Not long afterward, Qi Chengyue came out with a baby stroller. Little Xiyue laid in the stroller and waited with a pair of curious pitch-black eyes. The guests were also curious regarding Little Xiyue’s appearance. After all, the guests were not strangers but were relatives and close friends.
Not many guests were invited even though Dynasty’s banquet hall was entirely booked; only those close to the Qi family were present.
Before being together with Qi Chengyue, Cheng Dongge as Qi Chengzhi’s assistant was already familiar with Yan Beicheng. As their relationship got more complex, they got even closer.
Another reason they chose the banquet hall was to have room for the children to play. This was the age where children could let loose and should not be restrained. It was a fact that there were only a limited number of guests. According to Grandmother Qi, they were all her family.
Therefore, everyone crowded around without fear of positions or reputations being compromised.
Everyone was stunned when they saw Little Xiyue.
No one knew where Qi Chengyue found the child-sized Snow White’s costume for Little Xiyue. Little Xiyue’s hair was thick and jet black; it matched the costume perfectly.
What was more cringe-worthy was that Little Xiyue had a big red apple placed on his body. The apple probably felt very heavy on him as his little hand impatiently pushed the red apple aside. He then stretched out his arms to express his desire for his mother to hold him.
Little Xicheng ordered, “Magic mirror, come.”
Little Muche obeyed immediately. Little Xicheng stood all queen-like next to Little Xiyue. The Evil Step-mother’s costume, when compared to Little Xiyue’s Snow White costume, was quite unbearable to look at.
While everyone’s attention was fixated on Little Xiyue, Little Youning received a phone call. “Yes, Auntie?”
“…”
No idea what Chang Jingwan said to her on the phone but Little Youning was drooling.
“Alright, alright! Auntie…wait for me. Don’t go anywhere, I’m on the way!” Little Youning hung up and shoved the cellphone into her pocket, then tugged on Wen Xu’s suit and whispered, “Hurry, hurry to the rooftop garden. Auntie saved me some meat!”
She then cried, “I haven’t eaten meat for such a long time! Dad watches me so closely and doesn’t even allow me to eat a chicken drumstick!”
So fortunate to have Auntie and Uncle!
“…” Wen Xu carried her as he walked and said, “I brought back two cases of seafood from T City. Come over to my house, I’ll cook for you.”
Little Youning’s eyes glowed, “I…I’ll be there tomorrow!”
The corner of Wen Xu’s mouth curled and he nodded. They quickly found Chang Jingwan. Qi Youxuan was already there munching on a chicken drumstick.
Unfortunately for him, even though he had succeeded in losing weight, Qi Chenglin asked the dietitian for a fixed meal plan so he would not relapse. He had to maintain a balanced diet, where each meal was vegan with fruits. This resulted in Qi Youxuan’s drastic decrease in meat intake, and he desperately needed the support of his Uncle and Auntie.
Little Youning gaped at the huge chicken drumstick and was green with envy. “Brother, you didn’t even save one for me!”
Qi Youxuan could not care less about sibling love. When he saw this bear-like child’s posture hinting that she was coming for his chicken drumstick, he stuffed the chicken drumstick further into his mouth while running away.
“Ah Xu, go! Chase him! You don’t intend to save even a bite for your little sister, Brother! Where’s your love for your sister? Didn’t you promise to share any meat dishes?” Little Youning cried angrily.
“Brother is also suffering, Sis! I’m still growing, I need nutrition!” Qi Youxuan whined with eyes filled with tears as he gnawed on the chicken drumstick.
He was still half a head shorter than Wei Muran. It even hurt to admit it.
His mother told him that a boy’s growth was slower than that of girls. By next year, his growth would be more rampant. His mother also said that prior to her second year of junior high, her male deskmate was much shorter than her. Still, her male deskmate had a growth spurt and grew a full head taller than her after the second year.
Not just her deskmate, but the other boys in her class were the same as well. Ruan Danchen was considered tall for a girl. Not many boys in her class were taller than her at first, yet nearly half the boys in her class grew taller than her by the second year of junior high.
Based on Ruan Danchen’s words, Qi Youxuan still had hope. Moreover, Qi Chenglin told him that milk and vegetables would make him taller, thus he ate those as well albeit with reluctance.
“…” Chang Jingwan stared at the two siblings dumbfoundedly. They usually were very close. Qi Youxuan would move mountains and oceans for his little sister except for one thing—meat. Neither one would yield.
“Youning, Auntie has kept one here especially for you,” said Chang Jingwan. She glanced backward guiltily to ensure no one was there, then took out another chicken drumstick from her bag.
Little Youning held it in her hands; it was still warm. The paper-thin chicken skin was grilled to a slight crunchiness, almost translucent under the sunlight.
“Auntie, I must’ve accumulated blessings over several lifetimes to have you as my auntie!” said Youning gratefully. She motioned for Wen Xu to set her down by the fountain.
Chang Jingwan was speechless to be praised so highly. Little Youning’s hands were too small and had trouble grasping the large greasy chicken drumstick.
Better to have Wen Xu tear off little strips of chicken for her.
Little Youning mouth glistened with grease. Wen Xu’s clean and fair hands were also covered in grease. Gone was his previously well-groomed appearance.
Seeing that the crisis had been averted, Qi Youxuan returned, still gnawing on his chicken drumstick. He sat opposite Little Youning while swinging his short legs back and forth.
Just as Chang Jingwan prepared to check if anyone else came up, she saw the door to the rooftop swung open.
Chang Jingwan quickly rushed to block the door but saw that it was Ruan Zeer and Wei Muran.
“I happened to meet Muran while she was looking for the restroom, so I brought her up,” said Ruan Zeer.
“Did you see anyone else?” said Chang Jingwan, relieved.
Ruan Zeer smiled. “No.”
He led Wei Muran over to Qi Youxuan before he dug out six packets of beef strips from his pocket and gave Qi Youxuan and Qi Youning three each.
“I couldn’t fit much in my pockets. Any more and brother-in-law would find out,” explained Ruan Zeer.
“Ah Xu, please keep them for me. I’ll eat it secretly when I’m home,” said Little Youning.
Wen Xu glanced at Ruan Zeer and cleared his throat. “I bought lots of snacks, duck tongue, duck neck, fish tofu, duck wings, and salted chicken wings. I’ll bring it to school the day after tomorrow. You can keep them in your classroom to enjoy at your leisure. They’re vacuum-packed for easy storage.”
“You’re the best, Ah Xu!” Little Youning threw her arms around his neck, acting lovey-dovey in his arms.
Wen Xu did not mind one bit of the grease on Little Youning’s mouth staining his dress shirt. His lips trembled slightly. Others might not have noticed, but for Qi Youxuan and his close friends, these slight changes in expressions were obvious to them.
Wen Xu was delighted but tried to hold back. This made the corners of his mouth twitch.
Wen Xu tilted his head slightly and did not even need to point. Little Youning understood.
As Wen Xu lowered his head, Little Youning extended her neck and planted a kiss on his face.
Qi Youxuan was dumbfounded.
Her elder brother was right there. Could Wen Xu be a little more restrained and not brazenly seduce his sister in front of him?
Qi Youxuan was furious and took an angry bite out of his chicken drumstick.
It was then Wei Muran offered him a bottle of orange juice. “I secretly took it from the banquet hall.”
“Mumu, you’re so virtuous!” Qi Youxuan was very touched. He had Ruan Zeer unscrew the cap and took a few gulps. “The chicken drumstick was getting a little salty.”
Qi Youxuan gulped down the chicken meat with the juice while he stared unblinkingly at Wen Xu for a long time. He then put away his ego and called, “Dear Brother-in-law1!”
Wen Xu, Ruan Zeer, and Chang Jingwan were startled.
Wen Xu was all too embarrassed to be called ‘brother-in-law’ by someone younger than himself.
Qi Youxuan seemed to not notice that Wen Xu was annoyed. He merely smiled and said, “Don’t forget your brother-in-law1 over here. I also need those to supplement my nutrition.”
After hearing it, Wen Xu felt that it was not so bad and he could accept being called brother-in-law. “If you acknowledge me a few more times as your brother-in-law in the presence of Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, I’ll give some to you.”
Qi Chenglin was still unaware that for mere a few pieces of meat his son forsaken all strength of character and nodded. “No problem, Brother-in-law!”
Not long afterward, Qi Chengyue came out with a baby stroller. Little Xiyue laid in the stroller and waited with a pair of curious pitch-black eyes. The guests were also curious regarding Little Xiyue’s appearance. After all, the guests were not strangers but were relatives and close friends.
Not many guests were invited even though Dynasty’s banquet hall was entirely booked; only those close to the Qi family were present.
Before being together with Qi Chengyue, Cheng Dongge as Qi Chengzhi’s assistant was already familiar with Yan Beicheng. As their relationship got more complex, they got even closer.
Another reason they chose the banquet hall was to have room for the children to play. This was the age where children could let loose and should not be restrained. It was a fact that there were only a limited number of guests. According to Grandmother Qi, they were all her family.
Therefore, everyone crowded around without fear of positions or reputations being compromised.
Everyone was stunned when they saw Little Xiyue.
No one knew where Qi Chengyue found the child-sized Snow White’s costume for Little Xiyue. Little Xiyue’s hair was thick and jet black; it matched the costume perfectly.
What was more cringe-worthy was that Little Xiyue had a big red apple placed on his body. The apple probably felt very heavy on him as his little hand impatiently pushed the red apple aside. He then stretched out his arms to express his desire for his mother to hold him.
Little Xicheng ordered, “Magic mirror, come.”
Little Muche obeyed immediately. Little Xicheng stood all queen-like next to Little Xiyue. The Evil Step-mother’s costume, when compared to Little Xiyue’s Snow White costume, was quite unbearable to look at.
While everyone’s attention was fixated on Little Xiyue, Little Youning received a phone call. “Yes, Auntie?”
“…”
No idea what Chang Jingwan said to her on the phone but Little Youning was drooling.
“Alright, alright! Auntie…wait for me. Don’t go anywhere, I’m on the way!” Little Youning hung up and shoved the cellphone into her pocket, then tugged on Wen Xu’s suit and whispered, “Hurry, hurry to the rooftop garden. Auntie saved me some meat!”
She then cried, “I haven’t eaten meat for such a long time! Dad watches me so closely and doesn’t even allow me to eat a chicken drumstick!”
So fortunate to have Auntie and Uncle!
“…” Wen Xu carried her as he walked and said, “I brought back two cases of seafood from T City. Come over to my house, I’ll cook for you.”
Little Youning’s eyes glowed, “I…I’ll be there tomorrow!”
The corner of Wen Xu’s mouth curled and he nodded. They quickly found Chang Jingwan. Qi Youxuan was already there munching on a chicken drumstick.
Unfortunately for him, even though he had succeeded in losing weight, Qi Chenglin asked the dietitian for a fixed meal plan so he would not relapse. He had to maintain a balanced diet, where each meal was vegan with fruits. This resulted in Qi Youxuan’s drastic decrease in meat intake, and he desperately needed the support of his Uncle and Auntie.
Little Youning gaped at the huge chicken drumstick and was green with envy. “Brother, you didn’t even save one for me!”
Qi Youxuan could not care less about sibling love. When he saw this bear-like child’s posture hinting that she was coming for his chicken drumstick, he stuffed the chicken drumstick further into his mouth while running away.
“Ah Xu, go! Chase him! You don’t intend to save even a bite for your little sister, Brother! Where’s your love for your sister? Didn’t you promise to share any meat dishes?” Little Youning cried angrily.
“Brother is also suffering, Sis! I’m still growing, I need nutrition!” Qi Youxuan whined with eyes filled with tears as he gnawed on the chicken drumstick.
He was still half a head shorter than Wei Muran. It even hurt to admit it.
His mother told him that a boy’s growth was slower than that of girls. By next year, his growth would be more rampant. His mother also said that prior to her second year of junior high, her male deskmate was much shorter than her. Still, her male deskmate had a growth spurt and grew a full head taller than her after the second year.
Not just her deskmate, but the other boys in her class were the same as well. Ruan Danchen was considered tall for a girl. Not many boys in her class were taller than her at first, yet nearly half the boys in her class grew taller than her by the second year of junior high.
Based on Ruan Danchen’s words, Qi Youxuan still had hope. Moreover, Qi Chenglin told him that milk and vegetables would make him taller, thus he ate those as well albeit with reluctance.
“…” Chang Jingwan stared at the two siblings dumbfoundedly. They usually were very close. Qi Youxuan would move mountains and oceans for his little sister except for one thing—meat. Neither one would yield.
“Youning, Auntie has kept one here especially for you,” said Chang Jingwan. She glanced backward guiltily to ensure no one was there, then took out another chicken drumstick from her bag.
Little Youning held it in her hands; it was still warm. The paper-thin chicken skin was grilled to a slight crunchiness, almost translucent under the sunlight.
“Auntie, I must’ve accumulated blessings over several lifetimes to have you as my auntie!” said Youning gratefully. She motioned for Wen Xu to set her down by the fountain.
Chang Jingwan was speechless to be praised so highly. Little Youning’s hands were too small and had trouble grasping the large greasy chicken drumstick.
Better to have Wen Xu tear off little strips of chicken for her.
Little Youning mouth glistened with grease. Wen Xu’s clean and fair hands were also covered in grease. Gone was his previously well-groomed appearance.
Seeing that the crisis had been averted, Qi Youxuan returned, still gnawing on his chicken drumstick. He sat opposite Little Youning while swinging his short legs back and forth.
Just as Chang Jingwan prepared to check if anyone else came up, she saw the door to the rooftop swung open.
Chang Jingwan quickly rushed to block the door but saw that it was Ruan Zeer and Wei Muran.
“I happened to meet Muran while she was looking for the restroom, so I brought her up,” said Ruan Zeer.
“Did you see anyone else?” said Chang Jingwan, relieved.
Ruan Zeer smiled. “No.”
He led Wei Muran over to Qi Youxuan before he dug out six packets of beef strips from his pocket and gave Qi Youxuan and Qi Youning three each.
“I couldn’t fit much in my pockets. Any more and brother-in-law would find out,” explained Ruan Zeer.
“Ah Xu, please keep them for me. I’ll eat it secretly when I’m home,” said Little Youning.
Wen Xu glanced at Ruan Zeer and cleared his throat. “I bought lots of snacks, duck tongue, duck neck, fish tofu, duck wings, and salted chicken wings. I’ll bring it to school the day after tomorrow. You can keep them in your classroom to enjoy at your leisure. They’re vacuum-packed for easy storage.”
“You’re the best, Ah Xu!” Little Youning threw her arms around his neck, acting lovey-dovey in his arms.
Wen Xu did not mind one bit of the grease on Little Youning’s mouth staining his dress shirt. His lips trembled slightly. Others might not have noticed, but for Qi Youxuan and his close friends, these slight changes in expressions were obvious to them.
Wen Xu was delighted but tried to hold back. This made the corners of his mouth twitch.
Wen Xu tilted his head slightly and did not even need to point. Little Youning understood.
As Wen Xu lowered his head, Little Youning extended her neck and planted a kiss on his face.
Qi Youxuan was dumbfounded.
Her elder brother was right there. Could Wen Xu be a little more restrained and not brazenly seduce his sister in front of him?
Qi Youxuan was furious and took an angry bite out of his chicken drumstick.
It was then Wei Muran offered him a bottle of orange juice. “I secretly took it from the banquet hall.”
“Mumu, you’re so virtuous!” Qi Youxuan was very touched. He had Ruan Zeer unscrew the cap and took a few gulps. “The chicken drumstick was getting a little salty.”
Qi Youxuan gulped down the chicken meat with the juice while he stared unblinkingly at Wen Xu for a long time. He then put away his ego and called, “Dear Brother-in-law1!”
Wen Xu, Ruan Zeer, and Chang Jingwan were startled.
Wen Xu was all too embarrassed to be called ‘brother-in-law’ by someone younger than himself.
Qi Youxuan seemed to not notice that Wen Xu was annoyed. He merely smiled and said, “Don’t forget your brother-in-law1 over here. I also need those to supplement my nutrition.”
After hearing it, Wen Xu felt that it was not so bad and he could accept being called brother-in-law. “If you acknowledge me a few more times as your brother-in-law in the presence of Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, I’ll give some to you.”
Qi Chenglin was still unaware that for mere a few pieces of meat his son forsaken all strength of character and nodded. “No problem, Brother-in-law!”
