Chapter 922 - 274: [Mental Realm Shift] (8200)_2
He barely looked up at his parents, just kept his head down, eating quietly.
Even his brother gave Lu Sisi a wry smile and whispered to his sister, "It’s okay, it’ll end with a few arguments — I’m used to it."
Lu Sisi was speechless.
Starting from that day, Lu Sisi no longer felt jealous of her brother.
She no longer envied her brother for having the "family happiness" that she never experienced.
She realized that the things she never had, her brother... perhaps didn’t have much of them either.
Come to think of it, a pair of resentful, selfish parents couldn’t truly care for anyone else.
She also suddenly understood how her brother’s introverted, silent personality was formed.
Growing up in an atmosphere full of parental resentment, his nature became increasingly withdrawn.
In contrast... she might be better off in some ways.
Since she grew up away from her parents, she didn’t have to endure as much resentment or the negative environment of their arguments and accusations.
By comparison, her personality might be healthier and more cheerful than her brother’s, in some respects.
From that day forward, Lu Sisi stopped looking forward to the Yang Family’s "happy family gatherings."
Instead, she grew closer to her brother, focusing her attention on him.
As for the resentful couple Lu Xiuting and Yang Jiaming — let them be!
Lu Sisi added her brother on WeChat, occasionally chatting with him there.
Mainly in the evenings since her brother was at school during the day, where phones weren’t allowed.
Despite years of estrangement, the two siblings surprisingly grew closer in their cold familial environment.
Lu Sisi learned that her brother wasn’t doing well academically.
She found out her brother disliked a particular boy in his class, someone taller, stronger, more outgoing, and popular; they occasionally had conflicts.
But her brother wasn’t entirely defenseless, although he failed in eight out of ten attempts to fight back.
Sometimes, however, even one or two successful retaliations could make her brother happy all day.
All this wasn’t exactly bullying; it was just the so-called "grudges" among young elementary school kids.
Her brother’s school was excellent, with a decent culture and effective bullying prevention efforts.
Lu Sisi even knew that there was a time when her brother loved eating beef.
He actually disliked the taste of beef but learned from a science video that it was nutritious, increased muscle and strength.
Hoping to turn the tables in a fight, he forced himself to eat beef for a month.
Yet, during an after-school scuffle, he was still thrown to the ground, and thereafter, quit eating beef in disappointment.
Lu Sisi discovered that while her brother was mediocre in every subject, he did have his own interests.
For example, he loved drawing and singing.
He used to be into "Douluo," but now he preferred "Naruto" — even though "Naruto" was already out of date and somewhat mature for elementary students, being more popular with older students.
But her brother was somewhat mature for his age.
Lu Sisi knew that her brother wished to grow up quickly because then he could leave this resentful and cold family.
She also knew he had a crush on a girl in his class.
Apparently, she had fair skin, big eyes, and a smile like the sun — Lu Sisi hadn’t seen her photo; all she knew was what her brother said.
Lu Sisi learned that her brother always wanted a puppy, but Yang Jiaming disliked dogs, and Lu Xiuting thought pets would leave fur everywhere, so they refused.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yan used various means to force the resentful couple, Lu Xiuting and Yang Jiaming, into a compromise, planning to provide Lu Sisi with some "family warmth," resulting in slight changes.
Lu Sisi didn’t feel much family warmth.
However, surprisingly, she became much closer to her brother.
The starting point was off, the process was flawed, yet the outcome... turned out quite well.
·
Today’s family dinner repeated the familiar pattern.
Quietly ordering, quietly eating, with Lu Xiuting and Yang Jiaming treating each other coldly. Lu Sisi and her brother occasionally exchanged a few soft words.
Lu Sisi didn’t particularly like the dishes — she had never really enjoyed Cantonese cuisine.
And it was apparent her brother didn’t like it much either.
But in this family, the patriarch was Yang Jiaming, a native of Port City, who loved Cantonese food.
Previously, Yang Jiaming’s word was absolute at home, and Lu Xiuting had always compromised.
Thus, their family gatherings were often held at Cantonese restaurants favored by Yang Jiaming.
Midway through the meal, for some unknown reason, Lu Xiuting said something, and after Yang Jiaming explained with a tone of resignation and impatience... Lu Xiuting suddenly erupted like a firecracker.
She started unleashing a torrent of accusations and complaints at Yang Jiaming, whose expression grew uglier and whose temper became harder to control, beginning first with explanations, then counterarguments.