Chapter 26: We’re Family

Wei Wei is writhing and turning on her tiny wooden bed as night falls.

After their Bedside Conference, her housemates had already fallen asleep. It seems like she is having difficulty falling asleep, but perhaps this is just typical of her after a day like this.

She twists herself about again, unable to fall asleep. Wei Wei holds her blanket and sits up. Sighing, she puts her chin on her knees. She can only sigh to convey the range of feelings erupting inside of her, yet she doesn't feel anxious or depressed.

She lets out a breath and the stuffiness in her heart appears to go away a little.

Xiao Nai, ah.

She can't help but think of him; whether he's animated or calm, or grinning or conversing. Thus, even if she has just sighed, the emotion returns.

Wei Wei hugs her blanket and sits for a long period. At last, she's worn out and ready to go to bed. She hears movement coming from the bed next to her as she is about to fall asleep on her back. She nods off and is unaware of what transpires. In the early morning, she is startled awake by someone shaking her. Er Xi is standing next to her bed when she opens her eyes. Wei Wei, I'm getting diarrhea," she murmurs. I've already made three trips to the restroom. I doubt I will be able to take it much longer.

Out of shock, Wei Wei jumps up wide awake. She hastily exits her bed to discover her a prescription medication. Er Xi has to use the restroom twice in the next thirty minutes since the medication is ineffective. She has a pallid face. The sound causes Si Si and Xiao Ling to awaken as well. Worried, the three of them hurry to get ready and send Er Xi to visit a doctor at a clinic.

Wei Wei and the others don't dare to take Er Xi to the campus night clinic because of its reputation for being untrustworthy. They get out at the West door, hail a cab, and head to the hospital that's close by. After inquiring about the patient's health and obtaining a sample, the physician diagnoses Er Xi with acute gastroenteritis and prescribes an intravenous drip.

Following Er Xi's unconsciousness during the intravenous the three of them are finally relieved, drip. Wei Wei and Si Si opt to stay as there is no need for the three of them here, while Xiao Ling leaves first.

After the intravenous infusion, Er Xi uses the restroom twice, but she feels much better thereafter. It's finally time for Wei Wei and Si Si to slumber, but not comfortably. Wei Wei soon awakens. Er Xi wakes up as well, and she appears to be much better. Wei Wei looks down to check her watch. It's 7 a.m. already.

"Wei Wei, was it Great Master Xiao who bought the bag of snacks?" Er Xi asks weakly.

Indeed.

Eww, food from the Great Master (Godly) truly shouldn't be consumed. It is indigestible for people such as me.

She has time to joke around even if she is already this way. Wei Wei isn't sure if she should laugh or cry. She gets up and assists Er Xi in tucking the blanket in. The mention of Xiao Nai by Er Xi causes Wei Wei to become sidetracked. It's 7 a.m. already. Telling the Great Master not to wait for her is what she should do. She is relieved, for whatever reason, to hear that she will not be able to go to the Great Master for self-study.

Her gaze is fixed on nothing, as though the hospital had already left her thoughts. Er Xi lies down and observes her. Wei Wei has always been attractive, but she has grown accustomed to it since devoted a great deal of time to her. She is more beautiful than ever, though, now that Wei Wei is helping her carefully tuck the blanket in while being distracted and having sparkling eyes.

The two of them continue to think in their own heads when something suddenly blocks the light in the room. Wei Wei automatically lifts her head and looks towards the door.

Xiao Nai is standing at the entrance, staring at her intently.

On their way back to the school, they use Xiao Nai's vehicle. The vehicle is from a well-known yet obscure brand. Er Xi, Si Si, and Xiao Ling are seated in the rear, with Wei Wei occupying the passenger side seat.

Wei Wei overhears Er Xi asking Xiao Ling, "How come Senior Xiao came?" in a low voice as they are driving.

Quietly, Xiao Ling says, "I called Da Zhong." He informed Senior Xiao that he was a blabbermouth, and Senior Xiao responded by saying that driving was convenient for him. 

Er Xi replies worriedly, "I still don't think it's right."

"You don't need to feel bad; Senior Xiao is family," Si Si replies.

Wei Wei's expression grows serious as she hears them. Do they believe the volume of their voices is sufficient? They even have the audacity to claim that he is related to them.

Are they not being too amiable?

However, Er Xi worries, "The Great Master's car." We hu-...

Wei Wei fears that she is going to remark that people would get into a car crash while seated in the Great Master's vehicle, to which she snaps back and says, "Si Si is correct. He is truly family.

Everyone in the car stops talking. Then, Wei Wei realizes that her words were said in a panic and that she no longer even has the courage to turn her body around.

Xiao Nai smiles as he looks at the guy standing next to him who is making a lot of effort to blend in. Have you guys had breakfast yet, he asks? Before we return, should we have something to eat?

Right now, Wei Wei cannot express enough gratitude to the Great Master. Because he is so kind, the Great Master is truly relieving her of her uneasiness.

Xiao Ling looks over Wei Wei. Wei Wei respectfully tells him that he has no intention of speaking and says, "It's okay, we've troubled Senior too much today."

With a little smile, Xiao Nai says, "We're all family." It's unnecessary to be so courteous.

Wei Wei, "..."

She was aware of it. His good intentions were only a front.

In the end, they have breakfast. Er Xi ate some rice porridge despite not really having an appetite because she had diarrhea and her stomach was empty. They are kindly given a lift back to the dorm by Xiao Nai.

Wei Wei's steps are not as strong as Er Xi's when he returns to the dorm room. When they get there, she instantly goes onto her bed.

She would have spoken nothing at all if she could go back in time. Quietness is precious! sighIt pivots discover that the lack of sleep has a significant effect on one's capacity for reaction.

Lying in bed, Wei Wei is agitated. She whirls around angrily. She rolls from side to side and ultimately nods out.

She goes to bed at 12 o'clock, but the aroma of cooking woke her up. Er Xi was still receiving rice porridge, of course, even though Xiao Ling had instructed Da Zhong to order four lunch dishes for them.

Er Xi is using the computer, which surprises Wei Wei when she rolls out of bed to eat. Wei Wei is still a bit concerned, even though Er Xi looks much better than before. "You're feeling okay now?" Wei Wei asks.

Not even cockroaches heal as quickly, do they?

Er Xi exclaims, "It doesn't take much work to search the internet. Wei Wei, there are a lot of discussions on the school forum about you and Xiao Nai! Even pictures of the two of you holding hands during the basketball game exist!

Wei Wei chokes on her meal, which she had just begun to eat. With her lunch box in hand, she bends forward to view the basketball game shot of the Great Master holding her hand on the screen. Even though they appear little and the photo appears to have been taken from a distance, Bei Wei Wei and Xiao Nai are still identifiable.

Wei Wei sets the lunch box aside since it appears that the meal has lost its flavor, and starts reading on Er Xi's PC.

"You shouldn't read them," Er Xi adds. Nothing is contained. Simply said, not many people were believing it, but everyone was startled when the picture was shared. Talking about when the two of you started and other things, everyone is chatting. Oh, and the thread about how incompatible the two of you are also got bumped.

After looking over a few discussions, Wei Wei confirms Er Xi's statement. After returning Er Xi's computer, she says, "People at our school are too nosy," and keeps eating.

"Oh, that's because there are exams for everyone." The more we want to gossip, the closer examinations become. This is the fabled alleviator of tension!

Though it makes sense, she has evolved into the subject of stress reduction

Wei Wei is forced to let out her rage by taking a sharp bite out of her pork chop!

Just as she finishes her meal, the phone in her dorm room rings. After a while, Xiao Ling picks up and yells, "Wei Wei, it's your family's phone call!"

Wei Wei is embarrassed when she answers the phone. She greets me, and then a voice speaks.

"You awakened?"

The voice on the other end feels deep and distinct from face-to-face communication. It dawns on Wei Wei that this is the first time she's ever spoken on the phone with the Great Master.

"Me, I'm awake."

Do you intend to continue with your self-study in the afternoon?

"I would like to study on my own, but if we leave now, there might not be any spots left."

This is the main issue. Xiao Nai hums softly before stating, "There's a really tranquil location. I'll accompany you there.

*** *** ***

Wei Wei lives in a dorm that was constructed in a republican style only a few years ago. The red brick structure appears well-kept and respectable. Beyond the verdant tree patch, the scenery is stunning and enthralling. It's already a regular sight to see herds upon herds of pursuers standing by the flowerbed in front of the hostel all year long with presents or flowers. However, when that individual is present, everything appears odd and unusual.

Notices Xiao Nai, Wei Wei right away as soon as she exits the premises. He remains still, unfazed by the many onlookers, next to the flowerbed; a bike is parked there.

With many eyes on him, Wei Wei approaches him. She takes a few steps too quickly down the stairs and pants a little. Her eyes are shiny and her cheeks are flushed.

"Where are we heading?"

"I'll accompany you there." Xiao Nai removes the backpack from her hands with a nonchalant demeanor, hanging it on the bike.

Wei Wei is using Xiao Nai's bike for the second time. This time, she feels so much more like herself. Right now, if given the option, she would rather ride a bike. She believes she still lacks the necessary bravery to accompany the Great Master on foot. Concerning other people observing them while bicycling...

There's no need to fear because their photo has already been posted online. She will just completely disregard them.

Wei Wei isn't paying attention enough to see that they're going in the wrong direction. "Eh, aren't we going to self-study?" she eventually realizes as they head out the West entrance.

"That location is outside."

The famous computer and sophisticated technology valley in China is when you turn off of the West entrance. After ten minutes, Wei Wei gets taken to the sixth story of a large building by Xiao Nai, who stops in front of it.

After exiting the elevator, Wei Wei notices a sign that reads, "Zhi Yi Devoted Technology (Technology)," painted in gold. She is taken aback by the sign and thinks of something. Is it possible that...?

"Your business?"

"Come in, mm," says Xiao Nai as she opens the locked door. Since it's Sunday, nobody is in the area.

Wei Wei enters the workplace gingerly, as if she's on a religious journey. She looks around, slightly swiveling her head left and right.

Xiao Nai has a little office. It is essentially one storey. However, it would be a waste for a software firm to have a large office anyhow. Even if no one is in the workplace at the moment, there's a lively vibe about the place, either because of the desk decorations or the way the office is set up. 

Xiao Nai takes her to the rear. He unlocks a door that reads "Xiao Nai" on the name tag.

The office of the Great Master?

Curious, Wei Wei enters cautiously. She scans the fascinating area and fails to notice that she has been drawn into an empty space >_\

Xiao Nai sets Wei Wei's rucksack down on the couch and flips on the air conditioning.

"Is self-study permitted here?"

Wei Wei takes a seat on the couch after nodding. After leaving her alone, Xiao Nai turns on his computer and begins working on his own projects.

Silently, the air conditioner pushes out hot air that comes from outside. Wei Wei is sitting in this tidy and cozy setting, holding a book, yet unable to focus on anything.

In line with the Great Master's advice. This is a really calm spot, but it's so quiet that it can be unsettling, particularly when Wei Wei eventually understands they are the only ones in the place.

"Wei Wei, come see something," Xiao Nai says, not hearing the page turn as he looks at her and notices that she is dazed.

Ah?

Wei Wei sets down her book, approaches him, and peers at his computer screen. A few feminine and delicate-looking male and female old avatars may be seen on the screen.

"What's this?"

"The basic designs for the characters in Dream Voyage in Rivers and Lakes 2."