Chapter 1061 - 1050: The Unkind Stepmother
"Are you still planning to play mahjong?" Fang Bingwen asked Ye Qiu with a frown.
Ye Qiu nodded, "Yes, we play every year."
Fang Bingwen’s frown deepened, "Isn’t gambling not quite right?"
Ye Qiu looked puzzled, "A family playing a little mahjong, what’s the harm? It’s just entertainment and interaction. If we don’t play mahjong, should we all gather around to watch TV together? That’s so dull, and everyone’s TV preferences differ. Playing mahjong is livelier and suits us better."
"But there are still kids at home!"
"They’re playing in their rooms; they won’t come out. Cancan and her brother Xiao Bo grew up this way, and the kids aren’t turning out bad." Second Sister-in-law Fan Ning interjected into the conversation and smiled at Fang Bingwen, "Does Brother-in-law know how to play mahjong?"
"No," Fang Bingwen shook his head.
"Then stay close to Ye Qiu later and learn. There’s a long road ahead, and once everyone plays mahjong, it’ll be quite boring if you’re the only one who doesn’t know how to play."
"No need, I’m not interested in these things. As long as Ye Qiu and the others are happy playing, that’s fine."
"Looks like Brother-in-law really spoils the little sister. She’s been adored by the family since childhood, so she’s not quite familiar with social niceties. Previously, we didn’t want her to learn, just wished for her happiness. Now that Brother-in-law understands these things, I’m relieved," Fan Ning said with deeper implications.
"Second Sister-in-law is right," Fang Bingwen replied with a smile, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He understood Fan Ning’s implication, likely because of the gift incident earlier at the door with Xiao Xu and Cancan.
He suddenly felt a bit tired; he knew such wealthy families had many twists and turns. Already there had been much controversy outside when he married Ye Qiu. Isn’t it right that he doesn’t want to take advantage of the Ye Family’s money?
Fang Bingwen didn’t want much involvement with the Ye Family, and Fan Ning’s gaze grew more displeased with him. He’s a professor, yet seems so ignorant of social niceties? Saying he’ll teach his own son about them too—it’s a joke, isn’t it?
Fan Ning wanted to say something further, but seeing more people entering the doorway, she swallowed her words. Forget it, Fang Bingwen wouldn’t take her words to heart right now, and the more she said, the more he might show displeasure to the little sister-in-law.
Such unlucky destiny—the little sister-in-law had to choose Fang Bingwen, divorced with a child, and showcasing politeness everywhere, yet giving off an impression of aloofness. How is this family? It’s more courteous than an average business acquaintance.
"Big Sister, Big Brother-in-law are here! Xiao Bo just returned from a performance? That little tuxedo is truly dashing!" Fan Ning’s eyes lit up, looking at her nephew, Dong Bo, with affection.
Dong Bo is twelve this year, but already a graceful young man. Although he isn’t related by blood, Fan Ning particularly adores this nephew—not just because of his good looks, but because he’s sensible, well-behaved, and smart. Whatever he sets his mind to, he accomplishes flawlessly, be it academic achievements, piano competitions, or math and English contests. He always secures first place. Her own daughter took up piano because of this influential brother!
"Thank you for the compliment, Aunt. Is Cancan in the room? I’ll go find her." Dong Bo’s demeanor is equally gentle and polite, but he expresses sincerity unlike Fang Bingwen.
The young nephew’s presence is likely attributable to his grandfather. The Dong Family patriarch is part of the national literature association, and his ancestors once produced a top scorer. Even during wartime, the family’s legacy wasn’t lost, deeply rooted in rich heritage. Coupled with the nephew’s innate intelligence, he’s much more outstanding than his peers.
Yet Ye Qiu felt heartache looking at her nephew Dong Bo. What a good child—if it weren’t for the kidnapping incident, his legs wouldn’t have been ruined, nor would he have turned from an outgoing child to silent and introverted, nor retreated from the spotlight where he should’ve shone brightly.
In this lifetime, with her presence, she wouldn’t let her nephew endure that ordeal again.
"Auntie," Dong Bo greeted Ye Qiu with a deeply affectionate smile. Although one’s a senior and the other’s a junior, one’s academically challenged, and the other academically gifted, having no common topics, Dong Bo simply likes this aunt without any particular reason.
"Xiao Bo!" Ye Qiu opened her arms wide.
Dong Bo helplessly looked at her, but with his prematurely mature attitude, he still joyfully leapt into her embrace.
Nearby, Big Sister Ye Tan looked on, feeling a bit jealous, "The aunt hasn’t done many things for Xiao Bo, yet he likes this carefree person so much—I’m his biological mother. Except for when receiving awards, I’ve never seen him voluntarily hug me."
"Big Sister, just accept it. Cancan is just like her brother, preferring this young aunt. Maybe it’s because both still have a child’s nature?" Fan Ning chuckled beside her. She was truly happy today—the little sister-in-law finally wasn’t as sharp. Since the father-in-law and mother-in-law passed away, the family hadn’t felt so cozy for a long time. Of course, it would’ve been even better without Fang Bingwen.
"But she doesn’t seem to have her stepson like her that much!" Ye Tan muttered. Fan Ning laughed without commenting but noted Fang Bingwen’s face momentarily darkened, rolling her eyes secretly.
"Brother!" Upon seeing Dong Bo, Cancan grew even more excited, hastily running down the stairs and dragging Dong Bo towards the music room, "Brother, I can’t play that piece well. Please teach me."
"I’ve told you before, girls shouldn’t rush like this." Dong Bo quickly held onto his sister, relieved seeing she didn’t trip.
"I trust that with Brother here, nothing will happen to me," Ye Cancan said, deeply attached.
"You little girl," Dong Bo found himself helpless with her.
The whole family watched the siblings with loving smiles. Sometimes upon reflecting, one feels that despite work being tiring, it’s all worthwhile for the sake of a harmonious home.
Meanwhile, Fang Bingwen was not as delighted, looking at his son with envy for the siblings, his heart ached immensely. There’s definitely a difference with blood relations—his youngest son wasn’t included by the so-called cousins in play.
Yet he didn’t ponder on how long they’d been in this family. These siblings had grown up together, while he’d taught his son to maintain formality—where’s the intimacy in that?
As he continued feeling discontent, Dong Bo beckoned to Fang Xu, "Fang Xu, little brother! We’re going to play the piano; want to come along?"
"Sure." Kids naturally yearn to play with older ones, notwithstanding if someday they might come to resent the elder.
Watching Dong Bo kindly attending to his son, Fang Bingwen swallowed his impulsive words. Yet he was also worried—the siblings were going to play piano, while his son couldn’t play. Would his son be overlooked?
But now, the children had already headed to the music room, making his intervention somewhat inappropriate.