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The evening sun cast a warm glow across the gray sky, and a gentle breeze played with Wen Xin's flowing hair. Leaning slightly against her brother, her slightly slender figure revealed a faint, sweet smile. The trees appeared lush and green, while the road stretched on endlessly.
Wen Xin felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as she anticipated the surprise her brother would bring for his birthday. What kind of surprise could it be? With a fluttering heart, she walked alongside her brother on the path by the village, gazing at the lonely expanse of sky.
Their family didn't have much money, and seeing other children with new clothes and pretty sandals made Wen Xin envious. Although her brother had bought her new clothes before, several months had passed, and they had begun to fade, losing their charm.
"Brother! What kind of surprise will you bring me?" Wen Xin asked playfully, shaking Wen Sheng's arm with excitement.
"I'm not really sure. Gao Ming and your sister Lijuan won't let me tag along, so I don't know what they plan to get you. But I promise you'll be very happy when you see it!" Wen Sheng replied with a gentle smile as he wrapped an arm around Wen Xin's shoulders.
"You're a bit silly! How could they know what I want better than you do? You're just silly!" Wen Xin laughed as she wriggled free from his grasp.
"Calling me silly! Haha! What delicious food did Mom prepare for you today?" Wen Sheng asked, stroking Wen Xin's cheek with a smile.
"Mom cooked several eggs for me and bought some candy! Later, she wanted to buy me a new outfit, but Dad said she shouldn't spend money recklessly. Money should be spent where it's needed. Where do you think money should be spent?" Wen Xin asked her brother, a hint of dissatisfaction with their father in her voice.
"As for where it should be spent... well, it's for clothing and food. That’s what it means to spend it wisely!" Wen Sheng replied vaguely.
"But how do you know when it's urgent? I really want to wear new clothes!" Wen Xin tilted her head, looking at Wen Sheng curiously.
"But Dad doesn't seem to think it's urgent! Haha!" Wen Sheng chuckled lightly.
"That's true! Actually, Mom and Dad haven't bought new clothes for themselves in a year! It's just that my brother always insists on wearing new clothes. You're older than me but really don’t understand anything. I'm much more obedient than you! If Mom buys me something, I wear it without complaining!" Wen Xin said proudly.
"I don't know! Seeing other kids live so happily makes me feel like you've been through quite a bit. Thankfully, you're still quite obedient!" Wen Sheng held Wen Xin's hand tightly.
"Actually, I'm very happy too because I have Er Ge who cares for me! I want to ask you—do all good children have to endure some hardships? Why don't good children receive more love?" Wen Xin looked up at Wen Sheng with her big watery eyes, pondering deeply.
Perhaps she had indeed endured many hardships; he too had faced his share of struggles. Their parents seemed burdened as well, even Grandma had endured quite a lot—she only got a new coat once a year, and it was made from cheap fabric. Even their brother who often complained about wanting food and clothing didn’t seem happy; he too had his grievances. It was all so confusing—why was everything like this?
Wen Sheng pulled Wen Xin closer as the gentle wind blew softly around them, bringing a coolness to the air. He gently stroked her long hair while she nestled against him. The sun began to dim, casting an even lonelier hue across the sky; no birds flew by now, only yellowed leaves danced lightly in the breeze.
"Let’s head back! Gao Ming and the others will know to come find us at home!" Wen Sheng urged as he took hold of Wen Xin's hand.
"I want to wait here! I want to see my birthday gift from you all as soon as possible; just thinking about it makes me happy. Staying at home feels a bit dreary. It seems like Dad doesn’t really care for me!" Wen Xin pouted playfully while tugging at Wen Sheng's arm.
"You! Tell Brother Er that when you see Lin Lin's Toy Cat, don't you just want one for yourself?" Wen Sheng cupped Wen Xin's face in his hands.
"Guess?" Wen Xin replied playfully.
"I know you too well. When you saw her toy, it was like seeing meat; your tongue almost slipped out! Hehe!" Wen Sheng teased Wen Xin.
"Hehe! That's not true! I just think it's really fun and I want one, of course!" Wen Xin stretched her neck in excitement.
"I think they will buy it for you because I hinted at it. You like dolls and Gao Ming will understand right away. If I go with them, I’ll have to decline anything too expensive and can only get you something cheap. So I won't go, let them decide what to buy. Hehe!" Wen Sheng chuckled at Wen Xin.
"Brother Er! You're so cunning! How did I not think of that!" Wen Xin clapped her hands in delight.
"Because of you! Haha!" Wen Sheng replied proudly.
"I think Gao Ming might not fully grasp your true intentions. It seems you're a bit hypocritical too! But I know you really care about me, Brother Er! Isn't it better to be straightforward?" Wen Xin looked at Wen Sheng with wide eyes.
"It's not that it's bad! It's very bad! The ones who get taken advantage of are the honest ones; you should know that. Others praise your honesty because they think they are better than you! Let me tell you, the only one you can truly trust is yourself. No one can be completely trusted, nor can anyone be truly relied upon!" Wen Sheng looked up, feeling contemplative.
"Then what about those things you said to Gao Ming and Sister Lijuan? How do you explain that?" Wen Xin was confused by her brother's words. "Can I rely on you completely? Can I trust you?"
"For now, yes! But no one truly understands their own heart!" Wen Sheng's words became even more perplexing to Wen Xin.
"I really don't know. Even the best version of you, can I not fully trust?" Wen Xin asked with her misty eyes fixed on Wen Sheng.
"No! Because even I will deceive and use you when necessary; people are inherently selfish." Wen Sheng stated plainly.
"The world is really scary! Why are you telling me all this?" Wen Xin felt a bit melancholic.
"If a person wants to survive, they cannot trust anyone!" Wen Sheng believed his words were filled with wisdom, though they were really nonsense.
"Brother Er! Right now, I feel you're scarier than Big Brother, even more than anyone else! Because your world seems filled with resentment!" Wen Xin leaned gently against Wen Sheng.
"I don't want a future where you're deceived by others in my absence; anyone can trick you! To avoid being hurt, one must not truly love or like anyone! If you think true love can completely move someone, then you're gravely mistaken!" Wen Sheng held his sister's hand tightly. "Better to let me bear the burden than let the burden fall on me!" he repeated Wei Wu Di's words with a sense of resignation.
"I understand! I will always remember our conversation, and I, Wen Xin, will never let anyone down!" Wen Xin declared firmly, the wind tousling her flowing hair as the dim evening sun cast a gentle glow on her fair and resolute face.
"I won't tell anyone what you said to me! I will keep all the truths hidden in my heart!" Wen Xin stood tall, "Is that what you wanted to say to me in the end?"
"Yes! You guessed it right!" Wen Sheng straightened his posture and sighed deeply.
"Is Gao Ming like you?" Wen Xin asked, still a bit confused.
"Actually, human nature is quite similar; it's just the way it manifests that differs, leading to different outcomes," Wen Sheng replied, standing upright.
"I understand now! Brother Er!" Wen Xin smiled with a playful pout.
"Now that we understand, we won't lose!" Wen Sheng said with a calm smile directed at Wen Xin.
"Brother Er, I see Gao Ming and the others have arrived. I'm so happy!" Wen Xin exclaimed, shaking Wen Sheng's arm. The resolute expression from earlier vanished in an instant, replaced by a genuine and carefree smile. Wen Sheng mirrored her joy.
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