"Got it, Auntie." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I’m also going tomorrow morning for lunch."

After hanging up the phone, Mo Jingchun stared blankly out the window.

Even if Auntie hadn’t called, Mo Jingchun had already planned to visit Grandpa on the day before New Year’s Eve.

To bid the year goodbye on behalf of Mom!

Originally, this was something Dad and Mom should have done, but unfortunately, fate was unkind, and they left before Grandpa did.

When Mom passed away, besides Mo Jingchun, Grandpa was the saddest.

For one, a child lost his mother; for the other, a father lost his daughter.

How could it not make people sad and pained?

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Mo Jingchun rode his long-unused electric bike, with his sister Candy strapped to his chest with a sling, and headed leisurely to Grandpa’s house with prepared gifts to bid goodbye to the year.

"Why hasn’t Xiaochun arrived yet, Ni’Er, text your brother and ask."

Wearing cotton slippers and washing vegetables, the flower-aged girl replied somewhat helplessly to her grandfather, who had asked several times today, "I asked ten minutes ago, Xiaochun said he already set off."

"He should be here soon."

Zhou Yun, sitting in the courtyard, teased Ni’Er with a smile, "So, you’re a few months away from the college entrance exam, feeling confident?"

Zhou Yaling pursed her lips and didn’t dare answer her aunt’s question.

How should she respond to that? With Xiaochun’s relentless example above her, what confidence could she claim? To score lower ranks?

Unfortunately, even if Zhou Yaling didn’t answer, the old man nearby spoke plainly.

"Hey, if only Ni’Er could achieve half of what Xiaochun did."

Zhou Yaling let out a small "tsk" but didn’t argue.

They don’t know that Xiaochun’s already reached the top level. Comparing to him is just asking to be upset.

Whenever the class teacher mentions Xiaochun during class meetings, Zhou Yaling doesn’t dare tell her classmates, "That’s my brother."

It’s undeniable that while Zhou Yaling’s studies can’t match Mo Jingchun’s, when it comes to cooking, Mo Jingchun is under Zhou Yaling’s tutelage.

In the kitchen, with an apron on and her hair tied, Zhou Yaling was cooking, and Mo Jingchun finally arrived, leisurely on his barely functional electric bike.

Before the bike even stopped, the little one was scooped up by Mo Jingchun’s Aunt Zhou Yun.

"Oh, let Auntie see our little Xiaobao."

Hearing the commotion, Zhou Yaling, who held a spatula, ran out but quickly returned to prevent the food from burning.

"Xiaochun is quite something, taking such good care of Xiaobao," Mo Jingchun’s Uncle praised while entertaining the little one.

The little one seemed to know these were relatives, not showing any shyness in everyone’s arms.

Once Zhou Yaling finished cooking, she eagerly washed her hands and took Candy over, holding her with care.

"Candy is so cute."

"She’s smiling at me."

Passing by with a dish, Mo Jingchun heard his sister’s words and grinned, "Don’t overthink it. At school, she’ll smile at anyone who holds her."

Zhou Yaling gave Mo Jingchun a glare, "Mind your own business."

Oh ho, little girl, you’re getting bold!

We’ll have a good chat about your future plans later.

Let’s start with your target schools for the college entrance exam!

Seeing Mo Jingchun’s mischievous smile, Zhou Yaling immediately sensed something was off, losing her earlier bravado.

In her heart, Zhou Yaling muttered, "Once I’ve survived the college entrance exam, let’s see what you can hold over me."

If Mo Jingchun knew what his sister was thinking, he’d surely have a hearty laugh.

College entrance exam? You think it’s over after that? You probably don’t know your brother has started a company.

Ah ha ha ha.

For some reason, as Zhou Yaling watched Mo Jingchun’s back, she felt a sudden chill.

As Xiaobao tugged at her hair, Zhou Yaling let out an "Ouch" and quickly grabbed Candy’s mischievous little hand.

At the dining table, everyone just chatted about everyday life, avoiding unhappy topics. Even Zhou Yaling, who was close to the college entrance exam, wasn’t asked about her recent scores.

"Xiaochun, after the New Year, when are you going back to school?"

Mo Jingchun, sipping chicken soup, licked his lips and looked up to reply to Grandpa, "I’ll return on the fourteenth or fifteenth, unless something comes up, then I’ll leave earlier."

"Huh? University has things to do, too?"

Seeing his sister’s surprise, Mo Jingchun glanced at her; he couldn’t exactly say he was running a company and might need to check on it.

"Did you think university is all fun? Don’t tell me you believed your teachers about there being few classes?"

"Isn’t it true?"

Mo Jingchun nodded, expressionless, "There are few classes, just two make up a morning, and then there’s extra Saturday, Sunday, and homework."

Zhou Yaling blinked, still a bit confused.

"Xiaochun, with you being so busy at school, how do you manage Xiaobao?" Zhou Yun, listening to their conversation, asked curiously.

Mo Jingchun shrugged, telling Auntie, "It’s not so bad; classmates often help me and Candy. Nights are relatively free. In university, besides classes, it’s mainly about self-study, as textbook knowledge is ultimately limited."

After dinner, Zhou Yaling, who initially planned to wash dishes, sat pitifully among everyone, receiving Mo Jingchun’s special "loving education" under her mother’s intimidating gaze.

Holding the milk-saturated, sleeping Candy, Mo Jingchun smiled at Zhou Yaling and asked:

"Where did you rank in the citywide mock exam at the end of the year?"

The middle school both Mo Jingchun attended in high school and where Zhou Yaling studies is the same, County No.1 Middle School.

Based on his sister’s usual test rankings, Mo Jingchun had a rough idea of her current level.

"589th in the mock exam," Zhou Yaling replied weakly to Mo Jingchun’s question.

"So you’re basically 600th? With that score, aiming for a top-tier college is risky."

"It’s progress, okay? Besides, the next few months are the fastest for improvement."

"Only you improve? Others don’t? If you could score a perfect single-subject score like I did back in the day, I wouldn’t say anything."

Zhou Yaling: .....

Please, heavens, punish me; otherwise, why send such an annoying brother to torment me?

This trial-like discussion lasted nearly an hour amidst Zhou Yaling’s torment.

When Mo Jingchun and his aunt and uncle were about to leave, Mo Jingchun took out a thousand yuan in cash he’d obtained the previous day and gave it to Grandpa.

"You child, how can I take your money? I haven’t even given Xiaobao any New Year’s money; I can’t accept it, I can’t."

Facing Grandpa’s firm refusal, Mo Jingchun reiterated the words he’d used to deal with his uncle before.

In school, he can already earn money.

After much back-and-forth tugging, the elderly man sighed and accepted the thousand yuan with trembling hands.

"You’ve grown accomplished, really accomplished."