Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – No One is Unwilling

The first thing Mei Fang did was tell his father, Mei Lijun, about buying lottery tickets. Of course, he didn’t mention that the money came from Xia Yuan; instead, he said it was his own lucky money saved up from New Year’s gifts.

Although most of the lucky money children receive is usually taken by their parents from the time they start remembering things, parents often still give them some pocket money symbolically.

Although Mei Lijun was surprised that his son dared to buy lottery tickets himself, he didn’t say much. He just asked Mei Fang which four teams he had chosen and when Mei Fang said he would collect the prize himself, Mei Lijun couldn’t help but mock him.

“What kind of rankings did you pick? How could you win with such random choices? It’s a waste of money. Why don’t you ask your dad for advice? Could someone with their level get into the top four? Use your brain.”

“Father, don’t be so overconfident. Let’s talk about what if you win?”

“If we win, I’ll call you dad, okay? Haha.” Mei Lijun patted Mei Fang on the head, full of teasing.

“Father, stop being childish.” Mei Fang pulled away Mei Lijun’s hand. “If we really win, just give me some of the money.”

“Why not all of it? This is money you spent yourself on lottery tickets. If you win, it should all be yours.”

Mei Fang thought, ‘I don’t believe you at all.’ If adults took children’s promises seriously and cared about their thoughts and emotions, there wouldn’t be so many issues in original families.

Thinking about it, even if he did get the money, wouldn’t it end up being stored away under the pretense of saving it?

Mei Fang thought for a moment. “Then how about this… I want you to buy something for me.”

“Okay, if we really win, I’ll buy whatever you want!”

After some time passed, two weeks since Mei Fang’s rebirth, the most important event during this period was the national team being eliminated. This led to a period where the atmosphere at home and among neighbors was suffocating.

Of course, the kindergarten adjusted quickly. Without the national team programs to watch, the children returned to their usual lively state. It was here that Mei Fang truly realized how terrifying little kids could be.

When disputes arose over toys, children would slap each other or bite each other’s faces, and the child who cried first after the teacher arrived would pretend to be aggrieved;

During meals, some children wouldn’t eat properly, while mischievous children would scoop meatballs from others’ bowls or secretly spill food on the ground;

Some children liked to stick tape on their faces, wrapping it around and then pulling it off, making monkey-like noises.

“Monkey Steals Peaches” was a common trick used by boys when playing, and sometimes innocent passing Mei Fang would also be involved.

This made Mei Fang feel extremely hopeless.

How could one plan a grand life goal while surrounded by these demons and ghosts!

A picture of [Human joys and sorrows differ, I only find them noisy] should be added here, with Mei Fang sitting in the middle.

Among these, the most prominent was the future top student, Lin You Xi.

She was an object of great attention for the teachers at the kindergarten.

She liked to suddenly stand up when the teacher was lecturing with her back turned, then sit down again when the teacher turned back;

While eating, she would suddenly lift her leg high as if practicing a split;

While everyone else prepared for naptime, she alone played with water at the sink;

“Lin You Xi, you’re taking over!”

“Lin You Xi, you’re being naughty again!”

“Lin You Xi, sit properly!”

Such scoldings were common in Mei Fang’s kindergarten experiences. Additionally, Lin You Xi wasn’t very hygienic; she always had a runny nose and played around carelessly, so few children wanted to play with her. Xia Yuan was almost the only girl willing to get close to her.

“Lin You Xi, remember to wipe your nose. Mom says every child should be clean.”

Mei Fang often saw Xia Yuan chasing after Lin You Xi, helping her wipe her nose, stopping her mischief, and generally taking care of her like a mother.

It might just be a coincidence with the same name.

Or perhaps his rebirth had triggered a butterfly effect, creating a parallel world?

If not for a slight resemblance, Mei Fang would have completely disconnected Lin You Xi from the prodigy he knew in his previous life.

To Mei Fang, Lin You Xi was just a bit more mischievous and active, not bullying other children or doing anything bad. A couple of criticisms were fine, but being singled out by the teacher seemed a bit excessive.

She gave the impression of deliberately seeking attention.

After Xia Yuan pulled Lin You Xi aside to apologize last time, Lin You Xi began to deliberately avoid Mei Fang. When Mei Fang tried to talk to her, she only nodded or shook her head.

Accurately speaking, other children treated her similarly, except Xia Yuan, who would whisper something to her or lean in to say something quietly.

That day it rained heavily, with lightning and thunder outside. Many children couldn’t sleep well during naptime, and the classroom atmosphere was gloomy. The mischievous boys enjoyed scaring girls with sudden loud noises, making them cry and wish to go home early.

The mature Mei Fang never got close to the children, eagerly waiting for the day he could grow up and make money. He thought today should decide the World Cup semifinalists, and he was eager to see his father’s shocked face after being proven wrong.

Finally, school ended, but the rain and thunder showed no signs of stopping. Teachers were constantly receiving calls, and parents arrived late to pick up their children. One by one, the children left until only Xia Yuan, Mei Fang, and Lin You Xi remained.

“Come on, let’s play house one more time. This time, I’ll be the dad, Lin You Xi will be the mom, and Mei Fang will be the baby… Mei Fang, hold your doll, what are you doing…”

Mei Fang pointed out the window. “Your mom is here to pick you up.”

“Mom!”

Xia Yuan, who had been enjoying herself, rushed toward her mother holding an umbrella and complained somewhat resentfully,

“Why are you so late?”

“There was something at school… Mom will make cola chicken wings for you when we get home. Is that okay?”

“Okay!”

Xia Yuan waved back, “Mei Fang, Lin You Xi, I’m going home now! See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, auntie.”

When Xia Yuan’s mother saw Mei Fang, she smiled and asked, “Hasn’t your family come to pick you up yet, Mei Fang? Do you want to come with us? Xia Yuan’s father drove over, so he can take you home too.”

“Can we take Lin You Xi with us? Come to my house for cola chicken wings!”

Xia Yuan hoped all her friends could visit her house, but her mother looked hesitant, clearly unprepared to host guests.

At this moment, Lin You Xi shook her head forcefully, refusing. Mei Fang thought it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to go alone, so he responded,

“Thank you, auntie, but I’ll wait for my dad. He should be here soon.”

“See you tomorrow then!”

Xia Yuan was the key connection between Mei Fang and Lin You Xi. Once Xia Yuan left, Mei Fang and Lin You Xi immediately lost interest in continuing to play.

Lin You Xi alternated between staring out the window and peering outside the door. The teacher, engrossed in reading a touching article in Reader’s Digest, was interrupted and scolded Lin You Xi,

“Lin You Xi, don’t open the door. The rain is coming in.”

She closed the magazine, boredly looking out the window.

“Why haven’t your parents come yet? It’s so hard to wait…”

The sky was already dark. Lin You Xi kept her eyes fixed on the rain outside, her head drooping, like a sleepy little animal waiting for prey for a long time.

She had never been so quiet before.

Soon, the sound of a motorcycle could be heard outside. Lin You Xi jumped up like a rabbit with her ears perked up, looking outside, then sat down dejectedly.

It was Mei Fang’s father, Mei Lijun.

“Damn… Today’s rain is really heavy. Teacher Li, thank you for your trouble. Has Mei Fang been safe?”

Teacher Li finally had a chance to vent her frustration, “You parents really need to learn. Next time, come earlier to pick up your children. It’s almost time for the news.”

“It’s not too late to go back now.”

“It’s too late. There’s still one more child…”

Teacher Li walked quickly to Lin You Xi, “I called your dad just now, but no one answered. Would you like to go home with me first?”

Teacher Li was not gentle in class and often criticized Lin You Xi the most. Lin You Xi refused to go to Xia Yuan’s house and certainly wouldn’t go to hers.

“What should I do then? Can’t I just wait here with you forever?”

The teacher’s words carried a dismissive tone, which was very sensitive for the children, especially for Lin You Xi.

At this moment, Mei Fang noticed that Lin You Xi’s eyes were already red.

…

Mei Fang stopped his father, Mei Lijun, who was about to take him home. “Dad, Lin You Xi’s dad hasn’t come. Can we bring Lin You Xi home with us?”

“You really…”

Mei Lijun glanced at Lin You Xi lying on the desk, sighed, and said, “I don’t mind. Teacher Li, what do you think?”

“If Lin You Xi is willing to go with you, I have no objections. Just make sure her dad contacts you later.”

The key was Lin You Xi—

Before he could finish, she was already shaking her head frantically.

Mei Fang stepped forward to persuade Lin You Xi, “The kindergarten is about to close, and there’s thunder outside. If you don’t come with us to my house, you’ll have to go home with Teacher Li.”

Mei Fang presented Lin You Xi with a choice: compared to going home with the scolding Teacher Li, he believed Lin You Xi would be closer to him.

But Lin You Xi didn’t respond immediately, only lowering her head in silence.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll go home first, okay?”

Just as Mei Fang turned around, his clothes were grabbed tightly by Lin You Xi.

Lin You Xi lowered her head, emitting a weak, pitiful voice.

“No, I don’t want to be unwilling! I… I’ll go with you, to your house.”

Late-night typing, I’m working so hard, why are people still giving me small red flowers! Humph…

End of Chapter 6