Chapter 381

As soon as she got home, the fragrant smell filled the entire courtyard, instantly making her feel much more at ease.

"Mom, I'm home..." Wanqing threw her schoolbag into the living room and rushed into the kitchen.

Zhixia was stir-frying dishes. She hugged Zhixia by the waist, who hurriedly said, "Be careful, don't get burnt."

"Mom, I love you so much, I want to sleep with you tonight, is that okay?" She just wanted to act like a spoiled child for a bit, hoping her mom would dote on her.

Little Sixth ran in from outside, happened to hear this, and his eyes instantly lit up. "Me too, me too, I want to sleep with Mom too."

Wanqing pulled his hands away. "Pei Chenyou, you're a boy, you're already grown up and can't keep clinging to Mom anymore, have some shame..."

"You're the shameful one, lalalala..." Little Sixth looked at Zhixia stubbornly. "Mom, I just want to sleep with you!"

"No messing around. Mom is going to accompany sister tonight. I'll accompany you tomorrow." Zhixia deliberately put on a stern face.

"Alright then. But you promised, Mom is mine tomorrow." He was usually disciplined very strictly. Dad made the rules, brother supervised. He could finally find an excuse to cling to Zhixia and go all out.

Little Sixth ran out merrily. Zhixia looked at Wanqing's state and saw she was still doing alright, so asked her, "Didn't you go find Xu Ya? What did she say?"

"Mom, now I understand. It's not my fault they don't want to play with me anymore. It's because I'm too outstanding and made them jealous. I've moved on. Friends like this aren't worth me trying hard to get back. Since they don't want to play with me, I don't want to play with them either. From now on I'll study even harder, then find even better and more open-minded people to be friends with."

It seemed Wanqing had truly moved on and didn't need consoling. After she finished talking, she nodded firmly.

But Zhixia still seriously asked about the cause and details of the incident.

The children were growing up and had their own worlds. It was impossible for them to still report everything to her like when they were little, even going to the washroom. But she was still very glad Wanqing had grown up spoiled with love and care. Otherwise if she was a little more fragile when this incident happened, she could have easily been manipulated by others.

"Dinner time..."

Zhixia called out. Chenye and Wanqing helped bring dishes to the dining room.

Today's dishes included things that flew in the sky, walked on the ground, and swam in the waters.

Boys were always gluttonous at this age. They started anxiously digging in as soon as they sat down.

But they only started eating after Zhixia sat down.

At dinner, Zhixia announced the trip she planned for them during winter break. The kids were overjoyed.

After eating, Zhixia went to her eldest son's room during nap time.

"Chenye, can Mom give you a task to do?"

Chenye sat up straight. "What task?"

"Starting today, go pick up your sister every day on the way to and from school..."

Zhixia didn't hide anything about what happened recently with Wanqing from Chenye, telling him everything clearly.

Chenye said regretfully, "It's all my fault. Yun Yan came looking for me first, but I ignored her. I didn't pay much attention when I saw Wanqing play with her a few times. Mom, I'll care more about my sister from now on."

"Can't blame you. Most people around us are simple-hearted. Who would expect Yun Yan to be so calculating?" Zhixia said, "We overlooked things before. Wanqing has been isolated lately and must be feeling bad. We can't force incompatible friends to play together. We can only accompany Wanqing more ourselves and not let her feel too terrible."

After Zhixia left, Chenye also went out. He called the triplets to escort Wanqing to school later, then rode his bike to the An family.

Wenqing was already sixteen, looking even taller than Chenye. Just leaner, but these years he hadn't lacked Uncle An Zhiqing's training either. He planned to apply for the National Defense University next year too.

Boys always got along better. Without letting the adults know, Chenye discussed things with Wenqing in whispers. Then the two went out together.

They went to the same school, so Liu Ling thought they made plans to go to school together. She casually asked, "Still got some time before class. Why go so early?"

"I've got something to do with Chenye. Don't mind us." Wenqing looked refined, but these years wasn't easy to deal with. He felt he was grown up and didn't want adults supervising him anymore. So he wasn't happy explaining things to his family either. Chenye was still quite polite. He said to Liu Ling, "Bye Auntie."

"Hey, just don't run around randomly. And don't go near the river." Liu Ling watched them leave, helpless. "Kids nowadays, harder and harder to manage."

"They're growing up with their own ideas. Hopefully they'll mature slowly." Zhou Nan said this while inevitably thinking of himself in the past. Compared to An Zhiang, Wenqing was much better behaved.

He still remembered that chaotic time. That damned brat leading groups of people out messing around every day. He got beaten up badly for it many times too. The worst time his whole body was tied to a tree and beaten half to death. But he remained stubborn.

It was only after growing up and experiencing more things as an adult that he slowly wisened up.

"Can only think that way now." Liu Ling said.

After leaving, Chenye and Wenqing were like fish back in water, chatting and laughing the whole way, sometimes even cursing.

The two visited the area, calling up several boys around their age to go stand guard at the middle school entrance.

Yun Yan appeared here with Xu Ya, even several other girls behind them that used to be good friends with Wanqing.

Yun Yan chatted the whole way. Xu Ya lowered her head with a cold expression, unclear what she was thinking. She just didn't look to be in a good mood, while the girls behind them were like they were led by Yun Yan and Xu Ya, only occasionally chiming in.

Chenye blocked their way, looking at Yun Yan. Before he could speak, Yun Yan cried out in surprise, "Pei Chenye, what are you doing here? Did you come looking for me?"

She looked extremely delighted, smiling like a blossoming flower.

Chenye nodded. "I've got a few words to say to you. Is it convenient to step aside for a bit?"

"Of course! Where do you want to take me? Let's go." Yun Yan didn't think much at all and readily agreed.

Chenye walked in front. Yun Yan happily followed behind him.

Xu Ya watched their backs thoughtfully. Someone behind her asked, "Xu Ya, you don't think Pei Chenye came to make trouble with us for not playing with Wanqing anymore, right?"

"Shouldn't be." In her heart Xu Ya still couldn't let Wanqing go. To be honest, Wanqing had been very good to them before. They often played together. She had even stayed overnight at Wanqing's house several times. Her family was all very kind.

But Wanqing also made her feel a lot of pressure.

Just like Yun Yan said, when she was with Wanqing, no one else noticed her at all, even though she wasn't that bad herself.

"Let's go. Class is starting soon." Xu Ya also didn't like Yun Yan. She talked too much. After squeezing Wanqing out of their circle, she quickly took over Wanqing's position with her mouth. The other girls even preferred listening to her more.