Red Boy had been crying his heart out in Princess Iron Fan's arms when he suddenly heard Wukong's voice and abruptly stopped.
He poked half his head out of Princess Iron Fan's embrace and glared viciously at Wukong.
Glittering tears still clung to the corners of his eyes, but his little mouth, with its tiny canine teeth, remained as stubborn as ever. He shot back:
"Damn monkey, who's your nephew? Mind your own business!"
Wukong had yet to reply.
Smack!
A crisp crack rang out.
Princess Iron Fan slapped Red Boy squarely on his little head.
Red Boy hunched his neck under the blow and looked up at his mother in disbelief.
Princess Iron Fan's slender brows bristled, and her previously pale face was now stern.
She scolded Red Boy sharply:
"Stop this nonsense! The Great Sage is your father's sworn brother, bound by a blood oath! He is your uncle! If he won't keep you in line, who will?"
"Hurry up and bow! Apologize to your Uncle Sun!"
"What have I always taught you? How can you behave with so little upbringing?"
Red Boy was stunned all over again.
He stole a glance at his mother's expression, knowing full well that if he dared talk back now, nothing good would come of it.
He had no choice but to reluctantly straighten up in his mother's arms.
With equal reluctance, he cupped his little hands and bowed to Wukong, though his voice was by no means quiet:
"Your nephew... greets Uncle Sun. I was rude earlier. Please, Uncle... forgive me."
Seeing this, Wukong waved generously, his Fiery Golden Eyes brimming with amusement:
"Good, good, good. My dear nephew. We're all family. No need for such polite words."
At the words "my dear nephew," Red Boy's lips drooped, and his face