As if the air had frozen, both of them were stunned.
Meng Zhiyao pouted, looking like she was about to cry. Tang Li panicked a little. He only ever played pranks on people older than him; he had never bullied anyone his own age or even younger.
He was just bored and wanted to tease Meng Zhiyao, he... he didn't expect it to turn out like this!
He swallowed hard, hurriedly piled the scattered books together, picked them up, and handed them to Meng Zhiyao. When Meng Zhiyao didn't take them, he simply pulled his hand and placed it in his palm.
"I didn't mean to, don't cry. How about I buy you a new one? Or do you want ten? A hundred? Oh, I really didn't mean to, don't cry."
Tang Li was on the verge of tears. "If all else fails, I'll just cry. But I can't tell Tang Wan about it, or she'll definitely delete my account."
Yes, young Tang Li, being immature, bullied a child his own age. When Tang Wan found out, she deleted all his game accounts without saying a word and forced him to apologize to the other child. After that, he never bullied anyone his own age or younger again.
Seeing Meng Zhiyao remain silent, Tang Li was filled with regret. The Tyrannosaurus Rex circled around Meng Zhiyao and nuzzled her with its head.
With this slight movement, Meng Zhiyao finally stirred. He stood up, put the book back on the shelf, and instead of crying, sat back down in front of the easel. He picked up a paintbrush, and the only yellow flower was painted black, making the whole picture look messy and chaotic.
Seeing his expression, Tang Li became even more frightened. He cautiously touched Meng Zhiyao's arm, and the lines that had been drawn on his arm suddenly splayed out.
Meng Zhiyao glanced at Tang Li indifferently, her eyes still a little red, but there was no emotion in them.
Tang Li avoided his gaze. "Don't be angry. I really didn't mean it. It's just a notebook. I'll give you a hundred tomorrow!"
Meng Zhiyao ignored him, and Tang Li gritted his teeth, seemingly making a very difficult decision.
"Or...or I can lend you my Tyrannosaurus Rex for two days? Three days? Three days at most. I've never lent my Tyrannosaurus Rex to anyone before!"
The Tyrannosaurus Rex seemed to understand and rubbed against Meng Zhiyao's hand again.
The painting, which had been painstakingly repaired, went off track again.
With a 'bang,' the door slammed shut. Hearing the noise, Qin Yi came out of the kitchen and saw a person and a dog standing in front of the door, looking at each other.
"What's wrong, Lili? Did you and Yaoyao have a fight?"
Tang Li didn't speak; more specifically, he didn't know what to say.
Qin Yi had raised five children, after all. When the children had conflicts, unless they were fighting, she generally wouldn't intervene. She would let them resolve the issues themselves, or wait until both sides had calmed down before offering guidance.
And this time she plans to use the same method again.
"Would you like to help Auntie?"
Tang Li looked at Qin Yi, and saw a gentle expression he had never seen on Su Yao's face before. In his memory, Su Yao always had a cold face and always appeared and disappeared in a hurry.
The two of them have barely eaten together on one hand. The last time they ate together was when he was three or four years old. Even when he went to the United States, Su Yao never visited him, not even when he was sick...
"Mm." He nodded and responded softly.
The two stood in the kitchen. To make it easier for Tang Li to help, Qin Yi specially brought him a small stool to stand on. In reality, Tang Li, this pampered young master, couldn't be of much help; he was already doing well just to ensure that the two bowls didn't break.
Seeing that he was in a low mood, Qin Yi started talking to herself while continuing to do what she was doing.
“Yaoyao not only doesn’t have any friends his own age, but he also hardly talks to us. He’s like a little monk all day long. Your aunt is actually quite happy that you can make him angry.”
Tang Li wrinkled his nose, too embarrassed to speak.
“But it’s too dangerous for you to run away alone. Next time you go out, you must tell your family or your sister Wanwan. As soon as she heard that you ran away, she rushed back from school.”
Tang Li paused, forcefully suppressing the upturned corners of his mouth, and feigned a complaint.
"She's afraid I'll cause her trouble, and she's always eager to get rid of me as soon as possible."
Qin Yi chuckled softly, "Although Wanwan has only been back for a short time, a mother and daughter are connected at heart. I can feel that Wanwan cares a lot about you, her younger brother, she just doesn't express it so obviously."
"Really?" Tang Li's eyes held a hint of anticipation.
“Of course it’s true!” Qin Yi looked directly into his eyes. “So next time you’re wronged, don’t run out alone. Wanwan will worry about you. If you don’t know where to go, come to Auntie’s. Auntie will make you something delicious.”
"Th...thank you." Tang Li blushed and kept washing the dishes with her head down to ease her shyness and embarrassment.
"Besides, Lili, you're so smart and cheerful. It would be even better if you could become good friends with Yaoyao."
"I...I accidentally tore his book. But I didn't mean to, I just wanted to tease him, it was an accident, I really didn't mean to tear it, I said I would pay him back, and then I was kicked out..."
Tang Li spoke faster because he was anxious. He didn't understand; it was just a book, why get so angry?
Qin Yi nodded knowingly, indicating her understanding.
"Yaoyao's only hobby is drawing, so he cherishes the related books. It's normal for him to get angry. For example, if your aunt broke your favorite toy while playing with you, you would also get angry, right?"
Tang Li pursed his lips and stopped what he was doing. "Then what should I do?"
"The water chestnut cake is ready!" Qin Yi scooped out a piece and placed it on a plate, then took out a tissue to wipe Tang Li's hands clean, her movements meticulous and gentle.
Tang Li stood frozen in place, letting Qin Yi wipe his hands clean and then place the small plate in her own hands.
"Eat with Yaoyao, and remember to apologize properly."
Qin Yi gently patted his head, her voice soft and gentle, like the winter sun, warm and comforting.
Tang Li pursed his lips; he seemed to understand why Tang Wan was unwilling to go to the United States with him.
He nodded, picked up a small plate, and knocked on the door. The Tyrannosaurus Rex sat next to Tang Li, staring intently at the closed door, its tail swaying back and forth.
The door opened anyway. Meng Zhiyao thought it was Qin Yi because of the gentle knocking, but when she opened it and saw a person and a dog, she instinctively tried to close it. Fortunately, Tang Li reacted quickly and used a plate to block the door.
"Fresh out of the oven, let's eat together." He poked his head out, grinning somewhat foolishly, and at that moment, the Tyrannosaurus Rex barked.
After a brief standoff, Meng Zhiyao finally gave in and opened the door.
Tang Li breathed a sigh of relief and gave him a fawning smile. But Tang Li was used to being wild and unruly; he was never one to put on a smiling face.
Putting aside everyone else, even Meng Wan herself would probably be surprised if she were here.
On the other hand, Meng Wan's first reaction after leaving the house was to call Lan Xing.
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