Zhong Qingjian grew up in a privileged environment and had never witnessed the lives of ordinary people. In her impression, every family should be like the Zhong family; she had yet to realize the gap between the two families.
Her recent words had hardened Zhong's father's resolve. Other people's children could never be truly raised to be one's own. He decided to send her back the next day.
After speaking, Zhong Qingjian ran upstairs, hugged her beloved doll, and cried under the covers. She wondered what her biological parents' home would be like. As she thought about it, she fell asleep.
She woke up early the next morning. When she didn't receive her usual wake-up call from her Zhong mother, she suddenly realized that everything from yesterday was real and not a dream.
Stubbornly, she dressed herself, put on her shoes, and tied her hair. She hesitated about what to bring back home when Zhong mother happened to come and knock on the door.
Zhong Qingjian turned back, her eyes filled with resentment. "Why are you still here? Go see your precious biological daughter! Please send me home quickly, back to my own home. I don't want to be an eyesore to your family."
Zhong mother was so stunned by her words that she forgot what she had intended to say. After a pause, she said with some disappointment, "Come down for breakfast. We'll send you home later."
At this moment, Zhong Qinghuai, who was standing behind Zhong mother, rushed out, his arms spread in a protective stance in front of Zhong mother.
"Why are you being so mean to Mom? Has our family lacked food or drink because of you? Do you think everyone is like you, needing Mom to wake them up even at this age? Junjun woke up on her own long ago."
"Hmph, you are the real family. You'll be happy once you get rid of me," Zhong Qingjian said, clutching her doll, and rushed out.
Zhong Qinghuai hesitated, "Mom, was I too harsh just now? Does our family really have to send Qingjian away? Can't we keep both younger sisters?"
"Why are you suddenly saying this? Weren't you very annoyed with Qingjian before?"
"I just... I just disliked her a little. I didn't want her to leave this home. Will I never see her again?"
"No, she's just going back to her own home. If Qinghuai misses her in the future, he can visit her at her home. Just like little birds must return to their own nests, Junjun is our family's little bird, and Qingjian is someone else's little bird."
"Yes, I understand. Little birds who can't stay with their parents are very pitiful. Qingjian will be happy to return to her biological parents."
Looking at her son, whose mood had shifted from gloomy to sunny, Zhong mother suddenly felt her own gloom lift. Everything would soon be back on track, and this was the most correct course of action.
Zhong mother asked Zhong Qingjian what she needed to prepare to take back and if there was anything she needed to buy. Zhong Qingjian remained sullen and said nothing, so Zhong mother stopped asking.
Zhong father felt even more displeased. He himself was reluctant to show his wife a bad temper. How could Zhong Qingjian, an outsider, dare to? Since she wouldn't speak, she wouldn't get to take anything.
Zhong Qingjian held her doll and arrogantly lifted her head, as if declaring her disdain for everything belonging to the Zhong family.
However, when breakfast was served, she lowered her head and ate two large bowls, having gone hungry the previous night.
Her behavior made Zhong Qinghuai laugh frequently. After breakfast, everyone got into the car to go to the Xu family's house.
Sitting in the car, Zhong Qingjian pouted, almost crying from grievance. She couldn't take her little formal dress, her fluffy skirt, or the small jewelry bought by Zhong father and Zhong mother.
As the scenery outside changed, Zhong Qinghuai was initially very interested and chattered incessantly. After a few hours, he fell asleep, while Jun Jiuli acted demurely beside him.
Meanwhile, Zhong Qingjian felt very uneasy. Though tired, she couldn't fall asleep. She kept looking out the window, eager to know what her future living environment would be like.
Soon, she too fell asleep. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed the scenery becoming increasingly desolate. The road had changed from high-speed asphalt to somewhat bumpy cement, and the buildings outside gradually transitioned from high-rises to crowded small residential buildings.
Xiao Wang's driving skills were good, but the car still jolted continuously, making it uncomfortable for everyone inside.
"Sir, this street is a bit old. We'll be there shortly, please bear with us."
"It's alright, continue driving."
The car finally stopped. "Sir, we've arrived. This is the only parking lot in the vicinity."
"Good, you can wait here for us."
"Yes."
Zhong Qinghuai was the first to get out of the car. It was his first time taking such a long car ride, and he felt miserable. His feet felt a little better only when they touched the ground.
"Mom, why is the parking lot here full of mud and stones?"
"That's because the parking lot here hasn't been renovated yet."
"Oh, I see. Sister lived here all along, so she must have come here to play often." He looked at Jun Jiuli with his big dark eyes, a look of pure innocence on his face.
Then he ran over and took Jun Jiuli's hand. "I secretly brought a lot of toys. I can give them to Junjun's friends later."
Zhong father and Zhong mother looked at Jun Jiuli with concern. Qinghuai had no bad intentions, but he had inadvertently touched a sensitive spot for her, and they worried she might overthink it. This child hadn't consulted them beforehand about preparing toys.
Jun Jiuli didn't appear very disappointed. She stated with remarkable composure, "I don't have friends here. Every day, I have to play with Sister Qingjian's brother and help Aunt Xu with housework.
When I have free time, I have to collect trash. I don't have time to make friends, and they all think I'm dirty. I've never been here before because Aunt Xu's family doesn't have a car."
Her way of addressing the Xu family and her words made Zhong father and Zhong mother feel deeply remorseful. If only they had discovered her sooner and found her themselves, their daughter wouldn't have suffered so much.
Her nonchalant attitude made them realize even more clearly how detestable the Xu family was to her. Any lingering feelings of pity or affection for Zhong Qingjian vanished completely.
"Wuwuwu, I don't want to get out of the car. The ground here is so dirty, it will get my new leather shoes dirty. I want to go home, I want to go home~ cough cough~ wah wah~"
Zhong Qingjian's shrill cries shattered the previous atmosphere. Xiao Wang prepared to carry her out of the car, but she clung tightly to the car door, refusing to get out, crying with all her might.
Xiao Wang dared not use force and could only let her fuss. At this moment, Zhong father spoke, "Hurry up, don't waste time. Can't you handle a little girl?"
Xiao Wang quickly pulled with force, placing her on the ground. Zhong Qingjian, crying and hiccuping, her clever little mind had already understood her current predicament.
She quickly ran over, intending to hug Zhong mother. She knew who in this family loved her the most and whose heart was the softest.
"Mom, Mom. I don't want to leave you, you can't abandon me," she cried, gasping and hiccuping, her small hands tightly gripping Zhong mother's trouser leg.
Zhong mother forcefully pried her hands away, one by one, and said very seriously, "From now on, I am no longer your mother. You must learn to adapt to the life that originally belonged to you."
Finally, led by Jun Jiuli, Xiao Wang carried Zhong Qingjian, who was on the verge of fainting, and the group walked up the dark and narrow stairs towards the Xu family's home.