Two days later, Qin Xuejun came to pick up Zhang Jue. Under the watchful eyes of Xu Dela, Zhang Jue lay on Qin’s shoulder as he was carried downstairs. Occasionally, he looked back and could still see his little brother peering worriedly from behind the window.
He waved to the boy, then turned and hugged Qin Xuejun’s shoulder, saying: “Brother Qin, do you know? My little brother measured his height early, and he’s already 1.45 meters tall.”
Qin Xuejun casually responded: “How old is he?”
“9 years old.”
“Being that tall at 9 is quite good.”
Brother Qin held up Zhang Jue’s thigh as Zhang Jue subconsciously took a breath. Qin Xuejun, looking down, immediately realized the impropriety.
His good upbringing made him accustomed to using a “gentleman’s hand” when interacting with people. For example, if someone of the opposite sex fell nearby, he would help by holding their arm. However, it was impossible for him to put his hand on someone’s shoulder or waist. When carrying someone, he didn’t use his palm to support Zhang Jue’s thigh, instead, he used his wrist. However, with a watch on his wrist, it felt uncomfortable for the child.
He apologized softly, changed to supporting Zhang Jue with his palm, and took off his watch after they got on the bus. The young man himself didn’t think there was anything wrong with doing this, but Zhang Jue looked at him and felt more and more fond of him.
Unlike the genius orthopedic surgeon whom he learned about online, Zhang Jue experienced firsthand that Qin Xuejun was indeed an outstanding young man. He was diligent, disciplined, focused, patient with children, and his tone and demeanor when communicating with Zhang Jue reflected his respect.
Having navigated through the entertainment industry, where he encountered many ups and downs, Zhang Jue found a certain purity in Qin Xuejun. His upbringing made Zhang Jue feel comfortable around him.
Qin Xuejun put away his watch and found himself being stared at by the child’s shiny black eyes, unable to suppress a smile.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhang Jue sincerely praised: “Brother Qin, you’re really attentive. Your parents must be super nice to have raised such an amazing son like you. When I meet Uncle and Auntie, I have to praise you a lot.”
Qin Xuejun paused, then flicked his forehead.
“Then you probably won’t be seeing them.”
Confused, Zhang Jue asked: “Why?”
“My dad accompanied his first love to see the snow. While my mom and her boyfriend went to attend a class reunion. They’re all too busy to see me, let alone meet you.”
For a moment, silence fell between the two. After a while, Qin Xuejun heard the child whispering an apology to him.
“It’s okay.” he replied.
Qin Xuejun didn’t resent his parents because he was taught well. Even when he found out his parents were divorcing after the college entrance exam, he had no extreme reaction. Some thought his personality was too bland, with rare emotional fluctuations. This calm temperament might be suitable for the operating table, but as a person, he lacked a bit in charisma.
When they were about to reach the station, the child suddenly took off the red woolen scarf from his neck and draped it over Qin Xuejun’s neck.
Turning his head, he saw the boy who was afraid of the cold, wearing a Lei Feng hat every day, giving him a brilliant smile.
“Brother Qin, I still think you’re dressed too lightly. This will help you block the wind. My little brother made it himself.”
Zhang Jue looked at Qin Xuejun with a bit of unease, but then Qin Xuejun lowered his gray eyes and pressed his hand on Zhang Jue head, rubbing it forcefully.
“Thank you.”
When they got off the bus, Qin Xuejun carried Zhang Jue on his back again. His shoulder was wider than Zhang Junbao’s, carrying the warmth and vigor of a young man. Zhang Jue leaned against his shoulder, and his cheek rubbed against the soft and warm fur of the scarf, making even the winter wind blowing so fiercely seem less cold.
What Zhang Jue didn’t know was that Qin Xuejun only remembered something halfway through.
Wait a minute, Zhang Jue, 9-year-old brother actually knew how to knit?
Before the arrival of the New Year, Zhang Jue gained a top-notch human chauffeur. This chauffeur’s last name was Qin, first name Xuejun, a product of Waterwood University. He was as meticulous as silk, extremely intelligent, carrying books wherever he went—sometimes “Campbell’s Operative Orthopedics” and sometimes “Practical Orthopedics.”
Seeing him work so diligently, it’s no wonder he became an associate chief physician at the age of 28.
Qin Xuejun not only took Zhang Jue for treatment, but if the treatment ended when it was dark, he would also escort him back. He even dug out his third-year junior high school textbooks to lend to Zhang Jue, saying that if Zhang Jue were in the second year of junior high this year and entering the third semester next year, this book would come in handy.
Zhang Jue, who had graduated from junior high school many years ago, was full of gratitude and went home to talk to Xu Dela.
“Brother Qin is really nice, cold outside but warm inside,” Xu Dela said, looking at the book in his hands with a subtle expression. He thought that if someone gave him a textbook, he wouldn’t be happy at all. This kind of gift, if given to someone else, might turn into a grudge.
Then the last treatment was over.
Zhang Jue thought about it and felt that he owed many favors this time so it was time to repay them. He decided to open his savings jar and took out three red banknotes.
Zhang Yan and Zhang Qingyan were good to the child. Even in the toughest times, Zhang Jue had new clothes every month, and his pocket money had increased to one hundred yuan per month after entering junior high. He didn’t spend it recklessly, and his savings jar had accumulated nearly a thousand yuan, all that could be used on his own disposal.
First, he went to the mall for a half-day stroll. He spent two hundred yuan on a Chopper figurine from a secluded anime peripheral store. Then, he went to the market to buy fresh meat and other ingredients. When he returned home, he rolled up his sleeves and started cooking.
While Xu Dela was practicing the piano, he smelled the strong aroma of meat.
He followed the scent and saw his elder brother cooking fried crispy meat in the kitchen.
Zhang Jue pushed a plate full of meat and oyster sauce lettuce in front of him. “This is yours. Mom and Dad said they were busy today, so we’ll take care of dinner ourselves. The rice is already in the pot. When it’s done, serve yourself. Remember to turn off the power before opening the pot.”
He babbled on until Xu Dela interrupted him.
“What about you? Aren’t you eating at home?”
“I’m going out to deliver something. When I come back, I’ll blanch some vegetables. I haven’t been moving much lately so I can’t consume carbs at night. I can’t eat with you.”
Zhang Jue packed another portion of crispy meat into a plastic container, slung the bag with Chopper on his back, and went out. While Xu Dela stood at the door with a concerned look.
“Where are you going? When will you be back? I’ll boil the vegetables for you in advance.”
Zhang Jue couldn’t trust his not-yet-10-year-old brother to cook when no one was watching. He quickly refused: “No need for you to cook. Go practice the piano. Be good, brother will go to Dr. Qin’s place to deliver something and will be back soon.”
Saying this, he put on the Lei Feng hat, ran down the stairs cheerfully, and turned around to see Xu Dela peering at him from the window.
Zhang Jue waved again, shouting: “Dela, don’t cook by yourself, got it? Otherwise, I’ll spank you when I get back.”
For safety reasons and because the sun was already setting, the 12-year-old Zhang Jue, with thin arms and legs, made calls to his parents and Dr. Qin’s family before leaving, stating his whereabouts clearly.
Qin Xuejun was eating cake and watching TV when he heard his grandfather receiving call and learning that Zhang Jue was coming.
He looked at the clock, calculated the time, and got up to go out. Although the community security guard was already familiar with Zhang Jue’s face, he was also already used to picking him up in person.
The young man stood at the community gate for more than twenty minutes, but there was no sign of Zhang Jue. Qin Xuejun frowned, feeling uneasy. He then decided to walk towards the bus station.
The weather was not good today, with cold winds and light snow. Besides an elderly person rummaging through a trash bin for water bottles, there was no one around. Thinking of Zhang Jue beautiful face, Qin Xuejun became anxious.
Then he saw Zhang Jue running from the street corner, holding a bag in one hand and a plate of fried crispy meat and a cup of black rice porridge in the other.
As the New Year approached, many shops were closed. From what Qin Xuejun knew, the crispy meat bun shop was two streets away.
The child’s steps were brisk as he run toward some old man. Then he handed over the bag with the meat buns and porridge. At first old man looked frightened and hesitant to accept it.
Zhang Jue wasn’t in a hurry. He continued to smile, extending his hand continuously. He was probably saying some pleasant words. Paired with the crisp voice of the boy before adolescence, it was so pleasant to hear that it could uplift one’s mood just by listening.
There was an advertising board at the bus station, and Qin Xuejun stood behind it. Zhang Jue couldn’t see him, but he could see Zhang Jue actions clearly.
When the old man finally accepted the food and started eating, Zhang Jue took off the scarf and laid it on the waste bag next to the old man. Then, before the old man could react, he ran away without giving the old man a chance to return the items.
Qin Xuejun knew that the scarf was very warm, made of pure wool. He smiled, walked to the old man, put the umbrella down, and ran away himself.
When Zhang Jue knocked on Dr. Qin’s door, it was Qin Xuejun who opened it. For some reason, the older brother had blush marks on his face, as if he had just engaged in vigorous exercise.
Curious but not wanting to ask too much, Zhang Jue had a big smile on his face.
“Brother Qin, my family made fried crispy meat. I specially brought it for you.”
He handed the bag over, saying: “I deliberately added two layers of insulated bags. It should still be hot. Also, today I went to the mall and saw this. You’ve been carrying me for so many days, and I haven’t given you anything.”
Zhang Jue took out Chopper from the bag and handed it over with both hands: “Its a thank-you gift.”
Qin Xuejun accepted the gift, looking at the cute deer lying obediently in the packaging box. Somehow, his heart softened.
He half-squatted as he gently said to Zhang Jue: “Thank you for your gift. This is the most thoughtful birthday present birthday gift I have received this year.”
Birthday?
Zhang Jue was stunned as Qin Xuejun naturally took him into the house: “Let’s go after eating the cake. It’s mango mille-feuille. Can you eat mango? I remember that some people are allergic to mango.”
Zhang Jue should be able to eat it mango. He was in good health. He has encountered foods that he was allergic to since he was a child but not mango. He also likes to eat cakes, but he couldn’t eat cakes now….
The body that was prone to obesity shouldn’t eat it.
But when he saw that only one-third of the cake was cut on the table, and the atmosphere was oddly cold, not at all like the festive mood in a birthday person’s home, combined with thoughts of Qin Xuejun’s parents’ divorce, Zhang Jue feet felt like they couldn’t move.
Zhang Jue, filled with a sense of tragic heroism, reluctantly took the cake from Qin Xuejun. He thought, “Now I don’t have to blanch vegetables when I go home. Later, I’ll have to do 50 jumping jacks, jump 1000 times with a rope, and then frog jump up and down the stairs in our house 10 times…”

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