Chapter 296: But I’m not really your sister (Alliance Leader Extra)
But Chen An shook his head for the third time.
He wore a trace of apology on his face.
“I know you mean well, but if I can’t go into the city with my sister, I’d rather stay outside the city.”
The woman glared at him and couldn’t help but chuckle in frustration.
She extended her finger and poked the boy’s forehead several times, exasperated, “Your little brain isn’t that dull, is it? Why can’t you see the bigger picture now?”
“Even if you go into the city, you can still come out with me every day, and then you could take care of her, right?”
Her words were straightforward, and even Mu Sanniang, who had been looking down, raised her head.
Her small face showed no expression.
But the boy still wouldn’t budge.
The woman seemed like she wanted to persuade him further, but a gentle female voice came from the carriage.
“Xiao Huan, don’t force it.”
Xiao Huan stomped her foot in frustration, glancing at Chen An and then at the cold expression of the ‘sister’ beside him.
In the end, she could only sigh and turn to leave.
She dove into the carriage and quickly emerged again.
This time, she held a small package.
Xiao Huan raised her eyebrows, irritably tossing it into Chen An’s arms.
With a face full of complaint, she said, “Fine, if you refuse, then consider this little bit of conscience I managed to muster as food for the dogs.”
Chen An was stunned. He hugged the package, which was not light; it felt like it contained some dry rations.
He was genuinely touched this time, his expression turning serious.
“Xiao Huan jie, don’t worry, the kindness you’ve shown me today, Chen An will definitely remember it.”
Only, Chen An had forgotten that he still had the body of a child, and with that serious tone, he appeared somewhat comically cute.
The woman was amused by his little adult demeanor, and her dwindling grievances dissolved.
She waved her hand, “Alright, alright. I only hope that when we meet next time, you won’t fail to recognize your sister.”
Once Xiao Huan finished speaking, she didn’t delay any longer and turned to get back into the carriage.
The carriage slowly started moving, traversing through the snow.
This time, Xiao Huan truly left, without looking back.
The two tracks stamped into the snow were quickly buried by the wind and snow.
Chen An stood in place, watching as the carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.
Beside him, a low, hoarse voice spoke.
“Why?”
The girl, who had been silent, finally spoke.
Chen An came back to his senses, looking momentarily stunned before replying, “Didn’t you say before, sister, that once we become family, we can’t abandon each other?”
Mu Sanniang gazed at him and whispered, “But I’m not really your sister.”
The girl seemed to fall into a peculiar state, her expression blank, and even her gaze appeared hollow.
Mu Sanniang thought to herself, I truly am a bad woman…
If only she had taken the initiative to advise him to follow the others into the city, he would certainly have a better life.
He wouldn’t need to worry about food and could wear the same thick coat as those people.
Instead of remaining outside the city, freezing and starving alongside her.
So, feeling almost self-destructive, she uttered those words.
And this was only their first day of knowing each other.
“But I’m not really your sister.”
Those words felt colder than the swirling snowstorm around them.
In response to Mu Sanniang, there was a very strong embrace.
The hug didn’t give off warmth; it was just remarkably tight.
The little boy had short arms and had to stretch up on his toes to reach her height.
Chen An’s face pressed against hers.
The warmth from their skin felt like the only comfort they could find in the bitter cold and snow.
In his ear, he heard her slightly annoyed words.
“Sister, you can’t say such things anymore.”
“If there’s a next time, I’ll be angry.”
What a completely ineffective threat.
Mu Sanniang turned her head, trying to look at him.
But due to their close proximity, the movement inevitably brushed their lips together.
Mu Sanniang didn’t dodge; she didn’t mind these things at all.
But the boy seemed different, his eyes widening as he quickly tilted his head back.
Mu Sanniang froze for a moment and subconsciously leaned forward.
For some reason, though it was just a brief contact, she found herself liking that feeling.
She didn’t understand love; she was merely following her instincts.
Her movements were clumsy, like a newborn beast learning to eat.
Chen An was dumbfounded and quickly pushed her away.
Perhaps belatedly realizing that his actions were inappropriate, Mu Sanniang no longer pressed the issue and simply reached out her hand toward the boy.
Her light blue pupils wandered helplessly on him.
Like someone who had made a mistake, forced to stand in punishment.
Fortunately, the younger brother was very understanding, gently placing his hand in her palm.
This time, without Chen An guiding her, Mu Sanniang took the initiative to intertwine their fingers.
She turned around and said, “Let’s go.”
Chen An softly replied, following her lead.
A thick layer of snow lay on the ground, and every step they took made a soft crunching sound.
The world around them was a vast expanse of white.
Aside from the howling wind and the sounds they made as they walked through the snow, there was nothing else.
After a while, Mu Sanniang, stubbornly walking ahead to shield Chen An from the wind and snow, suddenly spoke.
She glanced back at him.
“We are family; what’s wrong with showing affection between family?”
After she finished speaking, as though feeling it wasn’t enough, she added, “Family should hug, after all.”
Chen An was astonished by her audacious logic.
But he didn’t mind, merely chuckling softly.
“Mm, mm, you’re right, sister.”
Mu Sanniang took a couple of steps and then stopped.
She didn’t turn around, just stated, “Then you mustn’t be angry.”
Chen An laughed, “Okay, I won’t be angry.”
Then Mu Sanniang continued walking.
She quietly murmured words only she could hear.
“Family, hugs…”
“It’s perfectly normal; it’s just too normal. Family should hug; otherwise, what kind of family is it…”
Chen An followed closely behind her, suddenly wondering since when Mu Sanniang stopped being caught up in the terms ‘sister’ and ‘mother’.
As he thought about this, he happened to hear a voice ahead.
“And also, you mustn’t call anyone else sister casually from now on.”
“Okay.”
“But you called someone today.”
“Then I won’t call again in the future.”
Mu Sanniang felt a bit unreasonable after hearing this.
She wasn’t the kind of strict sister, so she amended her words, “I just don’t want you to call casually; I didn’t say you can’t call at all.”
A response came from behind.
“Alright, I’ll listen to sister.”
Mu Sanniang lifted her other hand, rubbing her reddened eyes.
She told herself that Mu Sanniang was strong and wouldn’t cry.
It was just that the snowstorm was too strong today and had accidentally made her eyes water.
…
They didn’t notice a thin figure trailing far behind them.
It was a gaunt man.
But regardless of how emaciated he appeared, he was still a real adult.
His gaze was fixated intently on the bundle the little boy was holding.
Greedy and urgent.
As night approached, the wind and snow grew heavier.
It effectively concealed the man’s movements.
Phew, finally caught up. This extra update has been a long time coming (I really write slowly. Thank you all for your rewards, votes, and support during this time! Along the way, things have improved so much compared to when I first started!).
(End of chapter)
