When Song Xia and Song Jiao returned from grocery shopping, Song Jun also came back from playing outside. He had just finished showering and frowned as he said to Song Xia, "I don't have any socks to wear."

Before Song Xia could say anything, Song Jiao complained, "Who told you not to wash your own socks? There's a whole bunch of them piled up in that basket, they're filthy."

Song Xia then said, "I don't agree to pay for unnecessary household expenses. Song Jun, your socks aren't disposable."

Song Jun snapped, "Who told you not to wash me?"

"I've already put the clothes in the washing machine and hung them out to dry, so why should I wash your socks too?"

"You used to wash it for me."

Song Xia looked at him coldly: "Before, it was because Dad was alive that he took on most of the work, so I did some small things within my ability. Now that Dad is gone, I'm the one who takes on most of the work. Can't you even wash your own socks? Song Jun, we are an ordinary family. You are not a young master, and I am not your maid. Don't be unreasonable."

Song Jun was also very irritable: "What boy washes his own socks and shoes? None of my classmates are like me. You don't care about me at all. I'd rather not have a sister like you!"

Song Xia retorted with a cold laugh: "Among my classmates, are there any high school seniors like me who don't attend evening self-study sessions and have to come home every day to cook for their younger siblings? Song Jun, you're not the only one who's special. I don't have a father either, and you take it for granted that you can order me around. Have you ever cared about me as your older sister? Song Jiao is still the younger sister, and she can wash her own underwear. Why can't you? Do boys have to enjoy preferential treatment?"

Song Jun's eyes were red, clearly indicating that he was not convinced by these remarks. Song Xia softened her tone and said earnestly, "Song Jun, I don't know where you heard those things from, that boys don't have to do anything at home. This is not the feudal era, and our family's conditions are not good enough to hire people."

"But I don't want to do it. Why are you forcing me to do it? You're the older sister, can't you do more?"

"Haven't I done anything extra? If you can just stop doing things you don't want to do, do you think I want to be your guardian?"

"Then I'd rather go to my uncle's or aunt's house."

After saying that, Song Jun ran out, and Song Jiao looked at Song Xia with a worried expression.

Song Xia took a deep breath: "Let's go, follow him slowly. My second aunt and uncle's families are just ordinary families. Raising a child now is not like before, where you could just give him a bite to eat. Nobody wants an extra burden. Even if my second aunt and uncle can adopt him, does he think he can just sit back and do nothing once he's in their house? Besides Dad, who else can unconditionally spoil us?"

Song Jiao tugged at the hem of her clothes, feeling as if her sister's words were also referring to her.

However, she also knew that neither her second aunt's house nor her uncle's house was as comfortable as her own home. Especially at her second aunt's house, her cousin Sun Hui always liked to compare herself to her. If she really lived at her second aunt's house, Sun Hui would probably make fun of her.

And just like my sister said, if you have to do chores at your own home, does that mean you don't have to when you go to your second aunt's or uncle's house? Song Jun is indeed lazy and stupid; he actually tried to use this to blackmail his sister.

Song Jun walked quickly, but his second aunt and uncle lived in different directions. Fortunately, when they came out of the alley, they saw Song Jun's back. When they arrived, they saw his uncle's son, Song Hao, opening the door for Song Jun.

Song Hao is fourteen years old this year, two years older than Song Jun and Song Jiao. Perhaps because Song Jun has good grades, Song Hao has never gotten along well with him since childhood.

What brings you here?

Song Jun stood at the door, unsure how to begin. He couldn't utter a single word to Song Hao, and his expression was one of humiliation.

Song Hao, being older than him, immediately guessed: "Song Jun, you don't want to come live at my house, do you? Or are you here to ask my parents for money? Don't you have a home of your own? Don't you have any money?"

Song Jun couldn't stand these words. Remembering the purpose of his visit, his face flushed red. He turned to leave, just as his aunt came out from inside. She saw Song Jun and was taken aback. Her smile was not very natural: "Little Jun is here. Is there something you need?"

"I..." For some reason, Song Jun couldn't say anything at this moment.

The aunt continued, "Your uncle is working the night shift today and hasn't come back yet. If you have anything to say, you can talk to your aunt. Where's your sister?"

"Auntie, Xiaohao." Song Xia led Song Jiao out of the shadows, carrying a bag of apples. "We just came out for a walk after dinner and happened to be near your house. Xiaojun said he wanted to come and see you and Uncle, since you and Uncle have been working so hard for our family these past few days."

Hearing this, Song Jun breathed a sigh of relief, and his aunt's smile became much more sincere: "You are all still children. You've come all this way, why bring fruit? Come in and sit down."

"No, it's getting late, and I have school tomorrow. I just came out to digest my food." Song Xia put the apple at the door and then called to Song Jun, "Xiao Jun, it's time to go back."

Song Jun secretly glared at Song Hao, then followed Song Xia home.

"That's ridiculous." Song Hao snorted.

"Alright." His mother snapped at him, "Xiao Jun is your brother. He doesn't even have a father anymore. Can't you be a little nicer?"

"I just don't like his sarcastic attitude. What good are his grades?"

"His good grades are his own achievement, so why don't you see your grades improving?"

"I'm different from him. I have you and Dad!"

"You're always being cheeky. You're not allowed to say those things in front of Song Jun and the others. They are indeed pitiful now that they have no parents. And don't say it in front of your dad."

“You can’t take them home even if you pity them. I am the only child in our family.”

"They didn't say they were coming to our house, so don't be so hostile."

"Who knows if he even has that intention?"

On the way home, Song Xia walked ahead, while Song Jun kept his head down and remained silent, and Song Jiao kept watching him secretly.

"Song Jun, even if you don't like your sister, no one else will treat us as well as she does." After saying this, Song Jiao secretly glanced at Song Xia.

Song Xia remained silent, and Song Jun made no comment. Song Jiao frowned in annoyance: "Song Jun, it's just washing socks, it'll be quick. Just scrub them after your shower."

"Don't try to persuade me. Do you think I don't know you're unhappy too?" Song Jun was annoyed by what she said and pushed Song Jiao's hand away hard.

Song Jiao, unable to contain her anger, shouted, "What's wrong with you? Who doesn't want special treatment? Do we even deserve it right now? If you want anything, wait until you grow up!"

Upon hearing this, Song Xia glanced at Song Jiao. Indeed, these words both scolded Song Jun and pointed out her own shortcomings. No wonder Song Jiao easily found a good job and married into a good family in her previous life; she was already so tactful at such a young age.

She remained silent, presumably today's events had made them realize that this was no longer an era where they could act as they pleased.