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In memory, this younger brother always had a poor attitude towards her; the reason was nothing else but Xu Niannian's sharp tongue.
She would always criticize her brother when there was an issue or not, especially this one who was only a year younger than her because he was the only one who would talk back to her.
Xu Niannian, having been spoiled, could not bear Xu Zhiqiang's retorts and naturally held the most dissatisfaction towards him.
Xu Niannian's mother, Yang Cuihua, was a woman with a powerful capacity for brainwashing; she always nagged in front of Xu Niannian, saying that sons were a loss, that they'd require a dowry for marriage and a division of the family home.
Under Yang Cuihua's influence from a young age, Xu Niannian also believed that boys were a financial drain.
Whenever Xu Zhiqiang did something that was not to her liking, Xu Niannian would start hurling insults, absolutely embodying Yang Cuihua's aggressive spirit.
Although Xu Niannian did not want people to notice that she wasn't the original person, she also did not want to deliberately become as spiteful and petty as the original to gain trust.
So she just casually responded, "Leave it in the main room; I'll go out to eat."
Hearing her words, Xu Zhiqiang visibly paused, incredulous as he looked at Xu Niannian.
Was this lazybones really not scolding him today?
On any other day, if she saw him and didn't berate him a few times, she wouldn't be content.
Meeting his surprised gaze, Xu Niannian felt a bit uneasy, touching her nose. Had he noticed something off about her?
She was inexplicably nervous.
Really, to be in her early twenties and still feel nervous.
Although Xu Zhiqiang was surprised, he did not say much else and simply carried the bowl of sweetened egg soup outside.
Outside, Xu Zhicheng was holding Xu Duoyu's hand. Despite being only nine years old, he spoke with a maturity beyond his years.
Seeing Xu Zhiqiang come out with the bowl, he stepped forward and asked, "Why isn't sister eating?"
The glutton usually loved such foods; typically, if there was a bowl of sweetened egg soup, she would gulp it down in no time.
He suspected the lazybones was skipping the food because she planned to pick a fight with him first.
The little guy saw Xu Niannian come out, face tensed up tight. Even though he disliked Xu Niannian, he still feared this overbearing older sister.
As for Xu Duoyu, he was eagerly staring at the sweetened egg soup Xu Zhiqiang held in his hands, his mouth practically watering.
Dark little hands embraced his round, burgeoned little belly.
Kids at this age, even if they are thin, tend to have protruding bellies.
Xu Zhiqiang's expression remained unchanged, and without answering Xu Zhicheng's question, he just placed the sweetened egg soup on the main room's square table.
This table, used for daily meals, was made of wood and looked quite worn and dark.
As soon as Xu Niannian approached the table, she saw Xu Zhiqiang habitually pull out a stool for her.
The servile attitude was truly astonishing; this wasn't how a younger brother behaved, but more like a servant.
In Xu Niannian's view, younger brothers and sisters should be treated with affection, not expected to serve.
"I'll do it myself from now on," she said with a calm expression, her words giving nothing away, making it impossible to discern her emotions.
Xu Zhiqiang paused again. Had this sloth changed her ways?
Usually, if he was even a bit slow pulling out the stool, she would curse at him.
Could it be that her brain got damaged?
The so-called sweetened egg soup was just water boiled in a pot, with an egg beaten into it, and some sugar added—that was all.
The bowl containing the sweetened egg soup was a grey clay bowl. Xu Niannian, truly hungry by now, cared not for the taste and took a sip right away. Indeed, it didn't taste all that great.
Just as she took a sip, Xu Niannian noticed a small turnip head appear opposite her at the table.
This little turnip head was Xu Duoyu, the youngest brother of the original person, his eyes fixed on the bowl of sweetened egg soup, his big, round eyes full of longing.
The little turnip was only as tall as the table, his dark little hands on its edge, Xu Niannian saw him swallow several times.
Perhaps because Xu Niannian looked at Xu Duoyu for too long, Xu Zhicheng and Xu Zhiqiang quickly pulled Xu Duoyu away.
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Xu Zhicheng hastily explained, "Sister, Duoyu didn't mean to eat."
Xu Zhiqiang stood in front of Xu Duoyu, his face darkening, "If you want to hit someone, hit me. Duoyu is still small and can't withstand your torment."
Xu Niannian was perplexed. What had she done?
Why was everyone treating her as if she were a raging flood and savage beast?
However, remembering how cruel the original owner had been to her three younger brothers, it was indeed not much different from a raging flood and savage beast.
In memory, once Xu Duoyu had merely said, "Sister, I want to eat your syrup-soaked egg."
At that time, Xu Duoyu was not even two years old, and there was much he didn't understand.
Xu Niannian pinched Xu Duoyu's face and cursed loudly, pinching so hard that he bled and was swollen for several days.
Yet, instead of disciplining Xu Niannian, Yang Cuihua not only beat Xu Duoyu but also said she would throw him out to feed the stray dogs.
This frightened the then innocent and ignorant Xu Duoyu into illness. Xu Zhicheng and Xu Zhiqiang were also terrified and had to talk Yang Cuihua into keeping their brother.
Truly a sister no better than a beast.
It's no wonder the younger brothers were so afraid of her.
Beyond fear, there was likely hate too.
In her previous life, Xu Niannian had been an orphan, never having enjoyed familial affection, but she had a profound fondness for children.
How could the original owner have been so heartless as to bully such a small child?
Recalling this, Xu Niannian's expression remained unchanged, but she found herself unable to swallow the syrup-soaked egg.
"I don't want to drink it," she said in a tone so indifferent that, without any expression, it seemed quite harsh.
Xu Zhiqiang's brows furrowed deeply. "This is the best food we have in the house, what more do you want?" he said, his voice already carrying a tinge of anger.
"Don't want anything, just suddenly don't feel like eating. I'm not hungry," she replied.
After speaking, she beckoned to Xu Duoyu, "Come here."
Xu Duoyu shivered in fear.
Xu Zhicheng protectively held Xu Duoyu close, saying anxiously, "Sister, Duoyu is still young and doesn't understand anything."
He thought that Xu Niannian was discontent with Xu Duoyu's behavior from earlier, wanting to take her anger out on him.
Xu Niannian was somewhat helpless. What a beast the original owner was, look at the mess she left behind.
She pursed her lips, took the bowl, and handed it to Xu Zhicheng, "I don't want to eat it anymore, you two share it."
"Sister, what are you talking about?" Xu Zhicheng asked, dubious.
Xu Niannian knew that no matter how much she said, these brothers she had bullied too harshly would not easily trust her.
So, she intentionally made a stern face, "Come here. My words don't matter, do they? If you don't come here, believe me, I'll hit you."
Sure enough, the threat worked. The two, who had been stubbornly refusing to come over, still looked uncertain but obediently walked over.
Xu Zhicheng seated Xu Duoyu on the long bench, slowly taking a seat next to Xu Niannian, effectively placing himself between Xu Duoyu and her.
Only then did Xu Niannian notice Xu Duoyu trembling continuously out of fear.
"Drink it!"
Xu Niannian pushed the bowl towards the two kids, commanding.
Xu Zhicheng, seeing that Xu Niannian genuinely meant to give them the syrup-soaked egg, looked at her with a mixture of shock and disbelief, finding it inconceivable.
Xu Zhiqiang watched Xu Niannian warily, not understanding what she was up to.
Even though Xu Niannian gave the order with a stern face, compared to the original owner's arrogance and overbearing manner, her words were still much gentler.