Li Jianqian listened intently as Li Sicheng gave a detailed explanation. Even though Ye Youyou and Li Jinnan hadn’t seen the question, they knew what it was from the explanation alone.
When Li Sicheng was done explaining, Li Jianqian picked up his pencil and redid the question. This time around, everything was correct.
Li Sicheng nodded his head in satisfaction. “Go ahead and pack your things. Go with your uncle to your grandfather’s house.”
“OK.” Li Jianqian kept his book and good-naturedly made his way upstairs.
Li Jinnan clicked his tongue and shook his head before asking, “Say, Second Brother, how were these children taught?”
“I taught them myself,” Li Sicheng replied.
“All three of them together?” Li Jinnan looked at Li Jianyue in his arms and found that idea to be unrealistic.
Li Sicheng glanced at Li Jianyue and nodded his head as he meaningfully said, “I teach the three of them together. How much each of them is able to pick is up to luck.”
Li Jinnan felt a sense of empathy for the girl and once again wondered if the doctor had mixed the babies up at birth.
Li Jianyue seemed to know what the adults were talking about her. She blinked her eyes and looked to the left and right before asking, “Daddy, are you and Mommy going to the hospital tomorrow to see my small brother?”
“Yeah, we’re going to see if the little brother in your mommy’s tummy is being obedient.” Li Sicheng’s expression softened. He rested his head on Su Qianci’s abdomen. “Hopefully, his mind will develop a little better.”
Su Qianci reached out to push his head away and gave him an accusatory glare.
Li Sicheng chuckled and stood up. “Let go to the office,” he said, “We’ll leave the kids with Third Li.”
Li Jinnan was flabbergasted and asked, “Aren’t you worried that I might sell your children off?”
“Sell them off, then. I’m off with your sister-in-law.” Li Sicheng held Su Qianci’s hand, and said, “Remember their luggage when you leave. Make them carry it on their own. Don’t carry it for them, especially for that youngest one.”
Li Jianyue harrumphed and pouted. “Daddy, you’re so bad,” she said. “I don’t want to carry the luggage on my own!”
“No. Uncle is not here to carry your bag for you. You have to carry it on your own.” Li Sicheng was firm.
Li Jianyue was upset and sulkily climbed down from Li Jinnan before running off to the second floor.
Su Qianci was unhappy as she watched her daughter. She gave Li Sicheng a push and said, “They’re still so young. Don’t be so strict with them.”
“Good teaching starts from a young age. You’ve been spoiling them too much.” Li Sicheng held her hand and said, “The children of the Li family cannot be treated like children. Grandfather is now old. You have no idea how we were brought up when we were kids.”
The memories were fresh in Li Jinnan’s mind too. He remarked, “Grandfather believed very much in the saying ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ Every time we were disobedient, we’d get whacked with the stick. It didn’t stop until we learned our lesson.”
“It was evidently very effective,” Li Sicheng said. “Just take a look at Third Li.”
“I think you’re a better testament, Second Brother,” Third Li retorted.”You’re Grandfather’s greatest pride after all.”
“Yeah, at least I didn’t let him down at the crucial moment and get beaten within an inch of my life,” Li Sicheng said.
“At least I picked my own wife,” Li Jinnan said.
“The dates haven’t even been set yet. You might have crossed the hurdle with the Oldie, but what about Mom?” Li Sicheng glanced at Li Jinnan in disdain. “My dear Third Young Master, how are you still so naïve?”
“Second Young Master is still as discourteous as ever.” Li Jinnan had no other retort. He felt around the inside of his pocket and retrieved a cigarette.
“You flatter me,” Li Sicheng deadpanned. “Don’t smoke in front of the kids. It’s a bad influence.”
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