I don't want my big brother to die young

Tang Tang absolutely loved diamonds.

She not only squealed inwardly, but actually reached out to touch them.

So real diamonds are this pretty. No wonder so many people like them.

I've never owned a diamond before. I wonder whether diamonds or gold are worth more.

I have loads and loads of gold and money now. I should be able to afford diamonds, right?

But my money is for supporting myself. After my scumbag dad cheats and gets divorced, I'll have to support my pretty mommy too. I can't just spend it.

Never mind. I don't know anything about diamonds anyway, and selling them later would be a hassle. Gold is still the safer bet.

Tang Tang touched them to satisfy her craving, then pulled her hand back and stopped looking.

Su Xiajing wiped her eyes under the guise of brushing back her hair.

People said the scars of childhood took a lifetime to heal.

Yet her baby had endured that kind of hurt for ten lifetimes.

Ten whole lifetimes.

How had a little child survived all that?

Tang Beichen felt as though someone had driven a knife straight into his heart.

After listening to his daughter's thoughts lately, he was now fairly certain that Tang Tang hadn't been saying those things casually.

He also knew that his cheating, betrayal, and mistreatment of Su Xiajing weren't predictions, but things that had already happened.

His daughter had been reborn over and over for ten lifetimes. In every one, he had been scum, hurting his beloved wife and daughter.

He was a bastard.

He was scum.

His daughter was right to curse him.

Tang Dongcheng: "..."

So the cheating and betrayal little sweetie mentioned are things that will happen in the future.

Perhaps my sister-in-law has sensed it, which is why she chose to divorce him.

Tang Xianqi glanced at his uncle and held his little sister tighter.

"Do you like this, Tang Tang?"

He took off his diamond watch. "How about I give it to you?"

Tang Tang was stunned.

Give it to me?

Really?

But this diamond watch looks so expensive. It must be a precious gift Big Brother received, right?

I can't be greedy.

I can't accept such an important gift.

Amused by how considerate she was, Tang Xianqi pushed the watch straight into her hand. "Think of it as a gift to celebrate meeting you."

His parents had given him this watch last year to congratulate him on winning the Math Olympiad. It was indeed precious, but he didn't regret giving such a precious gift to his little sweetie.

Tang Tang still insisted on refusing. "But you and Uncle already brought me other presents."

Although she liked valuable things, she wasn't someone who had no sense of limits and accepted everything.

She still had that much principle.

"It's all right."

Tang Xianqi simply put the watch on her wrist. "I have other watches Mom and Dad gave me. As long as you like it, Tangtang."

Boohoo, Big Brother is so nice. I love Big Brother.

Tang Beichen: "..."

Even Xianqi, whom she's only just met, has already won my daughter's love.

I need to keep working harder!

Why did it have to turn out like this?

The heavy diamond watch encircled Tang Tang's wrist, but it felt as though it were weighing on her heart.

At the thought that Big Brother would only live to twelve, Tang Tang's heart ached, and grief welled up inside her.

Big Brother is so gentle, so good to me, and so handsome. Why did he have to die so young?

I don't want Big Brother to die young.

The baby's tears spilled uncontrollably. Tang Tang turned her head, buried herself in Tang Xianqi's arms, and began to cry.

Tang Xianqi went rigid. He looked as though he had been frightened into helplessness, but in truth, his mind had gone completely blank.

I'm going to die young?

Su Xiajing's heart trembled.

So that was what Tang Tang had meant earlier when she said there would be no chance to take a photo together in the future.

It wasn't only her daughter who was destined to be abandoned.

There was Xianqi's fate too...

Tang Dongcheng: "..."

So this was why I suddenly felt uneasy earlier...

Tang Beichen: "..."

"Why is our Tang Tang crying?"

"Are you hungry?"

Tang Beichen stood up, walked over, and took his daughter from Tang Xianqi's arms. He deliberately reached for her watch. "Or do you not like the watch Big Brother gave you?"

Tang Tang immediately guarded the watch in outrage and stopped crying:

Who said I don't like it?

The present Big Brother gave me is my favorite!

If you dare take it away, I'll fight you!

Caught between laughter and exasperation, Tang Beichen let go.

He tapped his daughter's forehead. "If you like it so much, why are you crying?"

"Look, you scared Big Brother with that sudden crying."

Tang Tang turned to look. Sure enough, Big Brother's face was deathly pale.

I-I just can't bear to part with Big Brother.

Big Brother is already twelve...

If only I'd met Big Brother sooner.

Sniffling, Tang Tang stretched her little arms toward Tang Xianqi.

"Big Brother, cuddles."

Su Xiajing caught on.

Tang Tang didn't know she could hear her thoughts, so she spoke freely in her mind. But Su Xiajing could use that to coax crucial information out of her.

The news that Tang Xianqi would die young was certainly shocking, but there was still a chance.

As long as they knew how and when he would die, they could prevent it.

"You really do change your mind every second, little one."

Su Xiajing came over and took her straight into her arms. "You just scared Big Brother, and now you want him to cuddle you?"

"Let Mommy hold you. Give Big Brother a little rest."

"If you like Big Brother, we can have him visit often, or Mommy can take you to play with him. How does that sound?"

Really?

All right, then.

I'll let Big Brother off for today and have him cuddle me next time.

Tang Dongcheng had the same idea.

Tang Tang had suddenly mentioned this because she liked playing with Xianqi. If they let the two spend more time together, there would eventually be a chance to learn more.

There was still time.

After deciding which photos to print, Tang Dongcheng bundled up the rest and sent them to Tang Beichen and Su Xiajing, then prepared to leave with Tang Xianqi.

Su Xiajing tried to keep them there. "Aunt Zhang is already making lunch. Why don't you and Xianqi stay to eat before leaving?"

Tang Dongcheng packed away his equipment. "Your sister-in-law has a performance tonight. I need to go back and get ready."

Tang Tang thought, Uncle and Auntie are so in love.

Tang Dongcheng was an art museum director and freelance photographer, while his wife was a ballet dancer. The couple had a loving relationship. Ever since they had met, Tang Dongcheng had attended every one of her performances in person, recording each one with his camera.

Remembering what Tang Beichen had once said about meeting and falling in love with Su Xiajing, Tang Tang couldn't resist making an unflattering comparison in her mind.

And to think my scumbag dad claimed he fell in love with my pretty mommy at first sight and secretly loved her for years.

Look at how Uncle treats Auntie! Their situations were pretty similar, but Uncle can love only Auntie his whole life. Unlike you, who broke your promise after just a few years and hurt my pretty mommy.

Scumbag Dad isn't even one-tenth as devoted as Uncle, yet he has the nerve to brag about himself. How contemptible!

Su Xiajing: "..."

Exactly. Your scumbag dad has no shame.

Tang Beichen: "..."

You're right to scold me, sweetheart.

Tang Dongcheng looked expressionlessly at Tang Beichen and pointed toward the nursery beside them. "Beichen, come over here for a moment. I have something to say to you."

Tang Beichen followed him over.

As soon as he closed the door, Tang Dongcheng said in exasperation, "Beichen, do you know the difference between humans and animals?"

Tang Beichen: ???

Brother, what are you trying to say?