Xia Xiao had indeed reminded Professor Yang, but it was already something that had caught Professor Yang’s attention.
Shitou was Professor Yang’s most favored student, and now Qian Xiaomei was harassing Shitou daily with her child in tow, which was hardly agreeable to the professor.
Although Qian Xiaomei did not approach the classrooms, as soon as Shitou left the classroom, he could see her and would be entangled by Qian Xiaomei, which left Shitou at a loss for words.
Moreover, Qian Xiaomei was thick-skinned and did not mind being snubbed; Shitou could ignore her, but she would remain unaffected, either clinging to Xi Beilei or muttering to herself.
Thus, Qian Xiaomei ended up being grounded at home by Dr. Xi and Assistant Qian, restricted to only the dorm and cafeteria, which greatly frustrated her.
Assistant Qian was well aware that it was because of Xia Xiao and Shitou that she had done this, but she couldn’t afford to offend Xia Xiao now, and was indeed intent on forging a good relationship with her.
Dr. Xi was clueless about everyday life, skilled in research but naive otherwise. Assistant Qian, ambitious as she was, naturally aimed to elevate the Xi Family’s status and gain recognition from higher society.
Though Assistant Qian wasn’t as radical as Qian Xiaomei, both sisters were ambitious and not content with poverty or mediocrity.
This was normal; most people were not content with poverty and mediocrity. Humans have needs and also want to make progress, aiming for a better material life, making themselves better off, which is entirely understandable.
But the sisters’ ambition was for both fame and fortune, to lead a life of luxury.
Therefore, regarding her daughter Xi Beilei, Assistant Qian was willing to spend money and had determined to groom her for a better marriage when she grew older.
Although Xiao Shanyue was not favored at home, she managed well in the Genius Class; the students of the Genius Youth Class were key nationally fostered talents. Even if Dr. Xi and Assistant Qian did not care for Xiao Shanyue, they couldn’t truly harm her, at most subject her to cold violence and neglect.
"You look after your sister; I need to step out," Qian Xiaomei, unable to stay put, said one day.
Xiao Shanyue was unwilling, "Sister is watched by Auntie. Last time Auntie left sister to me, dad and Auntie scolded me. I have to go to the teacher, I don’t have time to watch her."
Saying so, Xiao Shanyue left, leaving Qian Xiaomei fuming, not expecting Xiao Shanyue to dare ignore her words.
This had offended Qian Xiaomei, and now Xiao Shanyue was even less well-fed, making it a joke that Dr. Xi’s daughter and a student from the Genius Youth Class were malnourished.
But this was the reality for Xiao Shanyue, whom Shitou could only watch starve often, exasperatedly questioning, "Can you not speak to your father, or make a fuss about it? Just pretend to faint, end up checked in the infirmary, and they’ll find out. Would Qian Xiaomei dare to do this to you after?"
Xiao Shanyue shook her head sadly. "I’m afraid dad will dislike me even more, afraid that Auntie will love me less."
Xiao Shanyue’s situation at home wasn’t great. She was extremely cautious, also afraid of being abandoned by her family.
She had already been abandoned by her mother. Though her father wasn’t attentive, at least he hadn’t discarded her, and Xiao Shanyue feared abandonment.
"So you just endure hunger every day, are you a pig? Can’t you go to the cafeteria and eat your portion? That’s your food. Why do you let Qian Xiaomei send it back? You’re in the Genius Youth Class now, they take care of everything here, what are you afraid of?" Shitou was exasperated.
Xiao Shanyue remained silent.
Shitou felt angry seeing her like this, hating such a meek figure.
On the way back, Xia Xiao noticed Shitou’s displeasure and asked at once, "What’s wrong, did Qian Xiaomei harass you again?"
"No," Shitou shook his head and told Xia Xiao, "It’s Xiao Shanyue. She’s too foolish; I wonder if there was a mistake when her IQ was tested. Just a weak pushover."
"Really, what happened?" Xia Xiao was puzzled.
Shitou then explained Xiao Shanyue’s situation, feeling irked with her, as she had entered the Genius Youth Class and could have been free from control, yet she endured humiliations silently and starved every day, deeming Xiao Shanyue utterly foolish.
Xia Xiao’s expression grew serious too, surprised that Qian Xiaomei dared to do such a thing, and that Assistant Qian was quite a stepmother.
Seeing Shitou so angry, Xia Xiao couldn’t help but smile faintly, seldom seeing him show such clear emotions; she patted his head, saying, "You must realize that Xiao Shanyue is just a girl under seven. She’s not like you. Even if she’s intelligent, she’s still a child who needs a family. Even if Dr. Xi is indifferent to her, he hasn’t abused her. She can’t make logical choices like you. She’s highly intelligent yes, but not an adult in mind."
Xia Xiao continued, "She’s even younger than you and Beibei. Think of Beibei, think of Xiao Shu, Huanhuan and Lele, Jianjian and Kangkang. Xiao Shanyue is about their age, but she doesn’t live in a happy family and was abandoned by her mom early on. If she loses her dad too, she’ll have nothing, so you can’t expect her to think like you."
Xia Xiao knew Shitou couldn’t understand. Xiao Shanyue was only seven, immature in mind and lacking security. She loved her dad, otherwise, she wouldn’t always be following Dr. Xi like a tail.
Xiao Shanyue didn’t care about Dr. Xi’s indifference; being sad was futile, and at least he hadn’t abandoned her.
Xia Xiao could understand Xiao Shanyue’s feelings; in her previous life, she lived in a patriarchal family where her situation was even worse than that of Xiao Shanyue.
Being beaten and scolded was common, mostly due to her brother Xia Yong’s mistakes. What remained were parents disliking her, back then Xia Xiao felt whatever she did was dismissed, unable to win their favor.
It wasn’t due to lack of effort, but no matter how hard she tried it seemed inadequate. Even if she scored perfect marks and her brother failed, resulting in his distress, Xia Xiao would still be scolded rather than praised.
But if Xia Xiao performed poorly or didn’t achieve excellent grades, she faced the threat of losing education; hence, she used to study desperately just to guarantee her education.
The only advantage she had over Xiao Shanyue was that she prepared her meals, ensuring she never went hungry.