CHAPTER 356: 356. THE FLAVOR OF FATHERLY LOVE

Knowing that Dad has to take care of Mom during her postpartum recovery and also look after the little brother, he must be very busy.

Early in the morning, Lian En didn’t call him but instead found a taxi near the station, gave his home address, and took the taxi all the way there.

When he stepped into the home at dawn, Chenchen and Xinzhi, who were about to enter sophomore year of high school, had just finished eating and were ready to go to tutoring. Xinyue, Lian Xi, and Xinqing, however, simply hadn’t even gotten up.

"Hey, big son, why are you back today? You know, when you called a couple of days ago, you didn’t say, and I thought at the earliest you’d be back tomorrow afternoon! So, how was the journey? Were there many people, was the bus crowded? You haven’t eaten yet, right? Wait, Dad will roll out some noodles for you!" Lianshan looked at his eldest son, whom he hadn’t seen for more than four months, with a face full of surprise and excitement.

After a bout of concern, he put down the half-eaten meal and was about to go make noodles for him.

His son is travel-worn and needs to rest well and recharge.

Lian En felt helpless; okay, the tradition of having dumplings when setting out and noodles when returning home is always firmly adhered to in their home.

Because he loved his dad’s delicious and chewy hand-rolled noodles so much, every time he returned home, his dad would always make a batch for him, watching him eat the noodles and soup with full of love.

And every time he ate those noodles filled with fatherly love, his heart would ripple with boundless happiness and warmth.

The delicious noodles along with full sincerity made Dad’s hand-rolled noodles his favorite food, bar none.

His teacher, not believing this, tried many famous local noodle shops during their trips, everything from Dandan noodles, silver thread noodles, pulled noodles, knife-cut noodles, to fried sauce noodles.

But in his eyes, no matter how colorful and fragrant those noodles were, none could match the taste of home and fatherly love in a simple bowl of hand-rolled noodles made by Dad.

Hearing that Dad was going to make noodles for him again, Lian En quickly stopped him: "Dad, no need to rush, I’m not even hungry yet. But you should at least finish your half-eaten meal. Otherwise, leaving it now and eating cold rice later might give you stomach issues, which would make Mom and us brothers worry?"

"Exactly, exactly!"

"Dad never pays attention to his own health."

Chenchen and Xinzhi nodded in agreement, giving Lianshan a look full of disapproval: "No matter what any of us says, he just doesn’t seem to care."

"Indeed, in the whole family, Dad only listens to Mom and the elder brother!"

The twins usually enjoy bickering with each other, and all the disagreements could probably be traced back to their time in the womb.

But when it comes time for them to unite against an external issue, the two can quickly set aside their differences. The synergy of teaming up yields results that are always greater than the sum of its parts.

With their big brother around, they’re fearless even in front of their father.

"Get going, wasn’t there supposed to be tutoring? Hurry up now. Your big brother was a science top scorer; as younger siblings, you can’t fall too far behind, else you’ll disgrace him!" Lianshan waved them away, shooing the troublesome twins off to school like they were annoying flies.

Then he softened his tone immediately, turning to Lian En: "Don’t listen to those two little rascals talking nonsense. Dad always takes care of his health. I go for a check-up at the hospital every six months. The last one was just a while ago, and everything is perfectly fine. I don’t have any of the usual little problems people my age get. Look at my complexion and physical state; the young nurse was so surprised she kept asking if I got my age wrong on the form."

Having just picked up his backpack, Chenchen put on a deliberately hurt face without leaving the house: "We’re all your sons, isn’t this favoritism a bit too obvious?"

"Can’t help it, my eldest son is just so filial, excellent, and lovable. People from ten miles around envy me for having such a good son. They don’t even need to know who the expert is; they definitely know I’m Lian En’s dad. Unlike you, who just causes mischief, getting in trouble at school and getting me called in by the teachers."

Recalling this matter, Lianshan couldn’t remain calm.

This mischievous kid has been restless since childhood, always trying to play the businessman.

Starting from little stalls just to practice gaining experience. How did the teachers see it as us parents not being responsible enough?

Lian En, always ready to play the peacemaker, was a bit puzzled, not understanding what this getting called in by the teacher was about.

Though his second brother didn’t skip a grade like him, he was always a top student; how could he get Dad called in by the teachers?

"Well, if big brother doesn’t understand something, you can ask Xinqing later. That little gossip knows all the details. It’s almost time, we need to head to school, we’ll chat more later!" Xinzhi, regretting that they didn’t have enough time to gossip personally, directed his big brother toward a clear path while happily dragging the sulking Chenchen off to school.

As they walked, he was also explaining to Chenchen about their dad doting on the eldest, mom favoring the youngest, and how being of neither category left him and Lian Xi to fend for themselves with a sense of humor.

Chenchen widened his eyes: "Nonsense! Uncle is very good to me, and my brother-in-law looks at me like I’m a genius, a fortune star. So what if I’m not as favored by Mom and Dad as my elder and younger brothers? I’m still doing very well! Besides, the reason for their favoritism is because big brother is truly excellent, and distance makes the heart grow fonder.

As for that little black sparrow, do you think I’m so petty that I’d compete with a baby for attention?"

"If there’s anything to admire, it’s your ability to comfort yourself; no one can compare." Xinzhi laughed heartily, his attitude relaxed.

Sometimes it’s not about scarcity but rather inequality.

Their family, with seven kids in total, filling a mahjong table with even two sets of chess still leaves one piece - it truly doesn’t need any brotherly rivalry to spice things up.

Potential discord should be nipped in the bud.

Had Chenchen known about Xinzhi’s worries, he would’ve demonstrated what it means to truly turn hostile.

What’s there to worry about?

Brothers and sisters from the same womb are always close-knit, sharing weal and woe.

Little competitiveness, little jealousy, little unfairness, might exist.

But to overcome any gaps through effort and diligence is the rightful way. Who would harbor resentment just because brothers are more excellent or favored by parents?

Honestly, too much of those chaotic TV dramas and novels.

He plans to tattle to Mom later so she can destroy those intricate pieces anytime.

Students should focus on their studies, right?

This is all for—your—own—good!

Fortunately for Xinzhi’s favorite novels, Chenchen doesn’t possess a mind-reading ability.