It was a weekend afternoon,
the warm spring breeze brushed through the room, and Xia Tian was fast asleep.
The phone was tossed aside, frozen on the game screen.
Xiao Bei Chang Tan gently took her blanket and covered her brother's belly.
Before,
Xiao Bei Chang Tan's work pay was too little. She couldn't handle many jobs and could only do the ones that others didn't want to do.
Food was basically just rice, and it wasn't guaranteed to be available every day. If she had bad luck for several days in a row and couldn't find work, the family would often run out of food. So, even on rainy days, Xiao Bei Chang Tan couldn't rest.
Now,
the days where she had nothing to do all weekend made Xiao Bei Chang Tan feel a little uncomfortable.
In her past life, she had no work, no food. But now, her brother fed her full every day, and the weekends were no exception, with three meals a day. She ate her fill, then slept, and slept her fill, then ate again.
She found something to do for herself, turned around and sat at the small wooden table, starting to write a letter.
Xiao Bei Chang Tan could read, even if she didn't recognize every character, she could use pinyin instead.
She was writing to Mr. Wu Ba Mei Jia.
Mr. Wu Ba Mei Jia was a good man, tall and thin, who would send her a birthday greeting letter and a gift every year.
He was the best person to her, besides her grandma and brother.
Mr. Wu Ba Mei Jia,
I found a job. Now I live in a city called Tokyo with my boss brother.
He's a very good person. He doesn't let me call him boss, he wants me to call him brother.
He's a small merchant. We don't have a store. He rides a tricycle to school every day..... Monday to Friday, to set up a stall.
We sell steamed buns. Sometimes I'm in charge of watching the fire and sometimes I greet the customers.
The customers here are all very nice, big brothers and sisters. They just love to touch my head. I also met Jing Jie Jie, Xue Zhi Xia Jie Jie, and Tuan Zi Jie Jie. Tuan Zi Jie Jie's name is Yu Bi Bin, but my brother always calls her Tuan Zi.
Jing Jie Jie helped me mend my blanket. Now my little blanket has a Pikachu pattern, it's so pretty.
Xue Zhi Xia Jie Jie treated me to steamed buns. Although I later shared half with Jing Jie Jie. My brother's steamed buns are the best in the universe, but they are a bit expensive, 500 dan for one. Back in the town, I would have to work a whole day to afford one.
Oh, my brother also taught me how to make steamed buns. I'm really good at it. My brother even praised me for being clever and dexterous. Making steamed buns is quite simple, just wrap and pinch.
We also have a dog now. My brother said it was chosen by Tuan Zi Jie Jie. I named it Fan Wan.
Fan Wan is really amazing. It can do a Pikachu flying kick, a Pikachu spin, and a Pikachu roll.
It's chubby and round, just like my current rice bowl, round and full.
Writing this, Xiao Bei Chang Tan touched her own little belly.
Mr. Wu Ba Mei Jia, here with my brother, I eat my fill every day, three meals of white rice, plus delicious vegetables and meat that make my tongue want to swallow itself. Once I even dreamt that grandma couldn't carry me anymore.
I still think of grandma often,
Grandma told me to be strong and not to cry. Xiao Bei Chang Tan listens. I hope grandma will come back to see me one day.
Grandma taught me how to wash clothes, cook, and find work. Because of these, I was able to work here with my brother. I'm doing very well now. I don't know when grandma will come back.
When grandma comes back, I'll make her steamed buns.
And mapo tofu, congee with preserved egg and pork, stir-fried Chinese cabbage... so many delicious things. I can learn from my brother. He said when I grow up, he will teach me all these.
As she wrote,
Xiao Bei Chang Tan shook her big head, forcing a smile. She reached out her little hand and secretly wiped away the tears from her eyes, afraid of being noticed.
That's all for today.
Xiao Bei Chang Tan got up and went to the door of the small wooden house. She called for the old eagle that delivered the letters, using a small apple as payment.
She turned around and went back into the house. Xia Tian was still fast asleep. Xiao Bei Chang Tan smiled sweetly, and suddenly she wasn't so sad anymore.
She tiptoed over to her brother's side. Xiao Bei Chang Tan hugged Xia Tian's arm and lay down obediently.
As she was about to fall asleep, she felt a warm embrace enveloping her, just like when she was with her grandma, filled with a reassuring feeling.
In her dreams, she had so much to tell her grandma,
Grandma, you don't have to worry, Xiao Tan is doing very well now.
Grandma, Xiao Tan is working in the city!
Grandma, Xiao Tan has become very capable, she can make a fire and cook.
Grandma, Xiao Tan met a very good brother.
Grandma, Xiao Tan is living with her brother now.
Grandma... Xiao Tan misses you!