Her brother's cries mingled with the furious arguments of the two red-faced adults.

Outside, it was utter chaos.

The shadow of the crooked-necked tree gradually blurred. In this noisy environment, Ding Xian was suddenly overcome by sleepiness. She was already used to it; this was the norm at home.

This was her last thought before falling asleep.

'Let these three years pass quickly; let this hellish eighteen-year-old age end soon,' she thought.

The next day, yesterday's farce became a fleeting memory once again.

Ye Wanxian took the Ding Family siblings to the Zhou Residence at the end of the East Alley for a visit.

Before leaving, Ye Wanxian repeatedly instructed them that Uncle Zhou was an influential person; he had put in a lot of effort for Father's transfer this time, so they must say many pleasant things at the dinner table.

After speaking, she glanced at Ding Xian and specifically instructed, “Uncle Zhou has a son, the young master of the Zhou Family, who also got into Third High School this year.” I heard his total score wasn't as high as yours. You can help him more often and get on good terms with him.”

Ding Xian felt that, in her mother's eyes.

The division of humanity wasn't men, women, old people, or children, but only two types: useful people and useless people.

“Okay.”

She mechanically assented on the surface, but she felt she was entering her rebellious phase. She would definitely not put her mother's instructions into practice; perhaps she could even be more rebellious and do the exact opposite.

However, the moment she saw that young master, Ding Xian suddenly had a fleeting thought of aligning herself with her mother.

Uncle Zhou, among those in their forties, was considered a handsome and talented man, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and appearing refined and courteous. Mrs. Zhou was the most beautiful middle-aged 'girl' Ding Xian had ever seen; using the word 'girl' wasn't out of place at all, as her age was completely indiscernible.

Ye Wanxian put her flattering skills to use, making Mrs. Zhou laugh heartily. Mrs. Zhou naturally and warmly linked arms with her, politely saying, “Coincidentally, we have a bunch of children over today.” Why don't you all stay for dinner?”

Ye Wanxian couldn't have wished for more, feigning surprise: “Oh, wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?”

Mrs. Zhou waved her hand with a smile: “Trouble? It's just a few extra pairs of chopsticks.” They're all Siyue's classmates from Third High School. It'll be good for Xianxian to get acquainted with them.”

“Exactly, exactly.” After saying this, Ye Wanxian pulled Ding Xian over and feigned, “Xianxian, this is Aunt Zhou, whom I often mention to you.”

Ding Xian silently looked at Mrs. Zhou.

She wondered, 'What if I were to say right now, "Actually, my mom has never mentioned you once." '

What would Ye Wanxian's reaction be?

But Mrs. Zhou was indeed kind and amiable. She decided to temporarily retract her fangs and put on a docile smile: “Aunt Zhou, hello. I often hear my mom talk about you.”

One of the signs of the rebellious phase: lying without batting an eye.

Mrs. Zhou patted her head: “Good girl.”

The nanny had finished cooking, and Mrs. Zhou, along with Mother Ding and her two children, was already seated at the dining table.

A girl wearing a small floral hat was the first to dash down the stairs. She paused when she saw Ding Xian, then smiled and found a seat: “Aunt Zhou, who is this older sister?”

Mrs. Zhou said: “This is your Brother Siyue's friend, named Ding Xian.”

The girl had a round, fair, and delicate face; she was very pretty. Sitting in a dining chair across half the table, she extended her hand in a friendly gesture: “Hello, older sister, my name is Song Yijin.”

She was probably the prettiest girl Ding Xian had ever seen.

Even prettier than the most attractive girl at her old school.

She also extended her hand, putting on what she thought was a generous smile, and replied with a slight smile: “Hello, my name is Ding Xian.”

Song Yijin retracted her hand and praised her: “You're so thin.”

Ding Xian replied: “You're so pretty.”

Two half-grown children, imitating adult compliments at the dining table, made Mrs. Zhou and Mother Ding both laugh and shake their heads.

But they didn't know.

In Ding Xian and Song Yijin's own world, they were already adults.

Mrs. Zhou smiled: “Alright, what are you two kids doing, talking like adults?”

Mother Ding echoed: “Children nowadays are all precocious.”

Despite what the adults said, Song Yijin and Ding Xian exchanged a smile; this was the secret of growing up.

Ding Xian had read a sentence in a book.

'Adults always treat them like children because they are unwilling to believe that they themselves are old,' she recalled.

Ten minutes passed, and no one else had come down. Mrs. Zhou became anxious: “Yijin, why aren't they down yet?”

Song Yijin: “Brother Jiang Chen and the others are still playing games.” I was hungry, so I came down first. Brother Siyue is still asleep; I can't wake him up. How can he be 'sleepy as a dog' every day…”

As soon as she finished, she regretted it. She had spoken too quickly, being unrestrained when joking around privately, forgetting to temper her words in front of elders. Song Yijin stuck out her tongue again, a little flustered.

Mrs. Zhou rubbed her head, playfully scolding: “How can a young girl like you say rude things all the time?”

Just as she spoke, the upstairs guest room door suddenly opened, and several voices rang out. Song Yijin exclaimed, “Brother Jiang Chen and the others are coming down.”

Mrs. Zhou called upstairs: “Ah Chen.”

The voices stopped, and a clear, resonant male voice replied: “Here.”

Mrs. Zhou: “Go wake Siyue. That boy is practically dead asleep.” Everyone's waiting for him to eat. The rest of you, wash your hands and come down for dinner.”

“Alright.” Jiang Chen had just won two rounds, so he was in a good mood. “You wait, I'll drag him down for you.”

Immediately after, a 'bang bang bang—' of knocking on an upstairs door was heard, along with Jiang Chen's standard baritone, carrying a hint of a broadcast voice: “Ah Yue!!! Stop sleeping!! Your mom is calling you for dinner!!!”

Jiang Chen was relentless.

“Open the door!! Open the door!!!”

For some reason, Ding Xian felt a little nervous, holding her breath and listening to the sounds from upstairs.

To be honest, she was quite curious about that young master.

'What kind of extraordinary being could the Zhou couple's incredible genes produce?' she wondered.

Upstairs suddenly went silent for three seconds.

First, there was the shuffling sound of slippers, coming closer, then a 'clank' as a door was opened. Immediately after, an extremely irritable and impatient voice rang out:

“Jiang Chen, are you looking to die?!?”

To Ding Xian's ears, it somehow carried a hint of sleepy laziness and sexiness.