Chapter 2018: Extra: A Brand New Life 133 Chapter 2018: Extra: A Brand New Life 133 So, that day, after returning to his villa from the company, Zhou Ping was loosening his tie with one hand while climbing the stairs and calling his mother with the other.

He first asked how Mrs. Zhou was doing recently, then asked about any new happenings at home, before inquiring about how the little girl was managing, and if she had any difficulties adjusting to living at his place these days.

Upon Zhou Ping’s questioning, Mrs. Zhou couldn’t help but sigh, “Aunt Mo’s passing really devastated her. She grew up with just one mother all her life, and suddenly she was gone. It would be hard for anyone to get over that quickly. As for living in a new environment, she doesn’t seem to have any issues with that, but I often see her eyes are red, probably from crying over her mom in secret. If you have time, give her a call too, even just a few words would be good.”

“I understand, Mom. You don’t need to worry too much.”

After Zhou Ping hung up the phone with Mrs. Zhou, he entered his bedroom and sprawled out on his bed in the shape of a ‘big character’. It was then that he opened WeChat to video call Mo Yaoyao.

After a short wait, the little girl answered the call.

“Big brother,” the little girl softly and sweetly called out, her big, clear eyes resembling freshly washed marbles, wearing a fluffy bunny onesie that truly made her look like a little rabbit. Especially since only her little face was visible in the video, she appeared so white and clean that it made one reluctant to speak loudly, for fear of scaring her.

“If I don’t contact you, will you just not know to contact me?” teased Zhou Ping.

The little girl immediately looked as if she’d done something wrong, nervously wringing her hands together.

Zhou Ping couldn’t help but chuckle, “I’m not blaming you. Just remember if you ever need anything, you can come to me. We’re family now.”

“Okay…” she replied in a tiny voice, her head lowered even more.

Zhou Ping could see her long eyelashes, dark as crow feathers.

Unconsciously, Zhou Ping’s voice softened as well, “Finals coming up, right?”

“The day after tomorrow,” she whispered in reply.

“I can’t make it back until New Year’s Eve, but it’s not that many days away,” Zhou Ping said as he freed one hand to rub his somewhat stiff shoulder, his face betraying signs of fatigue.

Seeing this, the little girl pursed her lips before asking in a soft voice, “Big brother, are you very tired?”

“Yeah,” Zhou Ping answered casually, still massaging his shoulder, “Work has been very busy these days. I only managed to catch a breath today, and tomorrow it’s back to the grind.”

“Then you should go to sleep early, big brother,” said the little girl, her voice still soft but unmistakably full of concern.

Zhou Ping laughed, “You’re the one who should go to bed early. Don’t stay up too late reading.”

“I… I wasn’t reading,” the little girl’s head drooped lower, as if she feared being questioned further but didn’t want to lie.

For a moment, Zhou Ping was taken aback, then he quickly chuckled again, “It’s okay if you weren’t reading. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you can’t sleep, go to Mrs. Zhou; she’s been having trouble sleeping, too, saying it’s due to her age. If you sleep with her, you two can chat.”

“Got it, big brother.”

Even though she said that, he added, “You can also reach out to me. I might go to sleep soon tonight, but from now until the Twenty-ninth of the Lunar New Year, I’ll probably be very busy and might not be able to chat. But we can video call. I can let you see how I and the company are busy. I should be back on New Year’s Eve, and then I’ll take you out for some fun.”

“I got it, big brother. Thank you, big brother.”