Chuzheng has no patience for the Good Person Card, and even less patience for this brat.

The child was rudely treated but didn’t dare to cry, which made people feel heartbroken just looking at him.

Xi Jing wanted to help but didn’t dare to.

Finally, when Chuzheng went to wash her hands, the child tearfully complained to Xi Jing: "Brother, that sister is so fierce."

Xi Jing: "..."

After a long while, Xi Jing said in a low voice: "She’s really nice."

The child couldn’t understand why someone so fierce would be considered nice.

-

The child’s name was Chen Beibei.

The man next door was not her biological father. When her mother remarried, she brought her along, so the stepfather disliked her.

Her mother was afraid of the stepfather and rarely dared to stand up for her. When she occasionally did, they would both get beaten.

After dealing with the child’s injuries, there was still an important issue—sleeping arrangements!

The room was already small, and with one more person, there wasn’t even enough space for an extra bed.

Xi Jing bravely suggested: "How about letting her sleep with you?"

"Are you dreaming?"

"..."

Xi Jing had a bit of a headache. He moved the other things in the room to make space for another mat.

There was no way Chuzheng would let him sleep next to the kid, and sleeping separately wouldn’t work either!

"You sleep on top."

"What about you?"

Chuzheng confidently said, "Of course, I’ll sleep with you. Or did you want me to sleep on the floor?"

Xi Jing: "!!!"

Xi Jing shook his head vigorously, stammering: "No... I’ll just sleep on the floor."

Chuzheng lowered her voice: "What are you afraid of? There’s another person here. What can I do to you?"

Xi Jing: "..."

Xi Jing’s face turned bright red, and his heart pounded like a drum.

"No... No way." Xi Jing still shook his head, his cheeks burning: "I can sleep on the floor."

Chuzheng didn’t argue further. She just threw the remaining blankets on the bed and lay down, pressing down on them.

Xi Jing: "..."

Xi Jing lowered his head and coaxed Chen Beibei to sleep.

Little Chen Beibei quickly fell asleep after crying herself out. Xi Jing covered her with a blanket, turned off the light, and found a spot to sit down, ready to make do for the night.

The night was a bit chilly, and Xi Jing hugged his arms, feeling both sleepy and cold.

Just as Xi Jing was about to fall asleep, he was suddenly lifted into the air by someone.

"You..."

Chuzheng took a few steps to the bed and set him down, propping herself up on one arm and kissing him under his surprised gaze.

-

Wrapped up in the blanket, Xi Jing lay there, his heart still pounding, showing no signs of calming down.

In the dark, he reached out to press against his lips, which still seemed to retain her warmth.

Xi Jing carefully turned over. Chuzheng lay beside him, with a bit of distance between them, each covering themselves with a blanket.

The girl had her eyes closed, breathing softly, with the dim light tracing her delicate features.

Xi Jing watched her intently, listening to her breathing, and gradually closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

-

The next day.

Xi Jing woke up first, only to find himself being held by someone. At some point, he had moved over entirely, and was being held by Chuzheng.

His blanket had been kicked to the foot of the bed, covered now by Chuzheng’s blanket, with Xi Jing’s legs draped over her like a koala bear.

Xi Jing: "!!!"

It seemed like he rolled over on his own...

Is he such a restless sleeper?

Xi Jing wasn’t sure. He was used to sleeping alone.

Swallowing hard, Xi Jing carefully moved Chuzheng’s hand, attempting to get up first.

Just as he moved, Chuzheng rolled over, pinning him in her embrace.

Xi Jing froze instantly, his breath catching.

After waiting a while, Xi Jing tried again to move Chuzheng’s hand, but every time he moved, she held him tighter.

After several attempts, Xi Jing gave up.

It was still early, and it was quiet outside.

Listening to Chuzheng’s breathing and his own, it felt as if they were synced.

He carefully turned his head to look at her sleeping face. She didn’t seem as cold and distant while sleeping, more serene.

As faint light filtered through the window, the room gradually brightened.

There was movement on the floor from little Chen Beibei, making Xi Jing’s heart skip.

The one holding him stirred slightly, brushing against his neck, as a husky voice whispered in his ear: "Sleep a little longer, I’ll go buy breakfast for you."

Chuzheng lifted her head to kiss his brow, then released him and got out of bed.

Xi Jing: "..."

Had she been awake the whole time?!

Xi Jing let out a silent "Ah," and buried his head under the covers.

-

As Chuzheng got up, she gave Chen Beibei a kick on the butt: "You’ll be late for school."

Chen Beibei was almost awake, and with Chuzheng’s kick, she sat up with a shiver, looking around in confusion.

Meeting Chuzheng’s gaze, Chen Beibei’s sleepiness instantly vanished.

She didn’t dare speak to Chuzheng, promptly packing her things, glancing at the lump on the bed, whispered her thanks, and quickly left the place.

As soon as Chen Beibei was back, Chuzheng could hear the scolding from that side.

She tidied up and headed out just as Chen Beibei came out with her backpack, quickly running downstairs.

Chen Beibei’s stepfather chased after her, angrily scolding, while a woman timidly tried to calm him down.

The man, impatient, slapped the woman aside: "It’s all because of you, bringing that Oil Bottle! I have to feed and clothe her, let her go to school, and look how that ungrateful wretch treats me!"

The woman covered her face and said nothing.

The man cursed at the woman a few more times, then grabbed his toolbox and left.

Chuzheng stood in the doorway, watching the man stomp off angrily.

Thud—

Without warning, the man fell headfirst to the ground, hitting his head with a painful thud.

"Honey..."

The woman who had been hit hurried over, anxiously helping the man up.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

The man touched his forehead, feeling sticky blood. His face changed slightly: "Damn!"

Covering his head, he looked back, but saw nothing.

He seemed to have tripped over something just now...

But there was nothing there, only a girl standing by the door, staring at him expressionlessly.

He recognized this girl, who had recently appeared and seemed to be connected with the neighboring child...

The man suddenly hissed, glaring at the woman furiously, and barked in a coarse voice: "What the hell are you doing, trying to kill me? Damn it, what are you standing there for? Can’t you see I’m bleeding?"

The woman shrank back, not daring to protest, helping the man up.

The man kept cursing as he walked back, still hurling insults at the woman.

No one could help a person like that.

Chuzheng withdrew her gaze and slowly headed downstairs.