Chapter 85: Simple Joys

Receiving an extra gift, Lin Xinyu was thrilled. The sadness in his eyes was swept away, replaced by the joy bursting in his heart as he helped Lin Xin carry the box.

Back at home, Aunt Hui was still watching TV when she saw the two walk in.

“You're back~”

“Yes, we're back.” The two of them greeted Aunt Hui and carried the suitcase into Lin Xin's room.

Lin Xin opened the box. Inside were a laptop and a printer. Lin Xin turned on her computer and began installing the printer program. While she was doing this, Lin Xinyu watched her as he sat on the bed hugging her big teddy bear in his arms.

Lin Xinyu asked, “Lin Xin, how come you have so many gadgets?” Lin Xin was afraid that Lin Xinyu would become addicted to using the internet, so she had always restricted his access to the internet. He didn't know much about computers.

Lin Xin took advantage of the installation of the software to take out wires and plug them in their sockets while saying, "Once you've lived on your own long enough, virtually everything you need is known to you."

"I didn't even know where to buy groceries the two years after my parents died. With time, I started getting the hang of things. I even learned how to fix water pipes."

"Humans. If they're always s.h.i.+elded from wind, they never learn. When push comes to shove, they're naturally able to do anything."

Lin Xinyu said, "Then teach me. I'll do these, so you won't need to."

Lin Xin patted his head and said, “Me knowing is enough, you just need to study hard. Be good and go to bed, it's late already. You still have to go to school tomorrow.”

She always thought of him as a child, Lin Xinyu thought. He was no longer a child, but years of habit had kept him from saying it. He obeyed and reluctantly left Lin Xin's room.

After showering, he lay down on his bed and couldn't fall asleep no matter what. Just like last night, he secretly got out of bed and tried to sneak into Lin Xin's room. Who would have thought Lin Xin, who hadn't slept yet, would still be up typing away in front of her computer?

Hearing the door open, Lin Xin turned her head to see Xinyu's face. His face was stiff as he said: “I was just, just dreaming about the orphanage…” He lowered his head and lowered his voice.

Lin Xin's heart tightened.

This child must have recalled the past.

She put down her work and waved at him, “Come here.”

Lin Xinyu obediently sat down at the head of the bed. He raised his head slightly as tears lined his eyes, on the brink of overflowing.

Lin Xin asked, “Are you scared?”

He nodded.

“Then sleep with me tonight.”

Lin Xinyu forcefully suppressed the jubilation in his heart as he hugged the big teddy on the bed and fell onto it.

Lying on the bed, he took a deep breath and smelled the fragrance of Lin Xin's hair on her pillow.

Lin Xin looked at the bedside with her eyes wide open and asked, “Will you sleep with me?”

E/N: Woah! Lin Xinyu, what a drama queen! ?

Lin Xin thought for a while and said: “You are almost an adult and I am an adult too. We can't sleep on the same bed again. Be good and sleep first. I'll be here so don't be afraid.”

Lin Xinyu lowered his eyes in disappointment. He thought of how great it would be if he could sleep here and his heart became happy again.

He smiled at Lin Xin and gently closed his eyes, smelling her pillow and imagined his hands moving in her hair, a dreamless sleep.

The next day, when he woke up, Lin Xin had already left. There was a note in the room.

I have business to take care of today, go to school on your own. I've asked for a week's break from school.

Lin Xinyu gripped the slip of paper tightly as unease rose within his heart. At this moment, the pink phone on the bedside rang. Lin Xinyu quickly picked up the phone.

“h.e.l.lo, Lin Xin, where are you?”

Lin Xin, who had stuffed a bun into her mouth, spoke on the other end, "Oh, oh, you're awake! Wake up and go to school."

"I've been very busy these past few days, so I'll be back early tonight. This is my cell phone number; Don't wait for me at the neighborhood's entrance. I'll call you to pick me up when I come back if you'd like."

“Mm, okay. I'll wait for you to come back.”

One sentence pulled Lin Xinyu back from his depressed mood. He hung up the phone, dressed, and helped Aunt Hui make breakfast. After breakfast, he happily took the bus to school.