Seeing the little girl's sad expression, Hailong stood up and sat next to Hu Jing, hugging her in his arms and said, "Tell me what happened, little sister."
Mentioning this matter, Hu Jing couldn't control her emotions and said agitatedly, "It's all because of money. It's all because of money that things turned out this way. My brother got married, and our parents didn't have enough money, so they borrowed 50,000 yuan from relatives to help with the wedding. At the time, it was agreed that my brother would help pay back the money. But after the wedding, my sister-in-law firmly refused to let my brother help pay it back. This led to many arguments with my parents. Since then, she has been unhappy with everything at home. On New Year's Eve, when my mother asked my sister-in-law to get the chopsticks, it turned into an argument about money. Why? Is money really that important?"
Hailong sighed deeply. This kind of thing is too common in our country. It's hard to say who is right or wrong. Everyone can find their own reasons, but no one can convince the other. From a father's perspective, it's only natural for a son to help his parents pay back the debt. But from a wife's perspective, I married your son, not your family. I don't have enough money for myself, so why should I help you pay back the debt? Besides, why should my money be used to support your household? You're not too old to work and earn money yourselves.
Hailong patted Hu Jing's shoulder comfortingly and said, "Sis, there's nothing you can do about this. Only time can ease these issues and help your sister-in-law and your parents get along better." Hu Jing nodded helplessly.
Hailong continued, "Now that you're back at school, don't think about what's happening at home. I can't make a judgment about your family's situation, but I can promise you, little sister, that I will always love you and take care of you."
Hu Jing leaned her head on Hailong's chest and nodded, saying, "Brother, I believe you." Although Hailong often disappears suddenly, Hu Jing knows he is working hard to earn money for her. She understands that Hailong is sincere in his love for her, and in Donghai, he is the only person she can rely on.
Seeing the snow getting heavier outside, Hailong said, "Little girl, the snow is getting heavier. I'll take you back before it's hard to find a taxi."
Hu Jing responded softly, "Brother, I don't want to go back to that cold dormitory. I want to go home, to be with you."
Seeing Hu Jing's lonely and helpless appearance, Hailong felt a pang in his heart. He said to her teasingly, "Alright, this big bad wolf is more than happy to. Let's go back now."
Seeing Hailong's deliberately evil expression, Hu Jing felt a warmth in her heart and gave him a flirtatious glare.
Braving the wind and snow, Hailong took Hu Jing back to his home. It had been over a month since he last came back. Seeing that the house was still clean and tidy, and still warm and cozy, Hu Jing's mood gradually improved. She took off her shoes and coat and jumped onto the sofa. Surprised by the warmth, Hu Jing stretched lazily on the sofa and said coquettishly, "Brother, I'm sleepy. Pat me to sleep."
Hailong was speechless, but knowing the pain the little girl was feeling inside, he understood that her happy appearance was just an act. He sat next to Hu Jing and gently patted her shoulder, soothing her to sleep.
Late into the night, Hu Jing still hadn't woken up, as if she hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time. Although the room was warm, the howling cold wind still seeped in through the windows. Worried that Hu Jing would catch a cold sleeping on the sofa, Hailong gently woke her up and said, "Sis, go to bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."
Hu Jing, still half-asleep, rubbed her eyes and said, "Okay," but then lay back down on the sofa and didn't get up.
Hailong was speechless again. Seeing the little girl curled up in a ball, looking so pitiful, he felt a deep pain in his heart. He sighed and gently picked up Hu Jing, saying, "My little lazy one, I'll carry you to bed."
As Hailong carried her, Hu Jing leaned her head on his chest and said softly, "Mm-hm."
Resting his chin on Hu Jing's head, Hailong carried her into the room and gently laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket. He was about to return to the living room to sleep on the sofa.
At that moment, Hu Jing grabbed Hailong's hand and said softly, "Brother, stay with me tonight, okay?"
Seeing Hu Jing's vulnerable appearance, Hailong said warmly, "Sure, I'll stay with you tonight." Outside, the snow was falling and the wind was howling, making the streetlights look cold and bleak. But at that moment, Hailong's heart was warm. He changed into his pajamas, gently held Hu Jing in his arms, and softly patted her back. The warm room and cozy bed were filled with endless love.
Since the argument on New Year's Eve, Hu Jing's heart had never been at peace. Every night, she would think about the argument between her sister-in-law and her mother, and the sight of her brother's helplessness. These thoughts would keep her awake.
But when she was with Hailong, the burden in her heart seemed to disappear, leaving only joy and warmth. That night, Hu Jing slept soundly. Initially, she was just resting her head on Hailong's arm, but she gradually snuggled into his embrace, finding a sense of belonging and peace.
Hailong waited until Hu Jing was asleep before he slowly drifted off himself. He had played all day and hadn't taken care of the Dragon King's diet. His soul was starving, so he quickly switched bodies, controlled the Dragon King to dive into the Devil Sea for a big meal, and then returned to the abandoned shipyard to sleep.
The next morning, Hu Jing woke up first. She found herself tightly embraced by Hailong, his arm firmly around her. The strong, muscular arm made her feel so secure. Seeing herself in a disheveled state in Hailong's arms, her face turned red, and her heart raced like a deer.
Biting her lip, she thought, "This bad Hailong, taking advantage of me while I'm asleep. How dare he hold me so tightly."
Indeed, it was very tight. Hu Jing tried to break free several times but failed. Hailong wasn't using much force, but Hu Jing was just too weak. Hailong's arm strength was terrifying, and just looking at his muscular arm gave a sense of immense power.
After several failed attempts, Hu Jing gave up and lay in Hailong's arms, watching him sleep soundly.
Suddenly, her girlish nature took over, and she giggled as she used her hair to tickle Hailong's neck and ears, making him itch.
Seeing Hailong scratch his head and ears, Hu Jing laughed out loud in his arms. At that moment, Hailong woke up.
Hu Jing thought she would be scolded, so she quickly缩了缩脖子.
Hailong woke up and, seeing the little girl in his arms, quickly let go and said apologetically, "Sorry, I don't know what happened last night, but I ended up holding you while sleeping."
The carefree Hu Jing gave Hailong a playful glare and waved her hand, saying, "It's fine, I'm used to being bullied by you anyway."