Everything still requires careful planning.
The education Tang Youxi received from childhood taught her that those in power should remain unperturbed when Mount Tai collapses before them, nor flinch when a deer appears to their left, only then can they control advantages and prepare for enemies.
The current situation is also dire; the more it is, the calmer she must be.
Facing challenges with composure is the only way to break through adversity and turn the tide.
Taking deep breaths, Tang Youxi endured the lingering pain while continuously mulling over possibilities in her mind.
Seeing Tang Youxi lying down obediently, Li Xiaoxiao first tucked in the corners of her quilt, then found two soft cloth dolls to place beside Tang Youxi's pillow.
Afterward, she prepared a teapot, tea, and a small plate of snacks.
Finally, she sat down beside Tang Youxi, gently patting her body under the quilt while humming a little tune.
"What are you doing?" Tang Youxi's thoughts were interrupted, and she looked at the person by the bed with a hint of exasperation.
"I'm coaxing you. Don't you have a headache?" Tang Youxi said, "When Da Ya gets a bad headache, she needs me to coax her like this before she can fall asleep."
"You guys... are spoiling her too much... too much." Tang Youxi didn't want to equate Da Ya in her amnesiac state with herself, but she also knew the underlying contradiction and looked down with a touch of embarrassment.
"What does it matter? When I'm feeling down, my brother also coaxes me like this," Li Xiaoxiao shrugged indifferently.
"I've wanted to say this for a while now, but isn't your and your brother's living dynamic reversed?" Tang Youxi looked at Li Xiaoxiao and said.
"It's been like this for as long as I can remember," Li Xiaoxiao immediately added upon seeing Tang Youxi's strange expression, "I think I was kidnapped when I was little and hit my head, so I don't remember anything before that."
"You..." Tang Youxi's gaze shifted slightly.
Although she often fell into an amnesiac state now, once her memory returned, she could recall everything, including the helplessness, fear, and loneliness of her amnesiac periods.
That feeling was incredibly difficult.
"It's actually fine. I have my brother to take care of me, and I'm a pretty optimistic person, so I don't dwell much on the things I can't remember," Li Xiaoxiao said, resting her chin on her hands. "Actually, I only learned about what happened before my amnesia in the last two years. I was kidnapped again recently, and if it weren't for Qing Tian, I might have lost my life."
"Xia Qing Tian..." Tang Youxi murmured the name, her expression complicated. "She's a smart person."
"Of course! Qing Tian is amazing, isn't she? Quick-witted, beautiful, gentle, beautiful, enthusiastic, and beautiful." When Li Xiaoxiao mentioned Xia Qing Tian, her eyes sparkled.
"You've mentioned how beautiful she is too many times!" Tang Youxi chuckled lightly.
"Because she really is beautiful! Let me show you!" Li Xiaoxiao immediately fetched her iPad and, like a preacher, found a pile of Xia Qing Tian's compilation videos. "These are all my treasured ones. Isn't she beautiful? Sometimes I'm really surprised that such an outstanding person is my good friend!"
Tang Youxi looked at Li Xiaoxiao, her expression somewhat subtle.
From a young age, she had been taught to hide her emotions, never reveal her likes or dislikes, and not let joy or sorrow show on her face.
The last time she cried was on the day her grandfather passed away.
Seeing Li Xiaoxiao express her feelings and affection for Xia Qing Tian so openly, Tang Youxi felt a little unaccustomed. After a long while, she finally replied, "You're very good too."
"What's so good about me?" Li Xiaoxiao said, scratching the back of her head. "Actually, I'm quite envious of you guys.
Qing Tian has Qing Yu, and you have Er Ya. I only have one brother. Actually, I really wish I had a sister.
Although my brother is good, brothers are ultimately different from sisters. Some things can only be shared with sisters and not clearly explained to brothers."
"Er Ya and I were separated from childhood and are not familiar with each other. There's nothing for you to envy," Tang Youxi said calmly.
"Qing Tian and Qing Yu weren't together from childhood either. Qing Yu was brought into the family by Aunt Liu when she remarried into Qing Tian's family. They're also sisters by circumstance. If we're really counting, you and Er Ya even have a blood relationship, so you're ahead," Li Xiaoxiao said, raising an eyebrow.
"Blood relationship, hehe." Tang Youxi sneered, recalling those of the same clan who had threatened her with violence. "Is it that important?"
"Of course, it's important!" Li Xiaoxiao, agitated, clasped Tang Youxi's hand and said earnestly, "You and Er Ya look so alike, if it weren't for your hairstyles, I'd have trouble telling you two apart! You were together and dependent on each other before you were born, you once shared the same heart. There's no one else in this world closer than you two. Isn't that important?"
"..." Tang Youxi was stunned for a moment, then blinked. "Then, perhaps... it is important."
"Right!" Li Xiaoxiao then released Tang Youxi's hand, saying with a hint of regret, "It seems I should have had an older sister too."
Tang Youxi was about to say something when a sharp pain shot through her head, causing her to gasp, "Hiss..."
"What's wrong? Is it starting to hurt already? Then I won't bother you anymore." Seeing this, Li Xiaoxiao didn't dare to disturb Tang Youxi further and just stayed by her side quietly.
As the pain gradually subsided, Tang Youxi slowly opened her eyes and looked at Li Xiaoxiao. Her expression was full of grievance, her eyes were watery, and her voice was hoarse. "Xiaoxiao... it hurts."
"Good girl, Da Ya." Hearing that voice, Li Xiaoxiao knew that the person before her had reverted to the amnesiac Da Ya. "Go to sleep. I'll stay here with you. You won't hurt when you wake up."
"When will Er Ya be back?" Da Ya asked Li Xiaoxiao.
"Maybe she'll be back by the time you wake up," Li Xiaoxiao said softly. "Sleep now."
"Mhm." Da Ya responded and then obediently closed her eyes.
Li Xiaoxiao gently patted Da Ya, humming a soft tune to soothe her.
Soon, Da Ya fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Er Ya rushed to the Xia family, fuming. As soon as she entered, she heard laughter and chatter, which only made her more annoyed.
Xia Qing Tian was too much, ditching her and laughing so happily with others.
"Oh? Er Ya is back." Seeing Er Ya, Aunt Liu was about to greet her but noticed Er Ya's pouting expression. "What's wrong?"
"Xia Qing Tian! You dared to ditch me!" Er Ya had come specifically to settle scores with Xia Qing Tian. She had mentally prepared herself repeatedly.
This time, she definitely wouldn't forgive Xia Qing Tian with just a few words!
She, Er Ya, also had her temper!
Walking with purpose, Er Ya quickly approached Xia Qing Tian. Upon reaching Xia Qing Tian's side, Er Ya noticed two unfamiliar foreign beauties sitting next to her.
Er Ya froze on the spot, blinking with a look of astonishment. "Qing Tian! Foreigners!"