Chapter 28 - I Will Grow Up

The graduation ceremony was held in the gymnasium.

But since it was still early, most people stayed outside to take pictures.

Jacob was particularly popular and good-tempered and was dragged by many people to take pictures, so he didn't have much time to take care of Ashley

Ashley did not intend to bother him. She wanted to go back to her parents, but because there were so many people, she did not know where they had gone.

Jacob was afraid that she would get lost and that she would be squeezed by the flow of people.

Finally, he simply pulled her to his side and told her not to run away.

And he didn’t care that she was on camera.

Ashley felt like he has become her little tail, a small tail with eyes who can't help looking at him secretly.

Today, Jacob was wearing a unified black bachelor's suit and a big robe, which showed his thin and tall figure, noble and elegant.

His skin was cold and white, his features were sharp, and he smiled inexplicably with a bit of provocation, which made Ashley unable to take her eyes away from him.

Ashley could notice that many girls were looking at him.

Jacob did not wear the bachelor's hat, but casually held it in his hand.

Later, he sensed that the sun was too strong and he put his hat on Ashley's head.

The bachelor's hat was a little big, and it always fell down, collapsing in front of Ashley's eyes, blocking her view.

Jacob immediately straightened it up and said with a laugh, "What are you thinking? Hold it by yourself. Or do you want brother to help you? "

Ashley adjusted the position of the hat.

But it was still always falling, she simply took off the hat and handed it back to Jacob, "Brother, I won't wear it."

"Well," Jacob looked down at her, "You may get sunburned."

"I know."

Ashley pointed to her head and said in a depressed tone, "But it always falls."

"Stand in front of brother."

Ashley obediently did it, wondering, "What are you doing?"

Jacob raised his hand and fixed the hat and chuckled, "Brother will help you."

"...”

"I need to protect my Little Ashley."

One big and one small, standing in front and behind, were surrounded by all kinds of people dressed in academic uniforms.

Jacob held the bouquet of flowers brought by Ashley in his hand, and the scholar cap, which should have been worn on his head, was put on her head.

When someone asked, Jacob replied with a smile, "This is my sister."

In this way, Ashley, as his "sister", appeared in Jacob’s most of the graduation photos.

She had never seen any trace of the photos and was embarrassed to ask him for them.

Ashley felt that she was so lucky all of a sudden.

Luckily, she was wearing a beautiful dress today.

After the graduation ceremony, Ashley followed her parents home.

Liam and Jacob went out to dinner with their friends.

That evening, Liam came home almost midnight and brought back Jacob.

Strictly speaking, it should be said that Jacob sent Liam back.

Ashley was woken up by the noise, so she got up and had a check.

As soon as she came out of the living room, she saw Liam sitting on the sofa, obviously drunk.

Tim scolded Liam as he talked to Jacob.

Grace was making sober soup in the kitchen.

Noticing Ashley, Tin said, "Sorry to wake you up, Ash."

Ashley rubbed her eyes and shook her head silently.

"Look at your brother, how much did he drink like this?" Tim frowned. "Right, Ash. This brother will sleep over at our house today, could you go and find him a new towel and toothbrush? "

Jacob immediately refused, "It’s fine. I gotta go."

Tim patted him on the arm. "Stay here tonight. It’s late. Go and wash up."

The next moment, Ashley walked up to him and said, "Brother, come with me and I'll get it for you."

Jacob did not refuse anymore, nodding, "Thank you."

Ashley took Jacob to Liam's room, pulled out pajamas for him, and then suddenly stopped the action. "Brother, I don't know where the underwear is. I'll ask my mother."

Jacob said," Just get brother a towel and a toothbrush. "

"Oh."

Ashley took him to the toilet again and pointed to the cabinet above. "There is a new one in that cupboard, you can take it yourself."

"Mm-hmm."

"Brother," Ashley walked out of the toilet and suddenly turned around and asked, "Did you drink?"

Jacob, "Nope."

"Are you sure?" Ashley stared at his face and hesitated. "If you did, I would ask my mother to make you a sober soup, too."

"I’m telling you the truth." Jacob smiled.

After thinking about it, Ashley went back to the toilet and pointed to the things on the table. "Brother, this is shampoo, conditioner, this is body wash, and then this is a facial cleanser, and you can use a razor here."

Jacob rubbed Ashley's head, his eyebrows slightly converged, and the corners of his lips bent.

"Well, Got it. Thank you, Little Ashley. "

Ashley nodded and went out of the toilet.

Seeing that Liam was the only one left in the living room, Tim went into the kitchen to help Grace.

Thinking of what happened just now, Ashley ran next to Liam and pushed his arm, "Brother."

Liam painstakingly opened his eyes, "What?"

"Go to your room and find a new pair of underwear."

Ashley whispered, "Brother Jacob is taking a bath. Go and get one for him."

"...”

"Come on."

Liam perfunctorily said, "It's in the small cupboard in the wardrobe. You go and get it to him."

Ashley was embarrassed. "How can I get it to him?"

Liam closed his eyes and ignored her.

Looking at Liam's uncomfortable appearance, she said nothing more.

She looked at the empty water cup on the table and poured him a new glass of warm water. "Brother, have some water."

Liam was silent.

She stood up and muttered, "Why did you drink so much?"

Ashley ran back to Liam's room, opened the small cabinet he said, and opened a new pair of underwear.

She scratched her head, went to the bathroom door, and knocked.

The sound of water inside stopped immediately. "Is that someone knocking at the door?"

"Brother, I hang the underwear on the handle for you. Take it yourself. "

After that, Ashley immediately went back to her room.

She didn't go out again, and she could hear a noise outside the room.

It lasted for more than an hour, and Ashley gradually fell asleep again in the sound of rustling.

When she woke up, she was awakened by thirst.

It was not yet dawn, so it was quite dark. The whole world seemed to be quiet.

Ashley got up and planned to go to the living room to get a glass of water.

Afraid of disturbing her parents, she made very little noise and planned to go back to her room after getting her water.

As she was passing the living room, she suddenly noticed that there seemed to be a man on the balcony.

Instantly she realized that the person was Jacob.

He sat on the balcony chair, pulled up the floor-to-ceiling window, and was smoking.

Unaware of Ashley's presence, he tilted his head, with his Adam's apple sliding slowly, and the smoke wreathed in the moonlight.

Ashley could not see his expression clearly.

But somehow she thought he was in a bad mood.

Ashley hesitated for a moment and then walked over.

Soon, Jacob noticed her and looked sideways, raised his eyebrows, and immediately smiled, "Why are you still asleep?"

His voice was low through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Ashley carefully pushed the floor-to-ceiling window open and asked in a low voice, "Brother, are you unable to sleep?"

Jacob put out the cigarette butts and said lazily, "Well, maybe I just get used to my bed."

Ashley said, "You can sleep on the sofa in my brother's room. I remember you used to sleep on it."

"Sure."

Jacob looked gentle. "It's late. Go to bed."

Ashley didn't move and whispered, "Brother, are you in a bad mood?"

Jacob said, "A little bit."

Ashley was silent for a few seconds without asking why. "Let me get you a glass of water."

As soon as she took two steps away, Jacob suddenly made a sound again.

Maybe it was because of this night that he had the desire to talk.

"Little Ashley, would you like to hear a little secret?"

Jacob looked up at her, his eyes bent into a good-looking crescent moon, "Brother has a lot of creditors."

Ashley paused and looked back." Do you owe a lot of money? "

"It's not about money," Jacob said with a smile. "

He thought about it and then said, "Well, it can also be said to be about money."

"A lot?" Ashley did not know what to say, so she could only whisper, "Don't worry, brother. When I grow up, I will help you to make money and pay them back."

Jacob was stupefied, and then he laughed out loud and made a shallow breath.

This time, Ashley could clearly feel that he seemed to be in a better mood.

A long time later, he pinched Ashley's face. "Thank you, Little Ashley. But these are not brother's debts, and there is no need for Little Ashley to pay them back. ""

"The money that Little Ashley earns in the future," Jacob said, "could only be used to buy yourself nice dresses."

The next day, Jacob took the earliest flight back to Silver River City.

Ashley thought that this was probably the last time he came back here.

Because he had no other reason to come over, he completely left the campus and thoroughly integrated into the society.

Everyone continued to lead a step-by-step life.

In early July, Ashley got the grades of the high school entrance examination and was successfully admitted to the City No. 1 High School.

Before the start of school, she received a new schoolbag from Jacob.

As a reward for her admission to No. 1 High School.

In fact, Jacob was far away from her.

But sometimes, it made her feel that he seemed to be everywhere, like the air.

Ashley found that Ethan was also admitted to No. 1 High School and happened to be in the same class as her.

The two had not spoken for a long time, and when she remembered Ethan's previous confession, she was too embarrassed to take the initiative to talk to him.

But it was Ethan who came over to say hello to her with no psychological bitterness.

Ashley also breathed a sigh of relief.

Winter vacation in the first year of high school.

Ethan asked Ashley out for the reason for coming out to do homework together and confessed his love again.

This time the teenager was no longer as frustrated as he was last time, but he was still nervous.

"Ashley, I like you. Can you be my girlfriend? Well, if you don't want to, I'll ask you again in three years. "

When she heard this, she was a little distracted.

Her first reaction was to recall the words that Jacob told her after her being confessed by Ethan at the age of 13.

"It's normal to have these thoughts at puberty. But don't hurt others, you can thank them for their love and then refuse. "

There was a long silence.

"Thank you for liking me."

Ashley looked him in the eye and said seriously, "But I have someone I like, so I can't accept you."

"...”

"You are a very nice person, thank you."

Ethan scratched his head and exhaled, "I knew I would be rejected again."

Ashley was a little embarrassed.

"I wasn't going to like you anymore."

Ethan said, "But I just can't find a f*cking girl who is prettier than you. What can I do?"

"...”

"Forget it."

Ethan thought for a moment and asked, "May I ask who you like?"

Ashley shook her head in silence.

Ethan then said, "Is he as handsome as I am?"

The words "Don't hurt others" floated in Ashley’s mind. She waved her hand and vaguely said, "Stop!"

"...”

Ashley thought it would go on like this.

Her secret crush would last forever.

Then, as long as she worked harder now, she should be able to be admitted to Silver River University, and then three years later, she would go to the city where Jacob was located.

But there were always changes in life.

Everything couldn’t be done in this way, the way that you wanted it to be.

During the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday in the first semester, Ashley learned a piece of news from Liam.

She was going to go to the bathroom. When she passed Liam's room, she heard him on the phone with a friend, and then casually said, "F*ck, Jacob is seeing someone?"

Ashley's steps stopped at once.

But then she didn't hear Liam mention his name again.

Her mind went blank and she stood still for a long time.

Ashley didn't go back to her room, went to the living room, pretended to be watching TV, and then, when Liam came out, she pretended to ask, "Brother, is Brother Jacob dating someone?"

"Ah," Liam took an apple from the fridge, "I think so."

Ashley stared at the TV and said nothing more.

When Liam returned to her room, she turned off the TV and went back to her room.

Ashley picked up the mobile phone on the table, opened Whatapp, and found Jacob.

She pursed her lips and typed a line of words slowly.

“Brother, I heard my brother say you're in love.”

Ashley stared at the words for a long time, but finally deleted them.

She lay on the bed, looking sideways at the dolls given by praise, the tip of her nose sore.

‘Fake.

It must be a fake.’

Ashley looked at the picture of the Silver River University that she had pasted on the wall, rubbed her eyes hard, reluctantly put the matter behind her, and got up to study.

She told Jacob.

If he got a girlfriend, he had to take her to meet her first.

He promised.

He would tell her.

Although Ashley thought so, she wouldn't be able to take classes seriously in the next few days.

She always thought of Liam's words, and when she saw the intimacy of a couple, she also thought of Jacob.

She would wonder if it was the same when he was in love.

‘Such a gentle person must be very kind to his girlfriend.’

But Ashley dared not ask.

She was afraid of getting an affirmative answer.

At the end of April, Ashley did the most outrageous thing in her sixteen years of life.

That day, Ashley ran home after school and dropped the piggy bank she had specially prepared for Jacob.

She took the money and went to her parents' room to steal the ID card.

Subsequently, Ashley went to a ticket sales point near her home to buy a ticket to Silver River City at noon the next day.

The next day, she put on her schoolbag, said goodbye to her parents as usual, and then went out.

But Ashley didn't get on the bus she was supposed to get on.

She went to the nearby KFC to change her school uniform, then took a taxi and went to South Star Airport.

This was the first time that Ashley had taken a plane alone.

For the first time, she went so far away alone.

Three hours later, Ashley got off the plane.

Ashley didn't check the weather before she came.

The temperature of Silver River was much lower than that of South Star. She only wore a long hoodie and shivered all over with cold.

She turned on her cell phone.

She saw dozens of missed calls.

They were all from his family.

Ashley felt guilty and scared, found Liam's number, and called back with great nervousness.

Liam picked it up immediately, accompanied by his anxious voice "Ashley."

Ashley said yes.

Liam, "Where have you been? Your teacher said you weren't at school. What time is it?"

"Brother."

Ashley said slowly, "I'm in Silver River City."

"...”

Ashley lied, "My former online lover asked me to come here."

Liam was silent as if he were pressing down her anger.

After a long time, Liam said, "Where are you now?"

"At the airport."

"Find a place to stay, and I'll tell Jacob to pick you up first."

Liam said coldly, "If you dare to meet your so-called online lover, I'll kill you when you come back."

"I see."

Ashley lowered her eyes and went into the airport.

She took a seat, a little dazed.

Knowing what she was doing was wrong, and knowing what she was doing would worry everyone, but she couldn't help it.

Ashley answered the phone of Tim and Grace one after another, listening to their anxious and angry voices, but they did not scold her anymore, just told her to pay attention to her own safety.

After a long time, the phone in Ashley's hand rang again.

This time it showed the number of Jacob.

She picked it up in silence.

“Where are you?”

His tone was obviously angry, indifferent, and cold.

Ashley looked around and whispered, "The chair next to exit T3."

Soon, Ashley saw Jacob appear in her field of vision.

They haven't seen each other for nearly a year.

He looked more mature, with no expression on his face, wearing a shirt and trousers, with a coat around his arm.

Obviously in a hurry.

Ashley looked away and saw a beautiful woman next to him.

She dropped her eyes at once.

Jacob saw her at a glance.

He exhaled, walked quickly, half squatted down in front of her, and wrapped his coat around her without saying a word.

Ashley was also speechless, glancing at the woman's bright red high heels.

Jacob's Adam's apple rolled and laughed angrily, "Online lover, right?"

"...”

"Do you still remember what I told you before?" Jacob said coldly. "Ashley, how dare you to go so far alone?"

Ashley raised her head, looked at Jacob steadily, and then turned to the beautiful woman. She wanted to say something, but could not say anything.

‘She really wants to ask.

Do you really have a girlfriend?

Did you really become someone else's?

You said you'd tell me.

Do you think it's okay to lie to me since I'm young?

Did you lie to me?’

But Ashley dared not.

Jacob, "Say something."

The woman next to her couldn't help saying, "Jac, don't be so mean to the little girl."

Jacob pretended not to hear her, but still stared at Ashley.

Ashley held back the lump in her throat and said slowly, "I'm sorry."

Jacob asked, "He asked you to come here?"

Ashley, "I wanted to come here by myself."

"You’ve seen him."

"Mm-hmm."

Ashley said softly, "He thinks I'm too young."

Jacob raised his eyebrows, "He left? "

"Yes."

"Ashley, he's doing the right thing. You're still too young."

Seeing her so pitiful appearance, Jacob's anger dissipated. "This is not appropriate, you know?"

Ashley looked at him and her eyes gradually turned red. "But I will grow up."

She murmured, "I'll grow up."

"Then wait until you grow up, okay?"

"Then he will," Ashley burst into tears and said, "he will like the other woman."

It was something she couldn't stop no matter what happened.

Ashley suddenly remembered the scene of him smoking on the balcony of her home a year ago, when he looked so lonely and hopeless.

And now he was standing next to someone else.

‘She shouldn't be so selfish.

He's such a nice guy.

He deserves the company of others.

Why should he wait for her?

Two years later, he will also be 25 years old. If he meets the right person, he is also thinking about getting married.

He can't be single for so many years.

In that case, will he be happier?’

Seeing her like this, Jacob couldn't get angry anymore.

He didn't know how to comfort her, but he just touched her head. "When you grow up, you will certainly meet better people," he said.

Being silent for a few seconds, Ashley pulled the bag aside and took out a box, her lips moving.

As she grew older, she could no longer shout out the intimate word "brother".

Ashley bowed her head and whispered, "Brother Jacob."

"...”

"I got you a birthday present."

Ashley said, "So I brought it to you by the way."

Jacob was stupefied for a moment. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, but I won't do it again."

Ashley's tears clattered down, holding back the tremor in her voice, she said, "I want to wait here for my brother to come."

Secret love was probably the sweetest and most painful thing in the world.

Ashley suddenly remembered the two dreams she wrote in the second year of junior high school.

Stroke by stroke, the little girl wrote down the dreams that she thought would come true when her feelings were pure and hot.

So she worked hard for it and kept walking towards that goal.

And then she found out.

The original dream, it was also possible, could not be realized.

She secretly discovered a treasure when she was at the beginning of her love affair.

Unfortunately, she didn't become the one who hid the treasure.