Extra 4.4

‘Marry Zhuzi and have children? What kind of rebellious words are these?’

Xiao Tangyuan was dazed for a long time before she came to her senses. “Tiantian, are you crazy? He’s my brother!”

Tang Tiantian was a little speechless and asked her: “Are you related by blood?”

Xiao Tangyuan vigorously shook her head. “What kind of ridiculous question is that? Of course not!”

Tang Tiantian asked again, “Did your parents adopt him?”

Xiao Tangyuan glared at Tang Tiantian angrily. “Tiantian, are you looking for a fight? Aunt Ya Li, Uncle Zhang, and Grandpa Zhang are all fine. Why would our family adopt him?”

Tang Tiantian shrugged and spread her hands. “Since there’s no blood relation or adoption, is he still like that kind of brother? What kind of brother are you talking about? A romantic brother?”

Xiao Tangyuan’s eyes widened even more. “Tiantian, if you keep babbling nonsense, I’m going to get really angry!”

Tang Tiantian sighed while holding Xiao Tangyuan. “Xingxing, you don’t know how envious I’ve been of you since we were young. Your family cares for you so much. Aunt Su, don’t even mention it—she’s so beautiful, so gentle, and very kind. Who wouldn’t want a mom like that? Uncle Han, though strict, has never raised his voice at you since you were little.

And your brothers, don’t even get started—they protect you like the apple of their eye. And your Brother Zhuzi, well, even though there’s no blood relation or your family did not adopt him, if you think about it seriously, I’m in the same situation as you. It can be considered that we grew up as sweethearts during childhood. Why can’t Brother Zhuzi be kind to others or to me, even though we’re both non-blood-related sisters? Have you ever thought about this?

Back to your original question, if Brother Zhuzi were to marry someone else and treat his wife and children well, wouldn’t that be right?”

Xiao Tangyuan fell into deep thought after hearing Tang Tiantian’s words. It was a question she had never considered before. To her, Brother Zhuzi was a family member, someone who would always be a part of her life. He had been kind to her for as long as she could remember. She had never questioned why he was so good to her, nor had she thought about whether it was right or wrong. She had never even considered the possibility that one day he might treat others better than he treated her because she had never imagined such a day would come.

Not thinking about it doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It’s like how Dad married Mom and has always been good to her and their daughter—just her. However, aside from her and Mom, Dad never seemed to pay any attention to other girls.

The more Xiao Tangyuan thought about it, the more anxious she became. Once Brother Zhuzi had a partner, got married, and had children, he definitely couldn’t be as kind to her as before. Otherwise, his partner would be unhappy. It’s like, what if Dad, who married Mom, were nice to other girls? She and Mom would definitely be unhappy, too.

So, if she wanted Brother Zhuzi to always be kind to her, the only possibility was for her to become Brother Zhuzi’s wife.

When this thought came up, Xiao Tangyuan was also shocked. She and Brother Zhuzi? Dating?

Tang Tiantian spoke again: “You never considered it, did you? I know you didn’t, Xingxing. It’s understandable since we were younger back then. Aunt Su always advised us not to focus on this before going to college, which I agree with. But now that we are adults, it’s time for you to seriously consider this issue. Aunt Su also mentioned that dating could start after college, but it’s important to protect yourself. It’s best to let your parents review the person’s character before committing to a relationship. If you’re still unsure, you can always consult Aunt Su; she will definitely offer the best advice.”

Over the years, whenever Tang Tiantian faced uncertainty, she might not confide in her father or grandmother, but she always sought Aunt Su’s guidance. Aunt Su’s advice always illuminated her path, including dealing calmly with the mother who had once abandoned her without bitterness or resentment.

Aunt Su had been Tang Tiantian’s greatest mentor and guiding light throughout her growth. She aspired to offer similar guidance to others who were confused, hoping to provide the correct direction to future generations. Su Xiaoxiao had the most profound impact on Tang Tiantian’s development, making her mature, independent, and uniquely insightful. Tang Tiantian admired Xiao Tangyuan but never felt envious. She believed that only by living countless lifetimes and accumulating significant merits could she attain such a life as Xiao Tangyuan’s. She considered herself not that fortunate.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Xiao Tangyuan has been a little depressed lately. On her birthday, she signed up to take the driving test. She was currently on summer vacation and the only idle person in the family, so she was assigned the task of delivering meals to Grandpa Zhang. Su Xiaoxiao thought she was worried about Grandpa Zhang’s illness.

Grandpa Zhang regarded all the family children as his own, but he was especially fond of the family’s only little princess. His love for Xiao Tangyuan was no less than for Xiao Zhuzi, so Su Xiaoxiao understood her feelings.

Since the day Tang Tiantian talked to Xiao Tangyuan, her feelings for Xiao Zhuzi have become complicated. She felt uneasy when she saw him in the hospital. Sometimes, she would secretly watch Xiao Zhuzi and then blush secretly, causing him to worry several times that she might be getting sick.

When Xiao Zhuzi reached out to check her forehead, she even dodged, making him even more worried.

By the fourth day, Xiao Tangyuan could no longer hold back and decided to have a heart-to-heart with her mother.

-o-o-o-o-o-

On this day, Han Cheng was working overnight to catch up on his progress.

Xiao Tangyuan hid in her mother’s bed, hugged her mother’s neck, and rubbed against her mother’s neck.

Su Xiaoxiao was tickled and patted her daughter’s head lightly. “So ticklish, dear. Stop moving around.”

Xiao Tangyuan didn’t know how to start and just asked an unrelated question, “Mom, do you love Dad?”

Su Xiaoxiao was momentarily stunned before she smiled. “Yes, I love him. Dad is tall, handsome, and responsible. He’s good to me and to you all. Don’t you see how much I love him?”

Time passed swiftly, and it felt like, in the blink of an eye, she and Han Cheng had shared twenty years of life’s highs and lows. He had grown to treat her with even greater kindness and indulgence. With a flourishing career and a happy family, she remained youthful, her face bearing few signs of aging. She was deeply content with her current life.

Xiao Tangyuan asked once more, “Mom, what is love? What does it feel like to love someone?”

Su Xiaoxiao’s mind raced with concern. She looked down at her beloved daughter, wondering if this was an early sign of love. No, Xiao Tangyuan was an adult now, so it wasn’t premature. Still, she worried about the possibility of her precious daughter being swept away by someone unworthy.

However, Su Xiaoxiao was not anxious. She knew that Xiao Tangyuan would eventually share everything with her, perhaps just needing more time to find the right words. After a moment’s thought, Su Xiaoxiao replied, “The concept of love is quite broad. It’s like our love for our country and life; that’s love. When Dad and I love you, that’s love. And when Dad and I love each other, that’s love, too. What kind of love are you asking about?”

Xiao Tangyuan, who had always trusted her mother completely, was unsure where to begin. She decided to be straightforward and said, “Mom, I think I might like brother Zhuzi.”

Then she briefly explained her conversation with Tiantian to Su Xiaoxiao and concluded, “Mom, Brother Zhuzi and I met too early—so early that it might have blurred the lines between sibling affection and romantic love. I had never thought about distinguishing between them before but hearing Grandpa Zhang talk about Brother Zhuzi going on blind dates and dating other girls made me feel sad and unable to accept that Brother Zhuzi could be kind to other girls.

Since childhood, I’ve always felt that Brother Zhuzi should be mine alone. In these past few days, I’ve thought a lot. Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Brother Da Bao, and Brother Xiao Bao being kind to Tiantian and other girls doesn’t make me unhappy or jealous. But it seems like I don’t want to see Brother Zhuzi being kind to anyone else. I feel that he should only be good to me and no one else. Mom, am I very selfish? Brother Zhuzi might not have thought about it this way. His kindness to me might just be like a brother to a sister.”

Su Xiaoxiao was both surprised and happy after hearing this. If it had been another young man, she might have needed some time to assess his character and would have been worried about whether it would turn out well. But with Zhuzi, both she and Han Cheng were wholeheartedly in favor. Only they knew how satisfied she and Han Cheng were with Zhuzi. Zhuzi had grown up right before their eyes. Not only did he have an impressive appearance, but his family background was also exemplary. Among all the young people, Su Xiaoxiao was most pleased with Zhuzi’s personality—neither arrogant nor humble, unaffected by praise or criticism, patient and considerate, never losing his temper. Regardless of who ended up with him in the future, they would be fortunate.

When the kids were still young, Su Xiaoxiao joked with Han Cheng that it would be great if Zhuzi was their son-in-law. Otherwise, they wouldn’t feel comfortable handing over their daughter, Xiao Tangyuan, to anyone else. This was truly a dream come true.

If they didn’t like each other, Su Xiaoxiao would not force it and would not even mention it, but if they liked each other, it would be a happy ending. Ya Li’s family always treated Xiao Tangyuan as their daughter, and they didn’t have to worry about the future relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Su Xiaoxiao hugged her daughter and kissed her gently. “Xiao Tangyuan, you just said that you and brother Zhuzi met too early and blurred the lines between love and family. You hadn’t considered it that way before, but now you’ve come to realize it, right? I think Brother Zhuzi might feel the same way. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll ask your older brother to talk to Brother Zhuzi and find out how he feels. If Brother Zhuzi shares your feelings, then everyone will be happy. But we won’t force it if he doesn’t feel the same way. We’ll continue to treat him like a brother. When someone special does come into his life, we’ll sincerely bless him and maintain a respectful distance. How does that sound?”

When Xiao Tangyuan heard the phrases “when he meets someone he truly likes” and “maintain a certain distance,” her heart felt as though it was being squeezed by someone’s hand, making her feel very uncomfortable. But she understood that this possibility did indeed exist.

Xiao Tangyuan snuggled closer to Su Xiaoxiao and asked quietly, “Does Mommy also really like Brother Zhuzi?”

Su Xiaoxiao patted her precious daughter’s head. “Of course, just like how your Aunt Ya Li likes you too. Whether you can be a couple or not, it will not affect our love for you. When you were young, Mommy and Aunt Ya Li even thought about arranging a match for you, but we felt that feelings should follow their natural course.

My daughter, Mom, hopes you understand that feelings cannot be forced. Sometimes, if someone doesn’t reciprocate your feelings the way you might hope, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. Many factors contribute to a successful relationship. Often, it’s simply a matter of the right person appearing at the right time. A forced melon will never be sweet.”

As they grew older, Su Xiaoxiao actually stopped thinking about it in that way. Zhuzi’s kindness to Xiao Tangyuan surpassed that of all of her biological brothers, but before Xiao Tangyuan came of age, Zhuzi had surely not considered that aspect. Su Xiaoxiao had always taught them not to date before they were mature. However, if Zhuzi was willing to entrust Xiao Tangyuan’s future to another man, it would only be if Xiao Tangyuan had no feelings for him. If she did, Su Xiaoxiao was more than ninety percent sure that Zhuzi would have feelings for Xiao Tangyuan as well.

The two children’s personalities and energies were such a perfect match that not being together would be a real pity.

But matters of the heart were unpredictable, and there was a lot of uncertainty. So Su Xiaoxiao needed to prepare Xiao Tangyuan mentally. Even if things didn’t work out, it wouldn’t affect the relationship between the two families. They would just have to step back to the position of good friends, maintaining a proper distance, which would be better for everyone and their future partners.

Sometimes, regrets could also be a form of beauty. Just let things flow naturally.

Xiao Tangyuan felt sad just thinking about the possibility of keeping a distance from her Brother Zhuzi in the future, but she also understood what her mother said.

“Mommy, let me find a chance to talk to Zhuzi Brother personally,” Xiao Tangyuan said.

Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t surprised. All the children in the family were brave, and Xiao Tangyuan was no exception. Although she appeared soft on the outside, she could handle what needed to be handled.

“Well, Mommy will wait for the good news from my precious daughter and for you to make the excellent Zhuzi Brother become Mommy’s son-in-law. I believe you can handle it. You can do it!”

After chatting with Su Xiaoxiao, Xiao Tangyuan’s mood lifted, and she felt enlightened. She thought that if Zhuzi Brother didn’t have romantic feelings for her, she would be very regretful but not sad. She would be proud that her first crush was such an outstanding boy and proud of her own courage. She wouldn’t be depressed because the boy she liked didn’t like her back, nor would she doubt herself. As Mommy said, whether someone likes you or not is not about how excellent the person is but whether the right person comes at the right time.

The anxiety and sourness were probably the taste of trying to like someone for the first time without knowing if that person liked you back.

Zhuzi noticed that Xiao Tangyuan’s mood seemed to have improved. She no longer looked sickly or turned red easily like before, which made him feel more at ease.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

On the day Grandpa Zhang was discharged from the hospital, Su Xiaoxiao’s family and the Ya Li family gathered together for the rare occasion. They all raised their glasses to wish Grandpa good health.

As an adult, Tangyuan was finally given permission by her parents and brothers to have a little wine. It was the first time she had ever drunk, and after having some, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes became particularly moist. A soft haze covered her slight smile, and dimples appeared. Her beauty was such that it could captivate a nation.

Ya Li, holding the lovely Xiao Tangyuan, said that she had seen many beauties in the entertainment industry, but none were as stunning as Xiao Tangyuan. She playfully wondered which troublemaker Tangyuan might marry in the future.

Ya Li then joked, “Wouldn’t it be better for Xiao Tangyuan to be Aunt Ya Li’s daughter-in-law? Marrying our Xiao Zhuzi would be better than those troublemakers out there. Brother Zhuzi is not bad, right?”

Ya Li was testing the waters and was the first to say such things in a joking manner. She really liked Xiao Tangyuan. Since the girl had come of age, it was better to settle it earlier if the two children had such feelings. Otherwise, if another boy took her away, their own son would truly regret it.

Without hesitation, Xiao Tangyuan’s eyes turned into little crescents as she nodded enthusiastically and said, “Okay, okay, I like Brother Zhuzi too, and I want to be Aunt Ya Li’s wife.”

It is said that fame brings wealth, and despite the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, Ya Li, renowned across the country, remained beautiful enough to make hearts flutter. She embraced Xiao Tangyuan tightly and declared, “Then it’s settled. You’ll be Aunt Ya Li’s daughter-in-law in the future, and you mustn’t let anyone else take you away.”

Zhuzi’s heart raced uncontrollably, and his eyes were fixated on Xiao Tangyuan. He was stunned as he looked at the girl he had watched grow up—she had transformed into a stunning beauty. She hadn’t tied her hair today, and her straight, waist-length black hair fell like a waterfall when she tilted her head. The breeze playfully blew some strands onto her face. She had a picturesque face with a faint dimple, looking at him innocently. She was breathtakingly beautiful…

The somewhat drunken, somewhat real, somewhat fake words were not taken seriously by anyone other than Su Xiaoxiao and Tang Tiantian. Others thought she was just speaking off the cuff and tacitly avoided making Zhuzi’s feelings a topic of discussion, not wanting to embarrass him.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at Zhuzi’s expression intentionally or unintentionally. If she had only been 90% sure before, she could have increased it to 95% now. Zhuzi may not have considered this possibility before, but she believed that after tonight, Zhuzi would seriously consider this issue.

Han Cheng peeled the shrimp and placed it in Su Xiaoxiao’s bowl. Seeing her with a delighted smile, he asked, “What’s making you so happy?”

Su Xiaoxiao leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Han Cheng, we might be having another son.”

Han Cheng was taken aback and quickly looked down at Su Xiaoxiao’s lower abdomen.

Su Xiaoxiao found it amusing and gave him a light tap, saying, “What are you thinking? I’m talking about our daughter and Zhuzi.”

Han Cheng was relieved. The thought of Su Xiaoxiao being pregnant at her age was no small matter. He had been worried about the risks associated with late maternal age. Since the twins were born, they had taken extensive precautions, and he suspected there might be an issue in some aspect.

When he realized the situation, he was surprised and asked, “Our daughter and Zhuzi?”

Su Xiaoxiao pinched the back of his hand and said, “I’ll explain everything in detail when we get back.”

After they had eaten and drunk, the guests began to disperse.

-o-o-o-o-o-

“Three Meals Four Seasons” was just a short distance from everyone’s homes. After eating too much, the children had each had a bit to drink. Some expressed a desire to go for a walk, others wanted to go back to sleep, and a few wished to visit the chess and card room for a game of mahjong. With such varying preferences, they all went their separate ways.

Xiao Tangyuan took Zhuzi’s hand and, with a playful look, asked, “Brother, can you come with me to buy something?”

Xiao Zhuzi was capable of anything but could never refuse Xiao Tangyuan. After the recent little episode, he felt something had shifted. He glanced at the little girl’s rosy smile and found himself unable to meet her beautiful eyes. He could only nod stiffly and respond, “Okay.”

The clueless Xiao Roubao wanted to go, too, but Su Xiaoxiao pulled him aside and said, “Baby, come with Mom and Dad for a walk.”

Xiao Roubao cried out, jumped up and down, and said, “I’m still Mommy and Daddy’s favorite little baby,” and then happily squeezed between Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao, holding one hand of each as they walked.

Han Cheng found the large “light bulb” somewhat annoying, but knowing that Su Xiaoxiao had intentionally sent the “light bulb” away, he could only endure it.

On a midsummer night, with a gentle breeze and countless lights shining.

Xiao Tangyuan habitually walked backward, tilting her head to look at her brother Zhuzi, and asked, “Brother, has any other girl said you’re very handsome?”

Zhuzi instinctively reached out to shield Xiao Tangyuan, nearly stumbling himself. He shook his head but didn’t want to lie to her, so he nodded, “Yes.”

Xiao Tangyuan asked again: “Then brother, do you have someone you like?”

Zhuzi shook his head and said: “No.”

Xiao Tangyuan said, “But didn’t you tell Grandpa that a female colleague treated you well at work and you were thinking about dating her?”

Zhuzi’s scalp tingled. He admitted, “That wasn’t true. I made it up to comfort Grandpa.”

Xiao Tangyuan said, “Oh,” meaningfully, dragging out the final syllable: “Brother, you’re not being good; you’ve learned to lie.”

Zhuzi smiled helplessly. Seeing Xiao Tangyuan about to bump into a tree behind her, he quickly grabbed her hand and embraced her, saying, “Be careful.”

When Xiao Tangyuan bumped into his embrace, she was stunned for a moment, then hugged his waist and rubbed against his chest, her voice sweet and soft: “Then, brother, what do you think of me? Do you like me? Like the way boys like girls?”

Xiao Zhuzi froze in place, his mind spinning as if he were a minister who had broken celestial laws and was cast down to the mortal realm by the Jade Emperor, then struck by eighteen bolts of heavenly thunder simultaneously…