The Gentle Breeze Reflects in My Eyes - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Gu Yitong giggled as she dodged the flying pillow, teasingly adding, “Getting violent the moment we disagree? You really are as hard to please as a little princess.”

Fuming, Qi Jingwen leaped off the bed. But before he could launch a counter-attack, Gu Yitong reached out and pinched both of his cheeks, instantly turning his handsome face into a squished steamed bun.

“Don’t be mad at Sis anymore,” Gu Yitong said, her voice softening as she looked at the “bun” in front of her.

Deflated by her playfulness, Qi Jingwen’s anger evaporated, though a lingering sense of being wronged remained. He gave a cold snort, swatted her hands away, and turned his face to the side.

“Fine. Then you have to buy me a new game console,” he muttered stiffly, his voice still tinged with a touch of “tsundere” pride.

His room was already overflowing with game cartridges, and old and new consoles were piled high in boxes. Gu Yitong knew perfectly well this was just the “graceful exit” he was giving himself.

She suppressed a smile and followed his lead. “Deal. I’ll buy it.”

After spending a few more moments in Jingwen’s room, she returned to her own, where she found Xia Lusheng still sitting in the chair, in the exact same position as when she had left.

Hearing footsteps, Lusheng stirred and turned her face toward her. “Yitong-jie, how is Jingwen? Is he still angry?”

Gu Yitong found it almost magical how Lusheng, despite being unable to see, could accurately tell it was her the moment she entered the room.

“He’s fine. Lusheng, don’t take his words to heart.” Gu Yitong sat down in front of her.

Xia Lusheng shook her head slightly, her expression unreadable.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Yitong began, “When I first came to Uncle Qi’s house, Jingwen was only five. My mom happened to be in the hospital for an appendectomy, it was almost New Year, and Uncle Qi’s company was incredibly busy, so they hired a nanny to look after him.”

“That woman had a terrible temper. She was pleasant enough in front of Uncle Qi, but behind his back, she treated Jingwen poorly. On my first day there, I caught her feeding him leftovers. I told Uncle Qi as soon as he got home, and he fired her on the spot.”

As Gu Yitong spoke, old memories flooded back. She shifted her seating position and continued, “Children of the poor grow up fast. I was ten then and had already learned to cook from my dad. Uncle Qi didn’t trust another nanny, so I naturally took over the task of looking after Jingwen. By the time Mom came home from the hospital, he was already very attached to me.”

That attachment had lasted over ten years.

Gu Yitong looked at Lusheng. “So, Lusheng, don’t blame him for throwing a tantrum. He just feels neglected. He’s been spoiled, but there’s no malice in him.”

Lusheng bit her lip, eventually whispering, “I understand, Yitong-jie.”

Noticing that Lusheng’s emotions seemed even more guarded than before—her hands tightly clenched again—Gu Yitong felt a sudden pang in her heart, mentally scolding herself for being clumsy with her words.

She tentatively reached out to take Lusheng’s hand. The girl flinched back but, failing to break free, went still.

Seeing this, Gu Yitong stood up and pulled Lusheng into a hug, shifting her tone to a coaxing one: “But Lusheng, I can’t stand seeing you feel wronged. You are just as important as Jingwen. I can tolerate his tantrums, but I cannot tolerate him making you feel slighted or anxious.”

In her arms, Xia Lusheng froze, processing the words. After a moment, she moved, wrapping her arms around Gu Yitong’s waist. Her voice was soft, almost like a whimper. “I don’t feel wronged.”

Feeling the girl’s mood finally lift, Gu Yitong let out a long breath of relief.

…

The next day at noon, the two returned to the city.

Xia Lusheng lay relaxedly on her bed. She preferred it here—just her and Yitong-jie. Here, she didn’t have to worry about bumping into anyone or doing something wrong. From late August to this National Day holiday, in just one month, she had come to consider this place home. Gu Yitong was her only family now, after her mother.

Gu Yitong watched Lusheng rolling around on the bed and suddenly suggested, “Lusheng, let’s go out and play.”

Lusheng stopped moving. “Where?”

“The amusement park.”

Lusheng froze, her immediate instinct being to refuse. “No…”

Gu Yitong walked over and pinched her cheek. “I’m here. I’ll be with you. What are you afraid of?”

A look of deep conflict crossed Lusheng’s face; her inner struggle was obvious. Gu Yitong didn’t pressure her, waiting patiently for an answer. Finally, Lusheng looked toward her and asked, “Yitong-jie, do you want to go?”

Gu Yitong thought for a moment and replied, “Yes, I do.”

After another long silence, Lusheng finally made up her mind. She steeled her heart and gritted her teeth. “Okay!”

Gu Yitong felt a surge of warmth. She knew how difficult this decision was for Lusheng; it was a massive hurdle. The fact that Lusheng was willing to try just for her was something she deeply appreciated.

…

It was National Day week—the peak of the holiday season. The amusement park was packed. Gu Yitong had to circle the area twice before finding a parking spot.

Even before getting out of the car, Lusheng could hear the cacophony of the crowds outside. She gripped her seatbelt nervously. She had always avoided crowds and had never set foot in such a chaotic place. Moreover, she couldn’t see.

Gu Yitong walked around to the passenger side, leaned in to unbuckle the belt, and helped her out. Once they were standing steady, Gu Yitong pulled a pair of black sunglasses from her pocket and placed them on Lusheng.

Lusheng was stunned for a second, then immediately realized what Gu Yitong was doing. Her brows furrowed and she pursed her lips, looking clearly displeased.

Gu Yitong saw the change in her expression but pretended not to notice. Lusheng was insecure and sensitive, but she was also proud. Wearing sunglasses was a blatant signal to the world that she was blind, which was hard for her to swallow.

But Gu Yitong wanted her to accept and adapt. The fact that she couldn’t see was unchangeable. She didn’t want Lusheng to isolate herself from the world just because she feared the gaze of others. She wasn’t sure if she was pushing too hard, but the Lusheng of her past life—who had closed herself off and eventually committed suicide—was proof that the old way brought no happiness.

She wanted to try a new way of living for herself. Perhaps, this time, everything would be different.

“Let’s go,” Gu Yitong said, giving Lusheng’s hand a gentle squeeze.

Although Lusheng disliked the glasses, she didn’t show much outward resistance. With one hand holding Gu Yitong’s and the other gripping her white cane, she began to walk forward, stumbling slightly into the crowd.