Chapter 146: Childhood Life
A new resident arrived at Huo Ningning’s home, a little girl about her age, perhaps slightly younger. She was adorable, with a soft, round face, captivatingly large eyes, striking blonde hair, and skin fairer than most, her only flaw being her small stature.
Though considered pretty among her peers, often praised for inheriting her mother’s genes, Huo Ningning felt overshadowed by Yu Linna’s beauty.
Yu Linna was truly captivating.
Wu Siyu brought Yu Linna home with the intention of adopting her, a decision her husband fully supported. As long as his wife was happy, he was happy. Besides, with the orphanage demolished and his wife no longer working, it would be good for her to be home more. Their daughter, Ningning, constantly complained about her mother’s absence.
“Come, Nana, there’s a spare room. I’ll clean it up for you. This is your home now.”
Wu Siyu, holding Yu Linna’s hand, gently stroked her head, her tenderness making Huo Ningning feel a twinge of jealousy. That’s my mommy!
Yu Linna, new to the concept of a home, having always lived in an orphanage, didn’t quite understand what it meant. But Wu Siyu’s gentle words brought a sense of comfort, a feeling of a new beginning.
However, transitioning from communal living to a family setting would take time.
The room Wu Siyu led her to was sparsely furnished, with only a bed and a small wardrobe, the space empty and bare. But to Yu Linna, it was luxurious, the nicest room she had ever seen.
“Aunt Wu, can I really stay here?” she asked, tugging on Wu Siyu’s clothes, her eyes wide with disbelief. She clearly loved the room, and Wu Siyu smiled.
“Of course! This is Nana’s room now. You’re part of our family.”
Stroking her head, Wu Siyu’s affection was evident. She had always been fond of this child, treating her with extra care at the orphanage. Though she treated all the children equally, she couldn’t help but favor Yu Linna, giving her extra candy, sneaking her extra buns. Yu Linna, grateful for her kindness, cherished these small gestures.
Yu Linna arrived with only two sets of clothes and a notebook. The notebook, with the words “Yu Linna” clumsily written on the cover, was her most prized possession, fiercely protected.
She loved her new room, jumping on the bed, reveling in its softness, a feeling of pure bliss. To have such a luxurious place to call her own… she could die happy.
Children’s desires were simple, easily satisfied, their obedience easily bought with small kindnesses.
Huo Ningning, clutching a stuffed animal, entered the room as Wu Siyu was making the bed. Seeing her daughter, Wu Siyu put down her work and patted her head.
“Ningning, what are you doing here? Missing Mommy?”
“…Mommy, hug!”
“Haha, you’re still such a cuddle monster. Come here, Ningning, up you go!”
Wu Siyu lifted her daughter, who giggled happily. They had a close bond.
Wu Siyu was often away, busy managing the orphanage, leaving little time for her daughter. Huo Ningning, still young, naturally missed her mother and cherished these moments of closeness.
Yu Linna, standing by the side, sucking on her thumb, watched them, a flicker of envy in her eyes. So this is what family is like… Having never experienced it, she hadn’t understood, but seeing this mother and daughter, she finally grasped the concept.
“Ningning, Mommy has to finish this. I’ll play with you later. Why don’t you play with Nana?”
“Okay! Little Linna, let’s play! Come to my room!”
Children were innocent, their acceptance unconditional. Though this new girl had appeared suddenly, Huo Ningning wasn’t wary of her.
Yu Linna, hand in hand with Huo Ningning, followed her to her room. It was larger than Yu Linna’s, with a wardrobe, a desk, and even shelves, decorated in various shades of pink, a slightly flamboyant style that Yu Linna found surprisingly comforting.
“Mommy brought you home, so you’ll be living here now. I’m Huo Ningning. You can call me Ningning.”
“Okay, Ningning.”
“Let’s play! I love playing with dolls! Let’s play together! These are my collection.”
Girls formed bonds quickly. Within an afternoon, the two little girls became fast friends, Huo Ningning’s initial reservations replaced by affection. She taught Yu Linna how to play with dolls, how to dress them, how to create imaginary worlds.
Though unfamiliar with these games, Yu Linna quickly caught on.
When they weren’t playing, Yu Linna would scribble on pieces of paper, clumsily writing words like “doll” and “friend.”
“Little Linna, you can write these words? I’m not very good at reading. How do you pronounce these?”
Huo Ningning, always curious, peppered her with questions.
Their friendship blossomed, their bond deepening, sharing secrets and laughter. Though Huo Ningning was still possessive of her mother, she had accepted Yu Linna’s presence.
“Dinner’s ready, girls! Stop playing! I made a feast for you!”
Wu Siyu, opening the door to her daughter’s room, smiled at the two girls playing together. She had initially worried they wouldn’t get along, but it seemed her concerns were unfounded. Their friendship was all that mattered.
Huo Qiulin, reading the newspaper in the living room, put it down when dinner was ready. Seeing Huo Ningning and Yu Linna together, he was surprised by how quickly they had bonded.
“It’s been a while since I’ve tasted your cooking. Ningning always says mine isn’t as good as yours. I can finally take a break.”
“Not just a break, a permanent break. I’m unemployed now, so you’ll be supporting me from now on.”
“Haha, of course. Actually, my studio is doing quite well. I’m planning to expand at the end of the year, start a small company. I’m joining the capitalist ranks!”
“Oh, please. You’re barely middle-class, not a capitalist.”
“Then my dear wife is… proletariat?”
Their playful banter, their easy affection, made Yu Linna envious. So this is what family is like, what marriage is like…
Would she ever have such a loving family?
Sensing the little blonde girl’s gaze, Huo Qiulin coughed, ending their playful argument.
“We have an audience. This little one is even more observant than Ningning. She’ll be very clever when she grows up.”
“Nana, stop staring. Let’s eat.”
Wu Siyu patted her head, lifting her onto a chair, her bowl and chopsticks already set. The table was laden with food, a variety of dishes, not extravagant, but prepared with care.
Yu Linna, her mouth watering, eagerly picked up her chopsticks, savoring the delicious food, the flavors exploding on her tongue. Aunt Wu’s cooking was amazing.
She ate quickly, her orphanage habit of grabbing food before it was gone still ingrained in her.
“There’s plenty of food. No one’s going to steal it from you. Eat slowly.”
Wu Siyu patted her head, adding more food to her bowl.
Yu Linna ate happily, a joy she had never experienced before. Having always lived in a communal setting, she had never known such abundance, such freedom to enjoy a delicious meal.
This was the happiest she had been in years.
Food, fun, and a home… life was good.
After dinner, Wu Siyu cleared the table and washed the dishes. Her husband, Huo Qiulin, was watching the news. Seeing her approach, he made space for her on the sofa.
“This Yu Linna is quite charming, such a cute little girl. If we adopt her, I’ll be a father of two.”
“Yes, everyone advised against it, but I couldn’t leave her alone. Honey, can we afford another child?”
Huo Qiulin paused, silent.
Another child would be a financial strain, especially with Wu Siyu unemployed, his income their only source of support.
“Don’t worry, I’ll work hard. I’m indestructible. We can manage another child. As long as you’re happy, I’ll do whatever it takes. Haha, imagine how proud I’ll be when my two daughters get married!”
“Thank you, honey. I’ll find a new job soon. And the government gave me a substantial compensation for the orphanage demolition. It should be enough for your business expenses. You’ve always wanted to start a company, haven’t you? This is your seed money.”
“I love you, wife!”
As the couple exchanged loving words, Yu Linna, in her new home, slept soundly…
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