Chapter 3 Aunt Lin’s House
Mom had little education and ran a vegetable stall in the market, so she was very busy.
After picking me up, she would rush to the market and leave me to do homework alone.
My father had gone to another city with friends to make money. Mom could not count on him.
After Aunt Lin learned about our situation, she invited me to her house to do homework with Qin Chi.
Aunt Lin did not work and stayed home to take care of him.
Their house was brightly decorated and they owned it.
Qin Chi and I did homework at the coffee table.
Aunt Lin brought fruit over.
"Xiaoning, Qin Chi, take a break and eat some fruit."
"Thank you, Aunt Lin."
Qin Chi dropped his pen, peeled a banana, and followed Aunt Lin to the kitchen.
"Mom, stop letting her come to our house. Just seeing her annoys me."
My hand, which had been reaching for a grape, pulled back at once.
The kitchen door closed.
Qin Chi's voice grew quieter.
When he came out again, I buried my head in homework, my face burning red.
Qin Chi kicked a chair, glanced at me impatiently, and muttered.
"Don't come to my house anymore. Got it?"
Aunt Lin came out and scolded him. "Qin Chi, shut your mouth."
I lowered my head in embarrassment and continued copying the Chinese characters assigned by the Teacher.
At eleven that night, after the market closed, Mom came to pick me up.
I had already eaten dinner at Qin Chi's house.
Qin Chi's father worked overseas and only returned once or twice a year.
"Sorry for the trouble. These tomatoes and eggplants are very fresh."
Mom would bring vegetables to Aunt Lin every few days to repay her for watching me.
"Don't. These are for selling. Stop bringing them."
Aunt Lin refused. She was genuinely kind. Apart from Mom, I had never met anyone better than Aunt Lin.
Mom still forced the vegetables into her hands.
"Xiaoning ate at your place again. I feel bad if I don't give something."
"See you tomorrow, Aunt Lin."
Aunt Lin gently touched my hair and smiled.
"Come to Aunt Lin's house again tomorrow to do homework. I'll make tomato rib soup for you both tomorrow night."