Chapter 3

In fact, compared with their biological daughter from a small country town, their parents and everyone around them liked her more. She never had to go out of her way to please anyone.

Everything had been following the plot from her dream. Why had it changed now? Weren't Mom and Dad supposed to dislike Shen Luoluo? Why had they asked her to give the room back to Shen Luoluo? Shen Luoluo must have told them something!

There had to be a mistake somewhere! There had to be something she could do!

After a moment's thought, she picked up her phone and sent Shen Xiche a message.

[Second Brother, when are you coming home?]

Chapter 3

◎Not just Crayon Shin-chan underwear—he'd even worn girls'...◎

Downstairs, in the dining room.

Shen Ting'an and Zhao Huizhen were already seated at the table. It was covered with food, but no one had started eating. A boy in a black hoodie sat with them.

He was her younger biological brother, Shen Jiayan. Shen Luoluo had met him at the hospital: a self-important teenage boy who looked down on everyone equally.

Shen Jiayan sat across from Shen Ting'an, playing a game on his phone with both hands. His fingers tapped furiously at the screen as he complained, "How much longer do we have to wait? I'm starving!"

The moment he finished speaking, the words "Ace—Team Wipe" appeared on his screen.

[You're terrible.]

Shen Jiayan's hand jerked, and he nearly dropped his phone!

"Luoluo, you're awake!" Zhao Huizhen spotted Shen Luoluo standing in the doorway and waved to her with a warm smile. "You must be hungry. Come have breakfast."

"What would you like? There's milk, eggs, and toast on the table, and the kitchen has congee with preserved egg and pork, as well as noodles. Which would you like? I'll get you a bowl!"

"The congee is fine, thank you," Shen Luoluo said.

Zhao Huizhen paused halfway to her feet, her eyes reddening again. "Luoluo, you don't have to be so polite. This is what your dad and I should do."

"Mom, I'd like a bowl of congee too." Shen Anya had come downstairs as well.

Zhao Huizhen smiled. "All right."

"Me too!" Shen Jiayan refused to be left out. "I want congee!"

As soon as he spoke, Shen Ting'an smacked him on the head. "Can't you see your sister's here? Don't you know how to greet her? Move to the other seat!"

Shen Jiayan rolled his eyes at the ceiling and snorted, refusing to budge. She'd dared to call him terrible at the game. Today, he'd show her who was boss in this house!

"Shen Jiayan!" Shen Ting'an's voice rose in anger.

Shen Anya stepped forward too and coaxed gently, "Jiayan, be good. Listen to Dad." She addressed Shen Jiayan, but her eyes were on Shen Luoluo.

Shen Anya was about the only person in the family Shen Jiayan would listen to, at least a little.

This time, though, Shen Jiayan didn't even glance at her. "It's just a seat! She got here late, so what's wrong with her sitting in the other one? Ever heard of first come, first served?"

"You're talking back now? I suppose you think you're all grown up..."

Seeing the two of them about to argue, Shen Luoluo quickly said, "It's fine. I can sit anywhere."

[No point arguing with a little kid who still wears Crayon Shin-chan underwear.]

[Oh, wait. It's not just Crayon Shin-chan underwear. He's even worn girls'...]

Pfft! Shen Jiayan sprayed out the milk he had just sipped, then choked and coughed uncontrollably.

Shen Luoluo looked disgusted.

[What a little kid. He can't even drink milk without choking.]

"Shen... you..." Shen Jiayan's entire face, ears included, had turned red. Whether from anger or choking, he couldn't say more than "you" for a long while. Once he caught his breath, he stood up in a huff.

"You. Sit." He ground out each word through clenched teeth. Fine, he'd give her the seat! He admitted defeat, all right?

[What's with him now?]

Shen Luoluo was baffled by his sudden change of attitude, but Shen Ting'an laughed. It was rare to see his youngest son get the short end of the stick, and he was delighted. "Luoluo, come sit here. Ignore that brat."

The three of them were talking, laughing, and getting angry with one another. Only Shen Anya stood off to the side, with no idea what was going on, like an outsider.

Shen Ting'an poured Shen Luoluo a glass of milk and asked carefully, "Luoluo, about your transfer... Your mom and I were planning to put you in the International Class with Anya. If you're in the same class, you can look out for each other..."

"I don't need to be in the International Class. A regular class is fine." Shen Luoluo cut him off before he could finish.

Shen Luoluo had her reasons. In the novel, the original Shen Luoluo had followed Shen Ting'an's plan and joined Shen Anya's class. But most of the students there were Shen Anya's close friends, and they often banded together to target her, subtly or otherwise. A regular class would be far more comfortable than that. Shen Luoluo only wanted to get through the next two years in peace. She had no intention of wasting time or energy on people she didn't need to deal with.

Hearing that, Shen Anya hurriedly said, "Dad, there are benefits to letting my sister join a regular class. You know the International Class teaches entirely in English, and the lessons move quickly. I'm worried she'll have trouble adjusting right after transferring."

"It would be good for her to start in a regular class. She can join the International Class once she's fully adjusted." Shen Anya looked at Shen Luoluo and smiled. "Don't you agree, sis?"

Shen Luoluo knew exactly what she meant. It wasn't just Shen Anya; everyone here thought the same thing. She came from the countryside, which lagged behind the big city in every respect, especially education. Someone like her had no place in the International Class.

It sounded considerate, but it was really a dig at her grades.

"She can join whichever class she wants. It has nothing to do with her grades." Zhao Huizhen came out of the kitchen carrying the congee with preserved egg and pork.

At her words, Shen Anya's face turned ashen.

Shen Luoluo raised an eyebrow and watched.

"Luoluo, don't put too much pressure on yourself," Zhao Huizhen said. "Your dad and I aren't the sort to judge you by your grades. We just want you to be happy."

"Oh, and Luoluo," Zhao Huizhen continued, "your dad and I have talked it over with Anya. Once she moves her things out and we redecorate, you can move into the room."