Chapter 108: I’m Not Your Brother

Ruan Li originally thought that her two little ones, while in the womb, had similar personalities and wondered if they’d grow up to have the same temperament. But as Fu Lingying slowly grew older by the time she turned one their differences started to show.

Of course, part of the change was that Fu Chengjing was also growing up and was no longer the soft and adorable little boy he used to be.

Having gradually adapted to the social world outside, Fu Chengjing would still run to his parents’ bedroom every evening after returning to the Yu Garden.

“Mom.”

Ruan Li was gently wiping little Lingying’s face after she’d finished playing. Little Lingying wasn’t the type of child to cry easily.

“Yes?” She looked at Fu Chengjing, who was leaning on the edge of the bed.

“Why can’t Lingying walk yet?” Fu Chengjing remembered that his uncle had said he started walking early, and now that his mom had started working again, he was already able to play around in the Yu Garden at that age.

After witnessing Fu Chengjing’s laziness in speaking and walking when he was little, Ruan Li had come to accept the diverse nature of young children.

“Your sister isn’t as strong as you were, so she’ll take a little longer.”

Her gaze softened as she looked at the little bundle on the bed, crawling towards Fu Chengjing.

Maybe it was related to the unexpected pregnancy, but little Lingying’s body wasn’t as robust as Fu Chengjing’s at that age. Although she wasn’t frail, she was not chubby, and had fallen ill a couple of times.

Fu Chengjing, very adept by now, caught his little sister as she crawled, tilting his face to her mouth with a big smile.

“Why doesn’t she talk either?” Fu Chengjing seemed a bit frustrated. “I want to talk to her, I want to take her out to play.”

“By the time you move up a grade, Lingying will probably be ready to play with you.” Ruan Li couldn’t help but feel charmed by their bond her phone was practically filled with pictures of the two little ones.

She watched as Fu Chengjing, holding his sister securely, carried her to the hallway. The entire Yu Garden was carpeted with thick rugs due to the presence of small children, and the edges of furniture were carefully wrapped.

But Ruan Li still gave a final reminder “Don’t you dare put Lingying in Lucky’s cat bed!”

In line with tradition, Fu Lingying was set to have a “Zhuazhou” ceremony a traditional Chinese first birthday event where a child chooses an object that symbolizes their future. The ceremony for her was much more elaborate than Fu Chengjing’s. Not only did they have beautiful things that young girls typically like, such as jewelry and accessories, but Fu Huaizhou also included the same seals and boyish items that were present during Fu Chengjing’s ceremony.

Ruan Li, concerned about a repeat of what happened during Fu Chengjing’s Zhuazhou, chose not to stand too close.

Today was a Sunday, and Fu Chengjing didn’t have to go to kindergarten. After the incident of bringing Lingying to school, which caused a huge sensation, the children from his class were all eager to come to the ceremony.

When Ruan Li found out, she was happy to accommodate them after all, the Zhuazhou ceremony was a good occasion to invite many people from the capital, and a few more kids would add to the fun.

Fu Chengjing, leading the curious children on a tour of the Yu Garden, cleverly avoided his own bedroom, taking them instead to the freshly decorated courtyard.

“This is my mom’s cat, its name is Lucky,” he said, pointing to a white cat in the garden that was playfully chasing a butterfly. Lucky, now a middle aged cat, wasn’t as playful as it used to be.

“Is that swing yours?” one child asked, pointing at the swing set wrapped in flower vines in the courtyard.

“No,” Fu Chengjing said, pointing to the engraving on the swing set. “My dad made this by hand for Lingying. Only she and my mom can use it.”

The kids had a full tour and returned to the banquet hall just as the Zhuazhou ceremony was about to start. Seeing the curious little ones, Ruan Li placed them in the front row since they wouldn’t block the view of the adults behind them.

Fu Chengjing’s eyes were glued to his sister, the little pink bundle sitting in the center of the room, surveying the array of objects laid out for her.

“Mom, do you think Lingying will choose me?” Fu Chengjing asked, remembering how his dad always said that when it was his turn, he chose only his mom and ignored everything else.

Ruan Li smiled, thinking it wasn’t impossible. Lingying was quite attached to Chengjing. “Why don’t you stand a little closer? Maybe she’ll spot you first.”

Fu Chengjing obediently stood up straight and moved forward a bit.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, little Lingying crawled back and forth among the items, seeming uninterested in all of them. Even the sparkling diamond cufflinks that Fu Huaizhou specifically placed were ignored.

Ruan Li chuckled softly at the sight and turned to a certain someone next to her whose plan had clearly failed.

“Looks like Lingying doesn’t fancy shiny things she doesn’t take after me. You guessed wrong,” she teased.

Fu Huaizhou remained calm, “No rush.”

After all, many of the items were things he had chosen, so whatever Lingying picked would be meaningful.

To everyone’s surprise, Fu Lingying bypassed symbols of power, ignored the shiny gems, and even passed over the stuffed bunny her brother had carefully placed. She chose a simple pencil.

Ruan Li was taken aback, while Ye Mian, who stood next to Shi Xun, burst out laughing.

“She truly is my goddaughter spotting my contribution right away!” Ye Mian exclaimed. That pencil was from her favorite brand, a rare one in the capital.

“Sorry, Ruan Li, it looks like Lingying will be learning design from me in the future,” she teased with a delighted grin.

Ruan Li, suppressing a smile, was about to pick up the little one who had made her choice when

She noticed Lingying still crawling towards her brother.

Fu Chengjing, seeing his sister already make a choice, looked a bit disappointed and was about to step back when he noticed the determined little one crawling toward him.

He froze, unable to move.

“Is Fu Chengjing carrying food?” Fu Huaizhou asked dryly, watching the scene.

Ruan Li ignored him, realizing he was just envious that their daughter wasn’t coming to him.

With great effort, Fu Lingying reached her brother’s side. The scene almost melted everyone’s hearts. Fu Chengjing extended his arms, ready to embrace his sister.

But…

Just when it seemed she was headed straight for him, Lingying suddenly changed direction at the last moment, waving her chubby little arms towards the boy standing next to Fu Chengjing his kindergarten friend, Lu Tingyan.

Fu Chengjing stared in disbelief at his classmate, Lu Tingyan.

Equally shocked, Lu Tingyan looked confused, his delicate features frozen. But still, he reached out and picked up the waving little girl.

His voice was panicked. “I’m not your brother.”