3: Chapter 3 Good Girl

He counted out forty bills and handed them to Brother Sun.

"Oh right, Brother Sun, it's good that you're here. I've earned some money these past few days."

"I'll pay back part of the rent I owe you first."

"Six months' rent is six thousand yuan, right? Here is four thousand in cash, take this for now."

"As for the remaining two thousand, I'll go to the Bank to withdraw it tomorrow and transfer it directly to your card."

Shen Yan's movements were crisp and neat, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the most ordinary matter.

Brother Sun was stunned. Looking at the thick stack of money, he waved his hands repeatedly. "Hey, Little Shen, no rush, no rush! You're in a difficult spot right now, you should keep this money for emergencies!"

Sister-in-law Sun felt a bit awkward at this moment.

She knew that Shen Yan must have heard their conversation just now.

She bit her lip and spoke up, "Little Shen, it's not that your sister-in-law is heartless, it's just... it's just that there's a problem with the business back home. Goods are stuck in our hands, and we urgently need money for turnover, otherwise I wouldn't..."

Shen Yan interrupted her with an understanding smile on his face.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to explain, I understand."

"It's only natural to pay back what one owes."

"To be honest, even if you hadn't come today, I was planning to bring the rent over to you in the next day or two anyway."

His words were half-true, but they gave the landlord couple a graceful way out.

Seeing Shen Yan's open and honest manner, Brother Sun felt relieved. He stopped refusing and took the four thousand yuan.

"Then... alright, Little Shen, I'll take it for now. There's no rush for the rest, just give it whenever it's convenient."

Sister-in-law Sun also showed a grateful expression. "Thank you, Little Shen. You've really helped me out a lot."

Shen Yan smiled. "It's only right. Well then, Brother Sun and Sister-in-law Sun, I'll head inside now."

"Ah, okay, okay."

Watching the landlord couple head downstairs, Shen Yan pulled out his keys and opened his creaking door.

The sound of Brother Sun and Sister-in-law Sun's footsteps downstairs gradually faded away.

Shen Yan's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

He turned around and looked inside the room.

The ten-square-meter space felt even more cramped.

A single bed took up most of the room.

By the bed, a grey-haired old woman was hunched over, gently patting the hand of the girl on the bed.

Lying on the bed was Shen Yan's younger sister, Shen Ya.

Her young face was devoid of color, her eyes were tightly shut, a thin oxygen tube was inserted into her nose, and her chest rose and fell weakly with the ventilator.

Hearing the door open, the old woman turned her head.

Seeing it was Shen Yan, a kind smile appeared on her face.

"Little Shen, you're back."

The old woman stood up slowly and stretched her somewhat stiff back.

"Aunt Liu." Shen Yan walked over quickly, his voice filled with gratitude. "I've troubled you again these past few days."

Grandma Liu waved her hand with a mock-reproachful look.

"Saying that makes us sound like strangers."

"I like Little Ya, she's a good child. Talking to her keeps me from getting bored."

She walked to the foot of the bed and picked up a thin jacket draped over the back of a chair.

"Now that you're back, I'll leave Little Ya to you. It's time for me to head back."

Shen Yan felt a warmth in his heart as he watched Grandma Liu's slightly unsteady back.

This Grandma Liu was his neighbor from across the hall. Her husband had passed away early, and her children lived in other cities.

Ever since Shen Ya was transferred to a nearby hospital for maintenance treatment, he had been working during the day and caring for his sister at night, often finding himself stretched too thin.

It was Grandma Liu who took the initiative to help look after her, allowing him to catch his breath.

Shen Yan always kept this kindness in his heart.

He quickly pulled out some money from the remaining five hundred yuan in his pocket and handed it over.

"Aunt Liu, this is for the care you've provided for Little Ya during this time. Please take it."

When Grandma Liu saw the money, her face immediately stiffened.

She put her hands behind her back, feigning anger.

"Little Shen! What are you doing?"

"Are you trying to insult your aunt?"

"How many times have I told you? I'm alone and have nothing to do. Although my legs aren't as agile as they used to be, watching over someone is no problem."

"Besides, this old lady likes Little Ya very much. Having her to talk to makes me more than happy!"

"No matter what you say, I won't take this money! Put it away quickly!"

Grandma Liu's attitude was firm, her tone brook no argument.

Looking at her sincere yet slightly angry eyes, Shen Yan knew she really wouldn't accept it.

He silently put the money away, his gratitude deepening.

"Then... Aunt Liu, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I just bought some roast duck, it's still warm. Why don't we eat together?" Shen Yan lifted the bag in his hand.

The aroma of roast duck instantly filled the room.

Grandma Liu sniffed and smiled.

"You child, you're having a hard time yourself, yet you still bought this."

Despite her words, she didn't refuse further and sat down on a small stool by the bed.

Shen Yan found two disposable bowls and poured out the roast duck.

The duck skin was glossy and oily, and the scent of the meat was mouth-watering.

"Aunt Liu, please try some."

Grandma Liu picked up a piece and ate slowly, but her eyes kept glancing at Shen Yan.

"Little Shen, let me tell you something." She put down her chopsticks, her tone a bit tentative.

"Go ahead." Shen Yan replied unclearly while gnawing on a duck leg.

"I have a niece about your age."

"She's a doctor over in Hai Province. She's good-looking, but she has high standards and hasn't started a family yet."

Shen Yan's heart skipped a beat, sensing what was coming.

Sure enough, Grandma Liu continued, "I think the two of you... would be a good match."

"How about I give you her contact information and you young people can chat for yourselves?"

The muscles in Shen Yan's face stiffened, and a bitter smile appeared.

He put down the roast duck and looked at Grandma Liu seriously.

"Aunt Liu, thank you for your kindness."

"But given my current situation... you know how it is."

"My sister is lying here like this, I don't have a stable job, and I'm buried in debt."

"I can't go and drag a good girl down with me."

His tone was very calm, yet it carried a heartbreaking weight.

Hearing this, Grandma Liu waved her hand dismissively.

"What do you mean by drag down?"

Her voice rose slightly, filled with an undeniable certainty.

"Little Shen, I'm a good judge of character!"

"You're just down on your luck for now, it's not like you can't make a comeback!"

"You've got that stubborn streak in you, and there's a light in your eyes!"

"I believe that sooner or later, you'll distinguish yourself and make a comeback!"

"When that time comes, plenty of girls will be fighting over you!"

"Getting to know each other now is fate!"

Hearing Grandma Liu's words, Shen Yan felt a mix of emotions.

Make a comeback?

If it weren't for the system appearing, he wouldn't even know where his money for tomorrow's meal was coming from.

He didn't dare to respond further, afraid of disappointing the old woman's kindness.

He lowered his head and took a few more bites of roast duck.

"Aunt Liu, I... I'll massage Little Ya's legs first. The doctor said more movement is good for her blood circulation."

Saying that, he put down his chopsticks, walked to the bedside, lifted the thin quilt, and began to gently massage Shen Ya's stiff calves.

His movements were practiced and gentle.

Grandma Liu looked at his retreating back, then at Shen Ya lying quietly on the bed, and sighed softly.

"Sigh, such a good child, just a bit of a hard life."

She stood up.

"Alright then, I won't force you."

"But I'll keep this in mind. When there's a chance, I'll have to help arrange things for you."

She walked to the door and turned back to remind him once more.

"Eat the roast duck while it's hot. It'll taste fishy once it gets cold."

"Thank you, Aunt Liu." Shen Yan didn't look back, his voice sounding a bit muffled.

The door closed once again.

Only Shen Yan and his quiet sister remained in the room.

Along with that half-eaten roast duck, giving off an enticing aroma.

Shen Yan stopped the massaging motion.

He sat by the bed, silently looking at Shen Ya's pale face.

He looked for a long, long time.

He reached out and gently brushed away a stray lock of hair from his sister's forehead.

From his fingertips came a slightly cool body temperature.

"Little Ya."

His voice was very soft, carrying a suppressed hoarseness.

"Don't worry."

"Brother... won't let you keep lying here like this."

"No matter the cost, I will make you wake up."

"Just like before, standing in front of me, smiling and calling for me."

His voice echoed in the silent room, carrying a desperate resolve.

Outside the window, the night deepened.

The bustle of the urban village gradually subsided.

Time slipped away bit by bit.

The low chime of midnight rang out.