frightfiction Chapter 451 Prelude to Sorrow (2)
Chapter 451 Prelude to Sorrow (2)
Xiong Yu'an was puzzled and shocked that he had been sent away so easily.
She did not ask for her consent.
There's not a single sign of it.
Is it just that the eagle happens to be here, and the notebook just happens to be in front of someone else?
She usually only puts her notebooks in one shelf of the bookshelf, which doesn't take up much space. She puts textbooks in one of the remaining shelves, and the other dozen or so shelves don't belong to her.
Just this one grid, where exactly are they superfluous?
Or are they simply so obtrusive in their very existence?
So much so that he should get out?
Just like... herself.
The eagle explained his refusal: "It's alright, Uncle, I have a notebook."
“Take it if your uncle gives it to you,” the uncle said.
Dad chuckled and said, "Don't mention it, it's not worth much."
The eagle looked embarrassed, then politely said, "Thank you, Uncle."
"The eagle, he really doesn't want it." Xiong Yu'an opened his mouth, wanting to say it.
His gaze swept across the faces of the three of them in turn.
He doesn't need it, he doesn't need it, you don't need it, only I do need it...
Dad, these are my things, why are you giving them away?
Dad, I don't want to give it to him.
Dad, why didn't you ask me?
She still didn't utter a single syllable.
How should she express it? Express its preciousness, a preciousness that has nothing to do with price.
How to express it without embarrassing family and relatives?
How can I prove that I am not stingy?
Xiong Yu'an stared blankly as the eagle, unable to refuse, casually picked up a few books.
"Hmm...it's okay...you can pick whatever you like, anything is fine." Xiong Yu'an said softly and slowly, like a breeze blowing out of a narrow hole.
"Thank you sister."
Then, the uncle, carrying the book his father had given him, chatted with him as they returned to the living room, with the eagle following behind with his notebook.
Seeing that all the familiar people had left, the two chicks found the house boring and scurried out.
Looking at the room, now empty but in disarray, Xiong Yu'an felt as if a stone was pressing on her heart, and she was drowning, unable to breathe. A sense of powerlessness and exhaustion enveloped her.
...I'm so useless.
[Differentiation Rate: 30%]
"Buzz!" Xiong Yu'an's figure flickered on the screen, as if the signal was being interfered with and the screen was distorted.
A faint purple hue emanated from her, mixed with a hint of even paler red.
It wasn't as swift as the first time, but Zuo Xiuyan knew...
The second alienation began.
It is slowly devouring the world.
[Differentiation Rate: 31%]
The distant waves seemed to have crossed half the distance, and Zuo Xiuyan could see the shapes of the waves as they rolled up and the foam they created when they collided.
The turbulent seawater stirred up cold ice crystals that kept hitting Zuo Xiuyan's calves, while the splashing water splattered onto her upper body.
Occasionally, tiny ice crystals would land on her face, only to melt away.
Zuo Xiuyan looked down at his chest.
Like a lit match, a small, faint flame is rising.
The world is connecting.
……
Mom came over: "Yu'an, the noodles are ready."
Xiong Yu'an said, "I have to put these back..."
"The noodles will clump together soon, come on, eat and clean up," Mom urged.
Xiong Yu'an paused for a moment, then hummed in agreement.
After her mother turned and went to the living room, she slowly put the book she was holding back and stood up.
On the dining table was a bowl of brightly colored noodles, with green vegetables, eggs, and minced meat added.
Although it's instant noodles, you can tell they've put a lot of thought into it, trying to make it as nutritious as possible.
Xiong Yu'an was eating with his head down when he realized that he hadn't changed out of his school uniform yet.
"Brother, I'm short of money lately, could you give me some?" the uncle said.
With no obstruction between the living room and dining room, Xiong Yu'an could hear everything clearly, and his already furrowed brows furrowed even deeper.
Looking up at his father, he was also visibly surprised, his smile froze, but he quickly regained his composure: "We're brothers, how much of a joke is that?"
"Brother, just give me whatever you think is appropriate." The uncle was as generous as if he were treating someone to a meal.
Soon, the sound of a 3,000 yuan transfer was accompanied by a question: "Is that enough?"
“That’s definitely enough. How could what my elder brother gave not be enough?” The uncle’s face was full of joy as he stood up. “It’s getting late, and the children are making a fuss. I’m going back now.”
Xiong Yu'an gripped his chopsticks tightly.
“Okay.” Dad stood up, then, as if remembering something, went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bag. “The lamb I bought last time, take some and try it.”
"Okay, okay!" The uncle took it and, amidst the polite but noisy farewell, led the chattering child out the door.
The house fell silent instantly. Mom, who had just been all smiles, immediately turned stern and began cleaning the dishes with a huff.
"You borrowed again! You must be rich! Did he pay back the one he borrowed last time?"
"What are you pretending to be, some rich guy!"
Dad's face darkened and he remained silent, but amidst Mom's incessant nagging, he couldn't help but yell:
"Stop arguing. It's my brother. If he wants it, can I refuse?"
Mom sneered, "Ha, your brother! He doesn't even bring a gift when he comes over, but he leaves with a whole bunch of stuff!"
"You come every few days! Are you planning to give it to me again in a few days?"
"What if they don't give it to me? Tell me! What older brother doesn't help his younger brother?!"
"Is this how you help someone? He's got hands and feet, can't he earn his own money?"
“Buzz…” Xiong Yu’an suddenly heard a sharp buzzing sound and covered her ears with one hand.
In the indistinct sounds, she vaguely remembered.
I swiped my friend's card at the convenience store yesterday, and she promised to pay me back today.
But the two of them didn't exchange a single word today.
Do you remember money?
Do you... still remember me?
Swipe card, green beans, polar bear, figurines, their smiling faces, lost homework, teacher's scolding, black schoolbag, black bear that will disappear tomorrow, hunger, empty and greasy bowls and chopsticks, dirty walls and bedding, notebooks that were taken away, 3,000, mutton, helpless father, angry mother...
In the rapidly flashing images, both worlds simultaneously sound a piercing and long alarm.
"Whoosh!!!!!"
The red text indicating the degree of alienation flashed rapidly and erratically: 32%, 33%, 34%...
A deeper purple emanated from Xiong Yu'an, mixed with wisps of red, as if paint was constantly staining the surroundings.
Everything around her quickly decayed, crumbled, and turned to ashes.
The waves had already crossed the final distance, one layer upon another, vying to stir up this world, and shoving Zuo Xiuyan beneath the surface of the sea.
The displayed image was distorted and scattered into fragments, becoming bubbles at the edges.
The seawater crashed violently against Xiong Yu'an's back, sweeping her into the sea as well.
The world is connected.
The two people who fell into the sea, one on the left and one on the right, leaned back, and tiny bubbles rose from their bodies.
Flames erupted from Xiong Yu'an's heart, but the icy seawater caused her to convulse in agony.
An overwhelming sadness filled my limbs and then burst from my eyes, tears mingling with water.
No one could tell that she was crying.