I really like your sand sculpture group friends

Her eyes widened, seemingly lighting up with surprise: "Really? Can I really go with Xiao Yi and Sister Nuo Ya?"

“Of course it’s true,” Mo Xiangwen affirmed. “Noya was there when I confirmed it with the teacher. You can ask her if you don’t believe me.”

"I believe you! Of course I believe you!" Bai Shishi nodded repeatedly, her face beaming with a happy smile. "Since Xiao Yi said it, it must be true!"

"I never thought my wish would come true so quickly!"

Yan Nuoya, who was a beat slower, added at the right moment, "Yes, that's right. The teacher agreed last night, so we rushed over overnight."

"What wish?" Mo Xiangwen keenly caught the word and asked with some curiosity.

Bai Shishi immediately fell silent, but her smile grew even brighter.

She stood up and couldn't wait to run back to her room to pack her luggage.

“Wait, Shishi,” Mo Xiangwen quickly called out to her, picked up his large travel backpack and handed it to her, “Here, use my packing.”

He thought that Bai Shishi might not have traveled far before, and most likely she didn't have a backpack or suitcase. If she did have luggage, she would probably need to use a bag.

It just so happens that the backpack he bought was a large travel bag with plenty of space, which he bought for convenience when traveling and returning to school.

Coincidentally, he didn't bring much with him home this time, and there was still plenty of space in his backpack.

More importantly, this way he can naturally help Shishi carry her luggage, minimizing the physical burden of the journey for her.

"Thank you, Xiao Yi!" Bai Shishi happily took his backpack, hugged it, and ran back to her room.

However, as she began folding her little dresses into her backpack, her mind, which had been overwhelmed by the surprise that morning, slowly calmed down, and several previously overlooked questions resurfaced in her mind.

Where's Mom? Why haven't I seen her since I woke up?

At this time normally, Mom should have already prepared breakfast.

Also, if they were just there to pick her up to play, why did Xiao Yi and Sister Nuo Ya rush over overnight?

More importantly, did Mom agree to take Xiao Yi out to play so easily?

Her movements gradually slowed down. Gazing at the bright morning light outside the window, her small brows furrowed slightly, and a faint unease crept into her heart, causing her to slow down her tidying up.

...Xiao Yi would never lie to her, but Xiao Yi didn't say anything.

The fact that she didn't say anything proves that Xiao Yi must have her own difficulties, so she didn't want to tell her.

Bai Shishi pursed her lips, stopped packing her luggage, and then picked up her phone to call her mother.

Chapter 183 May I come in?

Time ticked by, and more than an hour had passed since Bai Shishi ran back to her room with her backpack.

Mo Xiangwen and Yan Nuoya were scrolling through their phones outside, glancing up at the closed door every now and then, but they never saw her come out.

At first, Mo Xiangwen thought that girls always need more time to pack their things before going out, and with so many cosmetics and clothes to choose from, it's normal for things to be a bit complicated.

He waited patiently for another half hour, but the room remained quiet and showed no signs of life.

He finally couldn't sit still any longer, so he stood up, walked to Bai Shishi's door, and gently knocked.

"Shishi? Are you still packing? Do you need any help?"

After the knocking, there was a long silence inside before a muffled response came: "...No, I'm sorry."

Something about this sound is off.

Mo Xiangwen's heart tightened. Wasn't he just looking cheerful a moment ago?

Why does her voice sound so downcast right now, even with a strong nasal tone?

"Shishi," he asked with some concern, "may I come in?"

"Ah."

Only a simple reply came from inside.

Mo Xiangwen gently turned the doorknob and went inside. The scene that came into view made him slightly startled.

Bai Shishi wasn't packing her luggage; instead, she was curled up on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, her small body huddled together.

His large travel backpack lay open beside her, next to several neatly folded dresses that he hadn't had time to put in yet... and a white...

No, he didn't see anything.

Mo Xiangwen immediately looked away, forcing himself to focus his attention on Bai Shishi herself.

Bai Shishi really doesn't treat him like an outsider; she didn't even bother to tidy up before letting him in.

He was about to ask a question when he suddenly noticed that Bai Shishi's condition was a bit off.

Bai Shishi looked at him silently. His usually bright red eyes, which were always full of smiles, seemed to be covered with a layer of gray, revealing little emotion.

Her eyes were visibly red, her long eyelashes were wet and stuck together, and she pursed her lips tightly, as if she was trying her best to restrain herself.

Almost instantly, Mo Xiangwen realized that the counselor's affair must have been exposed.

Although the counselor did not reveal any specific details to him, only saying that there was an emergency at home, he was, to some extent, completely unaware of the situation.

But when he looked into Shishi's slightly moist eyes, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and embarrassment.

Regardless, he did help the counselor deceive Bai Shishi.

“Shishi…” He stepped forward and finally spoke: “I’m sorry.”

However, Bai Shishi did not answer his question.

She suddenly stood up, reached out, hugged his waist tightly, buried her face in his chest, and rubbed against him forcefully.

Bai Shishi's muffled voice came from his chest, tinged with obvious sobs: "I know... Mom just told me on the phone... that you, Xiao Yi, don't know the specifics..."

She sniffed and continued, "I know Xiao Yi didn't tell me right away... she must have had her reasons... I don't blame Xiao Yi..."

What could Mo Xiangwen say at this moment? All the words he had prepared were now meaningless, as the girl in his arms had already cleared his name beyond redemption.

He could only raise his hand and gently stroke her hair again and again, hoping that this comfort would make her feel a little better.

In the quiet room, only the girl's barely suppressed, faint sobs could be heard for a moment.

After a long while, Bai Shishi spoke again, her voice filled with frustration: "It's all my fault, my body is just too weak."

"My dad always works overtime to earn money to treat my illness... My mom is the same; she always takes good care of me and tries her best to fulfill all my wishes, afraid that I might be even a little bit unhappy."

"They must be very, very tired."

Her voice trailed off, tinged with guilt: "Mom didn't tell me what happened. She just told me not to worry and to go play with Xiao Yi."

"But, but I've tried so hard to be sensible and obedient... why did I still end up becoming a burden to them?"

Even though it sounded a bit confusing, he still roughly understood what Bai Shishi was trying to say.

Ultimately, he couldn't expect a girl caught in a negative mood to clearly articulate her thoughts logically.

After all, not everyone is Yan Nuoya.

"Now... now I have to make you and Sister Nuoya travel all the way here to pick me up..." Bai Shishi said sadly, and finally couldn't hold back her tears, which soaked Mo Xiangwen's shirt.

Hearing this, Mo Xiangwen stopped stroking her hair.

He took a deep breath and explained slowly and clearly, "What do you mean, that I and Noah traveled all the way to pick you up? That's not true at all."

He immediately dismissed Bai Shishi's words and said urgently, "Do you think what I said, 'Shishi is very welcome to come and visit,' was fake? Was it just polite talk?"

"Whether it's me, Nuoya, or Mengli and Mengyao, everyone likes Shishi very much."

"Besides, Shishi, you have never been a burden to us."

"Shishi, I've always remembered and been grateful for the character illustrations you drew for the novel."

"You drew it so carefully and meticulously, especially 'Bai Shiyin'. Every detail was handled very well. She is just as lovely as you, Shishi."

"And the little fox spirit in 'The Fox's Wandering in Chang'an,' isn't everyone saying they really like her?"

He didn't care whether it was useful or not; he just racked his brains to list everything he could think of.

"So, Shishi, how could you be a burden to me? You are an indispensable main force in our studio, a friend who plays games with us and brings us a lot of joy, and an important partner who has given us a lot of help and happiness."

"Shishi has never been a burden to me, and she will never be a burden to her uncles and aunts in the future."

After saying that, he lowered his hand from Bai Shishi's shoulder and gently pulled her into his arms.

"No rush, Shishi," he whispered in her ear, trying to make his voice as gentle as possible. "Life's journey is long, and everything can take its time. Everyone will be there for you, helping you get better little by little. And right now..."

He spoke slowly while gently stroking Bai Shishi's back, trying to help her relax.

"Now put all your worries aside and come back with me to have a happy winter vacation."

"This is what you need to do most right now, and it's also what will make your aunt and uncle feel most at ease and happy. That's enough, understand?"

The girl in his arms quieted down, her small hands clutching his shirt tightly. After several seconds, she responded softly:

"Ah."

Chapter 184 Your Son Brings a Female Classmate Home

Mo Xiangwen, carrying a backpack full of stuff, with Bai Shishi following closely behind like a little tail, had just stepped out of the room when he saw Yan Nuoya standing by the sofa, looking unusually restless.

Seeing them come out, Yan Nuoya immediately looked at him, and the moment their eyes met, she blinked quickly.

Has the truth come out?

Mo Xiangwen immediately understood.

It seems the soundproofing of the room door is indeed quite good. Yan Nuoya needs to confirm with him that she did not hear the specific situation inside.

That's true. Didn't he also miss the conversation between Bai Shishi and her counselor when he was outside?

He nodded slightly to Yan Nuoya, giving her an affirming look.

Yan Nuoya knew just as much as he did, so he had no need to, and could not, hide it from her.

Yan Nuoya nodded slightly, said nothing, and turned her gaze to Bai Shishi, who was trying to hide behind him.

However, Bai Shishi was almost entirely huddled behind him, so Yan Nuoya couldn't see anything for a moment.

Just then, Bai Shishi noticed that he had stopped and curiously peeked her head out from behind him, meeting Yan Nuoya's gaze.

The next moment, she shrank back quickly like a startled little animal, as if she had returned to the shy and timid look she had when they first met.

The usually aloof Yan Nuoya did not give up; she made an unexpected move.

Instead of pretending not to see her as usual, she took the initiative to walk up to Bai Shishi.

Bai Shishi noticed Yan Nuoya's actions and quickly buried her face in his back, her voice muffled as she said, "Nuoya-jie, don't look at me..."

She probably realized that her situation had been seen through, and her tone was clearly embarrassed.

Mo Xiangwen quickly understood Yan Nuoya's thoughts. He gently ruffled Bai Shishi's hair and said softly, "It's okay, Nuoya won't laugh at you."

Bai Shishi reluctantly moved her face away from his back and looked at Yan Nuoya hesitantly.

Bai Shishi had just cried, and although he had carefully wiped her eyes, her redness was still very noticeable.

Unexpectedly, Yan Nuoya suddenly reached out and gently hugged Bai Shishi.

"Shishi, we are friends." Her cool voice carried a rare gentleness.

Bai Shishi was clearly taken aback by Yan Nuoya's actions and was momentarily stunned, letting her hug her.

After a while, she finally realized what was happening, happily hummed in agreement, and reached out to hug Yan Nuoya back.

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Mo Xiangwen asked at the opportune moment, "Shishi, is there anything else that needs to be packed?"

Bai Shishi shook her head and whispered, "No, that's all."

"Then let's set off."

Fortunately, the holiday had already lasted for several days, and high-speed rail tickets became much easier to buy; they bought the tickets very easily.

Because Bai Shishi was traveling with them, they didn't buy first-class tickets this time, but instead bought three second-class tickets for consecutive seats.

The station was bustling with people, and Bai Shishi followed him almost every step of the way. Fortunately, the hurried travelers didn't have much time to pay attention to them, or perhaps some people thought they were doing some kind of role-playing.

Once on the train, he naturally sat on the outermost side, Yan Nuoya sat in the middle, and Bai Shishi leaned against the window.

This was Bai Shishi's first time riding a high-speed train. As the train started moving and the scenery outside the window rushed by, her attention was completely drawn to it, and her originally low mood seemed to be somewhat relieved by this novel experience.

That afternoon, they arrived safely in Mo Xiangwen's hometown, a small county town.