Entertainment: A song that brought his deceased wife back to life.

Jiang Yue raised her chin, a smug expression on her face.

That's the kind of expression you only have when showing off your spoils.

"I'm the only one in the entire orphanage who has this wonderful thing."

"If you follow me, you won't starve."

She casually wiped the mud off her face.

The mud stains spread wider and wider, making his whole face look like a newly unearthed kitten.

But her eyes were very bright.

Xu Qing stared at her.

He discovered that this girl named Jiang Yue was actually quite pretty when she smiled.

Although his hair was messy, although he was dressed in tattered clothes, and although he had a personality like a firecracker.

But she was hot.

Just like this piece of dried sweet potato, it's a real, tangible thing.

Xu Qing finally swallowed the last small piece of dried sweet potato.

He felt his throat was extremely dry.

But he didn't feel uncomfortable.

This domineering, even somewhat barbaric, care became the first lifeline he grasped in this cold world.

"Want more?"

Jiang Yue asked a question.

She regretted asking the question as soon as she did.

She only had this one yuan left in her pocket. If this kid really agreed, she would have no choice but to dig in the ground.

Xu Qing hadn't even had a chance to nod.

Jiang Yue's hands had been rummaging in her pockets for quite a while.

I found nothing.

It turned out that the dried sweet potato was the last remaining stock.

She acted impulsively and stuffed all the food she had saved up for a week into the boy's mouth.

My pockets are emptier than my face now.

Jiang Yue's hand froze in mid-air.

His facial expression looked slightly unnatural.

She quickly pulled her hand back and casually wiped it on her pants.

"That's all."

"What are you looking at? Even the landlord's family doesn't have surplus grain."

Jiang Yue rolled her eyes, trying to cover up her embarrassment with a fierce tone.

"Later..."

She paused for a moment.

Looking at Xu Qing's eyes, which had not yet fully regained their sparkle.

"When I make something of myself in the future, I'll treat you to something nice."

"I'll let you hold one of those big steamed buns with meat in each hand, and hang a string of them around your neck."

Xu Qing didn't move.

A faint, lingering sweetness remained in his mouth.

He doesn't care about big steamed buns.

He just felt that the loud and boisterous girl in front of him wasn't as fierce as she appeared.

The night wind grew stronger.

The wind made the withered branches in the yard tremble violently.

It emitted a sound like ghosts wailing and wolves howling.

Jiang Yue shuddered.

She looked around.

Going back to the dormitory at this time is definitely not an option.

There are people over there now. This kid just ate some dried sweet potato, so he must smell.

If those hungry wolves smell it, we're in for a lot of trouble.

"come over."

Jiang Yue waved to Xu Qing.

She moved to the side.

That was a blind spot in the wall surrounding the welfare home.

There was a large area of ​​shadow.

The moonlight doesn't reach here, and the wind is mostly blocked by the wall.

It is an excellent refuge.

Xu Qing obediently moved over.

He sat down next to Jiang Yue.

The two were shoulder to shoulder.

Jiang Yue didn't push him away.

In this damn winter, at least two people huddled together can generate some warmth.

"Feed".

Jiang Yue suddenly spoke.

Xu Qing turned her head to look at her.

"Are you really unable to say a single word?"

Jiang Yue asked very directly.

Xu Qing lowered her eyes.

He opened his mouth.

It felt like there was a wad of rotten cotton stuffed in my throat.

Unable to make a sound.

Although the burning sensation from the fire is long gone, my throat tightens whenever I try to speak.

He shook his head.

Jiang Yue sighed.

She picked up a dead twig from the ground and started scribbling on the mud.

"This is difficult."

"In this courtyard, not knowing how to speak is a big disadvantage."

"If someone steals your things, you don't even know how to complain."

"If you get beaten up, you won't even be able to scream for help."

Jiang Yue broke the branch in her hand.

A crisp snap.

"That won't do."

"I can't keep you tied to my waistband 24/7."

"I have my own things to do."

"I also have to work, fight for food, and compete with those little brats from the next village for territory."

Jiang Yue turned her head away.

He stared into Xu Qing's eyes.

His eyes were very serious.

"We need to set some rules."

Xu Qing was somewhat bewildered.

He didn't understand any rules.

Jiang Yue threw the broken branch aside.

She patted the dirt off her hands.

"Since you're mute, let's use the mute's method."

"I'll teach you a few moves."

"These few moves are known only to the two of us."

"Once you've made it, I'll know what you're trying to do."

Jiang Yue acted immediately.

She's a woman of action.

"The first thing."

"That's also the most important thing."

Jiang Yue pointed to her stomach.

"Have a meal."

"Food is as essential as iron; you'll get hungry if you skip a meal."

"Especially with your weak body, if you go hungry for two more meals, you'll probably be buried alive."

Jiang Yue placed her hand on her flat stomach.

I pressed it down hard.

Then I rubbed it clockwise twice.

The movements were exaggerated.

"Watch closely."

"From now on, whenever you're hungry, do this."

"Don't gesture wildly, and don't point at your mouth."

"Pointing at the mouth is for beggars. We may be poor, but we can't be spineless."

Xu Qing watched her movements.

It's kind of funny.

But he didn't laugh.

He reached out and, imitating Jiang Yue, pressed his stomach.

His hands are too thin.

I could clearly feel the ribs through the thin clothing.

It doesn't feel fleshy at all when you knead it.

"wrong!"

Jiang Yue slapped his hand.

"Too light!"

"Are you touching your stomach? You're just scratching yourself!"

"Push harder!"

"You need to convey that... that feeling of being starving!"

Jiang Yue demonstrated it again.

This time, her facial features were all scrunched up, she was clutching her stomach, and her body was slightly hunched over.

The acting was extremely convincing.

Xu Qing looked at her exaggerated expression.

I suddenly felt like laughing.

But he held back.

He imitated Jiang Yue, using a little force to bend his waist down slightly.

He pressed his palm firmly against his stomach.

He also convincingly showed a slightly pained expression on his face.

Actually, there's no need to act.

He was really hungry.

Although the dried sweet potato provided temporary relief, the emptiness in my stomach was very real.

Jiang Yue nodded in satisfaction this time.

"OK."

"That's kind of it."

"Although it still looks a bit silly, at least I can understand it."

"Remember this, this is what 'being hungry' means."

"As long as you do this, no matter what I'm doing, I'll find a way to get you something to eat."

"Even if it means stealing the dean's chicken, I'll get it for you."

When Jiang Yue said this, she puffed out her chest.

That tattered cotton-padded coat looked even more bulging.

Xu Qing looked at her.

A little bit of water has thawed in the frozen part of my heart.

He nodded.

The action was very solemn.

Jiang Yue picked up the branch again.

He poked a hole in the ground.

"The second thing."

Her expression turned serious.

The lighthearted, joking atmosphere from before has vanished.

Instead, there is a vigilance honed in this harsh environment.

"In this courtyard, besides starving to death, there is another way to die."

"Beaten to death."

Jiang Yue lowered her voice.

He glanced around.

Make sure no one is eavesdropping.

"You saw Er Lei and his gang too."

"They are a bunch of inhuman beasts."

"Although I intimidated them today, it was only in the open."

"These rats that live in the sewers love to bite people when they're not looking."

Jiang Yue looked at the bloodstain on Xu Qing's face that was still swollen.

That was stepped on by Erlei yesterday.

She felt a little unhappy.

Since she had promised to protect this kid, if he were to get beaten up again, it would be a slap in the face for Jiang Yue.

"If you encounter danger."

"Or if you're scared."

"For example, being afraid of the dark, being afraid of thunder, or seeing Er Lei and his gang of bastards coming with sticks."

Jiang Yue thought for a moment.

She originally wanted to teach Xu Qing how to throw a punch.

But then I looked at Xu Qing's arms, which were as thin as sticks.

Forget it.

If you let him throw a punch, he'll probably break himself before he even hits anyone.

We need to find a more secluded spot.

It has to be something that she can know as quickly as possible.

Jiang Yue looked down at her sleeve.

The cuffs were worn out long ago, with a few loose threads hanging down.

She remembered last night.

When this kid has nightmares, he also grips this spot tightly with his hands.

His knuckles turned white from gripping so tightly.

They grasped at it as if it were a lifeline.

"that's all."

Jiang Yue stretched her arm out in front of Xu Qing.

"Watch closely."

With her other hand, she gently pinched one corner of the cuff.

Then it tugged at it twice quickly.

The range of motion is very small.

You wouldn't notice it at all if you didn't look closely.

"It's this movement."

"Pull up your sleeve."

"Don't use too much force, or you'll tear your sister Jiang's clothes and you won't be able to afford to pay for it."

"Just tug it twice gently."

Jiang Yue stared at Xu Qing.

His eyes held a composure beyond his years.

"That's what 'fear' is."

"It's also a 'lifesaver'."

"As long as you tug at my sleeve, whether I'm eating or sleeping."

Even if the sky falls down.

"I'll take care of you first."

This is a rather long passage.

It's also a bit sentimental.

After Jiang Yue finished speaking, she felt a little embarrassed.

She quickly coughed twice to cover it up.

"Give it a try."

"Don't stand there like a wooden stake."

Xu Qing looked at the sleeve in front of her.

The military green fabric was covered in dust and stains.

But in his eyes...

This seems to be the safest fortress in the world.

He slowly reached out his hand.

My fingers are still a little stiff.

He grabbed Jiang Yue's sleeve.

The fabric was rough and chafed my fingertips.

He gave it a gentle tug.

I tugged at it again.

The movements were very gentle.

Be very careful.

I was afraid of damaging this flimsy garment.

Jiang Yue felt a slight pull from her cuff.

That power traveled along the fabric and into her heart.

It's a little itchy.

It's also a bit heavy.

"OK."

"Your mind is still working."

"He's not as stupid as I thought."

Jiang Yue withdrew her hand.

"Just these two."

"You wouldn't remember any more, and I'm too lazy to teach you."

"When you're hungry, rub your stomach; when you're scared, tug at your sleeve."

"That's our code word."

Jiang Yue leaned against the cold brick wall.

I looked up at the moon in the sky, which wasn't quite full.

"Don't make any gestures when you meet strangers in the future."

"If people can tell, it won't work."

"It's a secret."