Chapter 1512


    The unexpected question stunned Alexander. N gazed at him with sorrowful, big eyes. In one


    moment, he was the reliable ‘big brother’—in the next, he couldn’t even provide a meal.


    Alexander winced and tried to change the subject to divert her attention. “Are you really hungry?”


    “Yes!” N’s tears teetered on the edge. She pouted and whimpered, “I was supposed to eat at the


    hotel with my mom… She even said we’d order braised bass…”


    “Don’t cry, don’t cry! It’s just a fish…”


    “But I’m hungry!”


    Alexander felt uneasy. Engaging her in conversation was proving difficult.


    Finally, he managed to calm N. He had an idea and extended his arm to her, sleeves rolled up. “If


    you’re truly starving, you can bite me first!”


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    N stared at him in disbelief.


    “Ie from a poor family, and we didn’t always have food. When I was really hungry as a kid, I’d


    munch on… things that could keep hunger at bay.”


    N looked puzzled.


    Alexander smiled and exined, “For example, when there was no bread, but the container still had its


    smell, I’d bite on the edge and pretend I was eating. Then I wouldn’t feel hungry! And when neighbors


    cooked, I’d sniff the aroma under their door and imagine I was having a warm meal. Then I wouldn’t be


    hungry!”


    Alexander couldn’t help but chuckle at N’s astonished expression.


    He could now recall those times with a smile, but it wasn’t funny at all when Drake nearly starved him


    due to gambling and drinking at home.


    Alexander noticed fresh tears in N’s eyes a whileter and inwardly winced. How did he ruin their


    conversation again?


    “Big brother…” N asked after a pause, “Is there no one in your home who cooks for you?”


    “Uh… Not really,” Alexander answered truthfully. He did have someone when he was much younger.


    When Lena was around, she’d figure something out for food, even if it meant begging the neighbors.


    She had never let her brother go hungry.


    “Big brother,” N called him again, grabbing his arm.


    Alexander thought she was about to bite him and quickly shut his eyes. He was afraid of pain and


    worried this little girl might take a chunk of his flesh.


    Nevertheless, he didn’t pull away. He had offered his arm and had to keep his word. After all, how


    could he be a good big brother otherwise?


    “You…” After a while, he didn’t feel the expected pain. Instead, a small hand was touching his arm.


    Sensing its tickle, he opened his eyes in surprise. “What are you doing?”


    “Does it hurt?” N touched the scars left by Drake’s previous blows.


    Alexander’s heart raced, and he instinctively withdrew his arm, but N held onto it. She gently blew


    on the scars.


    “When I hurt my leg, my mom will blow on it, and I won’t feel pain anymore. Big brother, I’ll blow on it


    for you, and you won’t feel pain too, okay?”


    Alexander didn’t know what to say. His body remained rigid, and even his breath felt awkward.