Beware of bad relatives
Early on New Year's Eve, Bai Yixia was dragged out of bed by Ms. Lin.
She glanced at the time sleepily and mumbled, "Mom, it's only six o'clock."
Lin Shuyang pinched her cheek and said with a smile, "Mom knows, but Uncle and the others are coming."
Upon hearing this, Bai Yixia instantly sobered up and looked warily at the door.
Ms. Lin smiled at her daughter's cuteness and wrapped her in a thick coat. "I've already told Xiao Chi to go play next door for a while and come back after eight o'clock."
What kind of idea is this? Bai Yixia didn't understand, but getting along with Zhou Qingchi was definitely a hundred times better than getting along with her uncle who had the brains of the Qing Dynasty.
Without hesitation, Bai Yixia grabbed her clothes and quickly slipped into the next room.
I was surprised as soon as I entered the door, not because of anything else, but because the two Zhou brothers were already up.
Bai Yixia was fully awake. "Wow, you guys are up early too."
Zhou Qingyan was lying on the sofa. Hearing the voice, he looked up and waved to her. "It's my brother. He dragged me out of bed early in the morning... My god, I didn't go to sleep until 2 a.m. last night."
Bai Yixia chuckled, leaned over Zhou Qingchi, and peeked at him: "You're young, so staying up late is fine."
He stretched and yawned, "I'm different, I'm old."
Zhou Qingchi laughed at their antics and put his arm around Bai Yixia's shoulder. "Did Aunt Lin ask you to come over?"
Bai Yixia thought of her uncle's family, who might already be at her home, and sighed helplessly, "It's so annoying. I really don't want to see them even once."
No one would hate someone for no reason, but Uncle Bai was truly annoying to Bai Yixia.
This dislike started when Bai Yixia was a child. From the moment she was born, her uncle would say that girls couldn't accomplish anything great and advised Bai to have another child. When she got older, seeing that Bai Yixia did nothing at home but play with her camera puzzles and draw little figures, he scolded her for wasting her time on frivolous things and told her to learn housework so that she could get married.
Good heavens. Even someone as good-natured as Bai Yixia rolled her eyes. Ms. Lin Shuyang had absolutely no liking for this older brother, yet he was extremely smug, thinking that what he said was absolutely right.
Then he got a scolding from his elders, but he didn't remember anything, only changing his story from when he was sober to when he was drunk and rambling.
There's a saying that goes, "Wine can make you three-tenths drunk, and acting can make your heart ache."
Who knows if he's really drunk or just faking it? He's shameless anyway.
Bai Yixia heard it so many times that she stopped caring and just let it go in one ear and out the other, occasionally grunting in response.
Anyway, her uncle couldn't do anything about it.
Bai Yixia squatted on the sofa with her knees drawn up, glancing left at Zhou Qingchi and right at Zhou Qingyan, grumbling inwardly, and silently cursing her uncle.
He's always lecturing the younger generation, but he doesn't care at all about what he should or shouldn't say. He'd better shut up if he has such a foul mouth; he's really annoying.
The three of them didn't feel like playing games for the time being, so Zhou Qingchi took out a deck of cards to play.
Zhou Qingyan was incredibly lucky, drawing the landlord card every time and always deciding to be the landlord. However, his two older siblings were not naive; they would help him out in one round and then help him out in the next, ensuring that he didn't win a single game.
After an hour of playing, Bai Yixia watched as Zhou Qingyan went from being enthusiastic to looking utterly hopeless.
Finally, the child threw down the cards in a spoiled manner, collapsed onto the sofa, and said, "I'm not playing anymore, you guys are absolutely terrifying."
Bai Yixia laughed heartily and gave Zhou Qingchi a look.
After all, we've known each other for twenty years. Anyone who isn't blind can tell what each other wants just by looking at each other.
Thinking about it this way, Bai Yixia realized that she was indeed being a bit unfair to her younger brother. Just as she was about to comfort him, the doorbell rang.
Bai Yixia was startled and immediately went into battle alert.
Zhou Qingchi found her amusing, chuckled, and ruffled her hair, gesturing for her to change out of her pajamas first.
Bai Yixia then realized that she was still wrapped in that fluffy pajamas, with the bunny ears dangling behind her hat.
She angrily tugged at the hairy ear; no wonder it felt so heavy behind her earlier, it was this thing.
Bai Yixia grabbed her clothes and rushed into the bathroom. Before going in, she glanced at Zhou Qingyan, implying that he should go with his brother, just in case it was some annoying elder, so as to change the subject.
Yes, high school students, it's all about how many points they got on their final exams.
Others might be reluctant, but Xiao Yan doesn't have to; he's never fallen out of the top five since entering the school. It's reassuring, and I can even brag about it.
But Zhou Qingyan, unlike Zhou Qingchi, was not familiar with Bai Yixia's eye signals and assumed she was telling him to sit up straight. So he sat up abruptly and smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes.
Bai Yixia had no choice but to quickly change her clothes.
As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, a tiny, pale yellow bundle hugged her leg. Looking down, she saw a pair of dark, grape-like eyes staring intently at her, and the little girl called out in a sweet, innocent voice, "Auntie~"
Bai Yixia didn't react immediately. Looking towards the living room, she saw the front door wide open and could see her parents and several relatives talking. In the Zhou family's living room, Zhou Qingchi was relaxed, smiling, and talking to someone.
Bai Yixia glanced down at the little girl clinging to his leg and felt a surge of joy.
Holding the child, she walked over, leaned against the back of the sofa, and called out, "Sister Qian."
The woman turned to look at her, and reached out a hand—but instead of taking the child, she pinched her cheek.
Bai Xixi raised an eyebrow at her, "It's been a long time, Xiaxia."
Bai Yixia laughed, "It's been a while."
The little girl was squeezed between her mother and aunt, her little mouth pouting from the pressure, but she didn't cry or fuss. Instead, she reached out her hand to the people in front of her for help.
Zhou Qingchi glanced at the two ladies still chatting enthusiastically, smiled, reached out to the little girl, and gently squeezed her small hand. Then, with a pleasant expression on the little girl's face, he turned and walked into the kitchen.
Bai Yixia was originally talking to Bai Xixi, but Zhou Qingchi's movement drew most of her attention away. Seeing him playing with the child, she couldn't help but hug the child and chuckle.
Bai Xixi, having already become a mother and experienced her youth, could hardly fail to sense the undercurrents between the two.
Her gaze swept back and forth between the two of them, then she smiled knowingly and called out to the kitchen, "Qingchi, no need to pour tea, come with us to Xiaxia's house."
Bai Yixia checked the time; it was almost nine o'clock before she realized it, and it was indeed time to go back. So she nodded to Zhou Qingchi, who was leaning out with one shoulder, and said, "Let's go."
Zhou Qingchi listened to their advice and followed the two to the opposite door.
Bai Xixi had obviously already met with Bai's eldest uncle. She lowered her voice and reminded Bai Yixia, "Uncle seems very unhappy about spending the New Year at your house this year. His words were barbed. Don't pay any attention to him."
She rolled her eyes as she spoke, "When I came here, I asked why I didn't go back to my husband's family home for the New Year with your brother-in-law. Pah, what's it to him? Luckily, his family doesn't have any girls, otherwise they would have been mistreated."
Bai Yixia deeply agreed, and also wondered why her grandparents, such good people, could raise such normal people as her father and second uncle, but her eldest uncle was so corrupt that he was like the Qing Dynasty.
As if reading her mind, Bai Xixi resolved half of her doubts, "It seems that it is said that the eldest uncle was raised by his great-grandmother."
Bai Yixia didn't recognize her grandparents from the older generation, but Bai Xixi's statement suggests she wasn't an easy person to get along with.
Bai Yixia followed her into her home, reaching her hand behind her back and grabbing at the air. A few seconds later, half a palm was placed in her hand, broad and warm.
Bai Yixia leaned back, her head bumping against half of her chin. She whispered, "In a little while, don't make eye contact with your uncle. Go talk to your grandparents and maternal grandparents. They all like you and Xiaoyan."
I gently squeezed her hand a few times, as if to say, "I understand."
Bai Yixia felt relieved and happily strode into the living room.
The four elderly people were drinking tea together when they saw her coming. Their eyes lit up and they invited her over.
Bai Yixia secretly took Zhou Qingchi's hand and walked a few more steps before letting go, then politely greeted the elder.
Naturally, when they arrived at her uncle's house, her words sounded like they were just humming out of her throat.
The main focus is on doing things perfunctorily.
Zhou Qingchi and Zhou Qingyan then greeted the children. Bai Yixia's uncle's family had a child like Zhou Qingyan, and the two of them ran off to play games, thus avoiding the elders' concern about the end of the semester.
Bai Yixia casually pulled Zhou Qingchi into the group of four elderly people, smiling as she moved closer to her grandmother and maternal grandmother.
"Grandma, Grandma, Happy New Year! I wish you good health and a happy mood in the new year!" Bai Yixia said affectionately, arm in arm with an old lady.
A lively child like her is most loved by the elderly. The two old ladies were overjoyed and praised her, tapping her nose.
Bai Yixia gave Zhou Qingchi a triumphant look, like a victorious kitten.
prestige.
Zhou Qingchi felt a tickle in his heart, and his smile became more genuine. He paused for a moment before continuing to talk to his grandfather and maternal grandfather.
Grandpa Bai, with his sharp eyes, saw through the subtle interaction between the two younger generation. He put down his teacup, gently patted Zhou Qingchi's shoulder, and asked tentatively, "Qingchi, are you studying in B City? Peking University or Beijing University?"
Zhou Qingchi lowered his eyes. "It's at Peking University."
Grandpa Lin nodded and casually said, "Oh, great job, P.E. Hey, I remember Xiao Chi was the top scholar back then, right?"
Zhou Qingchi nodded, very modestly, "There was also an element of luck involved."
The elders around them who were listening to their conversation all laughed and praised him.
Suddenly, a younger member of the family added, "Hey, isn't my second cousin in the same university as Qingchi?"
The scene suddenly fell silent. The young man sitting on the sofa slowly raised his head to look at Zhou Qingchi in the center, his eyes filled with ambiguity, and he did not utter a word.
Zhou Qingchi met his gaze with composure. After a few seconds of eye contact, he lowered his eyes first and said softly, "Yes, but we're not in the same academy, so I may not have heard of you."
Bai Yixia had heard some gossip about her second cousin. Her uncle's youngest son had boasted about getting into Peking University in the family group chat and was quite proud of himself for several years.
But he was more than four years older than Zhou Qingchi and Bai Yixia, and should have graduated last year.
But there was no news. I heard that something went wrong and graduation was postponed.
Bai Yixia held her breath, fearing that her uncle's family would cause trouble.
But perhaps because the elderly were present, nothing serious happened, and they ate lunch without incident.
Bai Yixia breathed a sigh of relief. After finishing her meal, she and Zhou Qingchi tidied up in the kitchen side by side.
The younger generation was mostly sent to wash the dishes, while Bai Yixia and Zhou Qingchi stood in a corner, occasionally leaning against each other.
As they handed over the bowls and plates, their fingers touched, and they looked at each other simultaneously, both seeing the expected smiles in each other's eyes.
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