Chapter 55

When Zhang Tan said he had made cold noodles and invited them to try, little Chen Lulu was already so eager that she couldn't sit still, her little bottom squirming on the chair, looking at Xiao Bai with pleading eyes, as if she wanted to pry open her little mouth and answer for her.

Xiao Bai eventually followed Zhang Tan home as a guest.

He invited the four children to sit at the table, giving each one a small bowl. Cheng Cheng didn't know how to use chopsticks, so he prepared a small fork for her. She lowered her head, almost burying her face in the small bowl.

Zhang Tan brought the prepared cold noodles to the table.

"Cheng Cheng, Cheng Cheng, move your little face a bit."

He filled the four small bowls.

Chen Lulu whispered, "Can we have some meat? I want some meat~~"

"Sure, sure." Zhang Tan put three large slices of beef in her bowl, "Is that okay?"

Chen Lulu was somewhat satisfied, "Let's just go with that for now."

"Tell me if you want more, don't be shy."

"Baby won't be shy."

Chen Lulu was really not shy. This little girl was much bolder than Xiao Mi and Cheng Cheng, almost matching Xiao Bai, but she wasn't as sensible as Xiao Bai, being rather silly and innocent.

Actually, Zhang Tan was speaking to Cheng Cheng and Xiao Mi, as these two children were very polite.

"Does Cheng Cheng want to eat some shrimp?" Zhang Tan asked Meng Cheng Cheng.

Meng Cheng Cheng was a bit dazed, and Xiao Bai nudged her, "Don't be a wooden stick, silly."

Meng Cheng Cheng finally reacted, nodding her head first, then shaking it, and said softly, "Will I eat you poor?"

Zhang Tan could only bring out his bold excuse again.

"No, I made money today."

Only then did Cheng Cheng agree to eat some shrimp.

"What about Xiao Mi? Do you want some beef and shrimp?"

"Okay~" Xiao Mi said weakly, "Thank you, Uncle."

Zhang Tan put three large shrimp in her bowl and said, "Actually, I'm quite young, you can call me brother too."

But the children ignored this, calling him as they always did.

It was Xiao Bai's turn. Xiao Bai was in a bad mood, her face sour. Whatever Zhang Tan gave her, she ate it, saying very little, only reminding Meng Cheng Cheng when she was lost in thought.

The children had already eaten dinner, so they quickly couldn't eat any more. Nearly half of the cold noodles were left, which Zhang Tan packed in a container and put in the fridge, making an appointment with the children to come again the next evening.

"Come! If you don't come, you're a puppy."

Chen Lulu was full of energy, restless after eating, running around the house, and then being subdued by Xiao Bai, who chased her out the door to play with the other children downstairs.

Xiao Bai was about to leave, and Zhang Tan tried to keep her.

"What do you want to do?"

Xiao Bai wasn't afraid of him. They had been in contact for so long, and Uncle was a good person, just a bit quirky.

Zhang Tan tried to use a gentle tone, "The little boy apologized today, don't be angry anymore."

Xiao Bai asked curiously, "Which little boy?"

"The one who passed by the school gate, carrying a backpack."

"Oh, that silly boy, huh?"

"He apologized."

"What?"

"He apologized for the clothes."

"Oh."

Xiao Bai didn't seem to want to talk, and Zhang Tan wasn't sure if she was just not bothered or didn't want to talk to him.

Last time, when he offered to teach her to read, the child said they weren't good friends and refused, which was heartbreaking.

Maybe now she didn't want to talk to him because they weren't good friends.

After more than a month of contact, Zhang Tan knew Xiao Bai best in the whole school. Despite being only 4.5 years old, she understood a lot.

For example, every time she came to his house, she would bring something small, like boiled peanuts, candies, eggs, or even dings, earthworms, and cicadas. After many times, he realized that these weren't just coincidental, but perhaps brought specially for him.

Zhang Tan said a bit more, but seeing that Xiao Bai wasn't talking much, he wasn't sure if she had heard him.

"Go back and play with the other children."

"Bye, Uncle."

Xiao Bai got up to leave, changed into her small shoes at the door, and happened to see the full-length mirror in the foyer.

In the mirror, she saw herself. The child looked curiously for a while and suddenly asked Zhang Tan, "Uncle, why did they throw away the clothes?"

?? Zhang Tan didn't understand.

"This clothes is so good, why did they throw it away?" Xiao Bai repeated, pointing to the No. 33 jersey she was wearing.

Zhang Tan understood. It turned out his previous explanation was in vain, as Xiao Bai had already decided that the clothes were discarded by others.

"They made a mistake, this isn't their clothes."

"Exactly!" Xiao Bai said excitedly, "This clothes was picked up by my aunt! I know that."

"..."

You know a bit too much.

Xiao Bai asked again, "Uncle, why did they throw away this clothes? This clothes is so good, why throw it away?"

Zhang Tan thought for a moment and said, "It's because they grew up, and this clothes is from when they were younger. When they grow up, they can't wear it anymore, but the clothes are still good, so they give it to children who need it."

"Like you, you're 4.5 years old now. When you're 5, many of the clothes you wear now will be too small. What do you do with those clothes?"

Xiao Bai answered, "Give them to other children to wear."

"Exactly, that's right. Give them to other 3 or 4-year-old children, like Cheng Cheng, Lulu, and Xiao Mi, who can wear them."

"Xiao Mi is also 4.5 years old, the same age as me."

"Oh, right. Then it's Cheng Cheng and Lulu. Look at my house, this sofa, this TV, this stool and chair, they were all used by others before, but they are still very good, right? I use them happily, don't you think?"

These pieces of furniture were moved from the old Zhang family house, all old items.

Xiao Bai looked around and understood a bit.

"Didn't my aunt pick it up?"

Zhang Tan said, "Of course not, it was donated. Do you know what donation is? It means I told many people that I have a very good piece of clothes that my child can't wear anymore. If anyone has a child who can wear it, they can take it. Your aunt knew and said she has Xiao Bai, who is 4.5 years old and can wear it. They gave it to your aunt and told her to cherish it, as it's like new..."

Zhang Tan said a lot, even convincing himself, but Xiao Bai looked at him suspiciously, "Uncle, are you lying to Xiao Bai? I think you're a bit quirky."

Zhang Tan: ╥﹏╥

"Do you want to cry?" Xiao Bai asked.

"How can I! I'm just a bit heartbroken."

"Heartbroken?"

"Sad."

"Because of what?"

"Your words hurt me."

"What did I say?"

"You said I'm quirky."

"I just said it casually."

"Can you say that casually?"

"Ha ha ha~~~"

Seeing Xiao Bai finally laugh, Zhang Tan felt much lighter, but then heard her say, "I think you're lying to the children?"

Zhang Tan swore, "I absolutely didn't. How about this, are you free this weekend? I'll take you to a place to see how people donate clothes. Do you want to go?"

"That person said they have a child whose clothes don't fit anymore, and asked if any other children need them. Is it that place?"

The child described it vividly, making it quite visual.

"Yes, exactly that place."

"Is it fun?"

"Very fun, do you want to go?"

"What about my aunt?"

"I'll talk to your aunt."

"Oh."

"Then it's settled."

"I'm very busy."

"What are you busy with?"

"Counting stars."

"..."

You're joking with me.

"There are so many stars, I can't keep track."

"Then don't count stars this weekend. Free up your time, and I'll take you out to play. We'll go see the place where people donate clothes, and try some bear drinks and other delicious things."

"Why are you so nice to me?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think I'm cute?"

Zhang Tan was speechless, seeing Xiao Bai's determined look, he had to admit it.

"Yes, I think you're super cute."

"Okay." Xiao Bai said happily, and Zhang Tan thought she had agreed, but then she said, "I'll think about it."

After sending her off, Zhang Tan tidied up the table, recalling what he had said to Xiao Bai. He understood why she had cried initially. It wasn't because she was wearing someone else's old clothes, but because she was sad that someone had thrown away such good clothes.

Why throw away such good clothes? So she ran out to return the clothes to the owner.

Zhang Tan suddenly felt very heartbroken for her.

The day after tomorrow is the weekend, I need to plan a trip to take her out.

Although the child didn't directly agree, when a girl answers like that, it usually means there's no big problem. If you make a plan, she will likely accept it.

But first, he needed to convince Xiao Bai's aunt, Ma Lanhua.

Letting a stranger take Xiao Bai away would definitely make her worried. He needed to find a way to reassure her... After thinking for a long time, Zhang Tan suddenly laughed, feeling like he was sneaking Xiao Bai away.