Chapter 64: Let’s Play a Word Game

Mmm, mmm, mmm—what’s with all the “mmm”? Just because your voice sounds nice, you think you’re all that?

“Big Egg, Little Egg, you two are on dish duty tonight!” Su Qinghu stomped out a couple of steps, then turned back with a scowl. “I’m in a bad mood today, so I’m not going to talk to you much. Tomorrow, we’ll have a proper chat!”

Big Egg didn’t finish what he was saying, but under her fierce glare, he just nodded quietly. Little Egg was much more straightforward. “We’ll come straight home after school tomorrow!”

Su Qinghu withdrew her gaze and gave a curt “hmm” without looking back.

Heh, as if only some people can “hmm” nicely! She can do it too!

Once Su Qinghu left, Little Egg let out a sigh of relief, patting his chest. That was terrifying—New Mom was really scary just now!

Big Egg watched Su Qinghu go, feeling a bit more at ease inside. So she does lose her temper sometimes after all.

The two of them were still reeling from the close call when Chen Lie spoke up. “You two—”

His voice was low, and his gaze at them was downright dangerous. “Playing word games with me?”

Turning a scuffle with a thief into a simple fight—sounds reasonable enough.

Who were you fighting? A kid. That’s not wrong either.

Why were you fighting? Because he tried to take my stuff and I wouldn’t let him. Makes sense.

After all that, they’d covered up the truth and avoided a beating…

“Smart,” Chen Lie nodded slightly.

It sounded like praise, but his eyes were so cold it made their teeth chatter.

Big Egg and Little Egg froze on the spot, watching Chen Lie walk out, their hearts starting to panic. As far as they could remember, this was the first time Dad had ever gotten angry.

Meanwhile, Su Qinghu was happily eating in the kitchen, her anger mostly gone. When she saw Chen Lie come in, she hesitated between turning her back or facing him, but finally decided to stay put.

“…Eating in the kitchen?” Chen Lie asked.

Su Qinghu: …Should I answer him? He doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood either.

“Let’s eat in the living room.” Su Qinghu finished her last bite of bun, washed her hands, and couldn’t help asking, “These buns… did you make them?”

They really were delicious—even though they were vegetarian, they were full of flavor.

Chen Lie nodded and started serving rice and setting out bowls and chopsticks. “I’m leaving tomorrow. After dinner, I’ll write down the bun recipe and proportions for you.”

“Oh.” Su Qinghu instantly deflated. “I’ll be the only adult left at home.”

She asked Chen Lie, “Are your parents the quiet type? Can I bring Big Egg and Little Egg over for meals often?”

Chen Lie was amused by her bluntness, his eyes crinkling with a smile. “Of course.”

“Phew, that’s good.” Su Qinghu stood to the side, watching Chen Lie serve the food, sighing. “I’m still a kid myself, you know. I want someone to spoil me too.”

Big Egg and Little Egg had been quietly standing at the kitchen door for a while, listening to the harmonious sounds inside. They were just about to go in and see if helping with the food and chopsticks might earn them some points, when they heard Su Qinghu boldly declare she wanted to bring them to their grandparents’ house for meals, and that she was still a kid who wanted to be doted on.

Little Egg didn’t think anything of it—he just wondered if maybe he should buy her something tomorrow to make her happy.

Big Egg’s expression turned odd. Was Su Qinghu acting cute with Dad? Or… complaining?

Chen Lie glanced over, and Big Egg and Little Egg immediately got the signal, hurrying forward and calling out in unison, “Dad!”

“Serve the food.”

The two of them sprang into action—one grabbing chopsticks, the other carrying dishes—quickly getting everything ready.

Chen Lie and Su Qinghu followed behind, one carrying three bowls of porridge, the other a basket of buns, walking side by side into the living room.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Su Qinghu didn’t speak, Big Egg and Little Egg ate nervously, and even Chen Lie seemed a bit out of sorts.

After the meal, Big Egg and Little Egg went to wash the dishes, while Su Qinghu stood at the kitchen door watching them like a supervisor—but not really doing anything a supervisor would do.

“So, about what I said earlier—waiting until tomorrow to talk—forget it!” Su Qinghu lifted her chin proudly. “We’ll talk now, if you don’t mind?”

What could they say? Big Egg stayed silent, which was as good as agreement; Little Egg nodded directly.

Su Qinghu said, “The first lesson I want to teach you today is about public opinion, and the dangers of manipulating it…”

The two of them looked completely lost. Public opinion? What’s that?

“‘Public opinion’ is short for the state of public discourse. There’s a line in the Records of the Three Kingdoms—‘If one is arrogant and harsh, with no real ambition, one must fear the unspoken public opinion and harbor caution.’” Su Qinghu explained calmly, “Public opinion acts as a voice; just one sentence can change the course of events. That’s why the country requires journalists to report truthfully and accurately…”

After Su Qinghu finished her explanation, she smiled sweetly at their bewildered faces. “So, still want to play word games?”

You little brats, trying to outsmart adults!

Big Egg said, “We don’t understand a word you just said. What’s the point of all that?” Waste of breath.

“Why should I spell it out? You’re not stupid. I even gave examples—maybe you don’t get it completely, but you have a rough idea.” Su Qinghu tilted her head. “From now on, if you hear someone’s little secret, or gossip about others, or stories that sound convincing but aren’t verified, you should check for yourself and compare it to what I told you today.”

Think more, observe more, ask more questions. Even if you can’t avoid being fooled, at least you’ll develop independent thinking and won’t just follow the crowd.

Little Egg pouted, a bit dissatisfied. “But you were just arguing with my dad, and now you’re helping him save face?”

That’s not very tough!

“What, you got a problem?” Su Qinghu smiled. “Even if you do, keep it to yourself. Don’t forget, you two are still on your dad’s blacklist.”

Big Egg pressed his lips together, washing the dishes seriously. Clearly, Su Qinghu’s words hit a sore spot.

Little Egg finished rinsing the dishes, put them away, then turned to Su Qinghu at the door and asked, “So how do we get Dad to take us off his blacklist?”

“No idea.” Su Qinghu shrugged. “Either figure it out yourselves or go ask your dad.”

“You really don’t have any ideas?” Little Egg didn’t believe her. “I think you’re smart.”

Su Qinghu: “I’m not smart—you two are. You even managed to play word games with your dad. Me? I just got my chin grabbed and forced to drink water by your dad!”

Just thinking about it made her mad.

“That wasn’t really forced, was it?” Little Egg pouted. “When I was little and sick and didn’t want to take medicine, Dad would crush the pills, mix them with water, grab my cheeks, and pour it down my throat! Man, I almost choked to death!”

Su Qinghu: “…”

“All this—” Little Egg glanced at Big Egg, “my brother told me.”

Su Qinghu didn’t say anything.

With New Mom looking at him like that, Little Egg grinned, all tough and cheeky. “Okay, that last part I made up myself.”

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