“Is Dad going to hurt Mom?!”
Song Chan’s mother, Meng Mian, was not at all like her name suggested. Her personality was anything but gentle; on the contrary, she was extremely fierce. In her youth, she often led Song Chan and Song Qing into arguments at the market over a few cabbage leaves. Her words were sharp, her tone domineering, and she was incredibly stubborn and unyielding. When her temper flared, she would even scratch people. Even the local policeman, Old Wang, shook his head at her.
Adding to this, the hard work caused hormonal imbalances, leading to hyperthyroidism. Her eyes bulged outwards, staring at everyone like copper bells. Her thin cheeks gave her a harsh look, and the neighborhood children trembled at the sight of her, their faces turning ashen. As a result, Song Chan had no friends as a child and could only play with her silly younger brother, Song Qing, who only knew how to giggle.
Now that Song Chan had grown up, according to Meng Mian herself, she “seemed” to have become a little more easygoing.
Easygoing?
Song Chan wasn’t sure. She remembered the last time, a distant cousin of Meng Mian’s wanted to come to Yecheng to work, but she had nowhere to stay and wanted to squeeze in at their house for a maximum of three days.
Meng Mian politely declined on the phone, but afterwards complained to Song Chan about how she felt the pinch even if she used an extra half-spoon of rice.
So now, seeing Meng Mian cheerfully welcoming Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng into the house, Song Chan was quite shocked.
Song Chan heard her younger brother loudly ask in confusion, “Mom, don’t you feel bad about using an extra spoonful of rice?”
As expected, Song Chan received a flick on the forehead from Meng Mian.
“You don’t care? Just don’t eat! You eat the equivalent of five people’s food, and you still have the nerve to say that.”
“Waaah, no way! I’m still growing.”
Seeing that it was getting late, Zhong Xin’s eyes lit up. She ran to Song Chan, affectionately took her hand, and looked at Meng Mian with her beautiful, expectant eyes. “Auntie, the three of us can squeeze into one bed tonight.”
Song Chan’s house wasn’t big, but it had three beds, so there was really no need for three people to share one. But Meng Mian was probably bewitched by Zhong Xin’s bright eyes and didn’t react immediately, seemingly subconsciously saying, “Song Chan’s dad is out of town, he’s not home, so I won’t squeeze in with you.”
Zhong Xin was a little disappointed. She actually missed the days when her mother and grandmother would hold her while she slept.
Song Chan took the initiative to arrange things, “Zhong Xin and I will sleep together, Zhong Cheng will sleep in Song Qing’s room, and Song Qing will sleep on the sofa.”
Song Qing seemed quite indignant, “Why do I have to sleep on the sofa? Didn’t Dad say he wouldn’t be back tonight?”
Song Chan, “Don’t you know how much you flutter around in your sleep?”
Song Qing started to throw a tantrum, “How much can I flutter around in my sleep? I’m not a moth.”
But no one paid him any attention.
The power came back on at 11 p.m.
Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng stared expectantly at the old-fashioned air conditioner in the house, only to see their grandmother, Meng Mian, walk past the air conditioner, bend down to pick up the cord from the floor, and turn on the fan.
The pampered siblings were physically hot, but their hearts were half-cooled.
In Meng Mian’s mind, a fan was definitely the best companion in summer, so she guessed what the two little guests were thinking based on her imagination, “How is it? Isn’t it much cooler?”
In the past, they would have complained to their grandmother that the fan wasn’t cool enough, and then bluntly said they wanted the air conditioner. But now they realized they had no right to be capricious, so they could only act as guests and obediently nod.
“Mmm, it’s so cool.”
After Meng Mian left, Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng immediately slumped down, looking like two wilted eggplants.
“I knew Grandma was always frugal, but I never imagined she was this frugal.”
This was clearly beyond Zhong Cheng’s comprehension.
“I thought I understood the actual expenses of an average family, but I was too idealistic. There really are people in this world who can’t even afford air conditioning.”
“Mom told me before that Grandpa’s salary is 5,000, and Grandma’s is only 3,000 a month. I can’t believe it’s true! How can they afford to raise two children?”
Zhong Cheng also started seriously calculating the costs, both shocked and ashamed. “Grandpa and Grandma’s combined annual salaries… aren’t even as much as our monthly expenses.”
Zhong Xin’s brow suddenly hardened. “It’s time for Daddy to come in handy.”
Zhong Cheng: “Of course! Otherwise, why would he have transmigrated? I don’t think he has any other redeeming qualities except for his wealth.”
In the Jiangjing mansion, Zhong Lingyu sneezed.
Was the air conditioning too low?
He turned the temperature up a bit, then rummaged through a pile of snacks, picked out a hazelnut chocolate, and popped it into his mouth.
“This tastes good. I’ll bring it to Song Chan tomorrow.”
To maintain his good health, Zhong Lingyu has been fighting sugar for years, but he knows Song Chan loves it, so he’s currently helping her try the packets one by one.
While chewing on the beef jerky, Zhong Lingyu remembered something important he hadn’t done yet, so he picked up his phone to check on his children.
The phone only beeped once before it was answered, and a girl’s voice on the other end was sweet and cloying.
“Daddy, good evening~.”
Zhong Lingyu frowned, sensing something was amiss.
He shifted his position, lying down on the sofa.
“How’s it going? Is the new house comfortable?”
“Thank you, Daddy, for not blaming us.”
Zhong Xin’s tone sounded very sincere, but Zhong Lingyu knew his daughter’s expression on the other end of the line must be extremely nonchalant.
“All I can say is that you two have lived up to every penny I paid for your extracurricular tutoring, such as computer programming and electrical and mechanical engineering. You’re both incredibly talented, able to steal electricity and climb walls, fully applying theory to practice. While I don’t encourage it, I genuinely think you’re both strong and brave—truly a pair of outstanding talents.”
Zhong Xin: “Then how else could I say…twins?”
Zhong Lingyu: “Oh, the cream of the crop.”
“Then, Daddy, aren’t you going to reward me with something?”
“I’ll give you a heart.”
Zhong Cheng almost burst out laughing beside her.
Zhong Xin grew anxious. “You’re so unreliable! Zhong Cheng and I are living on our own now, and we can’t afford the rent and utilities. The little allowance I gave you before isn’t enough. Are you suggesting we go out and work part-time? We don’t mind, after all, my brother and I are the cream of the crop; we could do some network engineering or something to supplement our income.”
“How much?”
“Not much, just a couple hundred thousand.”
“You should go do electronics engineering.”
“Then ten or twenty thousand… a couple thousand, is that alright?”
Zhong Lingyu carefully savored the crab roe and cucumber in her mouth, inwardly complaining about the excessive MSG. “Okay, I’ll come find you this weekend.”
Zhong Xin’s eyes widened, unsure whether to be surprised or shocked. “You’re coming to find us?”
Zhong Lingyu: “Of course, I need to see how you manage on your own. Otherwise, how will I know what you’re doing with my money?”
Zhong Xin ended the call, looking at Zhong Cheng hesitantly.
“Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I haven’t even told him we live across from Mom’s house yet.”
Zhong Cheng was equally puzzled. “What does Dad really want? No matter how much we tried to persuade him before, he wouldn’t show up. Now he suddenly says he’s going back to China. It feels suspicious.”
Zhong Xin: “Yeah, Dad’s so cunning. He must have some hidden purpose. Is Dad going to do something to Mom?!”
Zhong Xin curled her fingers into a claw shape, as if Zhong Lingyu were a big bad wolf, pouncing on the delicate Song Chan.
Zhong Lingyu sneezed several times in a row, his nose turning red.
Today, he felt like someone was maliciously judging his character.
Song Chan felt a strange sense of unease tonight.
It was like excitement.
The house had never been so lively before, like New Year’s, so joyful.
Song Chan lay on the bed, grinning foolishly, when suddenly she heard Meng Mian’s voice.
“The milk’s warmed up for you, come and drink it.”
Song Chan replied, “Coming!”
Although Meng Mian was stingy and never bought snacks for the children, she never skimped on their nutrition. In her mind, milk and eggs were the best supplements in the world, and they had a glass every night before bed without fail.
Meng Mian had just placed the two glasses of milk on the table when she turned around and saw four people coming out of the room.
Besides Song Qing and Song Chan, Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng also came out.
Seeing only two glasses on the table, Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng’s expressions were full of confusion, and then they both looked at Meng Mian without saying a word, only offering expectant smiles.
Meng Mian understood, “You two want some too?”
They nodded.
Meng Mian: “Okay, I’ll go heat up two more glasses.”
Song Chan leaned against the door, milk foam around her mouth, grinning like a fool.
Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng were so adorable.
Actually, Meng Mian felt the same way.
She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she felt an instant connection with the two children, like they were family.
As she placed two cups of warm milk in Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng’s hands, Meng Mian casually asked, “When will your parents be back?”
“I don’t know,” Zhong Xin replied, her head hanging low in disappointment.
Zhong Cheng, realizing Meng Mian’s understandable question, explained flawlessly, “Our parents are both out of town. My sister and I live alone across the street.” He then briefly explained why they couldn’t stay at school.
Meng Mian was surprised: “You eat at the school cafeteria on weekdays, what about weekends?”
Zhong Xin looked utterly pitiful: “Mom and Dad definitely won’t come back to cook for us. We’ll just have to make do with noodles.”
“No, no, that won’t do! You’re still growing, how can you eat out every day!” Meng Mian blurted out, “Don’t say anything more, come to Auntie’s house for the weekend! Auntie will make you braised fish!”
Song Chan was particularly surprised.
Even Song Qing felt her mother was acting strangely.
He gulped down the last mouthful of milk. “Mom, don’t you treat people to meals for free? And you even made braised fish!”
Meng Mian pinched her son’s thigh hard, making Song Qing jump in pain.
In the past, Zhong Cheng and Zhong Xin would have been happy, but Zhong Lingyu was coming this weekend.
They couldn’t imagine what would happen if Zhong Lingyu sat at the same table with Song Chan’s family.
They couldn’t even imagine how Zhong Lingyu would publicly announce his relationship with Song Chan in front of everyone.
Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng felt they couldn’t handle such a terrible scene for the time being and refused in unison, “No, no, let’s start next weekend.”
Meng Mian, having just been embarrassed by her silly son, insisted even more to appear generous, “No way, you have to come this weekend, otherwise Auntie will be angry!”