After getting off the bus, Meng Wan walked home alone with her schoolbag on her back. The road that used to be a little unfamiliar to her could now be found almost without her eyes closed.
The sky was already getting dark, and the streetlights flickered a few times before illuminating a dim, yellowish light. Meng Wan looked up and saw a familiar figure standing under a streetlight.
"Wanwan, it's time to go home for dinner." Meng Zhili waved to Meng Wan.
As Meng Wan approached, she noticed the bruises on Meng Zhili's face.
What happened to your face?
Meng Zhili shook his head but didn't speak. Meng Wan frowned but ultimately didn't press the matter further.
"Has everything been discussed and agreed upon?"
"That's about it."
"If we need to discuss this again tomorrow, I'll wait for you in the classroom at No. 1 Middle School. I was just planning to look at some practice problems in the school library."
"Have you got a meal yet?"
"No, Mom and Dad just got back not long ago, so it's time to eat."
The two continued to talk about everyday things, as if nothing had happened before.
Before they knew it, it was the weekend. The Meng couple made their final preparations for the opening, while Meng Zhiyuan and his two friends continued to work hard on their dream paths. Meng Wan, after having breakfast, prepared to take Meng Zhiyao out.
As soon as the door opened, I saw a familiar person and a dog.
"Tang Wan! You took Meng Zhiyao out to play behind my back again!" Tang Li's eyes widened, filled with grievance and accusation.
Meng Wan remained expressionless and calmly closed the door.
Why did you come here again?
“I spoke with the housekeeper this time,” Tang Li said, straightening his back and looking quite proud.
Meng Wan smiled and ruffled his hair with her hand. "Well done."
Tang Li blushed, surprised that Meng Wan would praise her, but she still looked smug.
"Hmph, I can do it well if I want to."
The next second, when his eyes caught sight of Meng Zhiyao holding the bag and obediently holding Meng Wan's hand, his face immediately fell.
"So where are you going to play behind my back?"
"Return the book." Meng Zhiyao suddenly spoke, which surprised Meng Wan, but Tang Li seemed a little embarrassed.
He touched his nose. "Here, take this."
Tang Li handed the bag in his hand to Meng Zhiyao, his movements somewhat awkward, completely unlike his usual domineering demeanor.
Meng Zhiyao looked up at Meng Wan in confusion. Meng Wan nodded and released her grip on Meng Zhiyao's hand so he could reach out and take it.
Meng Zhiyao took it and glanced into the bag. It was an unopened book, the very one that Tang Li had torn up earlier.
In fact, Qin Yi later asked Meng Zhiyao about the reason for their argument. Meng Zhiyao showed Qin Yi the torn book, and Qin Yi bought him a new one and told him to apologize properly when he went to see Qian Yixuan on the weekend.
I thought Tang Li would definitely not remember, since he always seemed indifferent to everything, but I didn't expect him to come over early Saturday morning just to deliver the book to him.
"Thank you," Meng Zhiyao said softly, without mentioning that Qin Yi had already bought him something new.
"It was my fault to begin with. I, Tang Li, am not so foolish as to deny my mistake even after I know I've done something wrong." Tang Li snorted, his ears turning red.
"What did you do wrong?" Meng Wan glanced at the bag, and Tang Li immediately became timid.
"Adults shouldn't pry into our children's affairs." He stood in front of Meng Zhiyao, though he wasn't much taller than her.
Meng Wan compared the two's heights, chuckled, and her mockery was all too obvious.
"I will grow taller!" Tang Li said, her face turning red.
"Then you'd better drink more milk. If you're not 1.88 meters tall, no girl will be interested in you."
"I'll grow to be 1.88 meters tall!" the little guy shouted.
Meng Wan suppressed a laugh and said, "Okay, good luck."
Seeing that Meng Wan didn't believe him, Tang Li was about to refute her, but Meng Wan didn't give him the chance.
“I’m taking him to paint; it’ll take all day. I don’t have time to spend with you. You should go home now and come back tomorrow.”
"I want to go too," Tang Li said without hesitation.
"It will be very boring, you won't be able to sit still."
"I can sit still."
The two stared at each other, their eyes meeting.
Tang Li puffed out his cheeks, looking like he was about to throw a tantrum if he didn't take him along.
"What do you think?" Meng Wan handed the choice to Meng Zhiyao.
The latter gripped the bag tightly and nodded.
Meng Wan shrugged. "Let's go then."
Tang Li's eyes lit up, and he chuckled. He tried to ingratiate himself by taking the bag from Meng Zhiyao's hand, but she refused. Having learned from his previous experience, he didn't dare to snatch it by force, so he simply gave up and took the rope from the Tyrannosaurus Rex's neck.
Meng Wan watched the interaction between the two but didn't pay any attention. She walked ahead on her own, with the two little guys and a dog following happily behind.
"I knew I saw the Tang family's car. It turns out it's the second young master of the Tang family." Qian Yixuan was already waiting downstairs and opened the car door for them.
Meng Wan raised her hand and waved, which was equivalent to saying hello.
“Oh, I remember you.” Tang Li pointed at Qian Yixuan, looking like a social terrorist, a stark contrast to Meng Zhiyao.
"My name is Qian Yixuan, you can call me Brother Yixuan. I also know you, Tang Li, right?"
Qian Yixuan had gentle, curved eyes and an appearance that was completely non-threatening. Although Tang Li didn't say anything, it was clear that she didn't dislike him.
"Good morning, Yao Yao." Qian Yixuan squatted down and greeted Meng Zhiyao.
Having spent the last week together, Meng Zhiyao no longer avoided him. He stood in front of Qian Yixuan, looking somewhat uneasy.
Qian Yixuan noticed immediately. "What's wrong? Have you finished reading the book? I bought a few new picture books a couple of days ago. Want to read them together?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhiyao's eyes lit up for a moment, but quickly dimmed again.
He handed one of the bags in his hand to Qian Yixuan, his lips pressed tightly together, revealing his nervousness.
Qian Yixuan was a little puzzled, but he still opened it and took a look. Inside was a book that had been torn apart but had been repaired with great effort, and a brand new book that had not been opened.
"Did you break it?" Qian Yixuan's lips curved into a smile, his tone still gentle, without the slightest hint of blame.
"I'm sorry." Meng Zhiyao kept fiddling with the handle of the bag Tang Li had given him.
Qian Yixuan placed his hand on his head and gently rubbed his brow. "Let's make a promise, okay? You can't damage the book next time, okay? You have to take good care of it."
"Can...I still...borrow it?"
Seeing that Meng Zhiyao could already talk to him, Qian Yixuan couldn't hide the joy in his eyes.
"Of course, if you promise me you'll take better care of these picture books next time."
"I...I will!" The voice was soft, but firm.
Tang Li, standing to the side, naturally understood why Meng Zhiyao was angry—it turned out the book wasn't his after all! He felt a little embarrassed, and Meng Wan nudged him at that moment.
Tang Li stumbled, attracting the attention of the two men.
"Um... I accidentally broke the book. It has nothing to do with Meng Zhiyao. I'm sorry."
Tang Li, who is usually arrogant, spoke with unusual sincerity.
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