Li Jianhan’s eyes held a cold edge. “Xixi, you are just too kind and too trusting.”
“Li Chuxin is simply jealous of you. Whatever you have she wants to take it. She was not always like this. These past few years she has changed so much she is almost a stranger to me.”
“But do not worry Xixi. Big brother will stand up for you. I will get back what belongs to you and see it returned.”
Li Xixi bit her lip and nodded. “Thank you big brother. You truly care about me.”
“That pendant means everything to me. An elder from the village back in the hills told me it is my life pendant. It has been with me even from my past life. He said that with it by my side I will be kept safe and all dangers will turn out well.”
“With the surgery coming up I just wanted to have it back so it could watch over me. Otherwise little sister is so fond of it I would have happily let her keep it.”
Li Jianhan soothed her. “Do not worry Xixi. I will get it back for you. How can Chuxin be so unreasonable? She knows full well it is yours yet she still claims it as her own.”
“She has grown so twisted in her thinking.” His gaze was sharp with distaste.
Li Chuxin had resorted to every means just to win their favour and attention.
Li Xixi saw the revulsion in his eyes and felt a quiet triumph.
The two left carrying food containers and found Li Jianyong waiting. The three went together to Li Chuxin’s hospital room.
Li Jianyong set down the warm meat porridge. Seeing the bed empty a surge of anger flared in him. “Li Chuxin where has she got to now?”
Li Xixi said. “Second brother do you think she might have gone out for a walk?”
Li Jianhan’s expression turned icy. Veins rose on the back of his hand gripping the thermos as he held his temper in check.
Li Jianyong’s look was fierce. “Hmph. I expect she never intended to donate that kidney at all. She is just making one excuse after another.”
“She has always been selfish through and through. And here we have all been so good to her.”
“We have spoiled her and let her have her own way too much.”
Li Xixi said. “If it were one of us who was hurt or in need of a kidney I would step forward in a heartbeat.”
“Chuxin is my sister and my brothers have always been so good to me. Whenever you need me I will never hesitate to be there for you.”
Li Jianyong was moved to the point of tears. “Xixi you are the only one who truly cares for us. You have such a kind heart and you always think of everyone else.” He felt a deep sense of guilt toward her and he would do whatever it took to protect her.
Li Jianhan said nothing. His face remained cold and hard.
Li Xixi took in both their reactions. “Here comes little sister now.”
Li Jianyong turned on her barely holding back his rage. “Li Chuxin where have you been?”
“Have you forgotten you are supposed to donate your kidney to big brother tomorrow?”
“What if you caught a chill or fell ill out there?”
Li Xixi tugged gently at his coat. “Second brother I am sure she just needed some fresh air. She never meant to abandon big brother.” Her voice was soft and sounded hurt.
Li Jianyong fought to keep his temper under control. His mind went back to how coldly she had returned his fountain pen once so different from the joy with which she accepted gifts from others. When words failed him he had always relied on force to make things right.
Li Jianhan clenched his fist then slowly relaxed it. Seeing the look in his brother’s eyes he spoke quickly. “Jianyong.”
The sound of his older brother’s steady voice calmed him. He must not stoop to the level of this ungrateful girl. Their priority now was to save Chuxin.
Li Chuxin met her second brother’s icy furious gaze. Old fears rose up. She remembered being thrown to the floor and kicked against the doorframe by him. Instinctively she wanted to step back and hide.
Li Jianhan noticed her reaction and spoke gently. “Chuxin where have you been?”
“Just to the restroom.” She saw no malice in his eyes. He was still the kind big brother she remembered.
It reminded her of how he had cared for her when she was small and feverish.
Li Xixi could not bear to see the warmth between them. She knew what she had to do. She would get that pendant back.
The pendant held a secret. She remembered reading about it. The chilli shaped pendant contained a space and a healing spring. The space could store anything and the spring would make a woman beautiful beyond measure. Such a treasure must be hers.
“Little sister where have you put that chilli pendant?”
Li Chuxin realised then. Li Xixi had returned with her memories intact and she had come to claim it. Or perhaps she had always known what the pendant really was. “It is mine. I will keep it where I please. What is it to you?” She knew that look the greedy covetous look she gave whenever she wanted something that belonged to another.
Her reply stung Li Jianhan to anger. He fixed her with a cold stare. “Li Chuxin have you no shame at all? Do you not know right from wrong?”
He held out his hand. “Hand over the dark green chilli pendant and I will say no more of it.”
“You have become selfish and grasping. You take what does not belong to you and I suppose as your older brother I have failed to teach you better.”
“Give it back now and I will let this matter rest.” He was giving her a chance and she would do well to take it.
Li Chuxin was taken aback by his harshness. Then she caught the taunting look Li Xixi gave her when no one else was watching and everything became clear.
“Big brother the pendant is mine. Why should I hand it over?” She would not back down. She would protect what was hers.
Li Jianhan raised his hand and struck her hard across the face.
The sound rang out sharp and clear.
Li Jianyong watched and thought it served her right. She had been indulged too long. It was time someone woke her up. She had it coming. She had always picked on sweet kind Xixi and stolen what was hers.