CHAPTER 358: 358. CAN’T BE MORE UNLUCKY

As soon as he put down the rice bowl, little Lian Li, affectionately called Yanzi by his parents and jokingly called the little black kid by Xinyue and others, signaled his awakening with a loud cry.

Lian En quickly got up and followed his mom into their parents’ bedroom.

"What do you think, big brother, isn’t he really dark? No wonder he’s called the little black kid," Xinqing teased, her face slightly disdainful.

Not only is he completely different from the sister she expected, but he could at least be more good-looking!

Aside from being dark and ugly, he immediately took over her spot as the most pampered in the family.

All these reasons are enough to make Xinqing, who was originally a lively and happy sister, become somewhat unwelcome to this little brother, right?

Yes, he is very dark.

So dark that you can’t help but wonder if losing him on the ground wouldn’t be an exaggeration; it might actually be the truth.

Still, those eyebrows and eyes, except for being a bit chubby and muscular, the kid looks exactly like the dutiful and sensible Yanzi in his dreams.

This alone is enough to make Lian En feel an overwhelming sense of closeness!

Watching his little brother, diaper changed by their mom and having his little butt washed, Lian En smiled tenderly: "Kids are all like this, I hear that the darker they are when they’re young, the fairer they turn out when they grow up."

As these words were said, not only did Xinqing roll her eyes, even Lian Xi and Xinyue were full of doubt, right?

No matter how much one changes, he can’t turn from a black pear to a white bun!

Not to mention far-off examples, just take their second uncle’s son Jianjun, who they say was so dark as a kid he was beyond words.

Now he’s grown up, and his features have settled nicely, making him smoother.

But his complexion is still beyond words dark!

So this "I’ve heard" from their big brother really couldn’t convince them.

The siblings complained openly, and Jianjun who was just "typified" heard every word and had quite a different opinion, so he spoke up: "Hey, I say, Xinyue, Lian Xi, that’s not right! What’s wrong with being dark? Just because I’m dark doesn’t mean I’m not handsome, okay? A big man should be dark; it shows masculinity and solidity, it’s manly."

Oh...

Even if the siblings felt otherwise, they couldn’t show it on their faces right now.

After all, they were in the wrong for talking like this behind someone’s back and then being overheard by the person involved.

After lamely apologizing, they quickly left, fearing that they’d be dragged back by their parents for a lesson the slightest delay.

Some things, even if their cousin doesn’t pursue them, their parents won’t turn a blind eye to them.

Seeing their mom was about to start feeding the little brother after washing him, Lian En quickly led Jianjun to his room.

After all, there was an electric fan there, whereas here, to care for their mom in confinement, there wasn’t even the slightest cross breeze. At most, the small south window in their parents’ room had a tiny slit, which had to be shut immediately after some air came in.

This July heat was truly deadly.

Jianjun and Lian En were about the same age, and from a young age, Jianjun especially admired this academic-genius cousin.

Having not seen each other for a long time, they naturally had endless things to say.

Of course, the most talked-about topic was Jianjun’s recent college entrance exam.

At nineteen, he did the most rebellious thing ever, thinking at the time that for his dreams he’d go to any lengths. Closing his eyes and steeling his heart, he resolutely changed the previously agreed-upon medical school choice.

Now that the scores were out and things were settled, he was flooded with this delayed feeling of fear.

He spent sleepless nights, endlessly worrying about what to do.

He was afraid that once it leaked, he’d have to face a scolding and a good beating.

Also afraid that even after that, his hot-tempered dad would outright stop him from going to Beijing for the interview, tear up his acceptance letter, and make him retake exams next year.

Seeing no way out, he started running to his aunt’s house more frequently.

He was hoping to hug the Buddha’s feet in times of crisis, hoping his aunt could stand up for him at the critical moment.

Now faced with his genius cousin’s inquiry, Jianjun couldn’t help but spill the beans, explaining in detail how things had come to be.

"So, you secretly changed your choice from the agreed-upon medical university to a film academy? Playing such a big game under your second uncle’s nose, now that the scores are out and the interview notification is coming, you’re afraid of being exposed? So you keep running to our house hoping my mom will block your second uncle at the crucial moment?" Lian En widened his eyes, wondering why father and son couldn’t talk things out properly and had to mess things up like this.

"Hah, you talk like it’s easy when you’re not in my shoes! Do you think every dad in the world is as understanding, respects children’s wishes like your dad does, always putting the child’s feelings first?

My dad, your second uncle, is just a violent dictator, an old stubborn, living Hitler!

He always uses his fists to make a point, likes to reason things out with his fists most.

Why are you blinking? Blinking for what? Got some eyelid twitching or what? Living in the same village, I don’t believe you don’t know what kind of person your second uncle is!"

"Hmph, then why don’t you tell me, what kind of person is your second uncle? Tell me in detail so that I know what kind of image I have in your eyes!" Liu Shouyi, who had already arrived in a huff, happened to overhear his son’s disrespectful remarks.

It was just like pouring gasoline on a raging flame, making it extremely difficult for Liu Shouyi not to flare up!

Realizing his cousin wasn’t just blinking for nothing, but trying to signal him to stop while he was still ahead, Jianjun’s legs almost gave out in front of him.

Having just overheard his cousin’s jokes about how dark he was, and then immediately getting caught by his dad?

Talk about bad luck.

Jianjun inwardly grumbled, quickly forcing a smile uglier than crying, his voice trembling with a bit of unavoidable fear: "Dad, Dad, Dad, why are you here!"

"Why am I here?" Liu Shouyi squinted his eyes, full of killing intent: "If I didn’t come, I’d never know how badly you’ve messed up. I wouldn’t know that in your eyes, I’m such a violent dictator, an old stubborn who’s still a living Hitler, right? Secretly changing your choice, refusing to become a doctor, all to become some kind of actor, you little brat have some nerve..."

"No, it’s not like that! I know I’m dark, and maybe I don’t have any talent for performing, so pursuing acting might not work out very well. And you and Mom probably wouldn’t like seeing me out there acting, so I never considered the acting department from the start.

I want to study directing so that I can make better, more excellent movies and TV shows for the country and people as a director in the future," when it came to his dreams and determination, Jianjun, who usually cowered in front of his dad, stood firm for once.

Even though his voice still carried a bit of undeniable tremor, at least he could muster the courage to express his thoughts, right?