The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

"I'll try to find other adoptive families, but since she still has a biological grandfather, we can't go through the formal channels. I'll ask my former comrades for help."

Xu Nian took a deep drag of his cigarette, the thick smoke filling his lungs. He held it in for a long time before finally exhaling.

His eyes were filled with hesitation and confusion.

After a long while, Xu Nian threw the remaining cigarette butt on the ground and stomped on it heavily a few times.

His eyes were filled with determination; he had already made up his mind.

"No need, let Xu Xi live with me."

"you?"

The chubby policeman looked at Xu Nian suspiciously.

"Yeah, I found a new job, it should be able to support the two of us."

The fat policeman thought for a long time, sighed, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Take care. I've settled the hospital bills. If you really can't make it, call me."

After saying that, he left the hospital.

When Xu Xi returned to the ward, she had already regained consciousness.

The girl's fair cheeks regained a little color, but she was still very weak.

Her arms and legs were wrapped in gauze, and the exposed wounds were no longer visible.

His swollen eyes stared blankly at the incandescent light until Xu Nian approached, at which point a flicker of emotion appeared in his eyes.

"Thank you, Brother Xu Nian."

Why didn't you tell me and the police beforehand that your father would beat you?

Xu Xi lowered her head, looking timid.

"I...I'm afraid of causing trouble for my brother and the police officers."

Xu Nian gently flicked Xu Xi on the forehead.

"So stupid."

Xu Nian was utterly helpless.

If Xu Xi had told him about her family situation earlier, he definitely wouldn't have sent her away.

The two remained silent for a long time until the IV drip finished and the nurse came to remove the needle.

"What are your plans for the future?"

Xu Xi shook her head, looking completely bewildered.

"Should I find another older man and pester him to go home with me?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xi's face flushed crimson with embarrassment, and she kept scratching at the air with her toes.

Xu Nian was amused by the girl's shy appearance and smiled, a smile that hadn't appeared in a long time.

"Can you walk yet?"

Xu Xi climbed off the bed, took a few slow steps, and nodded.

"Go home."

Xu Nian stood up.

Go home, back to the father who wanted to sell me, or to the grandfather who couldn't even afford a single grain of rice.

Xu Xi lowered her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

Besides those two places, where else could I go?

Xu Nian cleared her throat.

"I mean, come home with me, I should be able to support you."

A glimmer of hope shone in Xu Xi's eyes. She rubbed her eyes and looked at Xu Nian in disbelief.

In an instant, clear tears slid down her cheeks.

Ignoring her injuries, she rushed to Xu Nian's side, hugged her tightly, and burst into tears.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Let go! You're touching my wound..."

......

On my way home, I passed a fast food restaurant that was still open.

There seemed to be few customers left, and the owner had set up a deck chair at the entrance, comfortably enjoying the coolness after the rain.

"Long time no see, Xu Nian, come in and have a meal."

The owner knew Xu Nian. When Xu Nian was doing reasonably well, she often came to this restaurant to eat boxed lunches.

It's not because the food is particularly delicious, but because it's cheap and the portions are large.

Xu Nian's stomach was rumbling, but when he checked his pockets, he realized he didn't have enough money for a single boxed lunch.

"Uncle, we're regular customers, how about a 20% discount?"

"Look at what you're saying. There's only a little bit of leftover food, just enough to fill a box. I'd give it to you for free so I can go home earlier."

The boss got up with a smile and put the recliner away.

"Who is this?"

He noticed Xu Xi, who was hiding timidly behind Xu Nian.

"this..."

Xu Nian was speechless for a moment. He and Xu Xi looked at each other, unsure of how to introduce Xu Xi.

To say she was his adopted child? That's absurd. He's only a year older than Xu Xi. Although he looks mature, he simply can't bring himself to say it.

"This is my sister, Xu Xi. Quickly call her uncle."

After thinking it over, Xu Nian still felt that this was the most appropriate way to put it.

She calls herself "brother," and he calls her "sister," which is perfectly reasonable.

Hello, Uncle.

"Hey, little girl, you have such a sweet tongue."

The boss looked pleased and ruffled Xu Xi's hair, completely unaware that something was wrong.

After all, they both share the surname Xu, making it easy to associate them with relatives.

"Uncle marinated chicken legs today, and there are two left that haven't been sold. You can have them both."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Xu Nian felt a little embarrassed. The boss was a nice person, and he didn't want to take advantage of him.

However, considering that Xu Xi might not have had a proper meal for many days, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and get her something to eat.

"No need to thank me, I'm leaving now. Please close the shop for me after you finish eating."

The owner packed all the dishes into a single food container, creating a large pile, and then placed it in front of the two people.

He then whistled and left the fast food restaurant cheerfully.

"You can eat, I've already eaten."

Xu Nian pushed the lunchbox to Xu Xi, his stomach growling. He quickly rubbed it and walked out of the store.

Squatting under the shade of a tree by the street, Xu Nian took out a cigarette case and lit one.

As the nicotine entered my lungs, a tingling, bitter sensation came over me, which seemed to alleviate my hunger somewhat.

Xu Nian exhaled the smoke and carefully examined the cigarette pack.

As expected of the cigarette thrown down by the older brother with the gold chain, it tastes so much better than any dry tobacco I've ever smoked before.

Unfortunately, this is the last one.

He tossed the empty cigarette pack aside and savored the bitter taste.

I don't know if I'll ever be able to smoke such good cigarettes again.

"Brother Xu Nian, I'm full."

Xu Xi walked up to Xu Nian with the lunchbox in her hand.

There was exactly half a bowl of rice and half a bowl of vegetables left in the lunchbox.

Even the chicken leg was left, lying quietly on the white rice.

Xu Nian patted her bottom, stood up, and swallowed hard.

"Are you kidding me? You can't even eat this much? I told you I've already eaten. Take it back and eat it now."

What a joke! I could eat one and a half of these boxed meals by myself. Xu Xi hasn't eaten properly for so many days, how could she possibly be full?

Xu Xi rubbed her stomach and said with a serious expression.

"I'm really full, brother. I'm quite thin, and my stomach is small, so it can't hold much food."

Looking into her determined gaze, Xu Nian nodded with some doubt.

He took the lunchbox, not minding that it was covered in Xu Xi's saliva, and quickly ate the food.

The long-awaited feeling of fullness returned, and my stomach, which had been a little sore, finally calmed down.

After finishing her meal, Xu Nian didn't forget to clean up for the boss.

Before closing the door, he reached into his pocket, took out all the coins, and placed them on the first table near the entrance.

Although the owner said he could eat it for free, Xu Nian insisted on paying.

There aren't many people in this world who have made him feel kindness.

He cannot allow those who are kind to him to suffer losses forever.

Otherwise, there will be no goodwill left for him to receive in the future.