Chapter 66: Mutual Flattery in Business

Er Dan’s smile froze on his face.

Huh?

Weren’t they just talking about how handsome his brother was? How did the conversation suddenly jump to whether his brother was happy or not?

But… the new mom married Dad, and his brother isn’t happy? He’s been unhappy all this time? For so long?

That can’t be right…

He blinked and looked at Su Qinghu. “That’s not true. When you were in the hospital, it was my brother who cooked for you. If he didn’t like you, why would he cook for you?”

Even though his brother didn’t like listening to stories as much as he did, when he was hanging out at the alley entrance or in the park listening to the old folks tell stories, his brother was always nearby. His brother wasn’t deaf—even if he was doing his homework, he must have heard them.

They’d listened to plenty of stories about “taking advantage of someone’s illness to finish them off.”

But his brother never planned to starve the new mom…

“But he still wasn’t happy, was he?” Su Qinghu blinked innocently at Er Dan. “Look at his eyes—they’re always such a deep color, hardly ever amber.”

Except for that one time when she stood up for them and fought with Liu Guifang—he was happy for a bit at the beginning, but after he gave her money, his mood turned cloudy again.

“Well, even when you weren’t around, my brother’s eyes hardly ever changed color.” Er Dan stared right into Su Qinghu’s eyes. “Don’t you feel happy? Because of you, my brother’s eyes changed color once!”

Kids’ way of thinking and looking at things can be so adorable sometimes.

Su Qinghu blinked, then nodded vigorously and looked at Da Dan, shamelessly drawing a conclusion about his changing eye color. “So you like me.”

Da Dan: “…I don’t.”

“You do!” Su Qinghu grinned and rushed over, hugging Da Dan. “Since you like me so much, I’ll take you both out to see the world this weekend!”

As soon as Er Dan heard “you both,” he immediately chimed in, “Okay!”

“I’m not going.” Da Dan struggled a bit, but couldn’t break free. His ears turned red as he kept a straight face. “You just want to spend money again!”

Su Qinghu just smiled, ruffled his hair, and stepped back. “People always say mixed-race kids are good-looking. Make sure you don’t grow up crooked—just keep optimizing your looks the way you are now.”

She was looking forward to seeing what he’d look like when he grew up. She wondered if his eye color would change as he got older~~~

Lost in her thoughts, Su Qinghu didn’t notice Da Dan’s lips twitching slightly.

Da Dan glanced at his dad Chen Lie’s handsome face, then lowered his head. Sure enough, Su Qinghu liked good-looking people. If he didn’t turn out handsome, would she nag Dad to send him away?

Er Dan, feeling a sense of crisis, touched his own face, then looked up at Chen Lie, feeling a bit more at ease. Dad was good-looking, new mom was good-looking—being around good-looking people, he probably wouldn’t turn out ugly, right?

“What about you, Er Dan?” Su Qinghu looked over his tanned little face but didn’t notice anything special. “You’re not mixed, are you?”

Before Chen Lie could answer, Er Dan scooted closer to Su Qinghu, tilting his little face up for her to see. “Mom, I’m good-looking too.”

Su Qinghu cupped his face, looking him over seriously from left to right, and nodded. “You are good-looking. You and your brother are each good-looking in your own way.”

“You’ve got great taste,” Er Dan flattered her. “You can tell at a glance you’re someone special.”

He was street-smart, quick to learn, and knew how to say the right things. Now that he’d been complimented, he didn’t even have to think before returning the favor.

Su Qinghu: …With a personality like his, no wonder he gets along with everyone, no matter who they are.

Chen Lie replied in a proper, serious tone, “He’s not mixed. Both his parents are Chinese.”

Er Dan grinned, looking especially likable.

Su Qinghu reached out and gave him a light smack on the head, pushing him forward a couple of steps before letting go and patting his thin shoulder. “Go do your homework with your brother. You have to be in bed by 9:30, so you have an hour and twenty minutes to finish.”

“If you don’t finish, there’s no extra time.”

Su Qinghu made the decision directly, without consulting the other parent involved.

Chen Lie, the other parent, just stood quietly to the side, impossible to ignore, watching the three of them bargain.

Er Dan: “If I don’t finish, you really won’t give me more time? Aren’t you afraid the teacher will call for a parent? My dad’s leaving tomorrow, you know—”

Once Dad left, she’d be the only one to face the teacher—no one else to take her place.

“You’re the one who should be worried,” Su Qinghu said with a mischievous smile. “I love going out for walks. If you don’t finish, I just won’t take you out~~~”

How simple is that?

Er Dan huffed proudly, “Then don’t think you can shake me off when you go out. When I get serious, no one can beat me.”

“What about your brother?” Su Qinghu exposed him.

Da Dan really did do his homework quickly and well, barely even glancing at the questions—like a giant harvester sweeping through a field, neat and efficient.

Er Dan pouted, “I thought I was bad, but you’re even worse!”

With that, he stomped over to the table, grabbed his backpack, and shot Su Qinghu a look before sitting down—his meaning was obvious: It’s just homework, right? Just watch me!

Da Dan walked over unhurriedly, picked up his homework, and got started.

With the two kids finally quiet, Chen Lie felt Su Qinghu’s gaze on him. Suddenly, he felt a little awkward, debating whether to watch the kids do homework or go for a run. Then he saw Su Qinghu poke his arm and beckon him over—she had something to say.

Chen Lie followed her out.

Once they were in the middle of the courtyard, Su Qinghu cleared her throat and flexed her hands. “I’ve practiced a bit of Sanda (Chinese kickboxing).”

So?

Chen Lie raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down, already estimating how much strength he should use if they sparred.

“What’s with that look?” Su Qinghu bounced on her feet, warming up, and gave Chen Lie a look that said she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You don’t think I want to spar with you, do you?”

“Don’t you?” Chen Lie’s gaze fell on her moving hands and feet.

She’d already gotten herself all pumped up—wasn’t that the idea?

“I’d have to be crazy to spar with you!” Su Qinghu said, exasperated. “I don’t know how strong you are, but I do have a sense of danger.”

She bounced in place a couple of times, her voice light and cheerful. “Come on, teach me some self-defense moves. Sister Li said our job as reporters can be dangerous sometimes. Just teach me a move or two that can take someone down in one shot.”

Take someone down in one shot?

Chen Lie frowned. “Those kinds of moves shouldn’t be used lightly. If you really use them… you could kill someone. You might not be able to control it.”

“Just teach me~” Su Qinghu flicked her ponytail, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll only use it in emergencies.”

“You might not be able to control it,” Chen Lie repeated. Just as Su Qinghu thought he wasn’t going to teach her, he added, “But I can teach you some non-lethal moves that can still disable someone.”

Thank you to book friends 20170715231254070 and Murcy for your tips, and thanks to everyone for your monthly and recommendation votes. ^_^"