"Bro, I’ve packed the water, and we’ll cook for you guys at ho. Just wait for you to co back." Luo Shufan and Bai Yizhu weren’t in the sa examination room, so Luo Qianqian decided not to send or pick up anyone and instead stayed ho to make so tasty food for the two of them when they returned.
"Brother Zhuzi, check your admission ticket and exam supplies. We’ll make your favorite dishes for lunch," He Wenyu also said with a smile as she handed over the backpack.
"You two, can’t you wait for them to finish eating before you start talking?" An Zilan and Huang Yueran brought porridge and soup to the table and said to the two younger ones standing and giving instructions.
"Mom, you’ve brought out buns, pancakes, doughnuts, twist bread, soymilk, sesa balls, and even noodles, how co there’s still porridge and soup? This breakfast looks like it’s on par with dinner." Luo Qianqian pouted. She had noodles for her birthday a few days ago but didn’t feel much about it.
Although the college entrance exam wasn’t on the weekend, most primary and secondary school students were still off, but ninth grade was special, they had classes. However, both of these two had taken leave to stay ho and wait for the two high schoolers taking the exam.
"What are you talking about, child?" An Zilan shook her head and said to Luo Shufan and Bai Yizhu, "Hurry and get ready; Uncle Lin will take you to your respective locations soon. He will co pick you up at noon too. Don’t rush, and don’t be nervous for the first subject."
"Mom, I feel like you’re the most nervous one here," Luo Qianqian said with a sidelong glance, but efficiently served soup for the two, "Bro, have so soup. It slls good, and after drinking it, you’re sure to be successful."
"Exactly. When I got up this morning, I heard a magpie chirping outside the window. There must be sothing really good happening at ho," He Wenyu nodded repeatedly in agreent.
"You two always have sothing to say. Mom, stop being busy; let’s eat together." Luo Shufan shook his head amusedly, then turned to tease Bai Yizhu, "Brother Zhuzi, your sisters have all spoken auspicious words, aren’t you going to say sothing?"
"What? ... Red, red packet?" Bai Yizhu hesitated for a mont before taking out his wallet.
Luo Shufan snatched the wallet with a bemused expression, "Is your brain jamd by a door? Or did you use up all your brains on the exams? Considering you must have done well, I’ll make a note of it."
Only then did Bai Yizhu co to his senses, "Oh, oh right, I’ll do my best, you just wait for the good news."
Luo Qianqian served the soup and porridge into small bowls and placed them in front of the two, "Eat up; this is like the appetizer for a celebration feast. The main course is tomorrow night." Her eyes squinted, and her mouth was agape in a charming fashion.
"Yes, yes, you’re the clever one. After your tests, I’ll take you out to have fun," Luo Shufan said with a laugh, ruffling his sister’s hair, "I won’t disappoint you."
"My brothers are the best, both Brother Jiayou and Brother Zhuzi," Luo Qianqian pulled He Wenyu closer, "Right, Xiao Yu?"
"Exactly, they’re both the best," He Wenyu nodded continuously.
Breakfast passed amidst everyone’s laughter.
——
"Finally done with the exams, no, no, I have to go out and relax tonight," Bai Yizhu said, seated in Lin Xu’s car next to Luo Shufan, both faces expressing relief.
Lin Xu, not asking about their scores as if they were his own sons, why ntion it when it’s all over?
"You’re even permitted to stay out all night," Luo Shufan nodded, "Just don’t forget the ti for college applications."
"I know, but I’ll still be there to feast on Auntie’s celebration banquet. Like Qianqian said, today is the main course, missing out would be too big of a loss." Bai Yizhu squinted his eyes, smiling with a sense of relief; a year of hard work finally ca to an end. Regardless of the results, it was an explanation to himself and to his brother.
"Don’t think too much, just enjoy yourselves these days. If you need money, your uncle will give it to you," Lin Xu also expressed his happiness. Now Luo Qianqian was the only one in the family left to take the college entrance exam, and just like Luo Shufan, she was soone they did not have to worry about.
"Uncle Lin, we have money." Bai Yizhu nodded, a look of gratitude on his face.
Luo Shufan also nodded in agreent. He had seen for himself the profits from the shop Qianqian had bought. Even without the allowance from mom, they would still live well. It just didn’t seem right to call his ’freeloading’ sister a freeloader. How could she have the potential to be one when she was so good at earning money?
"What you earn is yours, and what I give is mine. You’re all like my children. That’s right, Qianqian told she and Xiao Yu are going back ho to prepare for exams tomorrow. She said you should each return to your own nests and stop occupying his room," Uncle Lin said with a smile. "Once you’ve finished your exams, the family will be at ease. It’s okay to date, but rember, safety first."
Luo Shufan and Bai Yizhu felt awkward. Why did Uncle Lin always give this piece of advice? Was he going to repeat it again when Qianqian took the college entrance exams?
"Don’t worry..." Luo Shufan pondered for a mont before replying. He couldn’t let the elder feel ignored.
"Have you thought about where you want to go during the holiday?" Uncle Lin asked, looking at them through the rearview mirror.
"I plan to go out and work. My sister is very supportive," Luo Shufan said softly. In fact, he had already arranged it; he was just waiting for so free ti. It was at a company owned by a friend of Second Uncle’s, doing sales. His sister said that a man needs to go through so hardships to mature.
"Not bad, it’s good to have a plan. But don’t overwork yourself. As for money, the family has enough; just get the right amount of experience," Uncle Lin nodded, clearly not worried about him. "What about you, Zhuzi?"
"I plan to go out and have fun, and also visit my brother on the way," Bai Yizhu said, surprised at his own thought before smiling.
"Shufan, do you plan to go there with your results or wait for the admission notice?" Uncle Lin nodded. The kids had their own ideas, and he didn’t need to worry about them. Still, as an elder, it was his job to ask.
"I’ll wait until Qianqian’s on break so we can go together. Before her break, I’ll stay ho and help her study," Luo Shufan replied with a smile. "I’m a bit worried about her."
"How are you going to go to college then?" Uncle Lin shook his head. "Qianqian still has and your mom."
"Uncle Lin, don’t mind him. He’s just overly obsessed with his sister. He almost wants to tie Qianqian to himself," Bai Yizhu intervened. "Whenever Qianqian gives a test paper while wearing Xia Tian’s sumr dress pajamas, he glares at as if I’d do sothing to my own sister."
Luo Shufan glared at Bai Yizhu, his clenched fists making cracking noises.
Seeing this, Bai Yizhu said, "Don’t scare ; with your skills, I’d beat you even if I gave you one arm’s advantage."
"So, where are you guys planning to apply?" Uncle Lin nodded, smiling peacefully. It was a good thing that the siblings got along so well.
"I plan to go to Capital City, but he wants to stay in our city. I don’t know if Qianqian can change his mind." Bai Yizhu shrugged his shoulders. They had discussed this matter among the four of them long ago: "Qianqian said, go to Capital City."
"Shufan, Qianqian also has us. When you go to school, we’ll bring Qianqian back ho. We won’t let her be wronged," Uncle Lin said seriously to Luo Shufan.
"I know. I’ll talk to her about it tonight." However, at the dinner table, Luo Qianqian said that if Luo Shufan didn’t go to Capital City, she would go to the farthest southern university and only co back once a year. After receiving a wry smile and agreent from Luo Shufan, she finally felt relieved.
The local university was good, but it wasn’t the best. How could Luo Qianqian, who aspired to be a ’freeloader,’ let Luo Shufan settle for less?
"So, Luo Qianqian, are you asking for a beating? Have you ever seen a sister giving her brother a red envelope?" Luo Shufan and Bai Yizhu were both taken aback, smiling yet not knowing whether to laugh or cry, as they held the red envelopes.
"Just for so good luck..." Luo Qianqian blinked her eyes, feigning innocence: "It’s not much money anyway, I couldn’t give more even if I wanted to."
Indeed, it wasn’t much; there were only fifty yuan in each red envelope. Compared to what the four parents gave, it was hardly worth ntioning. Yet, it moved Bai Yizhu and Luo Shufan so much that they drank several more glasses of juice, continually promising to make Luo Qianqian a happy ’freeloader’ in the future.
"You guys just keep spoiling her," An Zilan said with a helpless smile, yet her eyes were filled with contentnt.
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