Shi Yang laughed and scolded, "You've got some nerve, huh? It's lucky I was at home. What if no one was here and you fell on the ground?"
Zhao Meimei grinned, her eyes spirited under thin eyelids.
That day, Shi Yang held Zhao Meimei's hand and took her back to the grocery store.
Liu Xiue was busy selling goods. When she looked up and saw Shi Yang, she quickly greeted him with a smile, "What are you buying today? Want some more sponge cake? We got a new batch before New Year, it's really soft."
Zhao Meimei poked her head out from beneath the window, "Mom!"
Liu Xiue looked at Zhao Meimei's little face reddened from the cold, with a lump of white cotton hanging from her neck, her heart skipped a beat, and she exclaimed, "Zhao Meimei! You're causing trouble again!" She quickly ran out of the metal shed.
Zhao Meimei climbed over someone's big iron gate, got sent back by the owner, and even ripped her new clothes. Knowing she messed up, she hung her little head, looking particularly obedient.
Liu Xiue quickly grabbed her to check thoroughly, and let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she was unhurt, but it's a shame about the new clothes.
Liu Xiue apologized to Shi Yang, "Oh dear, you're Shi Yang, right? Shi Yang, thank you so much. Did Meimei cause trouble again?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Yang deduced the little girl's a repeat offender and felt a bit amused, suppressing his laughter, "She tried to climb over my iron gate and accidentally got stuck. I helped her down."
Liu Xiue heard this, her heart racing, turned around and grabbed Zhao Meimei's arm, patting her back twice, "That iron gate is so high, and you dare climb it? Aren't you afraid of falling? Look at your clothes, all torn! I shouldn't have bought them for you!"
The two taps over the thick cotton coat didn't really use any strength; she was worried about hurting the child, just scaring her a bit.
Zhao Meimei didn't feel any pain, listening to her mom lecturing, one ear in, one ear out, her eyes sneaking glances at Shi Yang.
Shi Yang, just started middle school, stood about as tall as Liu Xiue. He was somewhat thin, wearing a big cotton coat, looking clean and neat. His features resembled Xu Jing, deep-set eyes, and a tall nose bridge, quite handsome.
Shi Yang stood by watching Liu Xiue discipline the child, suppressing a smile.
Zhao Meimei noticed him watching the show and cheekily made a face at him. Her little face already looked scrunched up, with a tiny nose and eyes squeezed together, accentuating the fluffy cotton behind her neck, looking exceedingly funny.
Shi Yang looked at Zhao Meimei, and burst into laughter, revealing a mouthful of neat white teeth, his dark eyes seemed to have a layer of mist.
Liu Xiue finished scolding Zhao Meimei, turned to apologize to Shi Yang, "I'm really sorry, my kid doesn't know better, climbing your gate. I'll definitely deal with her later."
Liu Xiue pulled Zhao Meimei forward, "Thank you, brother. If it wasn't for you, she might still be hanging on the gate like a flag!"
Zhao Meimei got pushed forward by her mom and thanked Shi Yang, "Thank you."
Liu Xiue frowned, "Is that how you thank someone? Call him Brother Yangyang." She urged.
Zhao Meimei's voice was muffled, with a hint of stubbornness, "Thank you, Brother Yangyang."
Shi Yang smiled lightly, "It's fine, just don't climb it next time. If you want to come in and play, just call, and I'll open the door for you."
Zhao Meimei's eyes lit up, looking at him excitedly, "Really?"
Shi Yang nodded, "Of course it's true."
Zhao Meimei chuckled, her scrunched-up features relaxed, looking much more pleasing.
Shi Yang watched her, a smile quietly emerged on his lips, thinking this little girl was interesting and quite amusing.
Liu Xiue, standing by, spoke politely to Shi Yang, "Next time you come to buy something, I'll give you a discount."
Shi Yang smiled and agreed, "Thank you, Auntie."
Liu Xiue also smiled. Shi Yang was good-looking and charming, making her quite fond of him. Speaking out of habit, she asked, "It's New Year's Eve today, is your mom cooking something delicious for you?"
The smile on Shi Yang's face gradually faded, "My mom went to the city today, so I'm spending it alone."
"Ah?" Liu Xiue didn't expect this, quite surprised. Considering what Zhao Meimei had said, she thought he seemed pitiful, and proactively suggested, "Why don't you spend the evening with us?"
People from the same factory residential building were close, so Liu Xiue never considered Shi Yang an outsider, even though he and his mom didn't work at the factory, just rented a room there.
Shi Yang politely declined, "No need, Auntie, as long as Meimei is safely back, I'm relieved. I'll head back now, goodbye."
"Ah." Liu Xiue agreed, pushed Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, say goodbye to brother."
This time Zhao Meimei was enthusiastic, grinning at Shi Yang, "Goodbye, Brother Yangyang." After saying this, she didn't forget to add, "I'll come to your house to play with you later!"
Shi Yang laughed, "Sure, when you come, I'll treat you to snacks."
Zhao Meimei didn't hold back, "You have snacks at your house? Then I'll come and eat them."
Liu Xiue couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to pat Zhao Meimei, "All you think about is eating!"
Zhao Meimei watched Shi Yang's back, waving her hand, her intent to please was obvious.
Halfway down the road, Shi Yang turned back to look, couldn't hold it in, and burst into laughter again. What an interesting little girl, so amusing.
On New Year's Eve, every family makes dumplings to eat, specifically when the midnight bell rings, for good luck.
Liu Xiue cooked the dumplings, set aside a plate, wrapped it in a plastic bag, and called Zhao Dazhuang, "Go, take them to Shi Yang in the small building. The child is home alone on New Year's Eve, without even a hot dumpling."
Zhao Dazhuang knew about Shi Yang rescuing Zhao Meimei, got up and put on his cotton jacket, "Alright, oh, also wrap one of your braised pig's feet. It's really tasty, let Shi Yang try it since he saved our daughter."
Zhao Meimei, wearing cotton clothes and woolen pants, was sitting by the table waiting to eat dumplings. Hearing her dad going to the building, she immediately jumped up, running around the house to find clothes to put on, "Dad, I'll go too. Take me with you; I want to see Brother Yangyang."
Liu Xiue was bringing the dumplings to the table, hearing this she quickly refused, "It's freezing outside, don't run out there, or you'll catch a cold. The dumplings are on the table, eat them while they're hot, or they'll stick together."
Zhao Meimei paid no mind to her mom's words, quickly dressing and putting on cotton shoes, grabbed the hem of her dad's coat, "I need to go wish Brother Yangyang 'Happy New Year'!"
After saying that, Zhao Meimei remembered something, quickly ran back and grabbed a handful of candies from the box on the sofa, stuffing them into her pocket, "I'll eat them with Brother Yangyang later."
Liu Xiue scolded her angrily, "Zhao Meimei! You're wearing shoes in the house again. Look at the mess you've made on the floor!"
Zhao Dazhuang hurriedly shielded Zhao Meimei as they ran to the door, father and daughter laughing heartily all the way out.
Hearing the laughter outside, Liu Xiue couldn't resist, chuckled as well.