Chapter 5：A Sacrifice for An Idol

The break bell rings. Students immediately come out of class. Er Hua also in hurry closes her book and stands off her chair. Xiao Ping steals a glance to Er Hua with her corner of eyes and when Er Hua turns to her, Xiao Ping pretending busy writing.

"Xiao Ping, you're not gonna have lunch ?" Er Hua asks in wonder. Xiao Ping shakes her head,

"Okay. Do you want me to get you something from canteen ?" Er Hua offers once again. This time Xiao Ping shakes her head. "No need. Thank you," she refuses it again while forcing a smile on her face.

Er Hua shrugs then takes Takeshi photo whom she just bought from Xiao Ping. "I want to show it off to the girls," she says it happily as walking out from class. Xiao Ping still holds her smile until Er Hua is out of her sight. Then she sighs. Suddenly her stomach is making a noise. Xiao Ping rubs her stomach with a wry smile.

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"Mom, I'm home," Xiao Ping greets once she opens the door. "Take a bath then eat dinner. It's already on the table, " her mother says from kitchen. Xiao Ping takes her socks in hurry. "Mom, I want to eat first, can I.. pleasee?" she pleads. Her mother frowns a second but then giggles. "Okay. You may eat first."

Xiao Ping quickly sits and fills her bowl with rice fully, takes some fish and veggies then eats hastily. "Xiao Ping, eat slowly," her mother rebukes when she heard her daughter hiccough. She will wonder once seeing her appetite as well. "Okay, mom. The food is so delicious, mom. Thank you," Xiao Ping flatters while keep eating.

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"So hungry," Xiao Ping sighs when her stomach making sound. She then puts her head on table. Yu Jin who is fixing a computer behind her turns his head to Xiao Ping. Then he stands and comes close.

"What's wrong with you ? Are you sick ?" asks Yu Jin ini worry. He touches Xiao Ping's forehead with the back of his hand. "Your temperature seems normal," he comments. Xiao Ping raises her head. Yu Jin shocks to she her face. "You are so pale !! You really are sick !!" he panicky shouts.

"Calm down, I'm not sick," Xiao Ping denies, "I'm just ..." Suddenly her stomach makes sound so loud that makes Yu Jin raises his eyebrows.

"Haven't you eaten ?" Yu Jin asks. Xiao Ping weakly shakes her head. "Why ?" Xiao Ping doesn't answer. "Come on, I'm your friend. How could you not tell me,"Yu Jin urges while bents down and places his hands onto Xiao Ping's shoulder.

Xiao Ping silently stares at him, but then she answers with a meek voice, "It's because i need to cut corner." Xiao Ping then tells her problem in detail to Yu Jin.

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Internet cafe's front door is opened. Xiao Ping immediately turns her head into it and smile widely to see Yu Jin comes. "Good afternoon," they exchange greet.

Yu Jin walks to her desk while opening her backpack. He takes a package wrapped in brown paper with a fast food logo printed on. "For you," he says then hands over the package. Xiao Ping opens the package then moves her view to Yu Jin and embarrassedly smiles.

"Thank you, Yu Jin. You have always bought me lunch since, " she says sincerely. "Don't mention it. That's what friends are for," Yu Jin responds in light.

Xiao Ping eats her lunch while Yu Jin hasn't moved his stare from her. Xiao Ping turns to him, catching him staring at her. "Eh, I'm sorry I didn't offer it to you. You want some ?" she offers the food. You Jin shakes his head and replies, "No. Go on eat. I just enjoy watching you eat heartily." Xiao Ping's face turns into red. She then continue eating.

Front door once again is opened. Yu Jin turns his sight on it for awhile and then back to Xiao Ping. While bents down his tall body, Yu Jin whispers, "Uncle arrives. Today we're gonna accept our salary."

With a mouth full of food, Xiao Ping smiles so wide until her eyes close. Today she receives her salary. It means tomorrow she can buy the ticket. Xiao Ping nods her head happily. It is worth her sacrifice.