Tang Sui let out a muffled "Mm," and whispered, "I know."
She had already anticipated this outcome before she came.
Looking at his quiet sister, a strange wave of sorrow surged in Tang San's heart. His eyes reddened slightly, and his lips trembled. He seemed to want to say something, but feared that his voice would break into uncontrollable sobs. In the end, he couldn't utter a word, only taking a step forward and embracing Tang Sui from behind, her face hidden from view as she stood with her back to them.
"Suisui, from now on, it's just us."
Tang San spoke with bitterness.
Tang Sui tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes, and responded with a muffled "Mm."
Old Jack watched the well-behaved yet desolate siblings and shook his head. However, he tactfully left them space and quietly departed.
After Old Jack left, no one spoke, but a silent warmth permeated the air.
Xiao Wu also stood quietly to the side, watching the siblings who were quietly embracing. Thinking of something, a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes, revealing a trace of bitterness.
Is this what it feels like to have family?
Speaking of which... it had been a long, long time since she had been held by her mother.
Meanwhile, Tang San, who had been holding Tang Sui for a while, had mostly calmed down.
He released Tang Sui, reached out to gently wipe away the tears that fell on her cheeks, and said softly, "I'm sorry, Suisui, I startled you just now."
Tang Sui shook her head, her dewy black eyes looking towards Xiao Wu, who was immersed in her own sorrow. She said softly, "Sister Xiao Wu, do you want to come and help us clean up the house?"
Xiao Wu let out an "Ah," and met Tang Sui's tear-filled eyes.
Like a newborn fawn, she cautiously looked at her new friend, her gaze full of trust but also fear of rejection.
Who could refuse such eyes?
The sadness in Xiao Wu's heart was swept away by these healing eyes. She straightened her back and swaggered towards the siblings, "Of course I do! Tell me, what should we do first? Let Suisui see your sister Xiao Wu's capability!"
Xiao Wu's liveliness swept away the last vestiges of awkwardness and sorrow in the air.
A faint smile appeared on Tang San's face. He turned and walked towards where the wooden basin was placed, "Then let's start by cleaning the dust. Suisui, Xiao Wu, you're responsible for Dad's room and your own room. I'll take care of the living room and my own room. Although Dad is gone, some of these things are quite important, and you might not be able to tell them apart, so I'll do it."
"Mm-hmm!" Upon hearing that Tang Sui's room was to be cleaned, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she became somewhat impatient.
It was Suisui's room!
Finally, Xiao Wu, holding a wooden basin filled with clear water, carefully placed it by the door of the room. She peeked into Tang Sui's room, only to see a simple small window and a wooden cabinet placed in the corner that occupied almost half the space.
It was more minimalist than she had imagined a girl's room to be.
So, Xiao Wu looked at Tang Sui, who was already wiping the edge of the wardrobe with a small rag, with heartache and couldn't help but say, "Suisui, I'll definitely buy you lots and lots of cute little dresses in the future and raise you to be fair and plump."
Tang Sui was stunned and paused her actions, "Sister Xiao Wu, why are you suddenly saying this?"
Xiao Wu wrung out the rag and also walked towards the small window in the room, saying as she walked, "You already call me 'Sister,' so what's wrong with a sister raising her little sister?"
During their year of interaction, Xiao Wu had thoroughly classified Tang Sui as one of her own.
Tang Sui's gaze shifted for a moment, as if something melted in her eyes. Finally, she gave Xiao Wu a sincere smile, "Thank you, Sister Xiao Wu."
She might have understood why Xiao Wu could move her brother.
Although soul beasts are not human, their minds are often purer and more understandable than humans.
Demonic beasts may be ferocious, but they are far from the wickedness of the human heart.
"Then, from now on, Brother and Sister Xiao Wu will be responsible for earning money to support the family, and I'll be responsible for protecting you."
Xiao Wu, mesmerized by Tang Sui's smile, uttered in a bewitched voice, "Okay, okay."
It's just raising a cub! She was the eldest sister to Da Ming and Er Ming!
Outside the wooden house, a cloth shoe visible through the crack in the door moved. Tang San, who had returned with a basin of fresh water, listened to Tang Sui's childish yet earnest words from inside the room. Tenderness and determination flashed in his eyes, and he quickened his pace in cleaning.
What Suisui wanted to protect, he would also help her protect.
---
(Author's Note)
At this time, apart from Tang San and Tang Sui, Xiao Wu did not take it seriously.
There is no plot of recognizing a sister or vowing to protect here~ Isn't it nice to raise Suisui together!