Teasing the Strawberry-Flavored Baby Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

With the alarm clock, Lu Ningwan slept more soundly, resting peacefully until the next morning. The little bunny clock rang on time, and when Lu Ningwan opened her eyes, she looked at the pink bunny on the windowsill. For the first time, her face showed the expression a six-year-old should have. She reached out to touch the clock, a smile tugging at her lips as she got up.

Lu Deyu, also up by then, couldn’t resist mocking her when he saw her awake so early. “Wow, up pretty early today, huh?”

Lu Ningwan’s smile faded, and she went to wash up without a word.

Lu Deyu rolled his eyes behind her. “Acting all high and mighty, like some princess?” He glanced at the balcony in the living room, noticing a new alarm clock on the windowsill. Instead of heading to the bathroom, he turned to find Lu Zixuan.

Lu Deyu whispered something to Lu Zixuan, who came out excitedly. When she saw the pink bunny clock, her eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she ran over and grabbed Lu Ningwan’s clock to play with it.

Lu Ningwan, standing on a stool to wash dishes, heard the noise. She came out and saw Lu Zixuan holding her clock.

She rushed over, reaching for it. “That’s mine. Give it back.”

But Lu Zixuan and Lu Deyu acted like they’d found a fun game. They rarely saw Lu Ningwan look so anxious. Usually, she kept a blank face, ignoring their taunts as if she didn’t hear them. Seeing how much she cared about the clock, they found it amusing.

Lu Zixuan held the clock high. When Lu Ningwan tried to grab it, she tossed it to Lu Deyu. Lu Ningwan ran to him, but he threw it back to Lu Zixuan.

Lu Ningwan darted back and forth, worried they’d drop her clock. Finally, as Lu Zixuan tossed it to Lu Deyu again, he missed. The pink bunny arced through the air and crashed to the floor with a thud.

Lu Zixuan pouted. “That’s what you get for grabbing. It’s broken now.”

The pink bunny lay on the floor, one ear snapped off.

Lu Ningwan hurriedly picked it up, her eyes reddening as she saw the broken ear. She glared at Lu Zixuan and Lu Deyu, shouting, “Apologize.”

“Are you crazy, Lu Ningwan? Apologize to a clock? You were the one grabbing, and that’s why it fell,” Lu Zixuan said dismissively. She didn’t understand why Lu Ningwan, who usually ignored their taunts, was yelling over a broken clock.

“I said apologize,” Lu Ningwan said, her eyes red, stepping toward Lu Zixuan. Her glare startled Lu Zixuan, who pouted and called for her parents.

“Mommy, Lu Ningwan’s gone crazy. She wants to hit me,” Lu Zixuan said, backing away as she watched Lu Ningwan.

Zhang Ruohua rushed out of her room, shielding Lu Zixuan and glaring at Lu Ningwan. “What’s wrong with you this morning? Do you even want to go to school?”

Lu Ningwan’s eyes, red with anger, fixed on Zhang Ruohua. “They broke my clock. It’s not my fault.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s just a clock. Is it worth acting like this toward your brother and sister? Your uncle and I are raising you—doesn’t that cost more than a lousy clock?” Zhang Ruohua’s voice grew louder.

“You don’t have to raise me. Just give me back the money my parents left,” Lu Ningwan said through gritted teeth, finally voicing what she’d long wanted to say.

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Who taught you to talk like that? Acting like we stole your parents’ money? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you’ll think you can slander us!” Zhang Ruohua raised her hand to hit Lu Ningwan.

Lu Ming came out of the kitchen, shouting, “Enough! Is this ever going to end?” He squatted in front of Lu Ningwan. “Ningwan, your brother and sister were wrong. I’ll buy you a new clock this afternoon.”

Hearing Lu Ningwan mention the money made Lu Ming feel guilty. Her parents’ money had indeed gone to him, funding their now-comfortable lifestyle and even a new car.

Lu Ningwan, eyes red, scanned everyone in the house. Holding the clock and its broken ear, she turned silently and went back to her small balcony.

Seeing Lu Ningwan’s attitude, Zhang Ruohua fumed. “What’s with you? Your uncle’s talking to you! You ungrateful little brat, treating his kindness like dirt.”

“Enough, stop it. You two, if you want something, I’ll buy it for you. Don’t touch Ningwan’s things, got it?” Lu Ming instructed his children.

“Got it. Like she has anything good worth wanting,” Lu Zixuan grumbled, conveniently forgetting she’d just taken Lu Ningwan’s clock.

Lu Ningwan held the one-eared bunny, tears blurring her vision. It was a gift from Shen Tian. Why did her uncle’s kids have to take everything from her? Wasn’t she miserable enough? She’d already been so patient, yet they still mocked her mercilessly.

Facing away from the living room, Lu Ningwan didn’t want them to see her cry—more taunts would follow. She found tape in her small bag and carefully wrapped it around the bunny’s ear, securing it back in place.

Wiping her tears, she placed the bunny back on the windowsill. The joy of having a new clock was gone. She blamed herself for not protecting Shen Tian’s gift.

Lu Ming’s family started breakfast. Lu Ningwan stayed frozen, staring at the clock. Feeling guilty about taking his brother’s money, Lu Ming called, “Ningwan, come eat.”

Lu Ningwan didn’t move. He called a few more times, but she didn’t respond.

Lu Ming gave up, assuming she was upset about her broken toy and would get over it.

Zhang Ruohua seized the chance to mock her. “Oh, we have to beg you to eat now? Don’t eat then.”

“Enough, say less,” Lu Ming said, glancing at Zhang Ruohua before continuing to eat.

After breakfast, Lu Ming’s family prepared to leave. Lu Ningwan followed silently.

Lu Zixuan stuck out her tongue at Lu Deyu, whispering, “Thought she was tough, but she’s still following us.”

“Yeah, a clingy pest. So annoying, haha,” Lu Deyu said, laughing with Lu Zixuan.

Lu Ming was also annoyed by Lu Ningwan’s earlier behavior. He’d called her repeatedly, and she ignored him. If she wanted to go hungry, that was on her.

Lu Ningwan gripped her clothes tightly, fighting back tears. If she cried, Lu Zixuan and Lu Deyu would only be happier. She’d never felt such a desperate wish to grow up. Living with her uncle for over a year, she dreamed of growing up overnight. She hated needing their car to get to school. She thought, just endure a bit longer—maybe in a year or two, she could walk to school herself.

When Shen Tian arrived at school, she spotted Lu Ningwan getting out of a car at the gate. She ran over happily. “Little Sister Lu, let’s walk together!”

Hearing Shen Tian’s voice, Lu Ningwan’s small body stiffened briefly. “Okay, let’s go in together.”

Lu Zixuan, as if discovering something new, muttered to Lu Deyu, “Lu Ningwan actually has a friend? That’s hilarious.”

“Don’t mind her. Anyone close to her must be weird too,” Lu Deyu replied, agreeing with his sister.

Their voices weren’t quiet, and Shen Tian heard them. She turned to Lu Deyu and Lu Zixuan. “My mommy said talking bad about people behind their backs isn’t what good kids do. I won’t let you talk about Little Sister Lu like that.”

“Hilarious. You won’t let us? Who do you think you are? Brother, ignore her. Lu Ningwan’s friend is as crazy as she is,” Lu Zixuan said dismissively.

“Who’s crazy?” Shen Tian stepped forward, ready to argue.

“Both of you. Anyone who’s friends with Lu Ningwan is crazy,” Lu Zixuan pressed.

Shen Tian, angry, moved to push Lu Zixuan. Lu Deyu, half a head taller than the girls, stepped in front of his sister. Fearing Shen Tian would get hurt, Lu Ningwan quickly grabbed her.

“Tiantian, let’s go to the classroom. Ignore them.”

Seeing Lu Ningwan say so, Shen Tian, still fuming, let Lu Ningwan lead her away by the hand.

“Little Sister Lu, who are they? They’re so annoying,” Shen Tian said, swinging their joined hands.

“They’re my cousins. Yeah, they’re annoying. Just ignore them,” Lu Ningwan said as they walked.

Shen Tian glanced at Lu Ningwan’s expression, sensing she might not be treated well at her uncle’s house. But she didn’t know how to ask, feeling anxious.

At the Class One door, Shen Tian still held Lu Ningwan’s hand. Noticing Shen Tian’s furrowed brow, Lu Ningwan comforted her. “Go to class. Don’t worry, they didn’t do anything to me. No need to be concerned. We should focus on studying now.”

Shen Tian looked at Lu Ningwan, worried she wasn’t reassured. She nodded and went to class.

Shen Tian unpacked her things, her mood low. She opened her book, propping her face with one hand, thinking about Lu Ningwan. At just six, she couldn’t figure out what to do after thinking for a while. She decided to study obediently for now and ask her mommy and mother later—they always had the best ideas!