Witches, please stop thinking about me!

"Brother Lin Jiu, there... are no scraps there..."

"Um?"

Standing in front of the garbage dump, Lin Jiu turned around and glanced at Zhao Yingying, her eyes somewhat blank.

"Here, even trash...is picked up beforehand..."

"so..."

Lin Jiu pulled the stick from her hand and went to Zhao Yingying's side.

The sounds of drinking games and finger-guessing games drifted from the night market stalls. In the dim light across the street where the streetlights couldn't be seen, Zhao Yingying and Lin Jiu set off for their next stop.

Waste paper pits are actually not very common in trash cans.

Because besides scavengers, elderly people who don't know the situation might also take these things away.

Zhao Yingying's main target wasn't the trash cans, but the entrances and back doors of various convenience stores.

Around 9 p.m., the shift workers will clean up the waste paper from that day.

As long as you record the time, you can ask them for it.

Because Zhao Yingying never bothers with cardboard boxes that are still useful, and because she is petite and polite, the shop assistants are often more willing to give her the cardboard boxes.

All of this was observed by Lin Jiu when Zhao Yingying called her to the back and forbade her from asking for waste paper.

When Zhao Yingying's small figure came closer, Lin Jiu helped her sort through the waste paper and asked softly.

"Yingying".

"Um?"

"Why wouldn't you let me go with you to the back of the convenience store to get some cardboard? And why wouldn't you let me rummage through those trash cans?"

"..."

Zhao Yingying paused for a moment, and then even her movements of bundling cardboard boxes slowed down considerably.

Lin Jiu didn't urge her, but helped her deal with the cardboard boxes and waited quietly.

He knew that she must have her reasons for not letting him do that.

However, Zhao Yingying did not explain anything to him in the following process.

The two of them carried a pile of scrap back to Zhao Yuru's stall, helped her pack up, and headed home.

"Lin Jiu, Auntie sold several dolls today, so I'll treat you to a late-night snack."

After he finished speaking, Lin Jiu paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

Lin Jiu didn't hide his hunger and ordered food that cost over fifty yuan.

Zhao Yuru didn't argue and readily paid the bill.

The owner noticed the three people's situation and quietly put a few more skewers of grilled meat into the takeout bag.

Lin Jiu and Zhao Yuru chatted and laughed, while Zhao Yingying followed quietly behind.

Back at Tongxin Home, Lin Jiu helped put the recyclables from tonight in the hallway, then smiled and waved goodbye to the two of them.

Without transferring any money or showing any deference, Lin Jiu accepted Zhao Yuru's hospitality and kindness.

Sometimes, accepting the kindness of others is an act of consideration.

At Zhao Yingying's home, Zhao Yuru watched her daughter silently sorting through the recyclables, then took the skewers from the bag and called out.

"Yingying, we'll deal with these later. Let's have some late-night snacks first."

Zhao Yingying glanced at her mother, then silently went to the side, took the skewers her mother handed her, and ate them in small bites.

"What's wrong? Did Lin Jiu bully you?"

Upon hearing Zhao Yuru's words, Zhao Yingying quickly shook her head.

"Then why do you look unhappy?"

Upon hearing her mother's question, Zhao Yingying pursed her lips for a moment.

"Mother..."

"Yes, I'm here."

"Brother Lin Jiu asked me tonight..."

"Um."

"Why didn't I let him come with me to rummage through the trash cans and ask people for cardboard..."

Zhao Yuru waited quietly, waiting for her daughter's answer.

Tears began to fall, and Zhao Yingying's empty left hand began to touch her tears.

"I don't want to get Lin Jiu's brother dirty..."

"He is clean..."

"I think, from now on... hiss... from now on, I'll stand next to him, clean... hiss..."

"Instead of... hiss... like this..."

Suppressed sobs escaped from her tightly pursed lips, and a look of pain appeared in Zhao Yuru's eyes.

After a long silence, he raised his hand and hugged his daughter.

"Yes, Mom knows, Mom knows everything..."

Zhao Yuru knew that her daughter liked Lin Jiu.

Because she knew this, she could better understand Yingying's desire to stand cleanly and proudly beside Lin Jiu.

But my silly daughter...

You need to tell him, otherwise he might not realize it...

Looking back, Lin Jiu recalls the help she has given to her family from time to time since she had both legs amputated.

He never acted superior, but rather considerately helped himself and Yingying, trying his best to protect her fragile self-esteem.

If it were you, you would have fallen for him too, right?

He really is a good kid...

"After you finish your college entrance exam, Mom will invite him over for dinner, and we'll also hold a belated coming-of-age ceremony for you, okay?"

After listening to her mother's voice, Zhao Yingying nodded vigorously after a long silence.

At Lin Jiu's home, Lin Jiu stood under the showerhead with a somewhat silent expression.

The memory of picking up trash with Zhao Yingying tonight kept flashing through my mind, to the point that Liu Mei's image was practically pushed out of the picture.

Money... If I had money, I could help that girl, right?

In my memory, she was a delicate and beautiful young girl...

Like a porcelain doll that never grows up, she's incredibly arrogant, always looking down at people with her eyes on the sky and her nostrils flailing.

However, her nostrils are mostly invisible to the naked eye because she is too short, only 1.55 meters tall.

However, because she is so beautiful, even her haughty and angry expressions seem like she is just being coquettish.

Unfortunately, she has never been seen taking care of herself since the accident.

Life has worn down her pride and crushed her self-esteem.

In fact, Lin Jiu had a vague idea of ​​why Zhao Yingying didn't want him to follow her.

She had already humbled herself to the point of being worthless, yet she still tried her best not to embarrass him.

When did she learn to be considerate of other people's feelings...?

Having grown up in the same neighborhood, Lin Jiu felt somewhat saddened by Zhao Yingying's transformation.

But he couldn't do it before; he will be able to in the future.

Opening Liu Mei's profile picture, this time, Lin Jiu's mind was free of all the chaotic thoughts.

All that remained was for her to request cooperation with him.

Should we find another witch? With Liu Mei alone, the money doesn't seem to come in fast enough...

Three hundred thousand at a time, but who knows how long the interval will be after that?

Hmm... You can consider this in your plans. If you meet someone suitable, there's nothing wrong with making contact with them.

Lying in bed, Lin Jiu devised her next plan.

As night fell, I finally managed to clear my mind of the jumbled thoughts and close my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already morning. Because I had an early class today, I happened to run into Zhao Yingying, who was wearing her school uniform.

Behind the thick glasses amidst the messy hair were a pair of bright black eyes.

After a moment of eye contact, Lin Jiu slowed his pace and walked alongside her.

With such short legs, how fast can he walk?

At the breakfast shop near the entrance, Lin Jiu bought breakfast for two, handed it to her casually, and then waved goodbye without looking back as she walked towards the school.

A gentle breeze ruffled the hem of her school uniform, tousled her hair, and revealed the delicate and pretty face she remembered.

She's still beautiful, but...

She just wants to wait until after the college entrance exam to reveal herself.

Let him see it properly again in front of him...