When Cen Huaize saw them approaching, he tried to throw firecrackers at their feet.

Zhang Lu immediately pulled Jiang Weixian out of the way, and Cen Hua’an swiftly picked up Jiang Weixi to shield her.

Despite this, Jiang Weixi was still frightened and cried out, clinging tightly to Cen Hua’an.

Zhang Lu gritted her teeth, truly infuriated by Cen Huaize’s behavior.

As the local “kid king,” who was adored by many kids after learning martial arts, Zhang Lu took action.

She lit a firecracker and threw it at Cen Huaize’s feet, watching with satisfaction as he jumped and screamed.

She then waved her hand and shouted, “All of you, throw firecrackers at their feet! Don’t throw them at their bodies. Anyone who throws them at their bodies will never play with me again!”

With Zhang Lu leading the way, a group of kids continuously threw firecrackers at Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin’s feet.

Cen Hua’an, holding Jiang Weixi, comforted her while casting a cold glance at Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin, who were running around in fear, their faces streaked with tears and snot.

The two finally managed to find their way home, but the group of children chased after them, throwing firecrackers all the while.

After a while, Zhang Lu had them stop, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

“If they scare others, they should experience being scared themselves!”

Jiang Weixian clapped happily, “Exactly!”

After scaring off Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin, Zhang Lu and Cen Hua’an remained unaffected, continuing to play games outside.

Cen Hua’an played the role of the strategist while Jiang Weixi, being small, was the “hostage.”

She was carried around by two groups, but instead of being frightened, she found it very entertaining and giggled constantly.

Cen Hua’an demonstrated his strategic prowess, perfectly coordinating with Zhang Lu, eventually rescuing the hostage, defeating the criminals, and securing victory for the public security side.

Everyone played happily until it was almost mealtime before heading back.

As soon as they returned, Jiang Zhiguan asked Zhang Lu, “Did you deliberately scare Xiaoze and Xinxin?”

Zhang Lu, nonchalantly drinking a glass of water, nodded, “They threw firecrackers at our feet first. We just gave them a taste of their own medicine. They got scared and cried, showing they really lack courage.”

She curled her lip and shook her head, “They have the nerve to throw firecrackers at others but can’t handle having them thrown at them. I’ve never seen such despicable and cowardly behavior.”

Xiwang’s face darkened upon hearing Zhang Lu’s words.

Jiang Zhiguan quickly tapped Zhang Lu, not using much force, “What are you talking about? If someone throws firecrackers at you, does that mean you should throw them back at them? You could have used your martial skills to subdue them and take the firecrackers away.”

Zhang Lu giggled, “No. They need to experience being scared so they won’t continue scaring others.”

Cen Hua’an, patting Jiang Weixi’s hat, said, “They scared Weixi into crying. Sister Lu is right. If they don’t experience it themselves, they’ll continue throwing firecrackers at people next time.”

He cast a look of disdain at Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin, “And they didn’t just scare us, but also other kids in the alley. So their crying is their own fault.”

The adults all agreed with Zhang Lu and Cen Hua’an, especially Luo Peng, who was concerned about her daughter being frightened, almost having a heart attack.

“Is Weixi alright?” She quickly crouched down to check Jiang Weixi’s condition.

“Mom, Weixi is fine. Brother protected me.”

Luo Peng sighed in relief and gave Cen Hua’an a grateful smile.

Grandfather Jiang tapped his cane and directly addressed Cen Zhengshi and Xiwang, “You should educate your own children. They have no one to blame but themselves for being scared. However, Lu Lu and the others shouldn’t have thrown firecrackers at them either. It’s dangerous and could easily ignite clothing, which is no small matter and could potentially be fatal.”

As he spoke, Grandfather Jiang’s gaze passed over Xiwang, Cen Huaize, and Cen Huaixin, clearly warning them.

Xiwang wanted to defend her children, noting that they were also frightened.

But her husband’s transfer had not been successful yet, and with so many people present, not just the Cen family, she avoided causing a scene.

Arguing might anger Cen Father and jeopardize her husband’s chances, and she didn’t want to appear like a shrew, which would damage her reputation.

Cen Zhengshi continued to squeeze Xiwang’s hand, reminding her not to make a scene like before.

One outburst was enough; another could push their parents further away.

“Xiaoze and Xinxin, apologize to Lu Lu, An’an, Weixian, and Weixi, and then go reflect on your behavior. Lu Lu and An’an, each of you write five large characters right now.”

Xiwang patted Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin on the shoulders, gritting her teeth, “Go on, apologize to Lu Lu, An’an, Weixian, and Weixi! You’re not allowed to cry!”

Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin, seeing Xiwang’s grim expression, dared not protest and obediently apologized to Cen Hua’an and the others.

Zhang Lu, being magnanimous, nodded, “Alright, I’m generous and won’t hold it against you. I’ll temporarily forgive you.”

Cen Hua’an added, “Approved.”

Jiang Weixian looked at the adults and then at Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin, echoing, “Approved!”

Jiang Weixi, not understanding, simply mimicked her older siblings and said with a smile, “Approved!”

During the process of writing the characters, Zhang Lu struggled, as she was not good at sitting still and disliked writing.

“Why do we have to write big characters when Great-Grandpa isn’t even angry?”

Cen Hua’an, writing beside her, explained, “Because throwing firecrackers was dangerous.”

Zhang Lu agreed, nodding, “Yes, then let’s write. I don’t regret scaring them. If they did this at our school, I’d punish them even more severely.”

Cen Hua’an said, “Yes, me too.”

Both practiced martial arts and believed in giving back what they received.

Zhang Lu preferred to fight fire with fire, while Cen Hua’an not only retaliated but also devised methods to prevent further trouble.

He wasn’t just obedient in front of his parents.

Zhang Lu understood his younger brother’s dark side very well and quietly asked him, “What would you do if you were in his place?”

Cen Huai’an curled the corner of his mouth up slightly and replied, “It’s a secret.”

Zhang Lu wrinkled her nose, “You’re doing it again. Forget it, even if you told me, I wouldn’t be able to learn it. By the way, have you been doing math competition problems at home?”

Cen Huai’an nodded.

After the New Year, he would be attending the national competition in less than two months, so he naturally didn’t dare slack off.

He would do problems whenever he had time at home.

“Let’s exchange problems. I’m almost done with mine. I also asked the teacher for a copy of the test papers from our school.”

This was something Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu had agreed upon beforehand; each of them would get an extra copy of the math competition papers from their respective teachers to exchange with each other.

“I brought them. They’re in my backpack.”

Zhang Lu happily patted Cen Huai’an on the shoulder and said, “We really are in sync. I also brought mine. There are a few problems I don’t understand, so I’m going to get the papers!”

Cen Huai’an also brought out his papers.

The two of them started discussing math problems as soon as they finished writing the large characters.

Jiang Weixian also wanted to avoid writing, but he was even worse at math competition problems.

Jiang Weixi, who hadn’t started school yet, had only learned a few numbers from her mother.

She scribbled randomly on a blank sheet of paper, looking even more serious than Jiang Weixian.

When Chuxia, Jiang Zhiguang, and Luo Peng came in, this was the scene they saw.

They approached Jiang Weixi and saw that her paper was filled with “1, 2, 3” and various circles.

She was also chanting “1, 2, 3.”

“Weixi, what are you writing?”

When she looked up, Chuxia and Jiang Zhiguang both burst into laughter.

Luo Peng also bent over laughing.

Jiang Weixi’s face was smeared with black ink stains of various shapes, and her hands were also dirty.

She looked at the adults laughing with a confused expression.

When she wiped her mouth with her hand, her face got even messier, causing Chuxia and the others to laugh even louder.

Cen Huai’an, Zhang Lu, and Jiang Weixian heard the laughter and came over.

Seeing the marks on Jiang Weixi’s face, Cen Huai’an couldn’t help but smile.

Zhang Lu laughed heartily and pointed at Jiang Weixi’s little face, saying, “Weixi, how did you turn yourself into a little flower cat?”

Jiang Weixian and Zhang Lu laughed loudly together.

The loud and continuous laughter of both adults and children in the study room drew curious people from outside, who came in to see what was happening.

In the end, everyone couldn’t help but laugh at Jiang Weixi’s face, and the entire New Year’s Eve became lively and warm, with laughter echoing throughout the night.

Finally, Jiang Zhishu, unable to stand her daughter’s appearance any longer, took her to wash her face.

Chuxia wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes and leaned on Cen Zhengnian’s arm, saying, “Weixi is truly everyone’s little joy.”

Cen Huai’an agreed with a nod.

After the laughter, Jiang’s grandfather remembered to check the large characters written by Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu.

Jiang Weixian had finished writing, but his strokes were not properly aligned: “Weixian, write your characters with horizontal and vertical lines straight. Each stroke should be in its proper place. You…”

Jiang Shengnan didn’t wait for Jiang’s grandfather to finish and pulled him outside, saying, “Alright, Dad, it’s New Year’s Eve. Don’t scold the kids. Let’s go eat.”

The New Year’s Eve dinner was even more lavish than the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner.

Everyone agreed not to drink alcohol, just soda, cola, and sweet boiled water.

Three tables were set, each with a lively atmosphere.

The children sat at one table, and Zhang Lu only talked to Cen Huai’an and the others.

Cen Huai’ze and Cen Huai’xin had been scolded by Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an and were intimidated, so they sat quietly at the table, eating vegetables and not daring to come up with any mischief.

While they were eating, the door to Jiang’s grandfather’s house was knocked.

Cen Zhengnian went to open it.

Before long, Jiang Zhida, looking dusty and carrying a chill, entered the living room with Cen Zhengnian.

However, his face was radiant, clearly in a very good mood.

Jiang Zhida had just said a word to Cen Zhengnian when Cen Zhengnian interrupted him, “Let’s eat first. We can talk after the meal.”

Jiang’s grandfather and the others urged him to sit down quickly; the meal had just started.

Jiang Zhida washed his hands first and sat at Cen Huai’an’s table, picking up his chopsticks to grab some food. He was indeed hungry.

After a couple of bites to settle his stomach, Jiang Zhida looked at Jiang’s grandfather and said, “Grandpa, I rushed back on the train right after finishing my work to make it for this New Year’s Eve dinner, without even taking a break. Isn’t that showing filial piety?”

Jiang’s grandfather laughed and scolded him, “Flattering talker, just eat.” His face, however, was very pleased and appreciative of Jiang Zhida’s words.

“Uncle, did you see anything fun in Yangcheng?” Zhang Lu asked eagerly, and Cen Huai’an also looked at him expectantly.

“Yes, and I brought something for each of you. I’ll give them to you later!”

The children cheered and hurried their eating.

After the meal, Zhang Lu followed Jiang Zhida, wanting to see what he had brought.

She was very curious.

Jiang Zhida tossed a bag to her and Cen Huai’an, saying, “Everything is in here. Take whatever you like. Each person gets one, and don’t fight over it!”

He then went straight to Cen Zhengnian and Chuxia, “Cousin, Cousin-in-law!”

Seeing his expression, Chuxia smiled, “Dazi, no need to say more. I can tell by your look what’s in it.”

Cen Zhengnian also said, “Go watch the Spring Festival Gala. Today isn’t the time for talking.”

Jiang Zhida, who had been holding back his words all the way, still had to continue keeping them in.