Picked Up the Female Lead When She Was Young (GL) - Chapter 16

The next day, Xia Wanshuang woke up to find her hand held tightly by Zhou Qinglang—so tightly she couldn’t pull it free.

She had to gently call her name several times. Only when Zhou Qinglang regained consciousness did she let go of Xia Wanshuang’s hand.

They went to eat breakfast with Zhao Tianhang. When Xia Wanshuang went to pay, Zhao Tianhang stopped her.

“Owner, take my money, not hers.”

The owner chuckled and took the money from Zhao Tianhang’s hand.

“Brother Tianhang?”

“Shuangshuang, I’m the older brother. Older brothers should take care of their little sisters. I can’t let you pay for my breakfast. I’ll pay for yours from now on.”

Last night, Zhao Tianhang had told his mother that Xia Wanshuang paid for his breakfast the day before, and his mother had scolded him, saying that wasn’t right.

His mother told him that his Sister Shuangshuang’s family was struggling right now, and she had to go out and sell things to earn money to support Sister Langlang, so he shouldn’t let Shuangshuang pay for him.

Zhao Tianhang immediately understood and nodded, saying he knew what to do.

“No, no. I’d feel bad letting you pay for me. How about we just pay for ourselves?”

“Hmm… but if you ever run out of money, you have to tell me, okay?”

Zhao Tianhang looked conflicted, but out of respect for his sister’s wishes, he nodded and agreed.

“Okay.”

Xia Wanshuang had a prank-free day at school. After yesterday’s incident, the class mischief-maker, Lin Qiushui, stayed obediently on his side of the imaginary line and didn’t cross it at all.

It was another day of listening to elementary school lessons. Xia Wanshuang had to read along, but while the teacher was lecturing, her mind wandered.

Xia Wanshuang was considering submitting articles to publications like Primary School Student’s Friend or To Young Readers, wondering if there would be any prize money.

As a liberal arts major and a Chinese language teacher, Xia Wanshuang wasn’t skilled in math, much less able to enter an Olympiad math competition.

Earning money is so hard, Teacher Xia thought, frowning.

When school was dismissed at noon, Xia Wanshuang bought fruit as usual. The ice jelly fruit she bought yesterday still had a few pieces left, so she didn’t plan to buy any today.

After buying the fruit, Xia Wanshuang went to the supermarket. She bought a larger stainless steel container, weighed out some red beans to marinate with sugar later, and also bought peanuts. She paid and headed home.

Xia Wanshuang got home, and before she could take out her key, Zhou Qinglang opened the door.

“Langlang, how did you know I was back?”

“Sister always comes home at this time.”

Zhou Qinglang had memorized Xia Wanshuang’s dismissal time. At that time, she would look through the peephole and wait for Xia Wanshuang. When she saw it was her, she’d immediately open the door.

There was no special need for this, but Zhou Qinglang just wanted to be the first person Xia Wanshuang saw every time she came home.

Xia Wanshuang carried the bags into the kitchen, washed the red beans clean, and put them in a pot to boil.

While the red beans were cooking, she washed the newly bought container for the ice jelly, washed the fruit, and put them in the fridge.

After the red beans were cooked, she let them cool naturally.

Xia Wanshuang found an ice tray, washed it, filled it with water, and put it in the freezer to make ice cubes.

Zhao Tianhang came over to call them for dinner. Xia Wanshuang wiped her hands and took Zhou Qinglang next door.

After they finished dinner, the red beans had cooled down enough.

Xia Wanshuang put them in a glass jar, added white sugar, stirred it a few times with a spoon, sealed the jar, and placed it in a cool, shady spot. Then she took out the ice jelly fruit and started making the ice jelly in the large stainless steel container.

Today’s workload was heavier than yesterday’s. After rubbing the ice jelly, Xia Wanshuang’s hands ached, and she was exhausted.

“Sister, let me help you rub them. I washed my hands.”

Xia Wanshuang was too tired to talk. She nodded and lay down on the bed.

Zhou Qinglang’s small hands were warm. She massaged her hands, and even though there was no technique to it, it felt quite comfortable.

Xia Wanshuang was deeply moved and thought, A daughter is truly thoughtful.

The system didn’t even bother to remind her to be lucid anymore. If she was happy, it was fine.

Zhou Qinglang wanted to ask Xia Wanshuang if the massage felt good, but she found that Xia Wanshuang had already fallen asleep. Her breathing was steady; she must have been truly exhausted.

If only I could grow up faster, Zhou Qinglang thought.

Then I could help Sister Shuangshuang sooner and she wouldn’t have to work so hard.

Zhou Qinglang knew that everything she had now—the shelter, the food, even the affection and love—was all thanks to Xia Wanshuang.

Zhou Qinglang didn’t sleep. She noticed Xia Wanshuang hadn’t set the alarm, but she didn’t know how to operate it. She chose the clumsiest method: checking the time frequently and waking Xia Wanshuang up at the same time she woke up yesterday.

Xia Wanshuang was groggy from sleep and was still half-asleep when she was woken up.

A seldom-seen, dazed look on her sister’s face. Zhou Qinglang poked Xia Wanshuang’s cheek, and when Xia Wanshuang started to wake up, she quickly pulled her hand back, pretending she hadn’t done anything.

Xia Wanshuang went to the bathroom to wash her face. A little more awake, she got ready to leave.

“Langlang, I’m going now. See you this afternoon.”

“Okay, see you this afternoon.”

Children’s bodies are prone to exhaustion. While Xia Wanshuang was in class, during the math teacher’s constant droning, she couldn’t help but doze off. She held a pen and looked at the book, appearing to be studying diligently, but her eyes were actually closed.

Lin Qiushui next to her widened his eyes when he saw Xia Wanshuang sleeping. This was the fiercest math teacher! If she got caught, she would definitely be scolded.

“Now, I’d like two students to come up to the blackboard and solve these two math problems.”

The moment this sentence was uttered, the destructive power was immeasurable.

The students who didn’t want to go up quickly lowered their heads. Those who did want to go up made eye contact with the teacher, looking at her with eager eyes.

The math teacher picked one student who wanted to go up and then prepared to pick one who was looking down.

“Xia Wanshuang.”

[System]: Host! The teacher called you up to solve a problem!

The voice in her head jolted Xia Wanshuang, and she jumped to her feet, heading to the blackboard.

Third-grade math problems were a piece of cake. Xia Wanshuang quickly finished writing the solutions and returned to her seat.

Lin Qiushui’s admiration for his deskmate grew, and he actively offered her his snacks during the break.

“You’re amazing.”

“It’s nothing.”

Xia Wanshuang waved him off, then slumped over her desk to continue sleeping.

After school, Xia Wanshuang and Zhao Tianhang went home.

As soon as she got home, Xia Wanshuang started juicing. After skillfully putting the bottles in the fridge, she began to shell the peanuts.

Zhou Qinglang sat next to her, helping. Xia Wanshuang popped one into Zhou Qinglang’s mouth, and Zhou Qinglang held one up in front of her.

The peanuts were good, but they made her a little thirsty.

After all the peanuts were shelled, Xia Wanshuang smashed them into pieces and poured them into a jar.

She actually had quite a few jars and containers at home. Xia Wanshuang prepared the brown sugar water and put it in the fridge, and she also packed the raisins.

With everything ready, Xia Wanshuang took some money and went out to buy half a watermelon.

She sliced a few pieces and set them aside, giving one to Zhou Qinglang.

“Don’t swallow the seeds, or a small watermelon will grow in your stomach.”

Of course, seeds wouldn’t take root and sprout in her stomach, but that’s what Xia Wanshuang’s mother used to scare her with when she was a child, so she used it to scare Zhou Qinglang.

“Okay! I promise not to swallow them!”

Zhou Qinglang’s face was serious as she spat the seeds into the trash can, proving her words were true.

Xia Wanshuang peeled and cut the remaining watermelon into small pieces, removed the black seeds, put them in a food container, closed the lid, and put it in the fridge.

Next, all that was left was to wait for the night to come.