Jiaojiao nodded. Zhao Li said the neighbors were easygoing, so they should really be easygoing. But she was quite curious about the twin boys she mentionedâthey were good-looking, smart, and got into Qing University without needing to take the college entrance exam. Thatâs really impressive.
When Duan Xi came in carrying things from the trunk, Zhao Li remembered she had unfinished chores at home. She pulled Jiaojiaoâs small hand, saying there was delicious food saved for her at home and she should pick it up later, then headed back.
After Zhao Li left, Jiaojiao eagerly spilled the gossip to Duan Xi: "Brother Xi, the people next door are actually a pair of twins. Aunt just said theyâre about our age, direct admissions to Qing University, and even won big awards abroad. Theyâre really impressive!"
The more Jiaojiao spoke, the more interested she became in their new neighbors. She ran over and grabbed Duan Xiâs hand, excitedly suggesting, "Brother Xi, why donât we go over and see them too?"
But Duan Xi was only thinking about the person they had just met on the road, uninterested and coldly questioned her, "Arenât you worried about Xiaobai?"
Only then did Jiaojiao remember that Xiaobaiâs issue was unresolved. She quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, Xiaobai is more important now. Brother Xi, when will you go look for it?"
"After dark," Duan Xi replied, then thought of something and pulled her into his arms, "Be good and stay at home, donât run around, okay?"
"Iâve always been good," Jiaojiao answered with some bafflement. Besides the incident at the zoo, she hadnât done anything worrisome recently, right?
Feeling Duan Xiâs unusual demeanor, she reached out and hugged him back, asking cautiously, "Brother Xi, whatâs wrong with you? Did something happen?"
Jiaojiao found it strange. They seemed fine when they returned, but now Duan Xi seemed a bit off, carrying a feeling she couldnât describe.
Duan Xi just held her tight, unable to pinpoint why himself.
Ever since meeting that person, he felt a sense of unease, a feeling he hadnât experienced even when Jiaojiaoâs life was threatened before.
It seemed like something that had been overlooked was suddenly emerging, making him feel unsure.
Jiaojiao was held in his arms, not understanding what was wrong with him, so she just obediently let him hold her.
Around six oâclock in the evening, the sky gradually darkened.
After finishing dinner, Jiaojiao sat on the balcony of her room on the second floor, enjoying the evening breeze. She was relaxing on the swing, while Duan Xi was reading beside her.
The villas in their community were quite spaced out, about a hundred meters apart, and big trees blocked the view between yards, making it nearly impossible to see into othersâ yards.
However, standing on the balcony might allow one to see some things in the opposite yard.
Now sitting on her balcony, Jiaojiao seemed to see a silhouette moving on the balcony a hundred meters away, eventually standing still.
Jiaojiao quickly tugged on Duan Xi next to her, pointing at the opposite balcony, "Brother Xi, look there, isnât someone standing there?" She blinked, trying hard to distinguish, "I even feel like theyâre looking at us, too. Brother Xi, look quickly."