I Want Her to See Only Me - Chapter 8

Xia Xiuyin drove around the school multiple times, then climbed up and down the TV tower with the reporter a few rounds before returning to the mansion at night.

She took off her shoes by the entrance and was about to step into the living room when she heard a soft thump against her leg, followed by a tiny figure crashing into her.

Xia Yu had wrapped her arms around Xia Xiuyin’s waist, her fuzzy head buried in Xia Xiuyin’s abdomen.

“A’Yu?”

Xia Xiuyin froze momentarily, but upon realizing it was Xia Yu, she relaxed. She didn’t rush to move, instead allowing the child to cling to her.

Xia Yu was still wearing that pure white lace dress, the skirt billowing like a dream. In contrast to this sweetness was Xia Yu’s small body, which trembled slightly.

She wasn’t crying, nor could Xia Xiuyin hear her breathing; the child simply clung to her quietly, even her sadness silent.

A light moisture seeped through Xia Xiuyin’s shirt, clinging to her abdomen, as if asking her to empathize with the child.

Xia Xiuyin’s slender fingers combed through Xia Yu’s soft hair, soothing her little cousin. Once Xia Yu’s emotions settled, Xia Xiuyin cupped her face, taking in her reddened eyes and tear-stained lashes.

Lowering her head, Xia Xiuyin nuzzled Xia Yu’s nose, and the two locked eyes.

“Tell Sister, who bullied our A’Yu?” Warm fingertips gently wiped away the tears.

Xia Yu’s tears wouldn’t stop flowing, soaking her cheeks and staining her clothes. Xia Xiuyin worried the child might dehydrate from crying so much.

Xia Yu shook her head. Xia Xiuyin didn’t force her to speak. Instead, she held Xia Yu by the back, placing Xia Yu’s feet on her own legs, and guided the child unsteadily to the sofa.

The two moved almost as one, Xia Yu clinging to Xia Xiuyin and greedily opening her eyes wide, as if trying to carve an image of her cousin into her mind.

Xia Xiuyin fell backward onto the sofa, pulling Xia Yu down with her. The two bounced lightly on the soft cushion, and Xia Yu lifted her head from Xia Xiuyin’s chest, face bright red, not knowing where to place her hands.

“Sister…”

The residual tears made Xia Yu’s eyes glisten, her round pupils framed with a layer of faint red at the corners, highlighting the doll-like fairness of her face.

She stared blankly at Xia Xiuyin, who smiled back at her, and finally stopped crying.

“Miss, you’re finally back.” Aunt Chen emerged from the kitchen holding a ceramic fruit platter with multiple compartments. She was delighted to see Xia Xiuyin at first, then noticed Xia Yu’s tear-stained face and felt a surge of sympathy. “Aiyo, my dear, why are you crying? How did you get so upset?”

Xia Xiuyin pinched Xia Yu’s cheeks, wiped gently with a wet towel, and said, “Looks like Aunt Chen doesn’t know either…”

“Most likely, she misses you.” Aunt Chen placed the silver fork on the fruit plate, then slid it toward Xia Xiuyin. “You don’t know this, but not long after you left this afternoon, our little treasure here started wandering about in a daze. She had promised to help me, but after half an hour, she hadn’t even managed to peel a handful of soybeans.

“Later, I told her to go play outside. But look, she’d only taken apart the puzzle a few times, then moved her little stool over and sat by the door waiting for you.”

Aunt Chen knew Xia Yu didn’t speak much, nor did she naturally know how to act cute like other children, so she eagerly described the extent of her attachment to Xia Xiuyin.

Xia Yu clutched at the hem of Xia Xiuyin’s clothes, too afraid to move, her face reddened as she lowered her head, pitifully gazing at Xia Xiuyin.

“Why are you acting like a puppy?” Xia Xiuyin laughed, holding Xia Yu’s small hand, noticing Xia Yu shiver slightly.

Carefully studying the child, Xia Yu’s clear eyes were filled with the same longing, focus, hope, and anxiety as before, but now there was a sudden trace of panic.

Had she made Xia Yu feel anxious?

She thought she had given Xia Yu enough reassurance and promises.

Burying this tiny doubt deep within her heart, she gently stroked Xia Yu’s hair, where she had personally placed a cute hairpin earlier.

“Did you take a nap today?” After deliberating within her mind, Xia Xiuyin finally settled on a topic that would not upset Xia Yu.

Xia Yu must not have slept well in the trash bin, yet unexpectedly, the child grew anxious again, her body stiff as she darted her gaze away from Xia Xiuyin.

Xia Xiuyin softened her voice. “Tell me, Sister.”

Xia Yu was close to letting loose and crying.

At noon, Aunt Chen had told her to take a nap. But back then, all Xia Yu could think about was wanting to see Xia Xiuyin when she returned, unable to bring herself to listen.

How foolish. Even pretending to comply would have been better.

Now, she had become a disobedient child.

Xia Yu’s heart was sensitive and delicate. Aunt Chen’s words made her realize that perhaps her sister had picked her up off the streets because she needed a new pet, and it just so happened that she encountered Xia Yu.

Her sister was so kind; she must have felt sorry for Xia Yu’s young age, so she took her home out of sympathy.

How could Xia Yu not listen to her and make her sister unhappy?

With tears in her eyes, she shook her head regretfully, her voice small and soft. “No… No.”

Xia Yu’s voice was tender and childish, with a hint of sobbing, making it sound even more endearing.

Xia Xiuyin adored this voice.

She looked at Xia Yu’s misty eyes, feeling a tickle in her throat, but she managed to hold back her tears, speaking gently as usual. “Then go to bed early tonight, okay? Little kids need lots of sleep.”

Xia Xiuyin couldn’t help but look at Xia Yu’s face one last time, her own eyes brimming with tears. She nodded, “Okay~”

This was her sister, who was so kind and gentle, who didn’t dislike her at all, and even promised to give her a home.

“Good girl.” Xia Xiuyin gently pinched her finger.

Aunt Chen’s heart melted as she watched this scene. Never had she seen the young mistress treat anyone with such sincerity, and Xia Yu indeed was a lovable child.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t have time to choose more carefully,” Xia Xiuyin said softly as she helped Xia Yu straighten her collar. “Let’s go shopping together in a few days.”

Xia Xiuyin had purchased a cotton dress with a strapless bodice, paired with a thin, candy-colored coat embroidered with colorful patches, making the whole outfit look sweet and youthful.

“It fits you perfectly.” She praised Xia Yu, who cautiously held the hem of the dress, “You look lovely in it.”

The little girl lowered her head bashfully.

Xia Xiuyin knew Xia Yu cared about the children’s clothing stored at home; those finely tailored outfits and accessories were clearly prepared for a child whom the owner loved dearly.

She often imagined what kind of girl would wear these beautiful clothes.

Am I cuter than her? Am I more obedient than her? Am I more liked than her?

Xia Yu would never say these things aloud, but her fingers subconsciously stroking the hem of her dress and her eyes staring blankly at the puzzle and toys told Xia Xiuyin that she feared she wasn’t as beloved.

Xia Xiuyin felt a tremor at the tips of her fingers, feeling the sincerity of these innocent thoughts.

She had always been waiting, waiting for a container capable of holding her love.

It could be unwise, it could be unattractive, but it had to love her, and only her.

“Thank you… Sister…”

Amidst Xia Yu’s longing gaze, Xia Xiuyin thought perhaps she had found this container.

After comforting Xia Yu, Xia Xiuyin found a tablet and taught her how to play games.

Knowing Xia Yu could count, she downloaded a few puzzles and left the girl to try them on her own.

“A’Yu, have fun playing here. Sister will come down shortly.”

The little girl waved at her obediently, the corners of her eyes still red, like a little bunny.

Xia Xiuyin hadn’t slept a wink that night, nor had she rested much during the day while traveling. Her body was already stretched to its limit.

She soaked in a warm bath until her tense muscles relaxed, then stepped out, wrapped in a towel.

Aunt Chen was ironing tomorrow’s outfit in Xia Xiuyin’s bedroom. Recalling the child’s strange behavior when she first returned home, Xia Xiuyin sat before her vanity mirror and asked, pretending to be nonchalant, “What did you and A’Yu do today, Aunt Chen?”

“That child is sensible and helped me with a few things.” Aunt Chen carefully folded the shirt’s collar, then suddenly recalled something. “Oh right, she also chatted with me for a bit. I told her you waited until 4 A.M. this morning for Mr. Fang to finally agree to let you keep another pet…” Unaware of the effect her words had, Aunt Chen smiled. “Miss, when are you going to bring another cat or dog home?”

So that was what had happened. Knowing Xia Yu must have already sensed something amiss with her sensitivity, Xia Xiuyin rubbed her fingers together contentedly. “Mm… I don’t need one right now.”

She had already found the most desirable pet; there was no need to waste time elsewhere.