Liu Yaozong had already hung up the phone.
But the phone rang again immediately, and it showed no signs of stopping, even though he didn't want to answer.
He gritted his teeth in hatred and reluctantly picked it up.
Seeing Liu Yaozong's increasingly gloomy expression, Xia Weiliang couldn't help but glance at him more, and even Xiao Jinzi looked over.
"I have nothing to say to you! I don't know who you are, please stop calling!"
Liu Yaozong almost threw his phone, his mood appearing utterly dejected. He sat there for a long time without saying a word.
Xia Weiliang pursed her lips and glanced at Xiao Jinzi.
The latter immediately understood, hopped off her chair with a cup of cola, went to him, and gently pushed the cup towards him: "Uncle, drink, cola."
Liu Yaozong only looked up at this moment. Seeing Xiao Jinzi, he pouted, picked her up, and placed her on his lap. "Thank you, Xiao Jinzi."
He picked it up and took a small sip.
Xiao Jinzi immediately asked, "Is it sweet?"
"Mm, sweet!"
Although Liu Yaozong was smiling, a hint of bitterness lingered at the corners of his mouth.
Xia Weiliang bit into her chicken leg, tilted her head, and looked at him: "Xia Yiran?"
He was startled. "Sister, h-how did you know?"
"The only one who could provoke you to this extent now is her. Tell me, what did she say to you?"
Liu Yaozong turned his face away, clearly unwilling to mention her.
"Tell me, otherwise, how long can you bear it alone?"
Xia Weiliang was already immune to Xia Yiran; she couldn't affect her in any way. However, Liu Yaozong was still young and had just started a new life. Xia Weiliang was afraid he might be led astray.
After a long pause, Liu Yaozong slowly said, "She said she has no money for the New Year now, that she's in a terrible state, and wants me..."
"To borrow money?"
"Mm."
Liu Yaozong lowered his head. He clearly wanted to escape his past, but his sister was like a persistent shadow, always reminding him: You want to break free from me and embrace a new life? Not so easily!
"What do you think?" Xia Weiliang didn't offer a clear opinion, instead asking for his own thoughts.
"I don't want any connection with her anymore! I want to sever ties with her!"
"But you're still reluctant."
She hit the nail on the head.
Liu Yaozong faltered again.
"Aiya! How can I be so pathetic? I had already made up my mind, and I even... I even guessed that she would contact me. I had already planned for it!"
Seeing his state, Xia Weiliang chuckled.
"You don't need to feel like a coward. In fact, you're the most humane one in your family."
Xia Weiliang finished her chicken leg, wiped her fingers, propped herself up on her knees, and looked at him formally to begin her lesson: "Yaozong, what you need to do now is respect your own feelings. Do whatever you want. On the emotional front, she is your sister. No one will say anything if you help her, and even if they do, just treat it as nonsense. Just as you shouldn't advise others to do evil without understanding their suffering, don't advise them to do evil either."
"But..." Liu Yaozong looked at her worriedly.
"Are you afraid I'll overthink it?"
"...Mm."
He lowered his head again. "You've been so good to me, but I'm thinking about helping my sister... You... you'll be disappointed."
Xia Weiliang chuckled, raised her hand, and tapped him on the head. "Don't imagine so many scenarios, I have no reason to be disappointed in you! As long as you don't commit any wicked acts, I have nothing to be disappointed about!"
"Then... then I..."
Honestly, Liu Yaozong was truly conflicted.
It was the New Year, the atmosphere was pleasant, why did he have to receive such a disheartening call! But that person was his only relative in the world, and he couldn't just ignore her, especially when he remembered his mother's dying wish, he couldn't remain indifferent.
"Sister, I'll go see her! I'll go see her and come back!"
Seeing that he had finally made up his mind, Xia Weiliang readily waved him off.
However, Xiao Jinzi was unwilling and clung to him, refusing to let go: "Uncle, don't go, don't go."
Liu Yaozong crouched down and looked at the little girl. "Xiao Jinzi, wait for Uncle, okay? Uncle is going out to do something. I'll buy you cotton candy when I get back."
Only then did Xiao Jinzi nod.
Without further delay, Liu Yaozong quickly put on his jacket and left.
At this moment, Xia Weiliang was unaware, but if she had known what would happen after he left, she would never have let him go...
Liu Yaozong drove off in the company car.
He called Xia Yiran while in the car. "Where are you?"
After getting the address, he drove directly to her residence. To his surprise, it was a dirty and dilapidated dormitory building, with large "Demolish" characters plastered all over the walls.
Clearly, only a few households remained in this building, and the lights flickered as he walked down the corridor.
As Liu Yaozong ascended the stairs, he felt a pang in his heart.
He had been the young master of the family before and had never paid attention to anyone in the family, let alone this sister.
In his perception, his sister was just a subordinate, existing to take care of him! Su Dan Novel Network
This thought persisted until the family's downfall, until his parents passed away, and he became an orphan.
Therefore, seeing Xia Yiran living in such misery, he felt empathy for the first time.
But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. You were once a young lady from a wealthy family, a celebrity for so long! Even after retiring from the industry, you shouldn't have reduced yourself to such a state!
Do you not have any savings at all?
Even if you don't, can't you ask friends for help?
He climbed to the fourth floor in a somber mood, found the door number, and knocked.
The door opened, and a drunk woman emerged, smoking.
"You're here."
She showed no excitement upon seeing Liu Yaozong, nor did she appear any more affectionate than a stranger.
Liu Yaozong endured the smell of smoke filling the room and followed her inside.
It was a small two-bedroom apartment. Xia Yiran's belongings were not tidy, scattered everywhere on the floor. Clothes were stuffed into boxes, and shoes were strewn about.
Takeout containers were on the table, and the dishes in the sink had not been washed for days.
The floor was covered in garbage, making it difficult to walk. The sofa was piled with clutter. She pushed the things aside and sat down directly.
Looking at Xia Yiran, her complexion was pale, she wore heavy eye makeup, and her lips were painted a bright red. She sat down, picked up the wine bottle from the table, and took a gulp. Then, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked at him with a half-smile: "Not bad, you've turned out to be quite presentable."
Liu Yaozong gritted his teeth and said nothing. He took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, found a broom, and cleaned up all the clutter from the floor. Then he tidied her clothes into the closet.
Finally, he went into the kitchen, washed all the dishes there, and wiped the countertop until it gleamed.
Xia Yiran sat on the sofa, watching all this with cold eyes. She suddenly sneered, "It seems you've learned quite a bit from Xia Weiliang about how to be an obedient dog to please your master!"