Chapter 155: The Crying Child Gets the Candy

“Even though Shen Cishu spends every day by Mother’s side, she’ll never truly understand her.”

“She always thinks I stole Mother away from her.”

“But it’s not like that.”

“Mother just wanted an obedient and sensible daughter, and the more sensible I acted, the more guilty she felt inside.”

“On the contrary, someone like her, always demanding and asking for things from Mother—only after Mother gives in and tries to make it up to her does that guilt finally disappear.”

“If you had a well-behaved daughter you seldom saw, and another daughter who’s always complaining, always asking for this and that, which one would you like more?”

Su Li listened quietly. When she saw Bai Huizi transfer her the money for the Art Supplies she’d bought, she decided she would serve Bai Huizi even better.

Although her mood barely shifted, her rationality could still distinguish between what was revolting and what was pleasing.

Su Li thought that if she worked as an Emotional Therapist for a long time, helping clients with Emotional Therapy and absorbing their emotions, one day she might be able to restore her own emotions as well.

Bai Huizi fell silent, her gaze settling on Su Li. Su Li knew she was waiting for her answer.

“If I put myself in your mother’s place, maybe I would ache for both children.”

“Although seeing you in person would tug at my heart more, on ordinary days, I’d probably feel more for Shen Cishu, right?”

Su Li thought for a moment. After observing other people’s reactions and picking up on the details between Bai Huizi and Shen Cishu, she answered.

“Why?”

Bai Huizi’s emotions were obviously stirred—Su Li didn’t know when, but Bai Huizi’s hand was now gripping her wrist.

“Because your mother can’t see you most days, and there’s nothing she can do for you, even if she wants to.”

“So she puts more of her attention on the other daughter, and there’s a high chance she tries to make up for her guilt toward you by compensating your sister.”

“And for most people, they tend to sacrifice the obedient child.”

“In other words, it’s the child who cries that gets the candy.”

“If your sister cries or acts spoiled, your mother might even think of you, and to make up for her guilt toward you, she’ll give more to your sister.”

Su Li spoke in an even tone, even though she’d played this role countless times.

Even when discussing it right in front of the daughter involved, her voice and mood remained unmoved.

Bai Huizi’s fingernails, Su Li noticed, had dug deep into her arm at some point, but her tone didn’t waver.

“So that’s how it is?”

Bai Huizi murmured softly, letting go of Su Li’s arm at some point.

Staring at the crescent-shaped marks on her arm, Su Li didn’t say anything further.

Bai Huizi now stood up, fetched the paint from nearby, and looked at Su Li.

“Take your clothes off.”

Bai Huizi’s tone was flat as she issued the simple command, without even glancing at Su Li.

Hearing her words, Su Li slowly removed her clothes.

She’d taken the money—so she ought to provide the service.

Watching Bai Huizi pick up the Paintbrush, Su Li thought there wasn’t much difference between Bai Huizi and Shen Cishu.

If she had to choose, though, she preferred serving Bai Huizi.

At least Bai Huizi paid more, and wasn’t as rough as Shen Cishu.

All she had to do was quietly be a canvas.

A job where you could earn money just by sitting there—Su Li found she rather liked it.

Just like Shen Cishu, Bai Huizi dipped her finger in the paint instead of using the Paintbrush she’d bought, slowly drawing on Su Li’s smooth back.

Both had bought Paintbrushes, but neither seemed used to using them.

A tingling sensation spread across her back, but Su Li sat quietly, saying nothing.

She supposed she ought to analyze the tangled family situation she’d just discussed with Bai Huizi.

But somewhere along the line, whenever she talked to Bai Huizi, Su Li found she didn’t want to think too much.

All she had to do was follow Bai Huizi’s orders.

That way she saved energy—and made more money.

With customers like Bai Huizi, she didn’t need to have many opinions of her own. She just had to follow orders and complete the tasks.

“Little Su Li’s back seems perfect for writing Jingzhong Baoguo.”

Bai Huizi spoke, pausing her movements.

“But big sister doesn’t remember all of Jingzhong Baoguo. Now that my hands are covered in paint, I won’t write those characters on your back, Little Su Li.”

As she spoke, she began writing randomly on Su Li’s back.

Perhaps her skin was extra sensitive, but Su Li could almost feel what Bai Huizi was writing.

“Bai Huizi’s dog.”

Su Li barely reacted to Bai Huizi’s little fetish.

As long as Bai Huizi enjoyed herself, that was enough.

“Can Little Su Li guess what big sister wrote on your back?”

Seeing Su Li’s lack of reaction—whether she was thinking or just distracted—Bai Huizi wasn’t in any hurry or annoyed.

She continued, “If you guess right, big sister has a reward for you.”

Playing games with a pet—patience is essential.

And Bai Huizi felt she had no shortage of patience.

Even if she didn’t, she could pay Su Li to be more patient.

“Bai Huizi’s dog.”

Su Li replied calmly.

“That’s right!”

Bai Huizi clapped her hands, genuinely happy that Su Li got it right.

“VFB payment received—ten thousand yuan.”

The phone buzzed with the notification, but Su Li barely reacted.

“Your master’s reward has arrived, so cheer up a little, Little Su Li.”

“Thank you, Sister Bai.”

Su Li tried to make her tone sound a little happier as she replied.

Only then did Bai Huizi seem satisfied, continuing to draw with her finger on Su Li’s back.

She drew a little person and a dog.

Only this time, she was the person, and Su Li was the dog.

“Can Little Su Li guess what big sister drew this time?”

“A person and a dog.”

“That’s right.”

Bai Huizi laughed again, giving Su Li another reward.

When Su Li heard the notification of another ten thousand yuan, she heard footsteps gradually receding.

She sat in place, unmoving, until Bai Huizi returned, holding a strip of white cloth, which she tied over Su Li’s eyes.

“Next, it’s still my turn to draw and your turn to guess, okay~”