Capítulo 956: Chapter 642: All the Same

First watch is up.

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“Sis, I knew you wouldn’t just stand by and watch me get bullied by others…” Wang Meifeng slid onto the bed, snuggled, and returned to her original position.

Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong both face-palmed; they were really defeated by these sisters. One was truly kind, the other truly good at acting…

Words once spoken are like spilled water; even if Zhao Qihui saw through Wang Meifeng’s act just now, she couldn’t regret it and could only swallow her pride.

“Sis, Chuxia, Xiaoqiong, I know, you all don’t like me. It’s true, I’m a bit competitive. But, do you know why I have this personality?

My dad has three brothers, and since I can remember, our family hasn’t been favored by my grandparents, just because my mom first gave birth to a girl, me.

Later, when my brother Jinsong was born, my grandparents finally showed some smiles to my parents, but towards me, it remained the same as before.

By then, I already understood why they treated me differently, and I decided that when I grew up, I would definitely succeed and make them regret underestimating me.

However, when I truly grew up, I clearly realized that as a rural girl, aiming to stand out wasn’t an easy task.

I couldn’t rely on my dad’s relatives; I could only pin my hopes on my mom’s side of the family. I knew only my second aunt could help me, so I got especially close to her.

In fact, my second aunt did fulfill all my desires, first introducing me to Qiang Junjie, then helping me become a temporary teacher.

I once thought all my wishes had come true, that I could finally make my grandparents regret their disregard for me. But as it turned out, I was still too naive.

The reason Qiang Junjie was willing to be with me was because he needed my second uncle’s help. Now that he has found a better backing, he’s beginning to distance himself from me.

A temporary teacher is still a temporary teacher; those who graduated from normal schools are the ones truly valued. Even if my teaching results are as good as theirs, I’m still a step below them.

I then realized that to truly stand out and be admired, I must rely on my own effort to achieve more stability.

I admit, Chuxia’s high marriage motivated me. I always thought I was more sensible than Chuxia, more capable, and just as attractive; so why should she climb so high and look down on me?

But later, I understood that everyone has their own fate; Chuxia’s fate is better than mine. If I resent this, it will only make my life worse.

But Chuxia, I also want to advise you that relying on yourself is better than relying on anyone else. If you don’t work hard, one day, you will regret it too.

My current goal is to study hard, get into a normal school, become a permanently registered people’s teacher, and marry a man with good conditions who truly likes me, living a happy life of my own.”

Wang Meifeng took the initiative to talk about these things, surprising both Chuxia and Zhao Qihui. In their impression, Wang Meifeng was someone who would only boast and never admit even half a “no.”

“Feeling unbelievable hearing me say these things, right?” Wang Meifeng shrugged her hands, “That’s because I truly figured it out, knowing what I should live for.”

“Sis, I know you regretted agreeing just now; you think I’m playing mind games and using you. You’re right, I played mind games, but I didn’t use you.

I believe two minds are better than one. There are some questions you can teach me, and for some, I’m sure I can help you too. Studying together will definitely be more effective than slogging it out alone.

I had a bad personality before, quite selfish. Of course, I’m not much more selfless now. But regarding college entrance, I don’t think dragging you down would benefit me greatly; if we both get in, it will only elevate our family’s standing, benefiting you, me, and our relatives. I have no reason to reject such benefits.”

Zhao Qihui let out a deep breath and smiled: “Great, let’s work hard together.”

Wang Meifeng then turned to Chuxia: “I’ll cancel our bet.”

“Second sister, why do I feel like you’ve reached enlightenment?” Chuxia looked at her incredulously, “Have you really thought it through?”

Wang Meifeng gave her a glare: “Go on, enlightenment! It sounds like I’m going to become a nun. I just went through a lot, understanding more principles.”

The development of the situation was truly unexpected for everyone, yet it was a good thing. Whether Wang Meifeng’s words were true or false didn’t matter now; after spending some time together, the answer will naturally come out.

Especially Zhao Qihui, who loves such outcomes the most. Studying alone is too boring, and having another companion certainly beats being bored alone.

In the time that followed, Zhao Qihui and Wang Meifeng had a warm chat, leaving Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong with no chance to join in. At the same time, Eldest maternal aunt Li Aiyuan and Zhao Yulan Fat Auntie began preparing lunch, so Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong found an opportunity to help and leave the conversation.

According to custom, dumplings must be a part of this meal. Zhao Yulan and Zhao Yuying were responsible for kneading dough, chopping fillings, and guiding two newbies to wrap dumplings, while Li Aiyuan and Fat Auntie were busy chopping vegetables, preparing, and stir-frying.

Around lunchtime, Eldest Uncle Wang Xingui and Wang Meifeng’s younger brother Wang Jinsong also arrived. Chuxia teased the father and son with a smile, “Eldest Uncle, Jinsong, are you timing your arrival with mealtime?”

Wang Xingui blushed and explained, “No, no, we first visited Jinsong’s aunt’s house, then rushed over here.”

Wang Jinsong, three years younger than Chuxia, had a thin layer of fuzz on his lips and was at the age where he got shy around girls. He hung his head, blushing up to his ears, not daring to look at Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong.

Chuxia teased him with a smile, “Jinsong, why not call me sister?”

“Sister,” Wang Jinsong muttered vaguely from his throat.

Luo Xiaoqiong deliberately teased him, “There’s another one.”

“Sister.”

This “Sister” was even more mumbled than the first, his face turning a deep shade of purple-red.

“Who can hear you calling out so softly?” Zhao Yuying reached out to pat her son’s head, smiling apologetically at Fat Auntie, “A little monk from a small temple, can’t be presentable.”

Fat Auntie quickly said, “Big Sis, my eldest is a boy too, and at Jinsong’s age, he was even less outgoing than Jinsong. He’ll be fine in a couple of years…”

Luo Xiaoqiong quickly chimed in, “That’s right, if my brother teased him like this, he’d have gotten angry.”

“You know that, huh?” Fat Auntie glared at her, “Knowing that boys at this age have this temper, you still deliberately make it difficult for him?”

Luo Xiaoqiong giggled, “Mom, I’m just helping him practice being brave. Otherwise, how will he manage being this shy when he looks for a wife in the future?”

Fat Auntie gave her another glare, looking at Li Aiyuan, “Sis-in-law, you’ll have to be more understanding in the future. This girl has been spoiled by her father and me, speaking without regard or shame.”

Li Aiyuan laughed happily, “I just love Xiaoqiong’s straightforwardness. Kids like this don’t have bad intentions and are easy to get along with.”

Luo Xiaoqiong raised her eyebrows smugly, “Mom, did you hear that?”

Fat Auntie looked helpless, “Look at her, look at her, she acts shamelessly. Call her fat, and she really starts to puff up.”

By now, Wang Xingui had taken Wang Jinsong into the east room. It was Wang Xingui’s first time meeting Zhou Mikang and Lin Wenbin, and he was so nervous he couldn’t speak properly. Wang Jinsong, on the other hand, seemed fine, answering one question at a time overall, without stuttering like his father.

Lunch had elders at one table and youngsters at another, separated into two rooms, with Zhou Mikang and Lin Wenbin joining the youngsters’ table.

Luo Xiaoqiong quietly nudged Chuxia, speaking in a lowered voice, “The test stone has arrived to verify if what Wang Meifeng said earlier is true or false.”

“You think too simply of her. Various methods have been tried before, whether she’s genuinely open or not, she can’t bring it up now. You think she’s Ye Meiru?”

Luo Xiaoqiong nodded, “True, there aren’t many like Ye Meiru who are both shameless and foolish.”

As Chuxia predicted, Wang Meifeng ate the meal silently, hardly saying a word. In contrast, her brother Wang Jinsong, after initial silence, started questioning Zhou Mikang a lot, though he still didn’t dare look at Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong, embarrassed~

Lin Wenbin deliberately teased him, “Wang Jinsong, is your neck a bit uncomfortable?”

“No,” Wang Jinsong looked puzzled at Lin Wenbin, “My neck feels fine.”

“Then why do you keep tilting your head and not lifting it up?”

Wang Jinsong’s face, which had returned to normal, suddenly flushed again, stuttering out an explanation, “I… I find it more comfortable listening to brother-in-law like this.”

“Ohhh…” Lin Wenbin nodded knowingly, “I thought you had a neck issue at such a young age. You need to pay attention to these minor issues when you’re young, otherwise, you’ll suffer when you’re old.”

Wang Jinsong, being an earnest child, quickly seriously explained, “Big Brother Lin, my neck really isn’t problematic, I’m not lying to you.”

Wang Meifeng glared at him, “Fool, Big Brother Lin is teasing you. Chuxia is your cousin, Xiaoqiong is your future cousin-in-law, what’s so embarrassing about looking at them?”

Wang Jinsong hung his head silently, clearly embarrassed by being called out.

“Hahaha…” Lin Wenbin cheerfully rubbed his head, “Silly boy, I was like that at your age too. Do you feel embarrassed seeing girls around your age, whether they’re related to you or not?”

“Really?” Wang Jinsong quickly raised his head to look at him, “Big Brother Lin, is that really true?” (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendations, month votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)