“Are you chu?”
Under the night, the tall girl asked coldly.
She looked down, her critical gaze quickly and repeatedly scanning Su Xiaoxiao’s petite body.
?
What is chu, what are you talking about…
Let’s go back to more than thirty minutes ago.
***
“Ah, I need to hurry.”
As the sky grew darker, Su Xiaoxiao silently quickened her pace.
It wouldn’t be good to have her wages docked, for all sorts of reasons.
First was the rent and electricity and water bills, second was meal money.
Later, in a ten-minute speed-walking competition, she took first place, weaving through and surpassing over a hundred people along the way—a sight that would make even a sprinter shake their head.
“There’s something I need to tell you today.”
Finally reaching the store, she saw the Store Owner, who she had previously thought was very kind, but now called out to Su Xiaoxiao in a tone different from usual.
“Mm, here.”
The girl stood upright obediently, a small bag slung over her back, panting.
It was clear the journey had been tough, but it didn’t affect the Store Owner’s decision.
Lately, the policy had suddenly tightened up.
If the person on duty wasn’t changed, there would be an inspection of the water meter.
“The convenience store has to change night shifts. In other words, I can’t keep you anymore. Please look for another place.”
“Eh…”
Su Xiaoxiao, listening intently, instantly turned pale, her head unconsciously lowering like a punished child.
Why so suddenly…
As expected, there’s still no store willing to take her in…
Did she look too young?
Although she wanted to say something more, the Store Owner didn’t seem to have it easy either…
Forget it.
“This is 100, for you.”
In the end, the gentle female Store Owner couldn’t help but give the little girl a bit of money.
Though it wasn’t much, it was enough for a few meals.
After that, it was no longer something within her control—after all, she wasn’t anyone’s parent.
“…Thank you!”
Seeing the money, the girl bowed deeply in gratitude, her long ponytail swinging and hanging straight in the air.
There was no way to refuse. If she refused, she’d starve to death on the street.
“Mm.”
“Go on.”
The Store Owner still issued an eviction order.
Though her tone was very calm, Su Xiaoxiao felt that this was already considered quite kind.
“Uu,”
After leaving the store, gripping the still-warm Red Banknote tightly in her hand, the girl’s body slumped weakly—thanks to the earlier speed walk.
She had just forced herself to stand upright in front of the Store Owner.
Even this place didn’t want her anymore…
Should she try elsewhere?
Sigh, so difficult.
“Ha~ ha~”
As she walked, the girl panted, carefully observing the surrounding stores.
“Um, do you accept students for night part-time work here?”
After nearly ten minutes of searching, Su Xiaoxiao finally chose another shop that seemed willing to hire students.
The owner looked kind too, an elderly Old Man.
“Uh, that’s not allowed. My son said no students. Inspections are strict these days.”
“Little girl, there have been frequent inspections on this street recently. It’s not too late to come back after the trouble passes.”
The Old Man whispered, seeing how lovable the girl looked, and shared some recent news.
“I see…”
The girl suddenly understood.
No wonder Su Xiaoxiao was suddenly dismissed—was it because of the inspections?
“Then, how long will it take?”
Su Xiaoxiao asked him humbly and carefully, hoping for an answer.
“I heard at least half a month, maybe longer.
Recently, a nearby Factory was fined for employing child labor, and the situation was serious—the boss was arrested on the spot.”
The Old Man’s voice held fear.
Clearly, he was afraid the same would happen to him.
I see…
“Mm, thank you, Grandpa.”
Su Xiaoxiao bowed slightly in gratitude to the elder—being told so much was already enough.
“…..”
Stepping out of the store, the suppressed feelings inside her started to spill over.
Uu, isn’t this just the end?
Half a month, maybe even longer…
How can she survive for so long with only 104 yuan?
“Uuu,”
Dejected, she leaned against an iron pole.
Oh no, it’s 104.1 yuan.
“What’s the difference…”
Thinking about it made her feel even worse.
But that wasn’t the main issue.
If it was just about food, she could live on steamed buns, with occasional vegetarian dishes.
But there was a rent notice pasted on the door at home.
She felt like the Landlord was already coming after her.
If she didn’t pay soon, she’d definitely be kicked out.
She had no confidence in surviving half a month on the streets.
Suddenly, the joyful life of the past few days at School flooded Su Xiaoxiao’s mind.
The happier she had been then, the more painful the contrast now felt.
“Uu…”
She tried to muffle her sobs, covering her wet eyes with her hands.
She didn’t want passersby to see her in such an ugly state.
…Crying?
Ah, this.
She didn’t know why she was crying.
Even if things were serious, she shouldn’t be like this.
In her previous life, no amount of beating or scolding would make her cry—at most she’d be upset for a few days…
Maybe her tear ducts were naturally more sensitive as a girl.
“Uu…”
Like that, the white-haired girl leaned against the pole, back to the street, and cried for a while.
She hoped it would help her vent, and she’d get moving once she felt a little better.
There weren’t many people, but it was still strange that no one approached her.
Maybe they didn’t notice, or maybe they didn’t care—who gets involved with someone who’s been dumped?
Sigh… This doesn’t solve anything.
Better think of a solution.
“What’s wrong with you.”
Suddenly, a cold female voice came from beside her.
A hand gently patted Su Xiaoxiao’s shoulder.
“Yiyah!”
The already weak Su Xiaoxiao cried out at the touch, then lifted her head trembling to look at the girl who spoke.
A dark shirt, pleated skirt, and black long socks—her outfit was just as it had been when she first saw her buying leek pies.
Beautiful.
Ah, it’s her…
Why now, of all times.
Uu, so embarrassing.
The first time she cried and she got seen.
“Nothing.”
Quickly, Su Xiaoxiao wiped the hot tears from her eyes with her uniform sleeve.
“….Really nothing?”
She asked again, her tone a bit intimidating.
“Uu…”
Already on the verge of breaking down, Su Xiaoxiao instinctively began to sob again.
No…
She couldn’t let herself cry in front of another girl.
But why couldn’t she control her body…
Crap.
“Just answer my questions honestly.”
The taller girl grabbed Su Xiaoxiao by the shoulders and turned her around.
“Don’t—”
Facing the girl, Su Xiaoxiao’s messy face was clearly visible.
“First question, do you not have any money?”
The girl ignored Su Xiaoxiao’s emotional state and spoke directly.
Her shoulders were sore from the grip.
“Mm…”
She tried to look down, but her chin was hooked up by a hand.
“Okay, second question, are you a girl?”
Uu…ah.
Ah, why ask this.
Isn’t it obvious? Have you ever seen a boy this pretty?
The girl’s brain froze.
Her quivering lips even stopped moving.
“Of course.”
Relax, I’ve checked. It’s concave…
“Are you chu?”
Next, the black-haired girl posed the third question.
?
What is chu, what are you talking about…
“What do you mean…”
With an innocent expression, Su Xiaoxiao looked at her blankly.
“Have you ever been *ed by anyone?”
The slightly mature-looking girl was blunt, her words direct and uncensored—hoping the girl in her grasp would understand.
Wow…
Such a beautiful girl saying something like that.
For a moment, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t believe her ears.
“Speak!”
Yu Xueqin saw the girl spacing out and grew anxious, shaking her so hard she nearly fainted.
“No, definitely not.”
Realizing it wasn’t her imagination, Su Xiaoxiao answered immediately, her tone firm.
If you ask why, it’s because she tried.
“..Fine.”
The black-haired girl stared, and the determined eyes assured her there was no lie.
Then, Yu Xueqin’s sharp gaze swept over the girl from head to toe, as if about to devour her.
“Come home with me.”
After all the questions, she gently took the girl’s soft hand.
“Ah?”
But the girl hadn’t reacted yet.
What are you talking about?