When Grandma Ma saw that Ma Siyi still wanted to say something, she worried that Ge Siwei might hear too much and become sensitive or upset, so she added, "I'm just bored, so I'm helping her look after the child. That'll settle the debt I owe her."
After hearing that, Ma Siyi couldn't refuse anymore. But she still wasn't very happy, and the displeasure was clear in her eyes as she looked at Ge Siwei.
Ge Siwei saw that his sister didn't like him, and he was quite frightened. He wanted to go back to his own home, too, but he had already tried sneaking back once. All he'd found was a cold, iron gate, and then Grandma Ma had come looking for him and brought him back.
After all, Ge Siwei was almost seven years old. He knew that his father had been locked up in prison and that his mother had left home—in other words, she had abandoned him. He was homeless now.
So the little boy pursed his lips and forced himself not to cry, looking stubborn and forlorn.
Seeing how pitiful her little brother looked reminded Ma Siyi of when she'd been abandoned. She hadn't been much older than Ge Siwei, so she simply couldn't bring herself to stay angry.
So Ma Siyi just snorted and went to get the souvenirs she'd brought for Grandma Ma.
When Grandma Ma saw that Ma Siyi wasn't angry anymore, she felt relieved. She spoke to Ge Siwei, who was hiding in the corner. "Weiwei, your sister doesn't dislike you. She just hates your mother! She was abandoned by your mother and left with me when she was little, just like you were. She's your sister. Once she comes around, she'll take good care of you."
Ge Siwei nodded, but