Sheng Jiandang usually doted on his younger sister immensely. Whatever she wanted, not only their parents and grandparents, but he and his second brother would also try their best to fulfill her wishes.
After his younger sister informed the family about the mix-up, Sheng Jiandang could clearly see that she had matured overnight, even saying things that showed consideration for the whole family.
“It’s not that I don’t acknowledge Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, Big Brother, and Second Brother, but those are my biological parents over there… I’ll visit often when I miss you all. To put it bluntly, even if I acknowledge my biological family, does that mean the years I’ve spent calling you Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, Big Brother, and Second Brother were for nothing?”
Now, seeing that his biological sister was also so sensible and had such an outstanding temperament, Sheng Jiandang let down his guard and took the initiative to ask, “So, what do you like? I’m about to become a proud worker soon. Whatever Xiao… Xiao Yu liked in the past, her second brother and I would find ways to get for her.”
Sheng Qianyu thought for a moment and said, “There’s nothing I particularly like. I just prefer light, mild food, so I hope the family can cook more lightly from now on.”
Sheng Jianjun, who had been silent for a while, brightened up and said, “Our whole family likes mild food! Don’t worry.”
In the past, only their younger sister preferred strong flavors, so the whole family had to prepare separate meals just to accommodate her. Now that their biological sister was here, they could finally unify their tastes.
After chatting for a while, Sheng Jianjun went back to his room to do his homework.
Only Sheng Jiandang remained sitting beside Sheng Qianyu, waiting for the rest of the family to return.
Late at night, the Sheng family finally came back.
When they saw the girl’s fair and elegant face illuminated under the light, the Sheng family gradually snapped out of their emotions over their adopted daughter’s departure and Grandma Sheng’s poor health.
It was Sheng Qiang who spoke first, “Child, I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”
Sheng Qianyu shook her head.
She had waited for the Sheng family to return because she wanted to hear how they planned to settle her. However, no matter how they arranged things, she could rely on her own abilities to create a world of her own. The main reason she waited here was to consider how to get along with her biological family in the future.
Now, seeing that the two Sheng brothers didn’t reject her and even took her feelings into account, she felt their upbringing was excellent, making it easy to get along with them.
Zhou Dahua also regained her composure and said to her eldest son, Jiandang, “Jiandang, go back to your room first.”
Sheng Jiandang shook his head, “Mom, I’m eighteen now. I’ll start working at the oil factory tomorrow, and in a year or two, I’ll start my own family. I’m not a child anymore.”
Sheng Jiandang stayed, but he didn’t have much say in the conversation, which was mostly between his parents and his biological sister.
Zhou Dahua mostly asked Sheng Qianyu about her situation in the Zhao family, while Sheng Qiang brought up the arrangements for Sheng Qianyu’s future in the household.
Sheng Qiang said, “There are five rooms in the house. Although Xiao Yu has been taken back by the Zhao family, the years of affection we’ve shared aren’t meaningless. If she ever wants to come back and find her room… so, her room must be kept.”
Afraid that Sheng Qianyu might overthink it, Sheng Qiang added, “But don’t worry. Since you’re our biological daughter, you won’t be left without a place to stay. Tomorrow, I’ll have the second son clear out his room so he can share with his big brother. You’ll take the second son’s room.”
Sheng Jiandang frowned. His second brother’s room was the smallest in the house. Even though Sheng Qianyu was slender, she was still a girl. Girls tend to have a lot of things…Sheng Jiandang remained silent for a long time before finally speaking up, “Dad, my room is bigger. Why don’t we clear it out for Sister? I’ll talk to Second Brother tomorrow—I’m sure he’ll agree to let me stay in his room.” Even if he didn’t agree, Sheng Jiandang was confident he could persuade him through other means.
Sheng Qiang inwardly scolded himself for not thinking things through. Clearing his throat to ease the awkwardness, he noticed Sheng Qianyu’s empty hands and frowned. “You didn’t bring anything with you?”
Sheng Qianyu replied, “Xiao Yu went to the Zhao family empty-handed too.”
No further explanation was needed—they understood the implication.
Sheng Qiang quickly added, “Tomorrow, I’ll ask your mother to take a day off so she can go to the local supply and marketing cooperative to buy you some things… Do you have any preferences or dietary restrictions? Your mother and I will keep that in mind.”
Once she confirmed that the Sheng family wasn’t difficult to get along with, Sheng Qianyu said, “Nothing in particular. I prefer light, simple meals.”
“Any other requests?”
After a moment of thought, Sheng Qianyu added, “I used to attend school in the military district area, but it’s too far from here. Could you… Dad, help me transfer to a school nearby?”
Sheng Qiang nodded. “Sure. You’re about the same age as Xiao Yu, so you should be in sixth grade, right? Tomorrow—”
Sheng Qianyu waited for him to finish before correcting him, “Dad, I’m in my first year of high school this year. I’ve already gotten permission from the school and plan to take the college entrance exam next year.”
Sheng Qiang had just picked up his enamel mug to take a sip of water when he heard this, and his hand trembled slightly.
Zhou Dahua exclaimed in shock, “You’re only twelve and already in high school? That means you’re in the same grade as Jianjun? And you’re planning to take the college entrance exam next year?”
Compared to the two most studious children in the family, this long-lost biological daughter was in a league of her own.
Sheng Qiang took a metaphorical calming pill and asked, “Any other requests?”
Sheng Qianyu nodded. “Change my surname back.”
That was only natural. After all, with everyone returning to their rightful places, it wouldn’t make sense for her to keep a different surname from her two brothers and father.
The next day.
Sheng Qiang also took a day off to go to the military district and handle Sheng Qianyu’s school transfer and surname change. Since the military district was difficult to enter, he brought the necessary documents and waited half a day for the security department to verify them before being allowed in.
Zhou Dahua, on the other hand, made smooth progress.
She brought the child to the supply and marketing cooperative, where acquaintances immediately greeted her.
“Dahua, is this your biological daughter? What’s her name?”
Zhou Dahua replied, “Qianyu, Sheng Qianyu.”
“Oh my, this little girl is so pretty—she really took the best features from you and Qiang.”
Zhou Dahua felt especially pleased hearing this.
The Sheng family had a director at the meat processing plant, so even though they ate light meals, everyone was slightly plump—except for Grandma Sheng, who was in poor health.
Only this biological daughter was not only slender but also exceptionally beautiful. If this were the old days, she would have had the looks to enter the palace as a concubine.
Aside from gossiping about the child’s identity and appearance, people were more curious about her academic performance.
“Now that you’ve brought the child back, you’ll need to handle her school transfer, right? Is she in sixth grade too? How are her grades?”
Zhou Dahua straightened her back even more, unable to contain her urge to show off. “Her dad took the day off today to handle it. She’s in her first year of high school and is eligible to take the college entrance exam next year.”
“What?! First year of high school?!”
Zhou Dahua’s smile widened. “That’s right, first year of high school. This child has been smart since she was little. Without relying on her adoptive father’s connections, she skipped grades repeatedly…”Sheng Qianyu originally thought of buying just two sets of clothes for changing, but she didn’t expect Zhou Dahua to be even more doting on his daughter than Qin Fang. He almost wanted to empty the supply and marketing cooperative of all ready-made clothes. Besides that, girls’ necessities like snowflake cream for the face, clam oil for the hands, toothbrushes, and toothpaste were a must, along with underwear, watches, and so on…
If not for the limited ration coupons in hand, Zhou Dahua would have nearly squandered the family’s savings accumulated over the years.
In the end, under the astonished gaze of the supply and marketing cooperative staff, Zhou Dahua returned home fully loaded.