Reborn, she saved the boy who was bullied to death

Chapter 125: Surge of Loneliness and Longing

After the midterm, Ji Xunze and the best students from all over the country represented the country to participate in a competition abroad, which lasted for more than ten days.

Shang Qing was both proud and happy for him, yet also overwhelmed by a strange feeling. Ever since she'd met Ji Xun, it seemed like they'd never been apart for this long. Habits, truly, were terrifying.

In order to keep her life from being out of the ordinary, Shang Qing devoted all her energy, besides studying, to the design and research of coming-of-age ceremony dresses.

At this moment, she was at her desk, designing a sketch for her "Ode to Spring" series. She had already completed five different designs and was working on the sixth.

"Qingqing, Qingqing." Grandma Kang walked in and called softly, "Xiaoxun's call."

"Xiao Xun called you, but you didn't answer. So he called me." Grandma Kang handed the phone to Shang Qing. Shang Qing put down the drawing in her hand, stood up and took it.

"Sister." The voice came from the other side of the ocean, a little hoarse, even aggrieved.

"Xiao Xun, why haven't you gone to bed yet? It should be very late there." Shang Qing looked at the time. It was almost ten o'clock in the evening, so it should be past one in the morning there.

"I want to say goodnight to my sister." Ji Xun was lying on the bed, holding a teddy bear in his arms. In a soft voice, he made a request, "Sister, can you sing a song for me?"

Shang Qing suspected Ji Xun wasn't adapting well abroad and might be suffering from insomnia. So, in a softer voice, she said, "Okay. But, you know, I'm tone-deaf, so I can only hum nursery rhymes."

"Sister, I like listening to it." Ji Xun clicked on the recording, placed the phone on his pillow, and put it close to his ear.

A soft and gentle voice came from the microphone. Ji Xun closed his eyes and listened quietly.

"Xiao Xun, go to sleep well and get enough rest so that you can win honor for your country."

"Okay, sister, good night, go to bed early."

After hanging up the phone, Ji Xun turned on the recording. The nursery rhyme in the soft voice played on a loop. His eyes gradually closed, a satisfied arc appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his shallow breathing sounded in the quiet room.

In order to avoid the same incident as the first night when Ji Xun had to wait so late, Shang Qing contacted Ji Xun as soon as possible after school, so that he could have the right amount of time to rest and sleep.

Ji Xun was no longer satisfied with the phone call; he told Shang Qing to video chat after returning home. And so, it happened. Shang Qing rushed home and opened the video chat. It felt just like being at home with Ji Xun.

"Today, grandma made stir-fried beans, fried chicken wings, and cucumber salad. Xiao Xun, what are you having for dinner?"

"Sister, I eat bread."

"Ah? How about that? Why don't you eat something else?"

"Sister, I can't get used to the food here." Ji Xun leaned on the sofa with a wronged look on his face. Shang Qing could see his entire cheek clearly. The more she looked at him, the thinner he seemed.

"You should eat something, too. You've lost weight, and your complexion doesn't look too good." Shang Qing leaned in closer to the camera, examining her closely. Her skin, already pale and cold, now looked even more haggard and thin. Although the warm light from the bedside made it less obvious, Shang Qing could still see it. Especially, were those bloodshot eyes?

Ji Xun's breath was slightly choked by the sudden approach to her cheek, and his heart was beating wildly. His nervous fingers tightened unconsciously, and he accidentally hung up the call.

Shang Qing and Ji Xun were both confused.

Shang Qing fiddled with her phone. What's going on?

Ji Xun took several deep breaths. Just now, he felt Shang Qing's lips were about to touch his. Although it was through the phone, and although he knew it was fake, Ji Xun still felt it was real.

Looking at the black screen of his phone, he felt a little regretful. Why did he drop his phone? Why, why couldn't he stay calm? Even if it was fake, even if... he didn't want to believe it was real.

Looking at the video invitation, Ji Xun clicked it in a panic.

"Eh? Xiao Xun, I might have died accidentally just now." Shang Qing thought, maybe it was because he was only paying attention to Ji Xun's expression and condition, and didn't pay attention to where he pressed the button.

"Sister, I died accidentally just now." Ji Xun lowered his eyes slightly, with the desire that had not yet disappeared.

"Oh, it's okay." Shang Qing thought he was blaming himself. It was such a small matter, what's the big deal? So she smiled and said, "Xiao Xun, let's get ready for dinner."

"Sister, I want to watch you eat." Shang Qing did not refute Ji Xun's request. Perhaps, watching them eat, little Xun's appetite became better.

"Xiao Xun, did you drink milk before going to bed?" Grandma Kang ate the food with a smile, looking at the lively face of Ji Xun in the video on her mobile phone.

Seeing Xiao Xun's embarrassed expression, Shang Qing immediately caught the message, moved closer, and threatened: "Did you not drink?"

"Well... I forgot." Ji Xun's smile was a little forced. In fact, he really didn't like drinking milk.

"Hurry... go! Don't make me say it a second time!" Shang Qing threatened with gritted teeth. How could she forget about this? Fortunately, her grandma reminded her.

For Ji Xun's health, Grandma Kang also ordered a bottle of fresh milk for him. However, during this period when Ji Xun was not at home, Shang Qing had to drink the milk, which made Shang Qing very miserable. She didn't like drinking milk. Of course, she was not the only one who didn't like drinking milk. Ji Xun was one of them.

Supervised by Grandma Kang every day, the two of them had no choice but to grit their teeth and drink. Unexpectedly, Shang Qing helped Ji Xun finish his share. Ji Xun was abroad, and he could actually refuse to drink. How could this be possible!

"Sister, it's late. There's no milk." Ji Xun avoided her gaze with a guilty look.

Shang Qing smiled mischievously and threatened, "Xiao Xun, you can do it, right?"

Ji Xun was defeated, picked up the room phone and dialed, communicating with the other party fluently and skillfully.

Shang Qing and Grandma Kang exchanged glances over their beans, their expressions filled with admiration and pride. Her brother was amazing. He was able to communicate so smoothly with foreigners, and most importantly, he had a wonderful voice.

"Sister, it's okay. Room service will bring hot milk in a while. You will definitely watch me drink it, right?" Ji Xun was a little helpless, but more of it was the pampering and indulgence that was revealed unconsciously.

"Of course." Shang Qing nodded again and again. He was thinking, Ji Xun's spoken English is amazing. When he comes back, he must teach him.

Wow, that jawline, that elegant, noble way he drank milk, Shang Qing's eyes sparkled. Her brother was truly breathtaking from every angle. How could he be so pleasing to the eye just drinking a glass of milk?

Of course, Shang Qing would not shout out her inner cry. She just stared intently, as if she was a very serious and responsible supervisor.

"Sister, I'm done." Ji Xun obediently showed Shang Qing the empty cup. Shang Qing was satisfied and coaxed her like a child: "Good boy, Xiao Xun, go to sleep quickly and have a good dream. Good night."

"Good night, sister." The voice was tender and well-behaved.

After hanging up the call, Ji Xun turned on the recording again. The familiar melody of the nursery rhyme was gentle, bringing warmth and tenderness to the quiet and dark environment.

During the dozen or so dark nights abroad, this song, this soft and glutinous voice, accompanied him to sleep and made up for his increasingly overwhelming loneliness and longing for home.