"How was the underwater scenery?" Liu Ming asked with a smile.
"It was breathtaking! It was practically a coral kingdom, and the schools of fish were its citizens. Some fish weren't even afraid of us; they swam with us. The feeling at that time was completely different from what you see from the shore."
Liu Ming didn't interrupt their talking, quietly listening beside them, and exclaiming along with their cheers.
Twenty minutes later, because they had to go back for lunch, Sora and the other girls reluctantly ended their sharing session.
"Liu Ming, why is she here?" Chisa came next to Liu Ming and asked curiously.
Actually, she had seen Xiao Lingyin much earlier, but at that time, Sora and the others were clearly in an excited state.
She hadn't gone to disturb them, and now that she had some free time, she asked.
At this moment, the others also noticed Xiao Lingyin beside Liu Ming, and their gazes suddenly became a little strange.
It was simply that Xiao Lingyin's attire was a bit eye-catching.
Xiao Lingyin seemed to have long been accustomed to it. Except for a slight blush on her cheeks, she showed no discomfort.
"I was fishing here, and I didn't expect her to also come here to fish. It seems she and I really have a lot of fate." Liu Ming gently ruffled Xiao Lingyin's small head.
Hearing Liu Ming's words, Xiao Lingyin showed a happy smile.
Tohru wasn't jealous this time. She had, after all, lived here for almost over a month.
She had also learned quite a bit of social common sense and knew that this little girl in front of her posed no threat.
"Who is this little girl?" Miyu took a few steps forward and came next to Xiao Lingyin.
Her pair of bright, curious eyes scrutinized the little girl who was about her age.
However, with them standing side by side like this,
The brand-new clothes of Miyu and the worn-out clothes of Xiao Lingyin formed a huge contrast, making Xiao Lingyin appear even more disadvantaged.
Liu Ming gently gave her a chop to the head, saying in an exasperated tone, "Xiao Lingyin is also ten years old, just like you. Don't be so disrespectful."
Miyu playfully made a face at Liu Ming, then, before he could react, she hid behind the crowd.
"Xiao Lingyin, why don't you have lunch with us today?" Liu Ming looked at Xiao Lingyin.
"I still have to go back and open the shop," Xiao Lingyin said, though she was tempted, she ultimately refused.
"What does it matter if you only rest for a day or half a day? Look, my Chinese Restaurant was closed for a week and nothing happened."
Liu Ming ignored her protest, holding Xiao Hina with one arm, and with his free hand, he directly took her small hand, walking towards the shop.
At this moment, outside the Chinese Restaurant, Natsuno Kirihime was fuming, yelling angrily at the restaurant's door.
She had even changed her residence just to be able to eat here every day. But Liu Ming, he didn't even notify her when he decided to close.
"Xiao Ming is really something, going back by himself without even packing up properly," Miyu grumbled discontentedly.
However, even as she spoke, her hands didn't stop, as she helped Sora and Tadokoro Megumi clean up the items on the ground.
Fortunately, several men, seeing this, put down their diving gear and helped pack up heavier items like the sun umbrellas.
"Chisa, you know that child too?" Nanahua asked curiously, as it seemed Chisa was the first to mention the little girl.
"Yes," Chisa replied, then fell silent.
After a while, she slowly began to recount.
She told them everything she had seen and heard yesterday at noon.
Listening to Xiao Lingyin's story, everyone present fell silent.
Now they somewhat understood why Liu Ming cared so much about that little girl.
Even just hearing about it, they felt a pang of heartache.
Especially The Takanashi Sisters, their feelings were even more profound.
Xiao Lingyin's experience was so similar to theirs, no, even more severe.
At least they had met Liu Ming, a good Uncle, and were now living such a happy life.
But Xiao Lingyin? She was running a small eatery all by herself.
She was only ten years old now.
No wonder she was wearing those kinds of clothes.
Sora couldn't help but look at Miyu, and Miyu also happened to look at Sora. The two exchanged a smile, seemingly having made a decision at the same time.
"Alright, we understand the general situation. After we go back, everyone, please don't speak carelessly," Nanahua's words were met with unanimous agreement from everyone.
"Xiao Ming, isn't this not good?" Xiao Lingyin said weakly.
"What's not good about it? You already call me big brother, is there a problem with a big brother treating his little sister to a meal?" Liu Ming said calmly.
Xiao Lingyin was stunned for a moment; what he said seemed to make a lot of sense.
But she quickly came to her senses and said in a very, very soft voice, "Xiao Ming isn't really my big brother."
With Liu Ming's current hearing, he naturally heard this, but he pretended not to, just holding Xiao Lingyin's small hand.