Xia Xianning crouched looking at his tooth, his brow originally furrowed. Just about to speak, he turned and saw Luo Yingbai’s face full of worry.
The words at the tip of his tongue changed to: “It’s okay.”
Xia Xianning had lost a front tooth, speaking with a slight lisp: “Teeth will still grow. You also lost quite a few before.”
Luo Yingbai, looking at his blood, felt very sad and stopped teasing, saying weakly, “Yeah.”
It was indeed very cold. After speaking, Xia Xianning sneezed. Luo Yingbai opened his wrapped blanket: “Come in. It’s so cold. Let’s wrap ourselves together, and you won’t feel uncomfortable.”
Xia Xianning went over, and the two children nestled together, both feeling much warmer.
…
Decades later, in their shared home, Luo Yingbai closed a small box he’d pulled from a drawer, filled with Xia Xianning’s baby teeth from back then.
He turned back and smiled at Xia Xianning: “See, junior brother? This is how my advantages aren’t easily taken. Eat one of my candies, and you’ll pay with a tooth.”
Xia Xianning was already lying in bed and, without looking, casually replied, “Yes, your advantages are indeed not easily taken. To have you, one must pay with a life and a heart.”
Luo Yingbai was stunned, then burst into laughter, running to the bedside to pinch Xia Xianning’s cheek: “Tsk tsk, kid, you’ve learned now, huh? Your eloquence is getting better. Hurry up and kneel down to thank your senior brother!”
(end)
