Summer Green Apples

Given Mingying's personality, she couldn't bring herself to say these words.

She frowned, clearly displeased with Ji Xiwen's tone. "Can't I call you if there's nothing wrong?"

"sure."

Ji Xiwen's tone was calm, her voice soft and sweet, "It's just that every time you called me before, you always had something to say."

Or perhaps you inquire about her grades, or urge her to do something.

Mingying was taken aback.

Ji Xiwen continued, "So I habitually assume that you need to contact me for something."

Mingying remained silent for a long time.

There was silence on both ends of the phone call.

Then Ji Feiran's voice came from the other end, "Mom, didn't you say you were going to take me out for barbecue?"

Ji Xiwen blinked.

Mingying's voice softened, "Why don't you watch TV for a while first, and then your dad will take you when he gets back, okay?"

"it is good."

Ji Feiran responded cheerfully.

He seemed to have walked a little further away. Mingying, after gathering her thoughts, asked, "How have you been lately?"

"fine."

Ji Xiwen said in a relaxed tone, "Everything is fine, don't worry about me."

Mingying remained silent for a few seconds.

She had a lot to ask, but didn't know how to bring it up.

After all, she didn't understand Ji Xiwen's personality, and she couldn't tell whether Ji Xiwen's current statement that "everything is fine" was true or false.

Ji Xiwen waited patiently.

Mingying managed to find a topic to talk about, "When do you get your winter break?"

"Early February, I think," Ji Xiwen said. "I don't know the exact date yet."

"it is good."

Mingying said, "When the holidays come, you should go back to your hometown and stay there. Don't cause trouble for your aunt. Your father and I won't be going back this winter vacation."

Ji Xiwen was not surprised at all. "Okay."

Mingying suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

It seems she wasn't sad that they weren't going back.

Mingying sighed and added, "Your brother's grades aren't good, so he'll have to stay here for tutoring this winter break. If only he were as sensible as you, no one would have to worry about him. Your dad and I will go back to see you."

This statement sounds like a compliment to Ji Xiwen.

Ji Xiwen smiled and said, "It's okay. He's still young and spoiled, so he's naturally not very sensible. He'll understand things better when he grows up."

Ji Xiwen was abandoned in her hometown when she was very young.

The kindergarten is located in the village, and there are only ten children in total.

The teachers were all retired elementary school teachers, there was only a small slide in the yard, and the walls were covered with childish graffiti.

It's nowhere near as good as Ji Feiran's kindergarten.

After entering primary school, Ji Xiwen lived at school. There were six children in one dormitory. Her parents were not around, and no one cared if she was cold, hot, hungry, or sad.

Ji Xiwen was a very well-behaved child from a young age. She was shy and cautious in everything she did.

You'll only suffer losses at boarding school.

My roommate would shamelessly take the nutritional milk that the teacher gave out, and my deskmate would always ask her to help with the cleaning duty, saying that she would return it next time, but she never did until graduation.

The tables in the cafeteria are all small tables for eight people each, and the food on each table is fixed. Lunch and dinner consist of three dishes and a soup, which are eaten by eight people together.

Ji Xiwen always sat in the corner, where she could only access one dish.

The fruit she received at noon every day was also given to her after others had already picked it out.

She felt very distressed and talked to her homeroom teacher about it.

The homeroom teacher was a middle-aged man with glasses and gray hair. He sat in his office with a bag of nuts on his desk, watching a movie as he said, "You can't blame yourself for being so vain. Everyone else is fine, but you're making such a fuss."

Ji Xiwen was unwilling to take the blame upon herself.

But she didn't know how to refute it.

Moreover, in this boarding school, she only returned every two weeks, and the teachers were like emperors, especially her homeroom teacher.

At first, when Ji Xiwen was at school, she would shed tears, feel wronged, and get angry.

After a while, you won't feel sad anymore.

In her short sixteen years of life, she rarely had moments when she was pampered and spoiled.

She didn't know if Mingying complained to her about Ji Feiran not studying hard because she wanted comfort or if she was indirectly trying to praise her for being sensible.

If it's the latter, she doesn't consider it a compliment.

"I hope so," Mingying changed the subject. "I'll send your New Year's money to your phone this year."

"Okay, thank you, Mom."

Ji Xiwen politely thanked him.

The phone went silent again.

Mingying pinched the bridge of her nose.

Since Ji Feiran was born, she has bought all of Ji Feiran's clothes and supplies, including her current extracurricular classes, which she helped Ji Feiran try on one by one.

Ji Feiran blinked, and she knew what it meant.

But Ji Xiwen...

Mingying only knew that she was a good student, quiet and obedient, and a bit picky about food.

I don't know anything more.

"Your birthday is coming up soon, is there anything you want?" Mingying asked. "A dress, a figurine, or something like that..."

"I don't really want anything," Ji Xiwen said softly. "I don't know anything about figurines either."

Mingying was skeptical: "...You really don't want anything at all?"

"..." Ji Xiwen paused for two seconds, "My birthday wish used to always be that you and Dad take me out for a meal."

Mingying's breathing suddenly stopped.

She unconsciously gripped her phone tighter.

On the other end of the phone, her daughter's voice was calm. "I can't remember which year it was, but I realized that wishes are just wishes and won't come true, so I never made a birthday wish... I just like studying. If all else fails, buy me a few sets of practice questions."

Zhang Cheng is a fan of celebrities, so it's easy for her to receive gifts. Ji Xiwen always gives her things endorsed by her idol or photocards.

Chi Sui has many hobbies, including playing video games, playing ball, traveling, and buying various figurines.

Luo Wenjing likes reading novels and following celebrities, while Zhang Qingyan likes makeup, nail art, and collecting various styles of earrings.

Ji Xiwen did not hear it.

She couldn't find a single hobby.

If I had to name it, it would be learning.

Studying occupied most of her life. During summer and winter vacations, she would stay at home to review, preview, and study, help her grandmother with cleaning, and play with the hall manager for a while.

Mingying opened her mouth, "I'm sorry... I'll try to go back home this winter break."

Ji Xiwen lowered her eyes.

I thought to myself, just because you apologize, I'm supposed to accept it?

If apologies worked, there would be no regrets or lingering resentments in this world.

Ji Xiwen pursed her lips, the words lingering on her lips.

Mingying has indeed had a tough time these past few years, and Ji Xiwen has heard a lot about her younger days from her grandmother.

She was so stubborn and ambitious, and her grades were so good. She could have easily gotten into a great university, but her family simply didn't have the money.

He dropped out of school early.

Ji Xiwen took a deep breath and swallowed her words, "It's okay, Mom, I've grown up now."