Ji Xingyao heard there was compensation, and her tears stopped instantly.
Her big, black grape-like eyes blinked as she stared at the jade pendant in his palm.
The white jade, smooth as cream, glimmered with a gentle luster under the sunlight, crystal clear with not a single flaw.
There seemed to be words on the back.
She let out a "huh," reached out to take the jade pendant from Qin Morui's hand, and turned it over for a glance.
Qin Morui saw she had stopped crying and, pointing at the tiny words, explained, "This is my name. When I was born, my great-grandfather gave it to me, saying whoever carries it is the heir of the Qin Family. It's important not to lose it. I'm giving it to you now as a pledge. I'll come back and compensate you for your shoes when I have money, so please don't cry, okay?"
As he spoke, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the little sister's tears away.
The little sister was beautiful, more so than any child in his kindergarten, especially when she stood in front of him, saying she was going to protect him, which was exceptionally adorable.
He wished he had a sister like her.
"Really giving it to me?"
Ji Xingyao, a little money-grubber, recognized only valuable things and nothing else.
She didn't know how valuable the jade pendant was, but seeing how much Qin Morui treasured it, and that it was an heirloom... it must be worth a lot!
As long as it could be exchanged for some small money.
Ji Xingyao rubbed the jade pendant in her hands, planning to pocket it after confirming Qin Morui was pledging it to her.
In the next moment, Qin Morui reached out to stop her, "It's easy to lose if it's in your pocket."
He took the jade pendant from Little Glutinous Rice Dumpling's hands and skillfully placed it around her little neck.
The string was made for his height, so it was slightly long on her. With Ji Xingyao wearing it, the entire jade pendant nestled inside her collar, fully concealed.
"All done." Qin Morui, satisfied after securing the jade pendant on her, looked at the little sister whom he had coaxed, "Are we friends now?"
"Yes." Ji Xingyao nodded obediently. As long as there was money, they were good friends!
Qin Morui smiled, his dark eyes glancing over her bare feet. He bent down, "Where's your house? I'll carry you back."
Little Glutinous Rice Dumpling clambered onto his back and pointed her chin forward, "I'm not going home. I want to go to my grandparents' store, which is that snack shop up ahead."
The words "snack shop" seemed to trigger something in Qin Morui. His eyes brightened in an instant, and he quickly carried her forward.
He reached the place Ji Xingyao mentioned in no time.
Little Glutinous Rice Dumpling slid off his back and stood at the entrance, shouting, "Grandpa, Grandma."
Soon, a pair of middle-aged couple with honest looks walked out from behind the kitchen. The middle-aged woman in front hastily wiped her apron clean before approaching and picking her up, asking worriedly.
"My little darling, didn't I tell your mom that I'd pick you up soon? How did you run out here by yourself? And barefoot, where are your shoes?"
"While playing with Big Yellow, my shoes accidentally fell into a ditch. This little brother carried me over." Little Glutinous Rice Dumpling spoke, pointing behind her.
"Hello, Grandma." Qin Morui, like a little gentleman, stepped forward with a sweet smile.
After greeting, he corrected Ji Xingyao's earlier remark seriously, "Not little brother, big brother. I'm taller than you."