After Song Tianfang's figure disappeared completely, Chen Na and Song Xia exchanged a smile. Chen Na held their hands and said, "These are red envelopes given for the New Year. They're different from usual, so keep them."
Song Xia shook her head: "Auntie, we really can't accept this. I received a scholarship this semester and the school also gave me a living allowance, so I didn't spend much of my savings. Although our father is gone, we are financially secure for the time being. You and Uncle are having a harder time than us right now. You should keep the money for yourself. You've already given us a lot of things, so how can we accept your red envelope?"
Hearing these words, Chen Na felt a mix of emotions. She was even less insightful and magnanimous than a child.
She wiped away her slightly reddened eyes, sighed and smiled, "We'll eat together when your uncle comes back. Let's sit down and watch TV for a while first."
Song Xia did not refuse. If she refused again, it would really put her aunt in a difficult position. However, she did not just sit and wait to eat. Instead, she picked up a garlic clove, peeled it, and then picked out the vegetables.
When it was time for dinner, Song Tianhui and Song Hao went home and were very surprised to see the three of them.
Song Hao obediently called Song Xia "sister" and then Song Jiao, but he only snorted when facing Song Jun.
Unlike before, Song Jun ignored him this time, which only emboldened Song Hao, who asked with a sour face, "What are you doing at my house?"
Song Jun calmly watched the TV: "I've come to wish my uncle and aunt a Happy New Year."
"You've come to wish me a Happy New Year? Are you sincere or not? Are you just here to freeload?"
"Song Hao!" Chen Na roared as she stormed out of the kitchen. "What nonsense are you spouting? How can you talk about your brother like that?"
Then she spoke softly to Song Jun, "Xiao Jun, don't mind him, your cousin is just a bit of a scoundrel."
Song Jun didn't even look at Song Hao, only nodded and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Auntie, I didn't take it to heart."
Song Hao got even angrier. He just couldn't stand Song Jun's pretentious behavior. Every time he did that, his parents would scold him, making it seem like it was always his fault, even though Song Jun wasn't a good student, he just had good grades.
"If you continue to be so rude to your cousin, you can forget about having a good New Year this year." Song Tianhui's face darkened, and Song Hao lowered his head in frustration.
A little while later, Song Tianhui went into the kitchen to help Chen Na cook. Song Hao glared at Song Jun again. In the past, Song Jun would have retaliated at least once, but today he didn't react at all. This made Song Hao feel like he had punched cotton, which made him even more frustrated.
In the kitchen, Chen Na showed Song Tianhui the pig's trotters and meat that Song Xia and the others had brought: "These were just brought by the three kids. I offered them red envelopes, but they refused them no matter what. These three kids are so sensible."
Song Tianhui was silent for a moment: "It's because we're incompetent and can't take good care of them. Don't feel guilty. Xiaxia has always been a sensible child, and she will definitely be able to take good care of them in the future."
“I just feel guilty.” Chen Na sighed again. “Before, as their aunt, I was worried that they would become a burden to us. I didn’t expect that we would think of returning the favor after we only sent them two meals of dumplings and some cured meat.”
"Just invite you over for meals from time to time."
A silence fell over the kitchen, broken only by the sounds of a cleaver chopping vegetables and a spatula turning over the contents of the pot.
In the living room, Song Jun was still happily eating fruit and watching TV. So Song Hao really was just jealous of him. In that case, he had won.
"You're really something," Song Hao said sarcastically in a low voice. "Song Jun, don't think you're so great just because you're liked by my parents. No matter how bad my grades are, they're still my parents."
Song Jun suddenly felt it was all meaningless. His father was gone, so what was the point of comparing himself to Song Hao? His father would never be proud of him again, and his uncle and aunt's affection for him would never surpass that for Song Hao.
So he nodded: "You're right, you are indeed happier than me."
“You…” Song Hao was stunned for a moment, never expecting him to answer like that, and then he didn’t know what to say.
"Song Hao, I will never mention my grades in front of my elders again. You can rest assured now, right?"
"What kind of trick are you up to now? Aren't you the one who loves to show off the most? Do you think I'd believe your nonsense?"
Believe it or not, it's up to you.
Song Hao sat down on the other side, looking at Song Jun with suspicion every now and then: "You didn't do so badly on your exams this semester, so you're afraid to compete?"
Song Jun frowned impatiently: "I admit that I did brag about my grades when we had gatherings and meals in the past, but Song Hao, I'm not the only one who wants to compare myself with you. Sometimes it's not just me who brings it up first, but someone else does too. Why are you targeting me? Besides, I did very well on this exam, so you don't need to worry about it."
"In short, my parents wouldn't scold me if it weren't for you."
Song Xia felt that Song Hao had gone too far. Some parents just want to use other children to motivate their own children to improve. Her uncle and aunt were like that. Even without Xiao Jun, Song Hao's comparison would not have disappeared. She was indeed angry.
However, she didn't say anything. Even sisters' feelings fade as they grow up. In her previous life, not only were Song Jun and Song Hao strangers, but she also had no contact with Song Hao. There was no need to deliberately maintain anything.
"Dinner's ready."
Chen Na used two pots at the same time, and a table full of delicious dishes was quickly prepared: "Xiao Hao, go and serve the rice."
Song Hao was somewhat reluctant, seemingly puzzled as to why so many dishes were prepared to entertain them today. However, Song Jun and Song Jiao, who were used to serving rice at home, had already quickly assigned tasks: one to hold the chopsticks and the other to serve the rice.
Chen Na became even angrier: "I can't count on you for anything, why don't you know how to learn something good?"
"Auntie, please don't talk about Xiao Hao. Everyone is different, and you can't compare them like that."
"He's just lazy, even lazier than his younger siblings."
Song Xia sighed: "Auntie, you can't say that. If Xiao Hao compares you with other parents, how would you feel? Especially when there are outsiders around. Xiao Hao has his own strengths. You can't expect someone to be perfect."
Chen Na and Song Tianhui opened their mouths as they listened, glanced at the unconvinced Song Hao with complicated expressions, and then said nothing more.
Song Hao grinned gratefully at Song Xia, who returned the smile: "Come and eat."
Seeing that Song Jun had served the meal, Song Hao felt a little awkward, but there were many dishes today, most of which were his favorites, so he quickly put his awkwardness aside.
After finishing their meal, Song Xia took Song Jiao and Song Jun to say goodbye. After seeing them off, Chen Na whispered to her husband, Song Tianhui, "Don't you think that Song Xia teaches Xiao Jiao and Xiao Jun better than her older brother used to?"
Song Tianhui didn't take it to heart: "There are no adults in the family, so they will naturally grow up."
Chen Na muttered to herself, "I think it's Xia Xia's doing."
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