Free Web NovelChapter 1026: Chapter 899: What is an Outsider?
In the Zhang Family Village, Northeast China, far away, in the old Zhang family house, Lin Juhua was smiling in the hall, thinking she’d guessed the start but got the ending wrong.
The twins, Zuo and You, along with Shi Tou, Zi Wu, Zicong, and a few others indeed came over on the twenty-ninth of the lunar month to find Zhang Guoqing.
Unfortunately, Zhang Guoqing’s initial plan to spend New Year’s Eve with Zhou Jiao and then head back to his hometown was disrupted by these kids.
"I say, you guys really outdid yourselves. Not even going home for New Year, imagine how worried your families must be!" Zhang Guoqing said as soon as he got home from work, seeing several nephews and nieces in the living room.
"We sent letters home before we came, and just now, Ping’an even took us to send a telegram," Zhang Mingzuo explained, scratching his head.
"Well done!"
Zhang Guoqing carefully examined the children, seeing they hadn’t lost much weight, and felt quite relieved. Though he chided them verbally, he was inwardly supportive of their exploration, as such opportunities were rare.
"How did you get in?"
Seeing his brothers giggling foolishly, Ping’an had to answer, "Dad, I was just coming back from outside this afternoon when I saw the brothers at the gate."
"Have you eaten?"
"I got Grandma Chen to cook noodles as soon as I got back, and I also took the brothers to the bathhouse. The rooms upstairs are already arranged; I’ll just squeeze in with them, so we didn’t register at the guesthouse."
"My son is amazing!" Zhang Guoqing gave his son a thumbs up. His son, Ping’an, was only eight years old, yet he managed everything in an organized manner.
"Yes, Uncle, Ping’an is great."
"Exactly, Little Uncle, Ping’an knows everything. He even asked us if we’d gotten any army coats? Who else came with us? Should we greet those people?"
"There weren’t enough bath tickets, so Ping’an borrowed from his classmates."
Zhang Guoqing looked approvingly at his son but didn’t praise him further because his other two young sons had started complaining about the brothers not taking them to the bathhouse to play.
Especially since their own bedroom was given up to the brothers without their consent, which they felt was unfair, considering they were supposed to be brothers.
"Dad, I tried calling my mom, but no one answered."
"What time did you call?"
"Just now."
Zhang Guoqing felt relieved, "That means she’s off work. You shouldn’t use the phone randomly, you understand?"
May 1st nodded quickly, "I was worried Mom didn’t know so many brothers came over." He implied there was a reason for his actions and he shouldn’t be blamed for calling.
Off to the side, Liu Yi tugged on Zhang Guoqing, "Dad, May 1st also wanted to call you, but I didn’t let him."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing laughed, patting his two sons on their heads, "You’re all good kids, and Dad is very pleased."
"You should tell May 1st he was wrong; only after correcting himself would he be a good kid."
"I already corrected it. You didn’t take a nap today and wanted to sneak out to play, and I held you back. You’re not a good kid!"
Oh dear, they started bickering again.
Zhang Guoqing quickly soothed the two little rascals; otherwise, they would argue right up until dinner time, constantly chattering away.
The brothers Zuo and You watched in awe; earlier, they thought these two little ones were so loving and united, but they didn’t expect them to fall out with each other so quickly.
Afterwards, regarding this situation, once there were no outsiders, Ping’an had a heart-to-heart talk with his two silly brothers.
"Didn’t I tell you to be more restrained in front of outsiders, especially not to quarrel with your brothers? How could you let outsiders laugh at our family?"
Liu Yi frowned and looked at May 1st beside him. There were too many questions, and answering them would be tiring, so May 1st should handle it; he enjoyed chatting incessantly. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
May 1st turned his head, looked at Liu Yi, then tilted his head toward Ping’an, blinking his eyes, "Brother, didn’t you say those brothers aren’t outsiders, so you let them sleep upstairs?"
Ping’an was momentarily stunned, realizing they were quoting his own words.
Liu Yi promptly confirmed, "I heard it too." The implication being they weren’t lying, and even if their older brother denied it, it wouldn’t work.
Ping’an solemnly nodded, "Brother misspoke, misleading you two. They aren’t outsiders, but they’re not exactly the same as our family."
"I don’t understand!"
"I don’t understand either. Brother, what do we do?"
Ping’an waved his hand, "Don’t worry. Let me give you an example. See, are we three born of the same parents?"
"I know, Dad said we’re blood brothers."
Ping’an smiled, patting May 1st’s little head, "Absolutely right. But look, were those brothers born of our parents?"
He said this while looking at Liu Yi, who shook his head. "So when brother says they’re outsiders, it’s because they’re not our blood brothers; but also says they’re not outsiders because they share the same grandparents."
May 1st got angry, slapping the floor, "So are they or aren’t they outsiders?"
Liu Yi gave him an exaggerated eye-roll, "Idiot!"
"You’re the idiot! I know they’re outsiders."
Liu Yi looked at brother Ping’an but seeing he wasn’t interjecting, helplessly glanced at May 1st, "Kick them out."
"Right, brother, go kick them out."
Ping’an’s face sank, "Who is the boss here?"
Liu Yi and May 1st simultaneously pointed at him. Wasn’t it obvious?
Ping’an felt he was truly overworked.
The little fellow sighed, "You guys are still young; you’ll understand once you’re a bit older. Brother didn’t like outsiders at our home either, but they’re different from other outsiders. They’re Dad’s direct nephews and nieces. Dad would be heartbroken to drive them away, and so would Grandpa and Grandma."
"Think about it, if you went back to the old home and Big Uncle, Second Uncle, or Big Aunt and Little Aunt wouldn’t let you stay with them and tried to send you away, wouldn’t Mom and Dad be sad and angry? Wouldn’t you feel upset?" freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Liu Yi and May 1st exchanged glances, touching their fingers together, murmuring softly, "We have a yard at the old home, I wouldn’t stay at anyone else’s place."
"I’ll stick with Liu Yi."
Ping’an laughed in exasperation; was that what he meant?
Since reasoning didn’t work, he issued a direct order, "Brother is only telling you that they’re welcome to visit us, but you can’t let them know any secrets. Can you do that?"
The brothers exchanged another glance, nodding in unison.
"I won’t recite anything."
"There’s nothing at home."
Ping’an exhaled, "Just remember that, even if you don’t like it, you have to keep it inside. If there are any unknowns or places you don’t understand, ask Grandpa Zhou. Our Grandpa Zhou is the smartest; he’ll definitely understand."
The three later did run off to the study in search of Zhou Xiaozheng for answers. No one knew how Zhou Xiaozheng explained it, only that everything quickly returned to normal. They were brothers and close again.
Social relations are complex not only for eight-year-old Ping’an, but even Zhou Jiao, living her second life, found them hard to manage, often relying on personal judgment.
Emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence are separate matters, growing with life experiences or through seeking advice from elders. Life is long, and the three brothers still have much to learn about it.
