Ever since Lianshan candidly shared with the kids about Lian En’s background, Shuzhen has been on edge, worried that their sibling relationship might be affected.
It wasn’t until she heard Chenchen, with his small fists raised, declare that their brother is indeed their brother and a part of the family—and that anyone who tries to sow discord would be beaten up by Mr. Chen—that her tension finally eased a bit.
Seeing their mom so anxious, Xinzhi burst out laughing, "Mom, you can relax. No matter who our brother’s biological father is, we all share the same mom! We are genuinely siblings, and our family’s bond is real. Brother loves us, and we respect him and listen to him. We six siblings are forever united.
Even if there are occasional spats, when it matters, we are family!
We’ll never betray our siblings; apart from mom and dad, we are the closest to each other."
"Wow, eldest daughter! Just three days apart, and you already surprise me ? Wasn’t this quick, and now my clever daughter has grown so much?" Lianshan widened his eyes in astonishment, gazing at his eldest daughter. How has a nine-year-old learned so much? Feels like he’s too old to keep pace with the rapid advancements!
"That’s just proof, Dad, that you haven’t been paying enough attention to me, which isn’t good. You should reflect on that. No matter how busy with work, you shouldn’t neglect your precious gem, right?" Xinzhi swished her ponytail proudly and scolded.
"Oh, precious gem, how skillful you are at boasting. Just copying brother’s words to show off here; you’re nothing more than a parrot. You know, the kind that just mimics others!" Eagerly awaiting complements to mom’s nod of approval, and then out comes this girl stealing the limelight. Can this be tolerated?
From birth, they’ve been rivals more often than friends. Chenchen, frustrated with Xinzhi, who is only a few minutes younger than him, does not act like a big brother.
Taunt and tease, without a second thought.
Xinzhi stomped her foot in anger, then grabbed Chenchen’s ear, "Apologize, give me an apology! What did brother tell you before he left? Didn’t he tell you to be a good brother, to protect and coddle us? And you, you agreed well in person but then call me a parrot, even mock me as a stupid parrot! I’ll tell brother on Saturday and see how he scolds you!"
"Ouch, it hurts! Let go, you brat!" Chenchen grimaced in pain, staring at Xinzhi with a glare that said, ’If you don’t let go, Mr. Chen is going to flip.’
But Xinzhi remained unfazed, stuffily declaring, "No apology, no promise not to mock me again, and I’m not letting go. I’ll yank your ear off and make you an earless fool!"
A real man stands tall, not bowing easily. Apologize?
Grandpa Yang said one must have persistence and limits.
Backing down might not lead to peace but instead continuous bullying and pressure.
In this world, there’s not only the saying about turning weapons into jade, but also another famous one about taking an inch and wanting a mile!
He’s still young, not completely understanding some principles.
But firmly remembering never to compromise easily.
Moments ago, they were harmonious siblings united, suddenly, Chenchen and Xinzhi clashed like bulls.
Seeing one yelling sternly, the other refusing to apologize, Chenchen’s ear was reddened thoroughly. The parents, initially watching the scene unfold, quickly set serious tones, urging the siblings to back down and let go.
"No way, he must apologize today!"
"Absolutely not! Stand firm in the freezing wind, starve but never bow. A true man with integrity!"
"Oh, integrity? You brat, if you keep this up, you’ll upset mom! Speaking improperly, acting wrongly but refusing to apologize, you’re resisting stubbornly with no change." Shuzhen laughed angrily, lightly flicking the brat on the forehead, "Having your own limits and stance is fine, but knowing what you insist upon is wrong and persisting just for pride, that’s stupidity.
Your dad and I always taught you to respect parents, cherish siblings.
Being the elder brother, taunting your sister, that is your mistake.
Failing to change upon realizing your mistakes is compounding your errors.
And you just said you six siblings are united, always loving each other. Then you bully your sister the moment after; isn’t this inconsistent?
Didn’t Grandpa Yang teach, the most crucial thing for those in business is trust?
Good reputation is priceless, and if a business leader fails to keep promises, that business might thrive for a while but not long-term!"
Initially, Chenchen was quite dismissive.
But as mom spoke more lucidly, even using his beloved business dream as a point, the young boy’s shoulders slumped, tears welling as he sincerely apologized to Xinzhi.
Though inside, he consoled himself: admitting and correcting mistakes is also quite manly.
Watching the firm-headed second brother bow and seriously apologize, Xinzhi raised her eyebrows with downright triumph, "Aren’t you strong? Aren’t you mighty? Keep standing in the freezing wind, starving but never bowing! A true man with integrity!"
After barely subduing one, now this one is relentlessly pestering?
Hey, like managing one problem only for another to arise!
Shuzhen frowned sharply, eyes glaring at Xinzhi, "Little girl being sharp-tongued, unmerciful when right, did I teach you that way? Always saying you’re each other’s closest, but then grabbing your brother’s ear, making it red, and even when he apologizes, you’re still relentless..."
"Wife..., Shuzhen, Shuzhen, calm down, calm down. Kids don’t understand, we guide them slowly. Explain things, and they’ll naturally come to understand. Don’t get mad, don’t get mad! Look, the kids are scared! Come on, Zhi Zhi, quickly apologize to mom, and let’s not repeat this; avoid stubbornness from now on." Seeing the eldest daughter about to be in trouble, Lianshan quickly stepped in as a protector. The brat can take a beating, but the little darling girl needs gentle handling, not rough treatment.
Seeing her foolish husband again shielding the little chicks, hurrying to protect Xinzhi, Shuzhen’s frustration only grew. Gritting her teeth, she pointed at Lianshan, "The brat is feisty and half-graceful tongue, all because you spoil her! If you don’t adjust her domineering and strong-willed nature, you’ll have headaches in the future."