Tang Lin glanced at his son, who was still happily playing with Tang Tang, and felt conflicted. He decided to discuss their approach to raising their child with his wife again that evening.
Being so kind that people kept taking advantage of him wouldn't do either.
Tang Yuan's gaze shifted back and forth between Tang Ziyang and his father, Tang Lin.
She simply couldn't believe that her scheming brother had managed to raise such a sweet, gullible son.
If he had inherited his father's cunning, it would be kind of him not to sell other people out. How could he be the one getting conned?
Surely that was impossible?
Had Tang Tang gotten it wrong?
But she could already hear Little Candy's thoughts, so Little Candy being able to glimpse the future wasn't all that surprising...
What a headache.
"It's about time. Let's head over."
Tang Beichen checked the time and picked up the bag beside him.
"Okay."
"Here, Ziyang, let me take your little sister."
Su Xiajing took Tang Tang from him, while Tang Yuan helped carry her bag.
Tang Lin pushed the stroller, sharing Tang Beichen's load.
The two brothers dawdled along at the back.
"Hey."
Tang Lin nudged Tang Beichen with his elbow. "Is it true that you and Xia Jing are getting divorced?"
Tang Beichen: "..."
"No way. Have you really fallen for someone else?"
Seeing his reaction, Tang Lin stepped back in astonishment. "Man, I never thought you were that kind of person."
Tang Beichen: "..."
I'm numb.
Think whatever you like.
When Tang Beichen still didn't respond, Tang Lin composed himself and leaned close again, lowering his voice. "The whole family is talking about this. Aren't you going to clear it up?"
They were the same age and had grown up and gone to school together. They knew each other better than their other brothers did, even their own siblings, and Tang Lin didn't believe Tang Beichen would do something like that.
But the rumors about him and Su Xiajing had been circulating through the family for so long without him explaining anything that Tang Lin was starting to feel unsure.
"There's no need."
"This is between Xia Jing and me. We don't owe anyone else an explanation."
"Sure, that's true, but doesn't it bother you when people keep spreading rumors?"
Tang Beichen ignored him and carried the luggage into the elevator.
Tang Lin rubbed his nose and followed.
If the man himself felt that way, what else could he say?
By the time they arrived, everyone else was already there.
"Is Little Candy here?"
Tang Jian, who always got carried away around a crowd, rushed over first, with Tang Youzhen eagerly scampering behind him.
"Little sister, come play with me!"
Tang Xianqi followed behind them, holding Tang Youhao's hand and bringing Tang Xiancheng, Tang Xingya, and Tang Yiyi along.
The moment Su Xiajing carried Tang Tang out of the car, her older cousins surrounded her.
As soon as she opened her eyes, a ring of little heads popped up above her. Tang Tang felt like an exhibit everyone had gathered to stare at.
She met each pair of eyes in speechless silence for a moment, then sighed wearily.
Why are there so many little brats in this family?
They're so noisy.
I really don't understand why Great-Grandma likes all this commotion.
"Oh! Little sister..."
Hearing Tang Tang's thoughts for the first time, Tang Yiyi pointed at her and cried out in fright.
Tang Xingya was startled too, but at nine, she was more mature than her seven-year-old sister. Shocked as she was, she only covered her mouth and stared at Tang Tang, not daring to make a sound.
Tang Yiyi's cry drew everyone's attention.
Under the combined stares of her older and younger cousins, Tang Yiyi felt her hair stand on end and forcibly swallowed the rest of her words.
Seeing her stop halfway through, Tang Jian assumed she was too frightened to continue and asked considerately, "What's wrong, Yiyi?"
Everyone was looking at her, but their expressions were perfectly calm, as though nothing had happened. Clearly, none of them had heard what their little sister had just said.
If she told them she could hear their little sister's thoughts, would her older cousins, or even the younger ones, think she was an idiot?
Tang Yiyi covered her mouth and shook her head frantically.
When it became obvious that nobody believed her, she had no choice but to make up an excuse.
"Little sister... she's looking at us, and she doesn't seem very happy."
Everyone fell silent. "..."
She's more than unhappy. She's completely sick of us.
Of course, I'm not going to say that out loud.
She really likes me when we're alone. She's only being so dismissive now because there are too many people making too much noise.
The younger generation comforted themselves with that thought, quickly accepting that their little sister was temporarily fed up with them, and continued watching Tang Tang.
"What are you all crowding around here for?"
Tang Beichen unloaded the stroller and luggage from the car. Seeing Su Xiajing surrounded by children, he hurried over to shoo them away.
"Go inside. The sun's blazing out here. Don't you feel hot? You can play with Tangtang indoors."
"Okay."
The children answered in unison and obediently headed inside.
"Aunt Xiajing, can I hold Tangtang?"
Tang Jian stayed glued to Su Xiajing's side.
He hadn't managed to win his little sister's affection at his eldest uncle's house last time, so he had sworn to do his very best at Great-Grandma's birthday celebration and make Tangtang like him.
Ideally, she would like him more than his eldest cousin.
"Would that be okay?"
Tang Jian was ten, so Su Xiajing wasn't particularly worried that he couldn't hold her securely. She was only afraid Tangtang wouldn't agree.
Sure enough, the moment she asked, Tang Tang protested.
No!
I don't want that flashy peacock holding me.
Pretty Mommy, you have to protect me!
Su Xiajing: "..."
There's no need to be so dramatic...
Tang Jian: "..."
My little sister rejected me again. I'm heartbroken.
"Tang Jian!"
Just as Su Xiajing was struggling to find an excuse to refuse, Tang Nanzhou came hurrying out. "You only caught a cold yesterday! Didn't I tell you to stay away from Tang Tang and the twins? Are you ignoring me again?"
"I'm already better!"
Tang Jian protested, ducking every which way to avoid his mother's attempts to pinch his ear. "I don't even need medicine today! Why can't I play with Tangtang?"
This was such a great opportunity. If he didn't seize it now, he would have to go back abroad with his mother after Great-Grandma's birthday, and then he wouldn't have another chance.
Tang Tang watched with great interest as her eldest aunt dragged the flashy peacock toward the house, and couldn't help reflecting on it.
The sickly peacock is ill again.
He was so lively a few days ago that I thought his health had improved. Turns out it was only temporary.
That makes sense. He'll still get sick easily in his thirties, so how could he possibly recover now?
Poor Aunt Nanzhou. She put so much effort into improving his health and looking after him, but in the end, he doesn't take care of himself. It's bad enough that he's so sickly he can't even lift anything, but he even smokes, drinks, and parties day and night.
He's going to be useless anyway. Aunt Nanzhou, why don't you stop bothering with him now and have another child?
Tang Jian: "..."
Little sister!
What did I ever do to you? How could you be so cruel to me!
Tang Nanzhou: "..."
That actually sounds like a pretty good suggestion.
Before you continue