Everyone around the table couldn’t stand hearing Yuanyuan’s pitiful tone. Almost immediately, they turned to glare at the boy responsible for the incident, their eyes full of menace.

The young boy, about to retrieve his ball, froze in fear and stammered, “S-Sorry…”

Even though he apologized, the expressions around the table remained cold.

“It’s okay, little brother, here’s your ball.” With greasy hands, Yuanyuan trotted over to the ball and gave it a gentle kick. The ball slowly rolled back to the boy.

For some reason, the boy felt this group’s gaze was terrifying, like a pack of wolves ready to pounce and skin him alive.

Without even looking at the cute little girl again, he grabbed the ball and bolted, making sure to play far from the group.

“Did it hurt?” Yu Mingxi gently wiped Yuanyuan’s arm where the ball had hit, his face full of concern.

Yuanyuan shook her head but looked sadly at the fallen chicken wing. “My wing can’t be eaten anymore… what a waste.”

There it was—her real concern was only about the food!

“He hit you with the ball, and you still helped him pick it up?” Yu Jinxiao leaned on the table, eyebrows furrowed as he studied his little girl. “If someone wrongs you, you don’t let them walk away. You can’t let people push you around. Got it?”

“Got it!” Yuanyuan replied loudly without a hint of defiance.

Yu Yingze took a bite of his egg tart, completely unbothered, and said bluntly, “She definitely didn’t get it.”

He was quite the expert at reading Yuanyuan.

Yu Jinxiao eyed Yuanyuan suspiciously and tried again, “So, what do you do if someone bullies you?”

“You… talk to them about right and wrong! Teach them to be a good kid!”

Gao Zhou couldn’t help but chuckle quietly—Yuanyuan was being her usual self.

“No,” Yu Jinxiao corrected, “If someone bullies you, you make sure they regret it. Show them you’re not an easy target. Understand?”

“I understand!” Yuanyuan chirped in her sweet, childish voice.

Again?

Who’s she trying to fool? Don’t lie to grown-ups, little one!

“If someone insults you, insult them back. If they hit you, hit them harder,” Shen Ji chimed in while taking a sip of juice. “Never let anyone think you’re easy to push around. Treat them the way they treat you.”

Yu Mingxi looked shocked, horrified by the “advice” they were feeding Yuanyuan. He wanted to cover her ears to keep her from absorbing this harmful mindset.

“That’s right!” Yu Jinxiao nodded in agreement, pleased someone else understood proper parenting.

Finally, someone gets it!

Yu Jinxiao shot a glance of approval at Shen Ji, who returned the look. In that moment, it was like two kindred spirits connecting over a shared philosophy.

Hah, these common folks wouldn’t understand!

“Yuanyuan, did you really understand?” Considering how concerning her understanding seemed, Yu Jinxiao couldn’t resist confirming again. After all, opportunities to properly teach his daughter were rare.

“I understand.” Yuanyuan’s voice was loud and clear, sounding genuine for once.

Shen Ji paused for a moment, then gently tapped her shoulder. “If I hit you, what would you do?”

Yuan Yuan thought for a second, biting her finger in concentration. Then, with a wide smile, she spread her arms and dove into Shen Ji’s embrace, exclaiming, “Brother Shen Ji, hug!”

Both Shen Ji and Yu Jinxiao sighed, massaging their foreheads in exasperation.

This little rascal… She’s beyond help.