nanchan grumbled, then turned to lecture the little nanny. “Remember this: next time you see them, either avoid them or stand up to them. I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens.”
“Mm,” Leng Bingqin nodded like a woodpecker, but the movement made her forehead throb, and she winced in pain.
Suddenly remembering something, Ji Nanchan asked, “Why are you at Auntie Zhang’s place?”
“I forgot my keys at home.”
“It’s fine, just be more careful next time you go out.” Ji Nanchan pointed to the assortment of bags by the door, hoping to cheer her up. “I bought you lots of things. You can unwrap your gifts slowly once we get home.”
At the mention of gifts, Leng Bingqin finally perked up. “I want to open them now.”
“Not yet. We need to help Auntie Zhang in the kitchen first. Let’s go.”
The two had just stepped into the kitchen when Auntie Zhang shooed them out. “Shoo, shoo! Kids, go play somewhere else.”
Back in the yard, Ji Nanchan reached out and gently tapped the large bump on Leng Bingqin’s forehead, blowing on it softly. “Does it hurt a lot?”
The little nanny covered her head, her lips puckering into a downward curve. “It hurts!”
“Did Auntie Zhang put lard on it?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“Then it’ll heal soon. Once, I bumped into a door, and Auntie Zhang put lard on it too. It worked really well.” Ji Nanchan chuckled, sharing her own embarrassing story to cheer up the little nanny.
But the girl still wore a sorrowful expression, clutching Ji Nanchan’s clothes tightly. “Chanch, am I really that tacky?”
“Did those little brats at the alley entrance say that?” The thought of those mischievous kids made Ji Nanchan grit her teeth. “What do they know?”
“They laughed at me for being a country bumpkin and said I was wearing a chicken-stealing outfit.” The little nanny’s eyes welled up with tears as she poured out her grievances, recounting every detail of how she had been bullied.
Ji Nanchan frowned slightly, blaming herself for the girl’s mistreatment. She coaxed gently, “Don’t listen to their nonsense. You’re the prettiest girl in this alley. If you don’t believe me, ask Auntie Zhang.”
The little nanny hesitated, then remembered the expensive cotton candy she had seen earlier. Gathering courage, she made a bold request: “I want new clothes, um and some pocket money too.”
“Uh, well!” Talking about money could strain relationships, and Ji Nanchan fell silent for a moment before suddenly slapping her forehead in realization. “Did you eat lunch today?”
“No.” The little nanny shook her head, twisting her fingers nervously. Already as thin as a sheet of paper, her sunken stomach seemed to cave in even more.
Gasping softly, Ji Nanchan confirmed again, “You’ve been hungry all day?”
“Mm-hmm. I don’t know how to cook, and I didn’t have money to buy food. Then Auntie Zhang found me and brought me back.”
Why is she always being picked up by someone? Ji Nanchan sighed inwardly and swiftly pulled out her wallet. “I’ll give you 20 yuan every day for lunch. Make sure you eat your fill. Whatever’s left can be your pocket money you can buy ice cream at the grocery store, but when it gets cold, you can’t have it every day.”
“Thank you, Chanch!” Taking the money, Leng Bingqin smiled with her lips pressed together, looking like the Peko-chan mascot. Still not satisfied, she launched into a full display of coquettish charm. “But they have Little Genius smartwatches, and I don’t.”
This girl really knows how to push her luck! Ji Nanchan exclaimed, “You’re already so grown up, what do you need a Little Genius watch for?”
“So I can call you when I miss you.” Leng Bingqin stated matter-of-factly, a blush spreading from her ears to her cheeks. She added in a mumble, “And in case I get lost, you can find me.”
Ji Nanchan was momentarily speechless. In the end, her wallet tearfully bore the brunt of the expense. “Forget the Little Genius watch. Tomorrow, I’ll buy you a Big Genius phone. Don’t be upset anymore.”
Hearing that Ji Nanchan would buy her a phone, the little nanny widened her big eyes, blinking rapidly. “Is the Big Genius phone really amazing?”
“Anyway, it’s better than what those little brats have.”
“You’re the best!” Leng Bingqin hopped excitedly, planted a quick kiss on Ji Nanchan’s cheek, and then happily skipped off to the kitchen.
In the yard, a gust of wind swept through, tousling Ji Nanchan’s long hair.
She hunched over, taking a long time to regain her composure. Swallowing hard, she let out a deep breath and trembled as she touched the spot where she had been kissed. A burning warmth spread across her entire face, as if boiling water had overturned her whole world.
Covering my face as I crouched on the ground, I couldn’t speak for a long while. I’m dirty, I’m completely tainted! (Tough guy shedding tears.JPG)
.
“Kids, dinner’s ready!” Auntie Zhang called out as she carried the dishes, treating them like her own children.
The two of them helped set the table and chairs, sitting properly and obediently.
The table was filled with home-cooked dishes, steaming with delicious aromas. The little nanny bit her lips, swallowing her drool, her eyes fixed intently on the food.
Auntie Zhang placed a bowl of rice in front of Leng Bingqin, chattering, “Eat up, eat up, have more.”
Ji Nanchan reached out and held back the eager little nanny, saying, “Auntie Zhang, we’ll wait for you to join us.”
Sitting down on the stool, Auntie Zhang scolded half-heartedly, “Qinqin has been hungry all day, why are you holding her back?”
“Go ahead and eat.” Only when Ji Nanchan spoke did Leng Bingqin obediently pick up her bowl and chopsticks, devouring the food ravenously.
Watching as her head nearly disappeared into the bowl, Ji Nanchan reached out to gently brush aside the bangs that had fallen over her forehead. “Slow down, aren’t you afraid of choking?”
Her foot was nudged a few times, and Ji Nanchan turned to see Auntie Zhang’s curious expression. “Hmm?”
Auntie Zhang leaned in and whispered, “I didn’t want to ask Qinqin directly, but you and her.”
Ji Nanchan bit the tip of her chopstick hesitantly. It seemed she had to stick to the lie till the end. “Qinqin is my girlfriend.”
“I knew it! Both of you are so good-looking, you make such a perfect match!” Auntie Zhang clapped her hands in satisfaction. Ji Nanchan forced a stiff smile, her lips twitching. “Heh, really?”
“How long have you been together? And you didn’t bring her to see me sooner?” Auntie Zhang chided.
Ji Nanchan had no choice but to brace herself and explain, “I thought I’d wait until things were more stable before bringing her to visit you.”
“This girl is pretty, well-behaved, and very polite. Even if she’s not the most capable, it doesn’t matter. Don’t you bully her.” Auntie Zhang’s well-meaning chatter didn’t bother Ji Nanchan. In fact, she enjoyed being lectured by an elder, it was a kind of care she had never dared to hope for.
“Don’t worry, Auntie Zhang, we’ll live well together.”
“Don’t just chat, hurry up and eat.” As she spoke, Auntie Zhang kept serving dishes to both of them.
The little nanny huffed and puffed, her head practically buried in her bowl. Burp~
.
After dinner, the two prepared to head home.
Leng Bingqin stood at the door and bowed formally in gratitude. “Thank you for your hospitality, Auntie Zhang!”
Auntie Zhang handed Ji Nanchan a bag of dried corn and a bowl of lard, advising with concern, “Look at how polite and obedient this girl Qinqin is. You must treat her well. Take these back to make popcorn for her, and don’t forget to wipe her head.”
Taking the items, Ji Nanchan scratched her head and said politely, “We ate your food and now we’re taking more. This is really too much.”
“Why stand on ceremony with me? Feel free to come over for meals whenever you’re free. I get lonely by myself, and I’m happy to have someone to chat with.” Auntie Zhang chattered on as she walked them to the door.
“Qinqin is usually at home. If you need help with anything, just ask her. We won’t disturb you any longer.” After saying goodbye to Auntie Zhang, Ji Nanchan held the gifts in one hand and the little nanny’s hand in the other, heading toward their own large iron gate.
Back in the yard, Ji Nanchan grabbed a handful of feed by the fence to feed her beloved “Five Golden Flowers.”
Leng Bingqin, arms full of gifts, sat on the steps in front of the house, eagerly unwrapping them.
She slipped on a pair of thick, cozy Mickey Mouse slippers, stood up, and hopped a few steps over to Ji Nanchan to show them off. “They’re so warm and cozy, I love them~”
Ji Nanchan watched the little nanny’s joyful celebration, but her smile grew uneasy. “As long as you like it.”
Turning back to the steps, Leng Bingqin pulled out the little lamb plushie, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Wow! How did you know I love little lambs?”
“You’re my girlfriend, of course I know what you like.” Walking over to the little nanny’s side, Ji Nanchan replied calmly, leaning down to pick up the other bags.
“Did you often give me gifts before?” Leng Bingqin asked innocently.
“Let’s go inside. I bought you new underwear, it needs to be washed before you can wear it.” Ji Nanchan avoided the question, staring at the underwear packaging in her hand. “You should wash your own underwear and panties. I can teach you.”
Ji Nanchan had finally grown tired of the lies, questioning the meaning behind all the deception.