"Mom! Dad!" After not seeing her parents for an entire semester, Hermione was patted on the head by Mrs. Granger, who then wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist.
"I miss you so much..."
"We miss you too." Mr. Granger looked at his wife and daughter embracing each other with a happy expression.
Lin Yue felt the warmth of Mrs. Granger's hand on her head and looked up at her expressionlessly until they separated, at which point she politely greeted them.
"Hello, Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger, my name is Lin Yue."
Her voice was devoid of any emotion, monotonous like a blank sheet of paper, and her expression was as stiff as a whiteboard.
This made the Grangers momentarily stunned; after all, she was the same age as their daughter.
Although Hermione preferred reading over playing with friends, she was still a lively child who loved to laugh and have fun.
But this girl in front of them gave them a sense of complete detachment from the outside world.
Hermione chuckled lightly, reached out to hold Lin Yue's hand again, and looked up at her mother with a playful expression, "Mom, can Lin Yue stay at our house for a while? Please~"
Mrs. Granger smiled and playfully tapped Hermione's nose, "Of course, we would be very happy to have her as a guest."
Mr. Granger also nodded in agreement with a smile.
Upon hearing Mrs. Granger's words, Lin Yue's brain quickly reacted, and she slightly bowed according to etiquette.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger."
This child... despite her serious demeanor, she really is polite, Mrs. Granger thought, quickly reaching out to help Lin Yue up.
"No need to be so formal; you are Hermione's friend, and we are very happy to finally have someone to play with Hermione during the summer. She won't have to spend the summer with her books anymore."
As she spoke, she sighed; who would have thought that a child loving to read so much could one day become a source of worry?
Lin Yue didn't say anything in response to this statement, but Hermione beside her couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth a couple of times. "You're mistaken, Mom..." Just wait and see, if she doesn't stop her, Lin Yue's enthusiasm for studying and reading will definitely be more terrifying than hers.
Since Lin Yue was still there, Hermione didn't go into detail with her parents and planned to have a thorough chat with her mom after they got in the car.
After exiting King's Cross Station, Hermione opened the car door and let Lin Yue sit in the front passenger seat while she sat in the back with Mrs. Granger.
As the car started, Lin Yue's gaze was fixed on the street outside through the windshield, and she began to silently memorize the Potions textbook and the various potion-making methods in her mind. Since their luggage was already placed in the back seat before getting in the car, she couldn't read and could only memorize in her head.
Seeing Lin Yue in the passenger seat staring blankly ahead with a slightly swaying gaze, Hermione knew that she had entered study mode again, probably silently memorizing some book.
"Sigh..." Hermione let out a soft sigh and tugged at Mrs. Granger's sleeve, signaling her to lean down and listen to her.
Mrs. Granger raised an eyebrow and leaned down to put her ear close to her daughter's mouth, wondering what little Hermione wanted to tell her.
"Mom, Lin Yue... her situation might be a bit special."
With a complex expression, Hermione explained a bit to Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger was taken aback for a moment, her expression turning serious as she lowered her voice.
"What do you mean by special? Hermione, please explain in detail."
Hermione bit her lip and told Mrs. Granger about several habits that Lin Yue had developed due to her upbringing.
She studied for all but one hour of sleep each day, spent only three and a half minutes eating, had no time for breaks, and used all her free time to read and study. If there was any mistake in her studies or if her study time was taken up by something else, she would punish herself.
As Mrs. Granger listened to these "habits," she fell into a daze. This was... too unreal, too terrifying. Do parents really treat their children this way?
"When I discovered it before... Lin Yue couldn't even lift her left arm. Her upper arm was covered in bruises and black marks, and some were even oozing blood."
Lin Yue didn't say anything in response to this statement, but Hermione beside her couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth a couple of times. "You're mistaken, Mom..." Just wait and see, if she doesn't stop her, Lin Yue's enthusiasm for studying and reading will definitely be more terrifying than hers.
Since Lin Yue was still there, Hermione didn't go into detail with her parents and planned to have a thorough chat with her mom after they got in the car.
After exiting King's Cross Station, Hermione opened the car door and let Lin Yue sit in the front passenger seat while she sat in the back with Mrs. Granger.
As the car started, Lin Yue's gaze was fixed on the street outside through the windshield, and she began to silently memorize the Potions textbook and the various potion-making methods in her mind. Since their luggage was already placed in the back seat before getting in the car, she couldn't read and could only memorize in her head.
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Seeing Lin Yue in the passenger seat staring blankly ahead with a slightly swaying gaze, Hermione knew that she had entered study mode again, probably silently memorizing some book.
"Sigh..." Hermione let out a soft sigh and tugged at Mrs. Granger's sleeve, signaling her to lean down and listen to her.
Mrs. Granger raised an eyebrow and leaned down to put her ear close to her daughter's mouth, wondering what little Hermione wanted to tell her.
"Mom, Lin Yue... her situation might be a bit special."
With a complex expression, Hermione explained a bit to Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger was taken aback for a moment, her expression turning serious as she lowered her voice.
"What do you mean by special? Hermione, please explain in detail."
Hermione bit her lip and told Mrs. Granger about several habits that Lin Yue had developed due to her upbringing.
She studied for all but one hour of sleep each day, spent only three and a half minutes eating, had no time for breaks, and used all her free time to read and study. If there was any mistake in her studies or if her study time was taken up by something else, she would punish herself.
As Mrs. Granger listened to these "habits," she fell into a daze. This was... too unreal, too terrifying. Do parents really treat their children this way?
"When I discovered it before... Lin Yue couldn't even lift her left arm. Her upper arm was covered in bruises and black marks, and some were even oozing blood."
Hermione now feels a bit of lingering fear when she recalls the scene of Lin Yue being punished back then; it was truly chilling and heartbreaking. The dark purple and black handprints, and even blood seeping out?! Although she is a dentist, Mrs. Granger, being a doctor, still understands some related knowledge and gasped in shock.
"This child really doesn't take her own body seriously enough! What's even more infuriating is her parents; their education has made Lin Yue accustomed to neglecting her own well-being."
"After that, I prohibited her from doing that and made her sleep for six hours every day. Fortunately, she seems to be able to listen to me," Hermione said with some relief, glad that Lin Yue could still respond to the outside world and that Lin Yue could hear her words.
"Well done," Mrs. Granger said, gently patting Hermione's head.
"Do her parents know that she's staying with us?"
Mrs. Granger silently began to consider how she and her husband would deal with Lin Yue's parents if they found out about this. They definitely wouldn't send Lin Yue back; given what her parents had taught her, Mrs. Granger had no doubt that if Lin Yue were returned to her parents' "care," her health would eventually collapse.
Hearing Mrs. Granger's question, Hermione paused for a moment, then lowered her gaze and spoke. "Her parents have passed away, which is why I invited her to stay with us; otherwise, she would have to stay in a hotel."
"Passed away?" Mrs. Granger was slightly surprised but quickly returned to normal. How should she put it... Actually, it's better that they have passed away; it saves them from further tormenting this child.
One could only say that she and Hermione are indeed mother and daughter, sharing similar thoughts on this matter.
"Hermione did very well," Mrs. Granger said, fondly pinching her daughter's cheek. "In the future, for Christmas and holidays, we can invite her to our home. At the very least, we can't let her spend her holidays alone in a hotel."
Although Hermione herself hadn't realized it yet, based on her observations during Christmas, it was clear that she had some feelings for Lin Yue.
Since that was the case, as a mother, Mrs. Granger needed to plan ahead for her daughter, allowing Lin Yue and Hermione to spend more time together during Christmas and summer vacation to cultivate their relationship. This would also give Lin Yue a chance to experience the Granger family's environment, making it much easier for Hermione when she pursued Lin Yue later.
Mrs. Granger's calculations in her heart were clearly already considering that perhaps it would be years before Hermione would confess her feelings.
"Mm!" Hermione nodded vigorously, smiling happily. Her parents always supported her like this, which made her heart swell with joy.
Having someone to back you up, knowing that you have a support system no matter when, feels really good.
"By the way, Mom, in two weeks, Lin Yue wants to rent a villa and stay there with me and a few other classmates. We can all hang out and have fun together. You can agree to this, right?"
Hermione looked at Mrs. Granger with eager eyes, her expression resembling a little cat asking its owner for food. Mrs. Granger smiled and shook her head, reaching out to poke Hermione's little nose.
"Of course, I'm happy that you want to go out and have fun with your classmates. How could I possibly stop you?"
"However, is Lin Yue paying for the rental?" Mrs. Granger hesitated for a moment. "Does she have enough money?"
Although this was a decision and plan made by the children, and she and her husband shouldn't interfere, she still worried whether Lin Yue might face any difficulties.
Hermione nodded, unsure of what expression to show. Lin Yue's parents treated her so poorly, instilling a bunch of harmful habits in her. But they provided her with material conditions that were undeniably good, which was truly... contradictory.
"It seems like her parents left her quite a bit of money. She said that she can have as much money as she wants."
Mrs. Granger was taken aback by Hermione's words; it was too illogical. Based on what Hermione had previously said about Lin Yue's parents' behavior, Mrs. Granger had no doubt that they did not treat Lin Yue as their own child.
They only saw her as a machine to continuously absorb knowledge and develop herself. In such a high-pressure environment surrounded by learning, it was no wonder Lin Yue gave off a rigid and monotonous vibe. If she was always immersed in studying, how could she have rich emotions and reactions to the outside world?
But since they treated Lin Yue like a machine, her parents wouldn't leave money for a machine. If they didn't care about the child's physical and mental state, would they care about her material conditions? It was clearly impossible. That money... although she didn't know the details, it was likely not given to her by Lin Yue's parents.
Mrs. Granger gently ran her fingers through Hermione's hair but did not share her speculations with her. After all, it was Lin Yue's own matter; she should be the one to speak about it.
The car finally stopped in the Granger family's garage. After opening the car door and getting out, Lin Yue blankly glanced at the detached house in front of her, then walked to the back of the car and took out her and Hermione's suitcases, one in each hand.
"Thank you," Hermione said as she took her suitcase, smiling brightly at Lin Yue.
Lin Yue nodded; her tone still indifferent. "You're welcome."
Carrying her suitcase, Lin Yue followed Hermione and the Granger couple into the house. She instinctively lowered her head, not casually looking around at others' home, as it would be impolite; her brain told her so.
"Here, Lin Yue, you can wear these slippers. They are new," Mrs. Granger said with a gentle smile, placing a pair of new slippers at Lin Yue's feet.
Lin Yue quickly looked up at her and mechanically said, "Thank you, Mrs. Granger."
"You can just call me Auntie," Mrs. Granger said, looking at Lin Yue with a bit of concern. This child spoke in such monotone; she must have been suppressed a lot in the past.
After taking off her shoes, Lin Yue stepped into the slippers and followed Hermione into the living room, pulling her suitcase along.
Hermione pointed to the stairs not far away, "My room is on the second floor, and the guest room is also on the second floor."
After saying that, she looked at Lin Yue with some anticipation, "Are you going to stay with me, or in the guest room?"
Living with a friend! And this friend is Lin Yue! Just thinking about it made Hermione happy.
Lin Yue looked at the expression on Hermione's face, quickly analyzing in her mind.
Is Hermione... looking forward to it? Based on her tone and demeanor, it seemed she was hoping that Lin Yue would stay with her.
Agreeing to her, staying with her, another thought popped up in Lin Yue's mind.
"It seems I need to clean up a bit."
Since she was ten years old, her parents had taught her how to sweep the floor, mop, make the bed, and change the sheets, but they had never helped her clean her room again or even entered her room. They had given her the key to her room.
According to them, it was because the child had grown up and needed her own private space. Even as parents, it wasn't appropriate for them to enter their child's private space, and this would help cultivate her own hands-on skills.
So now that she was back for the holidays, Hermione still needed to tidy up her room properly.
Lin Yue turned to Hermione and asked in a flat tone, "Can I take a closer look at your room?"
Hermione was taken aback; wasn't her room right in front of Lin Yue?
But when she turned to look at Lin Yue, she realized that after asking her, Lin Yue had lowered her head, staring straight at the floor, not looking anywhere else.
Feeling a little uncomfortable in her heart, Hermione set her suitcase aside and gently hugged her, "Sure, you can definitely take a look. We don't have so many formalities at our house, just relax, okay?"
Lin Yue instinctively mirrored Hermione's action and hugged her back, softly responding.
Raising her head, Lin Yue carefully observed Hermione's bedroom over her shoulder, quickly analyzing in her mind: the floor needed sweeping and mopping, the windowsill needed cleaning, the sheets and duvet cover needed to be changed, and the desk needed to be wiped down. Overall, it would take about fifteen minutes based on her speed.