Lunch was kept simple since Si Ye wasn’t home, and Tao Minzhi had yet to make an appearance.
Si Wanping was clearly displeased by this and sneered, “Sister-in-law isn’t feeling well again? How come it always happens when we visit?”
Uncle Zhong could only smile and smooth things over. “The madam will come down later.”
Chen Xu quietly ate his meal, but by now, everyone knew he was favored by Si Ye. The rarely gathered members of the main house naturally took this chance to probe and test him.
As a result, he barely had a peaceful moment throughout lunch.
“Chen Xu, with grades as good as yours, why didn’t you go to Imperial University?” Si Wanping asked slowly, her sharp eyes fixed on him.
Chen Xu remained calm, deflecting effortlessly. “A University is good too.”
Si Wanping smiled faintly. “You’re still young. No matter how good A University is, it’s not on the same level as Imperial University. If you only focus on what’s in front of you, what will happen to your future?”
Her words were a veiled jab, implying that Chen Xu was basking in Si Ye’s favor and only considering short-term gains. She suggested that if Si Ye’s affection waned, he would be left with nothing.
“You’re right,” Chen Xu responded smoothly, not refuting her but instead agreeing, leaving Si Wanping with the frustrating feeling of having punched cotton.
She had always believed that no one in this family was truly simple. Everyone had their own agenda. Chen Xu had once kept a low profile, but now he had risen to prominence, even surpassing Si Yichen—he wasn’t someone to be underestimated.
Taking advantage of her seniority, Si Wanping scolded each of the younger generation at the table and gave her unsolicited advice about the family affairs.
It wasn’t until her grandson, Si Shenqian, finished eating and wanted to leave the table that she finally shifted her focus.
Meanwhile, Si Yichen kept his head down, eating his meal while rolling his eyes internally. He had mentally cursed her out countless times by now.
With Pan Qizhi sent back to the Pan family, Tong Jiaxi had become the worst student among the younger generation at the table. He had barely gotten into a second-tier university, and that was only because his family had pulled strings and used the Si family’s influence to squeeze him in.
Si Wanping had scolded him ruthlessly, telling him to focus on his studies so he wouldn’t embarrass the Si family. She even reminded him that, had his parents not gone too far back then, he wouldn’t have been allowed to stay in the Si household at all.
Tong Jiaxi was so nervous that he could only nod obediently.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to study, but he just wasn’t academically inclined. Whatever he memorized today, he’d forget tomorrow.
Seeing Chen Xu quietly achieving top scores while he himself struggled so much was a huge blow. Both of them had been at the bottom of the Si family hierarchy—so why did Chen Xu get to soar while he remained stuck?
Sun Wei’ang wasn’t home yet due to school matters and had luckily escaped the ordeal.
Si Xuezhao, who had just started his senior year of high school, wasn’t so lucky. Si Wanping had given him a thorough lecture.
Already a quiet and withdrawn person, he shrank further into himself, his eyes red. His mother continued eating indifferently, while his father actually agreed with Si Wanping and even added his own criticisms.
Lunch ended with almost no one feeling comfortable.
—
“Chen Xu, can I come in?”
Si Xuezhao knocked hesitantly on Chen Xu’s open door.
Chen Xu was reading at his desk. He turned to look at the younger boy and nodded. “Come in.”
“Are you reading? Am I disturbing you?”
Si Xuezhao had always thought that the quiet and composed Chen Xu seemed far cooler than the arrogant Si Yichen. But he never dared say so, fearing it would bring trouble for both of them.
“It’s fine. Did you come to hang out?”
Chen Xu wasn’t particularly close with Si Xuezhao, but he didn’t mind him either. The kid was rather pitiful—his mother was indifferent, and his father was an artist who often dragged his wife off on romantic getaways, leaving him behind.
Worse, he was one of those “resurrected fathers”—completely uninvolved in his son’s daily life but suddenly appearing out of nowhere to criticize his grades.
“Mm, I wanted to ask what kind of books you usually read. My writing is terrible, and my teacher says I need to read more outside of class. But even when I do, I can’t seem to remember anything.”
Si Xuezhao scratched his head, visibly frustrated.
Chen Xu got up, picked out a few books from his shelf, and handed them to him. “These are pretty interesting. You can give them a try.”
Si Xuezhao smiled shyly and accepted them with both hands. “Thank you.”
Then, his gaze landed on the easel by the window.
“You draw?” he asked in surprise.
“Mm. Just a hobby.”
Chen Xu had a wide range of interests and was a quick learner. Though he wasn’t an expert in everything, he dabbled in many fields.
“That’s amazing. I barely have enough energy just to keep up with my schoolwork.”
Si Xuezhao’s eyes suddenly brightened as he noticed the sketchbooks on the shelf.
“Can I take a look?”
Chen Xu had no issue with showing his artwork to others. He didn’t think there was anything embarrassing about it. “Sure,” he said generously.
Si Xuezhao eagerly grabbed the top sketchbook and carefully flipped through the pages. The more he looked, the more admiration he felt. “You’re amazing! This is practically professional-level!”
As he continued flipping, he suddenly came across a familiar portrait. “Wait, this is…”
“Third Brother?”
Si Ye had an older brother, Si Jinwen, who had passed away. The second branch’s Si Jing was a woman, two years older than Si Ye. That made Si Ye the third in line, with Si Xuezhao as the youngest.
Chen Xu leaned over to take a look. “Mm. Uncle’s muscle definition is really nice—it makes him a great figure drawing model.”
His words were so serious and professional that any inappropriate thoughts Si Xuezhao might have had about the drawings immediately dissipated.
“Third Brother does have a great physique. I wish I could grow as tall as him,” Si Xuezhao sighed. At seventeen, he was about the same height as Chen Xu, around 1.78 meters.
Si Xuezhao’s father, Si Yaowei, wasn’t particularly tall, and his mother was of average height as well. However, Chen Xu recalled from his past life that Si Xuezhao had suddenly experienced a growth spurt during his university years. When they met again a semester later, he had nearly caught up to Si Ye in height.
“You’ll definitely grow taller,” Chen Xu said confidently.
Si Xuezhao thought Chen Xu was just comforting him, but he still smiled happily in response.
“Your drawings are incredible. I… I don’t really have any talents. Other than playing the piano, I’m pretty useless,” he admitted. His piano skills were the result of his father copying the neighbors’ parenting choices. He never truly enjoyed it.
“You’re still young. There’s no need to rush. Try different things—you’ll eventually find something you’re passionate about.”
Chen Xu had a wide range of interests. He enjoyed making music with Lu Hai and the others, feeling the pure joy that music brought. He loved painting, as well as the sense of accomplishment that came from designing and crafting clothing. Now, as he studied economics, he was growing fond of that too. He embraced learning and discovering new things.
Si Xuezhao was stunned for a moment before he smiled. “You’re so cool.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t get to stay long before Si Yichen called him away. Si Yichen clearly didn’t want him getting close to Chen Xu. His attitude was overbearing, making Si Xuezhao too afraid to refuse. He had no choice but to obediently follow.
“Why are you getting so close to an outsider who’s just taking shelter under our family’s roof?” Si Yichen asked, his tone unpleasant.
Si Xuezhao pursed his lips. “He’s a nice person.”
Si Yichen’s expression darkened. “Xuezhao, we’re family. We all have the Si surname. Don’t forget that.”
Si Xuezhao didn’t respond, simply lowering his head. Si Yichen’s expression twisted in displeasure. He pulled his hand off Si Xuezhao’s shoulder and stormed away, leaving him standing alone in the hallway.
“That’s rich, coming from someone whose real surname is Tao,” a mocking voice rang out.
Si Xuezhao turned to see Sun Wei’ang standing at the top of the stairs, smirking with contempt.
Sun Wei’ang walked past him, pausing briefly to say, “You’d be better off staying away from Si Yichen.”
Si Xuezhao was puzzled. He knew that Sun Wei’ang had a distant relationship with the family, but why was he suddenly targeting Si Yichen today?
—
As night fell, Si Ye’s car slowly pulled into the driveway.
Meanwhile, Si Jing and her husband, Wei Shifeng, had been urged by Si Wanping to come over that afternoon. They dragged their feet, arriving just in time for dinner.
“Son, give Daddy a hug!” Wei Shifeng strode over and scooped up a timid-looking Si Shenqian.
Si Shenqian didn’t even remember who he was. Before long, a woman reeking of perfume grabbed him from Wei Shifeng’s arms, making him feel even more uncomfortable.
“Grandpa… I want Grandpa…” Si Shenqian’s lips quivered before he finally burst into tears.
Zheng Hongqiao immediately stepped forward, gently taking him back and soothing him.
“Don’t cry, baby. Let’s watch cartoons, okay?”
Si Jing was thoroughly embarrassed—her son had barely spent a minute in her arms before crying and asking for his grandfather.
“What kind of mother are you? Your own child doesn’t even want you,” Wei Shifeng sneered.
Si Jing’s face darkened as she snapped, “And you think he wants you any more than me? Besides, my parents were the ones who raised him. What did your parents ever do for him?”
“You’re the mother—you’re supposed to take care of him. What do you expect from me? Am I supposed to be glued to a kid all day? It’s not like my parents refused to help. Your parents just wouldn’t let them!” Wei Shifeng retorted without backing down.
“Pfft! I must have been blind to marry you.”
“I must have been blind to marry **you**!”
“Shut up, both of you! Have you embarrassed yourselves enough yet?”
Si Wanping stormed in from outside, her cold voice instantly silencing them. The two sat down, still glaring at each other, but no longer arguing.
Even as Si Ye entered, they refused to speak to each other.
Uncle Zhong stepped forward, taking Si Ye’s coat and briefcase. Si Ye greeted the others indifferently before heading upstairs to change.
By the time he came back down, having showered and changed, the family was waiting. Despite Si Wanping’s attempts to play matriarch, Si Ye was still the true head of the household. No one could take their seats until he did.
As per tradition, the elders sat at one table while the younger generation sat at another.
Tao Minzhi sat on Si Ye’s left. Si Wanping naturally went to sit on his right—but before she could, Si Ye suddenly said, “Aunt, please move over one seat.”
Si Wanping and the others were briefly confused until they heard Si Ye continue:
“Xiao Xu, come sit here.”
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