Where Was My Bowl-Cut Third Cousin?

Tang Dongcheng said, "What makes us human is that we have thoughts, a moral conscience, and the ability to restrain ourselves."

"Being attracted to beautiful things or people is instinctive for all living creatures. The difference is that humans understand boundaries and can admire from a distance. Those who only follow their instincts, without caring how the people around them feel, are animals."

Tang Beichen: "..."

I get what you're trying to say.

"I heard Xia Jing wants to divorce you?"

Tang Dongcheng looked at him with mixed emotions. "I can't interfere in what happens between you and Xia Jing. But a woman who gave up her career at its peak to marry you and have your child asked for a divorce right after giving birth. Whatever caused that must have been more painful and unbearable to her than risking her life in childbirth."

The Tang Family was an old, traditional wealthy family. The older generation was rigid and old-fashioned, and the family rules were strict. From childhood, they had been taught to value loyalty and affection and take responsibility for their choices.

All along, the siblings had done well in that regard.

Never had he imagined that the future head of the Tang Family would one day do something so irresponsible.

"Don't forget how much she sacrificed for you, what promises you made her, and how many you actually kept. Think about how hard it was for you two to get this far. Even if you really don't love her anymore, part on good terms. Say a proper goodbye and let her go instead of hurting her so cruelly."

"Our dad has already hurt Xia Jing and Tangtang. As her husband and Tangtang's father, you should be protecting them..."

Tang Dongcheng rested his hand on Tang Beichen's shoulder and gave it two firm pats. "Xia Jing and Tangtang are both wonderful. Don't let them down."

With that, Tang Dongcheng opened the door and walked out.

Tang Beichen: "..."

Su Xiajing had wanted a divorce as soon as Tang Tang was born. Anyone would assume he had wronged her and their daughter.

Tang Beichen completely understood why his mother and eldest brother had misunderstood, and he had already prepared himself to be called scum.

"Serves you right for being an idiot!"

Tang Beichen rubbed his face and muttered, "Serves you right for being a bastard. No wonder people get the wrong idea!"

Although his current self hadn't done those stupid things, that scumbag Tang Beichen was still him, in the end. If he had done something wrong, he had to stand there and take the scolding.

Every cause had its effect. His selves in the other ten lives had sown those seeds, so it was only right that he bore the consequences now.

No matter how wronged he felt, he had to take it.

By the time he came out, Tang Dongcheng had packed up his equipment and was leaving with Tang Xianqi.

Su Xiajing held Tang Tang as she saw their guests out.

Tang Tang was already desperately sleepy, but she was still fighting to stay awake, waving her tiny arms to show how reluctant she was to see them go.

Big Cousin, you have to come play with me again.

Then we can take lots and lots of pictures together!

If only I were a little older. Then I could eat yummy food with Big Cousin.

Su Xiajing: "..."

Really, you just want to eat it yourself, don't you?

We could go to an amusement park together, too. I've heard kids all like going there, so Big Cousin should like it as well.

But I've never been to one in all my lives, so I don't actually know if they're fun.

Su Xiajing: "..."

My poor daughter.

"Qi, have you finished your summer homework?"

Su Xiajing held Tang Tang a little closer as she asked him.

Tang Xianqi paused, then nodded obediently. "I've finished all of it."

"Tangtang seems reluctant to let her big cousin go. Could you come over more often to keep your little cousin company, Qi?"

"Sure."

Tang Xianqi held Tang Tang's finger and gently shook it. "Can I bring someone else with me tomorrow?"

Tang Tang knew who he meant.

If Big Cousin can bring him over that easily, it has to be his little brother.

My socially anxious shut-in of a third cousin?

I don't mind.

Can he communicate normally with people, though?

Tang Xianqi's younger brother, Tang Xiancheng, was four years his junior and a typical shut-in. His social anxiety and peculiar way of dressing made him seem out of place in the entire family, and even among wealthy families in general.

Apart from the mandatory family dinners on holidays, Tang Tang had never seen him anywhere else.

Looking at her funny, entertaining eldest uncle and her gentle, considerate big cousin, she wondered how someone raised in such a warm family could have turned out so warped.

Tang Dongcheng: "..."

A socially anxious shut-in?

Cheng?

My son will turn out like that?

Tang Xianqi: "..."

Did little Tangtang get something wrong?

That's not my brother...

Su Xiajing: "..."

Tang Beichen: "..."

Life really was unpredictable. So unpredictable.

"Well, we'll come again tomorrow."

Feeling thoroughly dazed, Tang Dongcheng said goodbye to the family of three and left the apartment with Tang Xianqi.

Eldest Uncle and Big Cousin have finally left.

I'm so sleepy. Time for bed.

Tang Tang yawned and closed her eyes.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she immediately opened them again.

Where should I put the watch Big Cousin gave me...?

"Can you give the watch to Mommy?"

Su Xiajing gently tugged at her watch. "This is an expensive gift from your big cousin, so we have to treasure it. Shall Mommy put it away for you?"

Yes, yes! That's exactly what I wanted.

Thank you, pretty Mommy.

Preferably in a pretty box.

Then lock it in the safe.

Su Xiajing: "..."

You certainly have a lot of demands.

She carried Tang Tang into the dressing room, found a pretty watch box in the jewelry cabinet, took out her own watch, and put in the diamond watch Tang Xianqi had given her.

"This is the first gift our Tangtang has received from her cousin. We have to keep it safe."

Su Xiajing took her along to put the watch in the safe. "From now on, this safe belongs to Tangtang, too. Come on, memorize the code with Mommy."

Tang Tang watched intently as she entered the code.

Oh, my pretty Mommy may seem steady and reliable, but sometimes she's rather naive.

I only turned one month old today, and she's already asking me to memorize the safe's code!

Aren't you asking too much of a baby?

Luckily, I'm no ordinary little baby.

Otherwise, your plan would go up in smoke.

Su Xiajing: "..."

Sweetheart, I heard all of that.

Tang Tang hadn't spent very long with the Tang Family in her previous lives. Apart from her fourth cousin, she hadn't had much contact with any of her other cousins.

In her first life, it was because they thought she was too unsophisticated and didn't want anything to do with her.

With the experience of her first life, she had deliberately worked to improve herself from the moment she was reborn in her second. After returning to the Tang Family, she had also taken the initiative to get to know them, only to discover that each of her cousins was more useless than the last!

Her useless cousins weren't even qualified to serve as pawns.

In her subsequent returns to the Tang Family, apart from her fourth cousin, who had always treated her well, Tang Tang had never again made an effort to interact with the other useless ones.

As for her third cousin, who sported a bowl cut and always wore glasses that covered half his face, Tang Tang couldn't even remember what he looked like.

Now that she would get to see that shut-in third cousin as a child, she felt oddly excited.

To have more energy to play with her big cousin and observe her bowl-cut third cousin, Tang Tang started catching up on sleep by going to bed early the night before.

The next morning, Tang Dongcheng's family of four arrived right on time.

As usual, Su Xiajing carried Tang Tang out to welcome her beloved big cousin and his family.

Tang Tang offered a few perfunctory coos to greet Tang Dongcheng and Tang Xianqi, then eagerly looked behind them.

Where was my bowl-cut third cousin?!

Tang Dongcheng: "..."

Tang Xianqi: "..."

Su Xiajing: "..."

Tang Beichen: "..."

A bowl cut?

What kind of hairstyle was that?