After much coaxing, Tang Xianqi finally persuaded the two little siblings to shake hands and make peace, and to agree to play together once Tang Tang grew up.
But when it came time to seal the promise, Tang Tang refused again and simply closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
Don't push your luck, you chubby crybaby. I only shook hands with you for my eldest brother's sake. Don't get greedy.
Tang Xianqi: "..."
She still had quite a temper.
"Well... Tangtang is sleepy. She needs a nap."
Tang Xianqi lied without batting an eye. "How about making a pinky promise with her another time?"
Tang Youzhen's eyes widened as he stared, dumbfounded, at his little sister pretending to sleep.
How was he supposed to tell his brothers that their sister wasn't asleep at all, and was still cursing him in her head?
Tang Jian: "..."
There was never going to be another time. Kids had terrible memories. They might forget all about it after dinner. Who would remember this promise?
Still, his eldest brother really did have a way with them.
If it had been him, he would have lost patience the second time Tang Youzhen asked to play with their sister. At the very least, he wouldn't have patiently explained everything again.
No wonder the little ones all liked clinging to their eldest brother.
Everyone in this family was harder to deal with than the next.
"Hey, brother." Tang Jian poked Tang Xianqi. "Is this how you got our sister to like you?"
After living abroad for years, he was used to saying what was on his mind. Observing things and agonizing over them himself was far too much trouble.
"Ah... not entirely."
Tang Xianqi understood what was bothering Tang Jian, but it was hard to explain. "Maybe Tangtang and I just clicked. We've gotten along well ever since we first met."
He couldn't exactly tell him that Tangtang pitied him because he was going to die young, and that he had then given her a diamond watch...
You really have no self-awareness.
How could you possibly compare to my eldest brother's charm?
Besides, he gave me a diamond watch. All you do is annoy me. How is that even comparable?
He was too embarrassed to say it, but Tang Tang had no such reservations.
Tang Xianqi: "..."
Luckily, Jian couldn't hear her.
"..."
Tang Jian gave Tang Xianqi a strange look.
Oh, so you bought her affection with presents.
I never knew you were that kind of big brother.
Lesson learned. Lesson learned.
The other three little ones: So that works too?
Even though he knew his younger brothers couldn't hear her, Tang Xianqi inexplicably felt guilty.
"Youzhen, Youhao, do you want something to eat?"
Without waiting for an answer, Tang Xianqi held Tang Tang and reached for the nearest fruit platter. "Here, have some cherries."
"..."
Before long, the chef had finished preparing dinner.
Everyone got up and went to the dining room.
Tang Tang had already had her milk and might fall asleep at any moment, so Su Xiajing put her in the stroller.
With only the four families dining together, the children sat at the same table as the adults.
Tang Xianqi and Tang Jian had been taught table manners. They ate elegantly and rarely spoke.
Tang Xiancheng wanted nothing more than for nobody to talk to him, keeping his head down as he dug into his food.
Tang Youzhen and Tang Youhao sat in high chairs. They were still a little clumsy at feeding themselves and needed the adults to look after them.
Other than asking for what he needed, Tang Youhao barely made a sound, quietly eating his own food.
Only Tang Youzhen refused to settle down. He wanted this one moment and that the next, and every so often, he stole meat from his younger brother's bowl.
Tang Youhao pressed his lips together and watched him for a while. Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore and complained, "My brother's stealing my meat."
"Youzhen, apologize to your brother."
Tang Xifeng scolded Tang Youzhen, then put another piece of meat into Tang Youhao's bowl.
But Tang Youzhen didn't learn his lesson. A little while later, he stole meat from his brother's bowl again.
Tang Youhao pressed his lips together and tried to endure it. Finally, he reached his limit and swept out a chubby little hand, knocking over Tang Youzhen's bowl.
Tang Youzhen froze for a few seconds, then burst into tears, single-handedly livening up the family dinner.
The child's cries rang throughout the villa.
Tang Tang watched, dumbfounded.
My sixth brother is seriously brave.
If he's this fierce, why does the old man complain that he's timid?
He's quiet too, but no matter how I look at his personality now, he's nothing like the coward he'll be twenty-something years from now.
The crybaby is still the same crybaby, but my cowardly sixth brother... could my memories be wrong?
"..."
Everyone silently looked at Tang Youzhen, who was still bawling at the top of his lungs.
Had he really still not broken this bad habit of crying by his twenties?
How terrifying.
It had been a long time since Tang Nanzhou had seen a child who could cry this much.
After a moment of silence, she couldn't help remarking, "Tangtang's age really is the best. Once she's full, she sleeps. So quiet."
"Yes. Though children as quiet as Tangtang are rare."
Li Qixian looked toward the stroller and met a pair of bright, alert eyes. She paused, then praised her with a smile. "Even when she's awake, she doesn't cry or fuss. She just lies there spacing out. With all the children in our family now, none of them are like Tangtang."
Everyone else silently lowered their heads.
No, you've misunderstood.
Tangtang isn't quietly spacing out. She's just quietly chattering away.
Tang Tang: "..."
Crying takes energy too. Only an idiot would waste their energy for no reason.
Besides, I'm a little baby. I can't watch TV or go online to read novels and comics, watch cartoons, or browse forums for gossip. What else can I do besides complain a little and watch the drama to entertain myself and pass the time?
Su Xiajing: It's too early for the internet and TV. They're bad for your eyes. Keep finding your own entertainment. Mommy doesn't mind.
Tang Beichen: So you decided to make fun of me?
Tang Dongcheng: It's all right. Your eldest uncle loves listening.
Tang Jian: But you can't play favorites!
Mm... you might not like what I complain about, but so what?
You can't hear me anyway.
Everyone except Li Qixian and An Jie: "..."
No, I heard you!
Before you continue