The four little ones listened carefully, and though they didn’t fully understand, they respected the decision. Felix cried for a while, then felt better. He saw a little curly-haired boy smile at him.
“Big brother is awesome,” the little guy said, giving a thumbs-up.
The little one was cute, with big eyes and soft hair. Felix didn’t understand the words but knew the universal gesture. He was being praised. With the four new friends, Felix felt less alone. They invited Felix to join them. They had been hiking for almost an hour, and they were tired. Shen Yan was allowed to hold the little guy’s hand.
He offered to carry Youyou. Youyou shook his head, insisting on walking. A few minutes later, Shen Yan wiped his sweat and carried him on his back. Youyou only agreed after Pei Qiqi persuaded him.
“Big Brother, I love you. Thank you,” he said softly.
Shen Yan was moved. His brother’s words were so sweet.
“Big Brother loves you too. Are you tired? Want some water?”
Youyou still wanted to walk. Shen Yan asked when. The little guy didn’t know. He held up five fingers, saying he’d walk after counting to fifty. Shen Yan knew he could count to two hundred and thirty-eight.
“Go ahead.”
Youyou counted, but Shen Yan said he’d made a mistake. Pei Qiqi agreed. Youyou had skipped forty. The innocent little one had to start over, counting to fifty multiple times before reaching the finish. Shen Yan set him down for the final stretch. Pei Qiqi and Mi Le surprised everyone with their endurance. Hua Zhao wiped his face, proud but a little sad. She wasn’t his mother and couldn’t carry him. Pei Qiqi sat by Youyou, sharing his aunt’s homemade cookies.
“These are the best,” Pei Qiqi said.
The other kids agreed. Felix felt welcome in this group. He looked at his own friends, wondering if they would come back.
“Of course they will,” Mi Le said.
Felix didn’t think so. He started to cry again. Youyou circled him, worried. Niu Niu said her cousin said foreign kids cried a lot. The group promised never to leave a friend behind. The teacher tried to comfort Felix. Felix refused to go back to his old friends. The teacher asked if Felix could stay with them a while. The group welcomed him. They played and laughed. A group of older kids approached, led by a blond boy. The leader’s expression was arrogant.
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Wren On DSMC Chapter 175.2