“Look at you, did you roll around in a garbage heap?”
While picking dirty things off of Vivi, she kept muttering.
Her movements were extremely gentle, as if handling a delicate treasure.
Vivi stared blankly at Wu Menghan, tears welling up in her eyes.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard Wu Menghan continue.
“A young lady, getting so dirty like this—who will marry you in the future?”
The surge of emotion in Vivi’s heart vanished in an instant. She glared at Wu Menghan with some resentment, puffing up her cheeks. “Who wants to get married? I’d rather die than get married!”
I’m a boy, I’m a boy, there’s no way I’d marry anyone—unless the other party’s a girl.
Vivi grumbled in her heart, only to see Wu Menghan flash a strange smile.
Her body trembled suddenly, an odd sense of foreboding creeping up on her.
“Sis…Sister, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing~ I just think you’re pretty cute.”
Wu Menghan squinted her eyes. Sometimes, she really did mistake Vivi for her own brother. She couldn’t quite explain the feeling—maybe Vivi’s temperament was just a little like her brother’s.
She couldn’t describe it. Her fingers absentmindedly rubbed Vivi’s cheek, feeling a bit of satisfaction.
It was like a drug, filling Wu Menghan with a deep sense of joy. It was as if she truly was talking to her brother again.
Her eyes gradually grew hazy, and, enduring the pungent stench, she bent down, looking a little lost.
“You know, you really remind me of… a friend.”
She changed her words as she spoke.
Even so, Vivi’s hair stood on end.
Is it still possible to jump out the window now? My little sister seems a bit mentally unstable—if I don’t run, there might be big trouble.
Vivi struggled a little and easily broke free from Wu Menghan’s grip, returning to her original seat.
Wu Menghan looked at her without speaking, as if she had turned back into the Wu Menghan from before.
For a moment, the car was silent.
Xia Xiaoling glanced at the rearview mirror, sensing the awkward atmosphere between the two, so she spoke up.
“How about some music?”
“Whatever.”
Wu Menghan answered crisply, her eyes involuntarily flicking toward Vivi.
Vivi didn’t notice her sneaking glances; she frowned and said quietly,
“What do you have?”
“Mm…let me check the songs…”
Taking advantage of a red light, Xia Xiaoling found a song that was rather warm and gentle.
“How about this one?”
With the music playing, the atmosphere inside the car eased up quite a bit.
Vivi squinted her eyes, instinctively wanting to lean back in her seat, but then remembered the grime on her body, so she had to give up.
Wu Menghan took in all of these little actions.
She really is similar—not just in temperament, but even in mannerisms.
But why is she a little girl?
Wu Menghan just couldn’t figure it out. Whether it was temperament or habits, Vivi shouldn’t have any of those qualities as a little girl.
Maybe… she was Heaven’s compensation—a substitute sent just for her?
Wu Menghan shook her head, feeling she was getting a little neurotic. That was her big brother—how could there possibly be a substitute?
Vivi, for her part, didn’t notice any of Wu Menghan’s inner turmoil.
Soon, the car stopped in the parking lot outside the residential complex.
As soon as the door opened, a rush of cool air blew in.
Xia Xiaoling and Wu Menghan both let out a heavy breath.
There was no helping it—Vivi’s smell was simply too overwhelming.
Though they hadn’t said anything along the way, both had long since made up their minds: the first thing to do was get Vivi a bath.
Feeling the two sharp gazes on her, Vivi laughed sheepishly.
“Um…can I not take a bath?”
“No!”
The two replied in unison, dragging Vivi upstairs to the bathroom without giving her a chance to argue.
Seeing the familiar surroundings and the two familiar figures beside her, Vivi shrank her head back.
This is bad. If my body stays in water too long, there’s a risk I’ll turn into a slime.
If I get exposed in front of them…
“Big sisters, can I bathe by myself?”
Vivi pleaded.
The two exchanged glances and shook their heads together.
“You won’t get yourself clean. Let your big sisters help you.”
“Come, take off your clothes first.”
Watching the two approach, Vivi kept backing away.
“I… I’m not a little kid anymore, I can do it myself.”
Xia Xiaoling stopped and glanced at Wu Menghan, seeking her opinion.
Wu Menghan shrugged helplessly, showing she didn’t care, as long as Vivi didn’t smell anymore.
“All right then, you can wash yourself this time, but you have to get really clean, understand?”
“Mm! Mm!”
Vivi nodded vigorously. Watching Xia Xiaoling and Wu Menghan turn and close the bathroom door, she finally relaxed.
“Phew, thank goodness, at least I have a little privacy.”
She leaned against the bathroom door, patting her small chest and breathing a sigh of relief.
Coming to the mirror, looking at her filthy self, Vivi let out a self-mocking laugh.
She really was a bit of a mess.
Setting her phone and pen and paper on the counter, she turned on the faucet, but didn’t take off her clothes.
This set of clothes was, in essence, also a part of Vivi.
Splash splash…
Water streamed from the shower as Vivi scrubbed her familiar yet unfamiliar body.
Suddenly, her foot slipped, bumping into the cabinet beside her.
A sheet of paper, covered in writing, fell behind the cabinet, though Vivi didn’t notice.
After a while, she opened the bathroom door and came out.
The slime on her body had transformed into a brand-new outfit, making her look completely refreshed.
Vivi looked rather pleased with herself, spinning around in front of the other two with her hands on her hips.
“See? I told you I could wash just fine on my own.”
Xia Xiaoling looked at the cute little loli, covering her mouth, her eyes full of laughter.
Wu Menghan’s expression was much calmer, even tinged with a bit of disappointment.
She still wasn’t her big brother. Those girly poses—if her brother did them, it would be quite the eyesore.
Just picturing it made Wu Menghan want to laugh.
“Eh? Wait, what are you two laughing at!”
“Nothing, nothing. You’re very clean. Go on back to your room, I’ll tidy up the bathroom.”
Xia Xiaoling smiled, gently pushing Vivi away as she walked into the bathroom.
Seeing this, Wu Menghan felt she couldn’t just be a guest and do nothing, so she followed her in.
A strong, fragrant scent greeted her—it was the smell of body wash.
Wu Menghan looked at the clean floor, frowning slightly.
This habit really was like her big brother’s. But thinking of Vivi’s earlier actions, Wu Menghan laughed at herself.
She thought maybe she should see a psychologist—there was probably something wrong with her mind.
As she tidied up, Wu Menghan suddenly noticed a slip of paper tucked into the gap of the cabinet.
Her brow furrowed. Something seemed off.
Why would there be a written note in the bathroom?