"..."
Tang Nanzhou fell silent for a moment, then shot her son a glare and said wearily, "Not yet. He had an injection yesterday. He only looks better today. He's still a sickly little thing."
"Huh? He's still that bad?"
Second Grandmother was very concerned about the child's health. "He's already ten. Should we find him a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner here to help build up his health?"
Tang Nanzhou paused, her eyes lighting up. "Hmm... that's a good idea."
"I don't want to!"
Tang Jian protested, "I don't want to drink Chinese medicine."
When he had returned to China as a little boy, he had fallen ill once, and his maternal grandmother had taken him to a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. The medicine had been so bitter that he threw up after a single sip.
Because he adamantly refused to drink it, he had ended up being admitted to the hospital for injections instead.
Many years had passed since then, but Tang Jian had never forgotten what that medicine tasted like.
He had sworn never to drink Chinese medicine again for as long as he lived!
"Did I ask you?"
Tang Nanzhou gave her son a cold look. "Of course, if you want to stay sickly your whole life, I'll leave you to it."
"I..."
In the past, Tang Jian would definitely have refused. He would rather go to the hospital for injections every few days than drink Chinese medicine.
But...
Tang Tang remarked inwardly:
He doesn't care about his own health anyway. Auntie, why don't you just leave him to fend for himself?
If you really like children, you could have another one. Adopting one would be nice too.
Tang Jian: "..."
I knew you'd encourage my mom to do that!
Tang Jian quietly shut his mouth.
If his little sister Tangtang was telling the truth, and he would be sickly his entire life... that did sound pretty frightening.
Being ill felt awful. It was agonizing.
He couldn't do anything or play freely like other children his age. It was lonely too.
Tang Nanzhou was surprised that her son hadn't stubbornly argued to the bitter end this time.
Perhaps this really was a good opportunity.
"Chinese medicine might be a little bitter, but it really does help improve your health."
Tang Dongcheng didn't want his nephew to spend his whole life sick either. He urged, "It might taste bitter at first, but you'll be fine once you get used to it."
Tang Jian: "..."
How could anyone get used to that stuff?!
"Exactly! Our Jian is so brave. What's a little Chinese medicine? You can definitely overcome it!" Xie Yazhi encouraged him.
Tang Jian: "..."
I'm shutting down. I don't want to talk anymore.
Amused by his miserable expression, Tang Lin joked, "If Jian stays in China to work on his health, he can come learn to swim at my pool too. Lots of parents send their children to swim to help them get stronger."
"That's a good idea."
Tang Xifeng wholeheartedly agreed. "Jian, stay here and learn to swim with your youngest uncle."
Tang Lin had been a competitive swimmer and had won championships before retiring due to injuries. After graduating from university, he had opened his own swimming facility and gym with his family's support, and spent a few days each week coaching at the pool.
Tang Jian: "..."
I haven't even said anything, and they're already planning out my stay in China!
"Why is everyone making me learn to swim?"
Tang Jian protested glumly, "What about Ziyang? Why isn't Uncle teaching Ziyang to swim?"
Tang Lin said, "Ziyang already knows how."
Tang Yuan said, "Don't underestimate Ziyang. He's a really good swimmer now. Even children your age might not be able to beat him."
"That's amazing! Looks like Ziyang will be a swimming champion like his dad someday!"
"Being an athlete would be great. So handsome too."
"He'll definitely be popular."
Tang Tang muttered inwardly:
My fourth brother really is pretty popular.
And then someone swindles him out of both his body and his money.
Tang Lin: "..."
Tang Xianqi glanced at his sixth uncle. That really is surprising.
Tang Jian was shocked. This little brat's going to be more popular than me?
Tang Xiancheng thought, Little Ziyang is so innocent.
Tang Ziyang scratched his head. Why would someone trick me if they liked me?
"Why don't our Yaya and Yiyi learn to swim too?"
Second Grandmother had a sudden inspiration. "They can go with their big brother Jian. The children can keep each other company."
Tang Lin: "..."
"Honey, should we send A-Cheng too?"
Li Qixian was eager to join in. "A-Cheng is so shy around strangers that we haven't signed him up for any activities. If he learns with his uncle and all his cousins, maybe it'll work?"
"Yes, yes! If they spend enough time playing together, maybe he'll even get over his shyness," Third Grandmother said jokingly.
Tang Tang noisily sucked on her milk:
Don't worry. He definitely won't.
My third brother will only get more and more socially anxious. Eventually, he won't even leave the house. He'll stay home all day.
And he'll get a bowl cut that completely hides his eyes. He won't even dare face anyone.
Tang Xiancheng thought, I'm never getting a bowl cut again!
Wait, I've never had a bowl cut!
Tang Dongcheng thought, It looks like we really do need to give A-Cheng more opportunities to socialize.
Tang Jian thought, Hmm, that does sound like something he'd do.
Tang Yuan stared at Tang Xiancheng, dumbfounded. You really can't judge a book by its cover.
Seeing that all the cousins had been included except her twins, An Jie joined in and raised her hand to sign them up. "Can three-year-olds learn to swim? I'd like to sign up our Xiao Zhen and Xiao Hao."
"Of course!"
Third Grandmother agreed on her son's behalf. "Ziyang's dad took him swimming before he could even walk. Starting at three is already late."
Reassured, An Jie said, "Then I'll sign up our twins. Is that okay, Lin?"
Tang Lin: "..."
My swimming facility isn't a daycare, and I'm not your childcare teacher!
"Add A-Qi too, and that makes all the cousins."
"Tang Tang can join them when she's a little older."
"Great, great."
"You're all so busy that you never have time to get together. Most of the time, you live in the same city, yet the children go weeks or even months without seeing each other. Having a shared interest would be a perfect way for them to grow closer as cousins."
Tang Lin: "..."
Hey, you could at least ask my opinion before deciding all this!
Tang Tang happily enjoyed the show:
It really is a good idea.
Put all the little ones together, and the flashy peacock will strut around showing off all over the pool, Bowl Cut will hide in a corner and refuse to come out, and my fourth brother will eagerly follow girls all over the place the moment they butter him up a little.
As for the twins, one won't dare get in the water but can't keep those mischievous hands still, while the other won't stop once the crying starts. They'll start fighting at the slightest disagreement and could tear your whole swimming facility apart.
Ah, I just feel sorry for my sweet, gentle eldest brother and my big sisters Yaya and Yiyi. They'll have their work cut out for them.
Tang Tang hugged her bottle and noisily drank her milk. Without moving her lips once, she had roasted every last one of them.
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