Chapter 5 Qin Chi’s Birthday
"Aunt Lin, let me wash the vegetables."
"No need, Xiaoning. Go do your homework. I can manage alone."
"It's fine. Tomorrow is the weekend. I can do homework then."
Qin Chi was watching a soccer match in the living room. I did not want to face him.
While cooking, Aunt Lin sighed.
"If only Qin Chi were as obedient as you."
I did not know what to say. I kept washing vegetables. Qin Chi's temper was too wild. It seemed even Aunt Lin could not control him anymore.
Once at School I had seen him beating a boy outside the male restroom. As a junior high student he was already wild and ruthless.
He had two helpers. The boy being beaten had his mouth covered but still made painful whimpers.
I walked past quickly. Even after returning to class, I was still shaking.
"The glutinous rice needs time to steam. Let's go sit outside."
I followed Aunt Lin to the living room. She poured me water and told me to eat the snacks on the coffee table.
Qin Chi watched the match and ignored us.
Aunt Lin handed me a big red apple.
"Peel it before eating."
I nodded instinctively. "Okay."
After peeling it, it felt too big, so I split it in half on a paper towel. "Aunt Lin, let's share."
Aunt Lin shook her head. "My teeth are bad. If you can't finish it, give it to Qin Chi."
I nervously held out half the apple to him. "Do you want the apple?"
Aunt Lin went to the bedroom.
Qin Chi turned and accepted it openly, then asked curiously.
"I haven't done anything to you. Why do you always look nervous when you see me?"
I froze, took a small bite, and answered.
"I'm not nervous."
"Not nervous, good student?"
He leaned against the sofa, one hand behind his head, and took a big bite. There seemed to be mockery on his lips.
I did not feel comfortable at all during that meal.
I noticed that when Aunt Lin was not at the table, Qin Chi would stop his chopsticks and look at me several times. His gaze was no longer the old disgust, but it still made me uneasy.