Little Youchen wanted to see Boyi, his father whom he hadn't seen in years. He wanted to tell his father in person that he was going to junior high school and that from now on he would be a little adult, not a child anymore. He wanted to tell his father in person that he had always been obedient and studied hard, and that he would definitely get into the best middle school in the county.
"It's okay, I was just kidding. Come, Mom, this is my report card." Xiao Youchen handed the card to Shumei with a smile.
Shumei could tell that little Youchen was worried, and she was a little worried. He was still young, and he shouldn't keep things to himself; it would affect his physical and mental development.
"Mom, I actually have good news to tell you. The teacher said that not only can I go to junior high school, but the school may also waive my tuition and miscellaneous fees for three years."
Xiao Youchen's shocking news at this critical moment instantly made Shumei forget all her worries. "Really? Is it really that good?"
"Really? Our head teacher told me that himself."
"That's great! It must be because our Youchen is so outstanding that the school treats you so well." Shumei opened the report card and looked at the scores that made her proud. A smile crept onto her face covered with spots.
She had to admit that although fate had played tricks on her, it had given her two children that she was proud of, making her life full of hope.
"You've skipped a grade and still managed to get such good grades. Our Youchen is the best. Mom is so proud of you."
"Not only that, but they can also go to school for free, so those who love to gossip can just sulk about it. Whether they are good or bad, their words can't change them."
"Our Youchen is like true gold that fears no fire. He shines wherever he goes. They are just jealous and say our child is disobedient."
Shumei showered him with compliments, praising little Youchen while also venting her inner imbalance. The villagers had always bullied them, treated them as worthless, but she knew they weren't like that. Now that little Youchen had achieved such great things, wasn't that a slap in the face to those people? She was naturally agitated and uneasy.
Xiao Shuangning stood there with a sullen face, listening to Shumei's praise of Xiao Youchen. She felt deeply uncomfortable. She was angry that Xiao Youchen had stood her up. He had clearly said he had something to ask Shumei, but now it was nothing. Not only that, he had even tried to steal the spotlight from Shumei. She felt that whether her grades were good or bad no longer mattered; no one would care.
Xiao Shuangning quietly put the report card on the table, lowered her head and ate her porridge slurpingly.
Since the two of them treat me as transparent, I will fight back and treat them as transparent as well, eating my own meal as if no one is around.
Xiao Youchen was quite sensitive and didn't get carried away by Shumei's praise. Furthermore, he was quick to sense Xiao Shuangning's displeasure.
"Mom, Ningning has made great progress this time and even got first place in the class." Xiao Youchen interrupted Shumei's endless praise and handed the report card that Xiao Shuangning had placed on the table to Shumei.
First? What's the point of being first without real merit? What's there to be happy about? If you don't skip a grade, I'm afraid I'll be second for the rest of my life.
Xiao Shuangning was unhappy and complained to herself.
"Really?" Shumei seemed a little surprised. She glanced at Xiao Shuangning, who was eating quietly, and opened the report card in her hand. "Not bad, not bad. They are all good children. They are all mothers' pride."
"Youchen, tell me more about your tuition exemption! And about the skipping grade thing, do we need to prepare anything in advance?"
…
The two of them asked and answered questions, and started chatting crazily again.
Xiao Shuangning was expecting her to say something else, but she suddenly changed the subject and talked about Xiao Youchen again.
She is not a three-year-old child, and she already understands that the relationship between her, Xiao Youchen and Shumei is different from that of ordinary people. She can tell that in terms of blood relationship, she should be closer to Shumei because she is Shumei's biological daughter, and Xiao Youchen is just an adopted son.
Humph! Who is your biological child? What do you take me for? Am I really that unlovable?
She was so angry that she quickly finished the rice in her bowl, walked hurriedly to her room, and fell asleep on the bed.
When Xiao Youchen saw Xiao Shuangning return to the room, he told Shumei what he wanted to ask for.
"Mother……"
"What's wrong?"
“I—I—”
"Why are you hesitating? Boys should be straightforward in what they say and do. Just say what you want to say."
Shumei had never been so strict with Shuangning, not because she was partial, but because she felt that boys would have to shoulder the responsibilities of a family, so good habits should be cultivated from a young age. Girls needed to be reserved, while boys needed to be frank... it was just a matter of emphasis.
Little Youchen took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say, "Mom, I want to go see my dad."
When Shumei heard this, she was surprised at first, and then said unnaturally, "Didn't we agree that Dad would come back after you got into the key middle school in the county? Your dad went to work far away, otherwise where would you and Ningning's tuition come from? He is working very hard for this family. Youchen must understand him, be obedient, and never make such impossible requests again. Go finish your meal quickly, then go to sleep or watch TV."
Shumei tried her best to hide her inner uneasiness. She was not good at lying, and her lies were not fluent. She stammered and spoke in a halting and intermittent manner.
"Mom, you don't have to hide it from me anymore. It's been five years. I'm no longer the naive little brat I used to be. I've grown up, and there are some things I can't hide from you. Although I understand your good intentions, there's no such thing as a wall without cracks. I've heard about Dad from other people a long time ago."
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