The smile on Li Yuchen's face vanished without a trace and his expression became frosty, looking like a younger version of his father.
"What did you say?"
Jiu Renxin was about to retort, but seeing the expression on Li Yuchen's face, he lost his voice, as well as a part of his courage.
The incident that happened last time left a deep deterrence in his heart. Although he wasn't involved, he was the one that hinted at Yu Bowen to talk that day.
The plan was merely to annoy Li Yuchen that day, but he became afraid when the matter actually blew up.
Fortunately there was Teacher Long at the front, and Principal Shen was also a person that could judge fairly, so it ended with a reprimand and some light punishment for both boys. Their parents weren't even informed.
But Jiu Renxin wasn't reconciled. How was what he said wrong? No normal person would be excited to see their stepmother, right?
At least, he wasn't looking forward to seeing his own stepmother in the Capital.
"Seriously, what even gives you the right to talk to me like that? It's the O, as in the odacrity for me." Jiu Renxin stated with false bravado.
Li Yuchen paused for a moment, forgetting his anger temporarily, "The oda- what?" As bad as he was in Literature, he felt that didn't even sound like an actual word.
"Odacrity. Incase you don't know this word, it's O-D-A-C-R-I-T-Y, specially coined to describe the behavior of someone like you that doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth!" Seeing that Li Yuchen was stuck, Jiu Renxin repeated it proudly and even educated him further.
The tense atmosphere suddenly dissolved.
Even Liu Shou, who had been silently watching them had to hold back a laugh. He didn't know his friend could be so confident whilst saying nonsense.
"It's actually audacity, A-U-D-A-C-I-T-Y. Seems like you should spend your holiday learning words all over again." Han Yichen said as he came to stand beside Li Yuchen.
Recently, Han Yichen had learned to speak in full sentences, particularly when he was talking to Li Yuchen, or purely when he wanted to roast someone.
Li Yuchen, who had been proven right, looked at Jiu Renxin provocatively before sneering, "Now I see that your spelling is as bad as your fashion sense."
Jiu Renxin, who was wearing his favourite pair of orange trousers and purple boots felt very offended. What was that supposed to mean?
But he kept quiet because he felt embarrassed. He didn't know he had been saying the word wrongly all along!
Tian Jue was having a hard time holding back his laughter. As harsh as Li Yuchen's words were, they were not false at all.
He had hinted to Jiu Renxin lots of times that his fashion choices were less than appealing, but the boy only heard what he liked to hear, saying that many people had praised his fashion sense, so nothing changed.
It was obvious that the people around him only flattered him for what they could get, not because his style was truly aesthetically pleasing, but how could Tian Jue help him understand?
Now it was all good, someone else directly told him to his face!
Without waiting for him to reply, Li Yuchen brushed past him and moved faster toward the parking lot, leaving Han Yichen in the dust.
Han Yichen followed more slowly, but not before dropping the words, "Hopefully you would have learnt proper manners and vocabulary by the time we meet again."
Jiu Renxin's face was red, "I just can't like those two!"
Tian Jue said, "That's a pity. They're really fun."
Jiu Renxin glared at him, while Liu Shou looked in the direction Han Yichen went in.
This time, he was definitely going to ask his aunt when he got to the Capital.
Seeing Pei Yueran, who was standing in front of a familiar grey Aston Martin, Li Yuchen quickened his steps and barreled in her direction.
"My Goddess!"
Li Chuanmo frowned and planned to block him, but Pei Yueran gave him a look. He was not allowed to interrupt their reunion.
She spread her arms and successfully caught the person, joy written all over her face, "You little rascal, it's good to see you!" She said as she pinched his soft cheeks.
"My Goddess, how are you? It seems like you got thinner?"
Pei Yueran waved her hand dismissively, "I wasn't feeling well for a while, but I'm much better now. It's just that I missed both of you so much."
"Oh no. Why didn't you tell us? Don't worry, we're back now. I'll make sure I spend the entire holiday by your side."
Hearing that, Li Chuanmo, who had been watching their display of affection from the side seized the opportunity to separate them, "Alright, stop clinging to my wife, go away."
Pouting, Li Yuchen complained, "Is this how you welcome me after so long?"
His dad was really too much! When he needed his help, he was willing to agree to anything. Now that he had gotten what he wanted, he no longer recognized his ally.
Hmph!
Li Chuanmo was dismissive, "It wasn't long enough." The last time they came home was for the wedding almost two months ago, after which they were too busy to make it back, much to Pei Yueran's sadness.
Not like Li Chuanmo complained. In his opinion, it would have been good if they had elected to stay back in school, even for this holiday.
But he couldn't voice it out. His wife, who had been looking forward to their arrival would ignore him forever. And if he had to be honest, he had missed them a bit too.
Li Yuchen couldn't believe the betrayal. Was this still his dad?
While he was nursing his imaginary wounds, Han Yichen arrived. After greeting both of them and getting hugs in return, he put his bag and Li Yuchen's bag into the car trunk.
Before long, they were on their way home, with Li Yuchen talking about events that happened in school and Han Yichen adding some sentences by the side.
*****
Amidst the receding snow, the country ushered in the Lunar New Year holiday.
The holiday was an opportunity for family reunion, so people that worked or schooled in different cities usually went back to the family homes to reunite and spend the holiday with families.
The New Year's Eve was a particularly festive occasion, especially in the Capital. On this day, big families— even those that did not have a good relationship— would typically gather at home for a big family meal.
That was why Han Leifeng was currently seated in the huge dining hall, together with other members of the first and second houses. The Han patriarch, Han Jianfeng sat down at the head of the table, flanked on both sides by his sons and their families.