Yun Jian who sat on the grass had inevitably heard what Ding Yin said but she was puzzled. She did not offend anyone from what she remembered. Turning a deaf ear to Ding Yin’s comment, letting it go in one ear and out the other, Yun Jian was unaffected.
“Sit down, kids, sit down!” Miss Lu raised her voice but the parents took it like passing wind—some had even held on to their children to stop them from sitting on the field.
Having to sit on the grass without proper stools was an action that would lower their status in the parents’ view. Be it during that era or modern times, the concept of rich and poor remained apparent. Some people made friends not from friendship but from wealth. There were certainly people who were genuine in making friends but they were few and rare.
Ding Yin held a little girl in her hand who wore a doll dress. She was adorable and was vain like Ding Yin with her hair tied into braids.
“Exactly. Why is the school accepting everyone like it doesn’t care anymore now?” A woman who stood beside Ding Yin groveled to the latter, also holding a young girl.
The woman was about Ding Yin’s age but looked much older than her. Ding Yin was quite beautiful, after all, but she was definitely several notches lower than Yun Jian if they were to be compared. The woman had fawned over Ding Yin because she knew the latter and Ding Yin’s husband was her superior.
Despite the reply being nothing but honeyed words, Ding Yin was happy to hear it.
Not long after Yun Jian and Yun Zhu sat down, Duan Li came to them with her little bony legs. She plopped herself down beside little Yun Zhu and told Yun Jian, “Jiejie, I have nowhere to go. Can I stay with you guys?”
“Sure. Sit around. My jiejie is very nice!” Yun Zhu took the liberty to invite Duan Li to sit next to him before Yun Jian said anything.
It was always the most fun when kids played with kids. Shortly, Yun Zhu and Duan Li were chattering noisily. Yun Jian thought it was great. Peers made the best friends.
“Yun Zhu, I’m so envious that you have such a nice sister.” Duan Li pouted as she rolled a small stick around on the ground.
“My jiejie is very nice to me. There is also Si Yi-gege, Mama Qin, Uncle Ge… They’re all very nice to me. Oh, yeah, you should meet my Si Yi-gege if there’s a chance next time,” Yun Zhu listed happily.
“Okay!” Duan Li grinned wide at that.
“Students who don’t have their parents with them, please don’t leave the designated area on your own. Those with their parents, please line up here with your parents! The sports event is about to start!” Miss Lu stood up and told her class with a clap.
“Chessie, let’s go line up!” little Yun Zhu got up and said. Yun Jian picked herself up as well.
Duan Li who was seated on the field hung her head when she heard Yun Zhu. It was then Yun Jian noticed that she had not been accompanied by her parents all this while.
“My dad, he… won’t be coming.” Duan Li’s head was dipped low before she forced herself to look up and tell Yun Zhu, “You guys should go along! I’ll cheer for you here!”
Yun Zhu was silent for two seconds. He was a child but he was not unfeeling to certain things.
“Chessie, why don’t we let jiejie go with you for the competition. I’ll sit out!” little Yun Zhu suggested heroically. He looked very gentlemanly as he spoke.
