Morning dew, a gentle breeze, the swaying shadows of leaves, and crisp birdsong.
The warm morning sunlight filtered through the curtains from the window, illuminating the two girls cuddled together.
“Hmm… where am I?”
This Saturday morning of a holiday officially began as Wuhua opened her drowsy eyes and found her head buried against Lianying’s chest.
‘I-I thought it was hard to breathe.’
‘Wait, Lianying held me like this all night…’
Wuhua was shy, but also reluctant to move away. She stayed still and quiet for a while.
.
—Suddenly, Lianying’s phone alarm went off. Startled, Wuhua jumped like a thief caught in the act.
“Mmm… mmm…” It seemed she had slept very late. Lianying beside her murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
Then, instinctively, she hugged Wuhua in her arms even tighter.
“S-Sister Lianying.” A little out of breath, Wuhua lifted her hand but then pulled it back—
Wearing only a thin nightgown, and not even underwear for comfort, the defenseless Lianying left her completely at a loss.
“Huh, this shape is…” Fortunately, Lianying touched the “pillow” in front of her and realized it wasn’t a stuffed toy.
“X-Xiaohua, good morning.” Pretending to be awake, Lianying greeted the Wuhua in front of her.
“…Good morning.” Sweating from all the fuss, Wuhua slowly sat up in bed.
“Mmm~ Finally it’s Saturday.” Lianying got out of bed and stretched in front of the window.
“No time to waste, let’s get ready.”
.
.
All of Wuhua’s current clothes had been prepared by Mingji back at the orphanage. After being adopted by Lianying, they were sent along as personal luggage.
Lianying searched through them and found a set of child-sized sailor outfits that fit her perfectly, and changed her into it. For herself, she put on a short-sleeved shirt and jeans—a casual everyday look.
While urging Wuhua to wash up, Lianying quickly washed her own hair, blow-dried it, tied it into a neat side ponytail, and put on a little makeup.
‘So this is what it takes for a high school girl to get ready…’
Wuhua, who found even washing her face a hassle, stood frozen.
“I kind of expected it…” It was inevitable that Qinglan, who had been waiting at the door for ages, would complain. “You’re way too slow.”
Fortunately, the amusement park gates were always open for them.
.
.
When they reached the neighborhood downstairs, accompanied by the two girls, Wuhua passed the sandpit where she had played yesterday—
“Wuhua!!!” Anna, who had been focused on building a castle just a moment ago, stood up and greeted her. “Come play with me!”
“Good morning, Wuhua.” Mo Li also waved at her.
“Anna? Mo Li?… You started so early.” Wuhua gave them an apologetic look. “Sorry, I’m going to the amusement park with my sister today.”
Hearing this, Anna and Mo Li exchanged puzzled glances. Just as Wuhua thought they would be envious or complain—
—
“Sigh. Can’t help it…” Anna shrugged and gave a helpless expression. “Wuhua, you really are a troublesome kid.”
“So, plan canceled?” Mo Li confirmed with Anna on the side. “No need to go in the afternoon, right?”
“No. If Wuhua’s there, she’d just be in the way.” Anna crossed her arms and kicked over the half-built sandcastle.
“Yay. I can go back for a nap.” Mo Li raised her hands and cheered with a blank face.
“Well, have fun.” Leaving a somewhat awkward blessing, Anna and she started walking back.
Just as they were about to leave the sandpit, Anna turned around and added:
“Tomorrow! You have to come play with us tomorrow!”
The aggressive tone left Wuhua unable to even mention that she had other plans for the weekend.
“Xiaohua’s friends seem so cute.” Lianying, who had been quietly observing her child’s friends, nodded contentedly.
.
.
After all, this city’s largest amusement park provided special buses for visitors during holidays. Lianying and the others arrived at the stop one street away from the neighborhood just before the bus came.
Even though it was still early, quite a few passengers had already gathered at the stop, all heading to the amusement park like them. Most were adult parents with children.
“Xiaohua, hold onto me and Sister Qinglan.” To prevent her from getting lost, at Lianying’s suggestion, Wuhua held one hand of each sister. “Hmm… as for Xicheng…”
“Over there—” Qinglan pointed with her free hand to where a girl about the same age as Lianying stood—
She had a slender figure and a round, adorable face. Her meticulous grooming made her stand out in the crowd. She wore a sun hat and a dress, with slightly wavy orange-yellow hair loose down her back, fluttering in the breeze.
“Ah!… Xiao Ying, Xiao Lan, you’re here.” When Lianying and the others approached, the girl greeted them with a smile.
‘That way of addressing them… I thought only Miao Ke did that.’
‘Or maybe Miao Ke learned it from her?’
While her mind was on trivial matters, Wuhua looked up again.
.
“Ahhh~ So this is the girl named Wuhua? So cute!” Seemingly weak to cute things, the girl crouched down and gently pinched Wuhua’s cheek.
“H-Hello, Sister Xicheng (muffled).” Wuhua responded with a smile. “Sister Lianying told me about you.”
“Mhm, so polite.” Satisfied, Xicheng patted Wuhua’s head.
“If you like her that much, why don’t you just adopt one yourself?” Qinglan joked half-seriously.
“Hmm… if my parents agreed, I’d want a little sister too.” Xicheng tilted her head, thought for a moment, then covered her face and squirmed. “Ah, just thinking about it makes me happy.”
“Hey, hey, you too—” Qinglan sighed, giving her a look that said “there are two of these weirdos.”
“My Xiaohua isn’t just cute, you know.” Lianying also crouched down, changing from holding hands to interlocking fingers. After a moment, she stood up again.
“Alright! Time waits for no one. Cat Garden Amusement Park Special Operation, let’s go—” Lianying raised her fist with authority and excitement, shouting.
“Ooh!” “Yeah!” Xicheng and Wuhua raised their hands in cooperation.
“…Don’t say that name in front of other people!”
Qinglan complained, but still raised her hand in cooperation.
.
.
Riding a bus that looked like a tour coach, they weaved through the city streets. Soon, after about half an hour, they arrived at a location near the coast to the west—half of the area built on reclaimed land.
Standing there was a giant amusement park capable of accommodating hundreds or thousands of people on holidays. It was the destination of Lianying and the others.
“So, Xiaohua, what do you want to play first?” After passing the ticket gate, Lianying stood near the entrance—
“Personally, I recommend the more thrilling rides. Like roller coasters, pirate ships, and drop towers.” She gazed into the distance like a beast surveying its territory.
“Which of those can a seven-year-old girl ride?” Qinglan said.
“Hmm… how about the carousel and teacups? They might make you dizzy, but they suit Wuhua.” Xicheng suggested.
As they stood in the crowded area discussing trivial matters, passersby couldn’t help but cast curious glances at them. Not just because of the three girls’ looks—just standing together, they formed a beautiful sight.
A group of three high school girls with an elementary schooler was indeed rare.
“L-Let’s get going, three sisters.” Noticing this, Wuhua urged them. “I can play anything, so bring it on—”
“If that’s the case…” Lianying thought for a moment, then confidently took Wuhua’s hand.
“Come on, let’s go check out the haunted house first.”
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