SSB – Chapter 37.1

Sang Zhi felt that his reaction was somewhat frightening.

What’s wrong with this old man?

Could it be that her reaction just now was too intense?

But if she stood by and watched him being bullied without doing anything, like a bystander, would that still make her human?

Sang Zhi felt that she hadn’t done anything inappropriate.

“Brother, you don’t need to dwell on what happened just now,” Sang Zhi thought for a moment and continued, “When I was in eighth grade and being extorted, you helped me too.”

Duan Jiaxu nodded in response.

Sang Zhi added, “Now that you’re older, it’s my turn to help you.”

“…”

They happened to pass by a trash bin, and Sang Zhi tossed the used tissues into it. When she turned back, she noticed that Duan Jiaxu’s expression had stiffened, and his smile had faded a bit.

He seemed to have returned to normal to a considerable extent.

As if he had snapped out of it and realized what his sudden thought had been.

Then, Sang Zhi saw it.

Duan Jiaxu lowered his gaze, his lips pressed together, as if finding something quite unbelievable. His tone bordered on absurdity, barely audible as he muttered, “I must be crazy.”

“…”

Well, he did seem a little crazy.

However, being publicly splashed with water was indeed a blow to one’s self-esteem.

Sang Zhi didn’t know how to comfort him. She entered a men’s clothing store, changing the topic, “Brother, you should change into a new outfit quickly. It’s uncomfortable to wear wet clothes.”

Duan Jiaxu remained motionless.

Sang Zhi casually picked up a piece of clothing and handed it to him. “How about this one?”

Only then did he react, his eyelashes flickering slowly. “Hmm.”

As he entered the fitting room, Sang Zhi continued to browse around the store. She found a piece of clothing she liked and was about to pick it up when her phone suddenly rang.

Sang Zhi withdrew her hand, checked the caller ID, and immediately answered, “Brother.”

Sang Yan’s voice came through the line, sounding somewhat lazy, “Little Devil, when’s your vacation? I’ll help you book the plane ticket.” 

Sang Zhi frowned: “Why the rush? There’s still over half a month left.”

“Then book it yourself?”

“You transfer me the money, and I’ll book it myself.”

“What money should I transfer to you? Am I your dad?”

“Oh, Dad.”

“…”

“It’s the end of the month, time for my allowance.” Sang Zhi reached out and touched the men’s coat in front of her. “Brother, you’ve waited until the very last day.”

“…”

“If you don’t transfer the money to me, don’t bother transferring it at all. Just take that money and buy me a coffin.”

Sang Yan sneered, “You’re getting a double portion of allowance every month. Do you have no shame, Little Devil?”

“Where’s the double portion?” Without batting an eye, Sang Zhi stood her ground, “Dad said it, he provides half, and you provide half.”

“How high is the cost of living in Yihe? Do you really need six thousand a month?” Sang Yan asked.

Sang Zhi glanced at the size of the clothing, then rummaged through it, “I’m being thrifty already. I can’t even afford to buy an extra piece of candy, or I’d exceed my budget.”

“Is candy in your place a thousand yuan each?”

“No.” Sang Zhi remained unfazed, “It’s a thousand yuan per piece.”

“…” Sang Yan said, “Fine, let’s just pretend I don’t have a sister like you.”

Sang Zhi fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly added another, “Coffin.”

Sang Yan hung up the phone directly.

Listening to the cold, indifferent beep in her ear, Sang Zhi glanced at her phone screen and shrugged indifferently. She put the phone back into her pocket and continued flipping through the sizes, finally finding the XXL size and taking it down.

When she turned around, she noticed that Duan Jiaxu had already changed into the new set of clothes. She had randomly handed him a black hoodie without checking the size earlier. Upon a closer look, it seemed to fit quite well.

Holding the clothes in her hands, Sang Zhi walked up to him and asked, “Is this the one you want?”

Duan Jiaxu glanced at her and casually asked, “Did you just talk to your brother?”

“Yeah, he asked if I’ve booked my plane ticket.” Sang Zhi honestly replied, then handed the clothes to him, “Brother, can you try this on for me?”

Upon hearing the word “try,” Duan Jiaxu calmly accepted the clothes, raising an eyebrow slightly as he asked, “Who are you giving this to?”

“My brother.” Sang Zhi looked around again. “It’s a New Year’s gift.”

“…”

“I’ll buy one for my dad too, so I won’t need to shop anymore when I go back.” Saying this, Sang Zhi raised her eyes and pointed to the clothes he was wearing, “By the way, do you like this one?”

Duan Jiaxu seemed casual: “Looks good?”

“It’s quite nice.”

“Then this is it.”

Sang Zhi nodded, took out her phone, and glanced at it, just in time to see a notification from Alipay for a money transfer.

She opened it to check.

—Sang Yan has transferred 5000 yuan to you.

Note: Don’t call me ‘Brother’ the next time we meet.

“…”