After Descending the Mountain, Seven Big Brothers Spoil Me - Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Rushing to Compete for Favor
Words failed to bridge their differences; after discussing business, they exchanged not a single pleasantry.

One wore a cold face, the other a dismissive pout, as they entered the Qin household, one after the other.

Inside, Zhouzhou was eagerly introducing the Qin family members to Lu Qing. Grandma Qin, with a warm smile, brought over a fruit plate and curiously asked, “Zhouzhou, how many senior brothers do you have?”

Zhouzhou glanced at her chubby little hands, spread one out, and held up two fingers with the other, replying sweetly, “Seven.”

“So many,” Grandma Qin remarked in surprise. Besides Lu Qing, she had met the eldest and third senior brothers, leaving four yet to be seen.

She couldn’t help but ask, “What are your other senior brothers like?”

Talking about her senior brothers, Zhouzhou’s interest piqued. She excitedly said, “You’ve met the eldest and third senior brothers, Grandma. The eldest is an honest man, and the third is like a child.”

“Our second senior brother cooks the best meals.”

“The sixth senior brother is the gentlest.”

“The seventh senior brother loves to paint, but I think his paintings are useless compared to mine.”

Zhouzhou shook her head proudly. Her declaration of uselessness was meant in a practical sense, for her paintings could calm the mind, aid sleep, and ward off evil spirits, even if they were a bit harsh on the eyes.

Grandma Qin, understanding this, didn’t expose her. Curious about the missing mention, she asked, “And what about your fourth senior brother?”

Zhouzhou’s expression froze, and she buried her head in eating an orange, her face crumpling in resistance. After a while, she muttered, “Fourth senior brother is a meanie!”

Her little mouth pouted indignantly. Grandma Qin frowned, “Does your fourth senior brother bully you?”

Zhouzhou nodded vigorously, “He always steals my food but never eats it, only to give it back to me later. He likes to pat my head and interrupts me when I draw talismans, not letting me work in peace.”

As she spoke of her fourth senior brother, Zhouzhou’s mouth ran with complaints, her chubby fingers waving in frustration.

It was their first time seeing her like this, as she usually spoke happily of her other senior brothers. Could it be that her fourth senior brother truly mistreated her?

But these actions didn’t sound like bullying; they seemed more like attempts to gain her attention, to play with her.

Lu Qing smiled silently, offering no explanation. Zhouzhou had so many senior brothers, while they had only one Zhouzhou as their little junior sister. Eliminating one rival was naturally a good thing.

Grandma Qin, having never met Zhouzhou’s fourth senior brother, could only listen and nod. Zhouzhou, after venting her grievances, concluded with a deep breath, “Fourth senior brother is the worst.”

“Indeed, indeed.” A voice from the doorway echoed her sentiment. Looking up, they saw Yun You striding in, followed by Mu Xuan. Yun You nodded vigorously, “That’s right, Fourth Junior Brother is the worst.”

“Eldest senior brother! Third senior brother!” Zhouzhou’s face lit up. She ran over, grabbing their hands joyfully. “Why are you here? Did you know Fifth Senior Brother is here too?”

Hearing this, Mu Xuan and Yun You turned to look at Lu Qing. He nodded slightly in greeting, “Eldest senior brother, third senior brother.”

Yun You, simple-minded, waved his hand cheerfully and walked over, slapping Lu Qing on the shoulder, “Lu Qing, you’re here too!”

Thin and frail, Lu Qing staggered from the impact. Seeing this, Zhouzhou quickly removed Yun You’s hand, “Third Senior Brother, be gentle, you’re hurting Fifth Senior Brother.”

Yun You looked at them innocently and muttered, “It’s Lu Qing who is too weak.”

Hearing this, Mu Xuan glanced over, raising an eyebrow. Weak? Where did he get that idea?

Sensing his gaze, Lu Qing looked over and smiled gently. Mu Xuan’s lips curved into a smile as well, the atmosphere appearing harmonious.

Zhouzhou noticed and cheerfully said, “Eldest senior brother and Fifth Senior Brother are the best.”

“What about me, what about me?” Yun You’s large face came closer, looking expectant for praise. Zhouzhou nodded, “Third Senior Brother is great too, better than the fourth senior brother!”

“Exactly,” Yun You nodded emphatically, “Qin Xi is the most annoying, always bullying Zhouzhou.”

Zhouzhou was their precious treasure, and they all feared she might get hurt. Only Qin Xi seemed to spend his days bullying her.

His mere mention sparked irritation, leading the two to hold hands and fervently complain.

Mu Xuan and Lu Qing sat quietly on the side. Grandma Qin invited them to eat some fruit, steering the conversation away.

Zhouzhou sank into the soft sofa, her chubby feet crossed, slowly swaying. With a small belly protruding, she indulged in fruits and cakes, with juice fed by Lu Qing.

Her cheeks puffed with food, resembling a landlady enjoying her leisurely days.

After a while, Zhouzhou suddenly remembered something and asked, “Why did eldest senior brother and third senior brother come?”

“Nothing special, just that eldest senior brother heard Fifth Senior Brother was here, so we came to see him,” Yun You answered without thinking.

Lu Qing turned to Mu Xuan, who said, “Thank you, eldest senior brother.”

Mu Xuan smiled with the demeanor of a caring elder, “Lu Qing, you don’t have a place to stay yet, do you? My home is ready for you. You can stay with me.”

Lu Qing still smiled, but with a hint of embarrassment. He glanced at Zhouzhou and said, “Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother. But I already promised Zhouzhou to stay with her.”

Hearing this, Zhouzhou nodded repeatedly, “Yes, Fifth Senior Brother is staying with me. I have to keep an eye on him, so he doesn’t randomly tell fortunes.”

She remembered the earlier incident and couldn’t help but glare at him. Lu Qing, like a child who had done something wrong, lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhouzhou immediately felt sorry for him, hugging him to console, “I’m sorry, Fifth Senior Brother, I won’t say it again. Master said admitting mistakes and correcting them is great. Just don’t do it again.”

She shook her little head, her words flowing, her little green onion sprouting and swaying, her chubby face incredibly cute.

A hint of amusement flashed in Lu Qing’s eyes. He held her hand, “Okay, I’ll remember.”

Upon hearing this, Zhouzhou smiled contentedly.

Mu Xuan watched them, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. Noticing his gaze, Lu Qing looked over, a smile playing on his lips that seemed friendly but carried a hint of smugness.

Mu Xuan clenched his hand, returning a similarly friendly smile, though his eyes betrayed a different sentiment.

A fake who only knows how to play the pity card.

Lu Qing maintained his gentle and warm demeanor, but the true emotions flickered in his eyes, hidden behind the facade.

He met Mu Xuan’s gaze unflinchingly, his expression calm.

Isn’t he also just a big bad wolf pretending to be gentle and magnanimous?

Can he honestly say he didn’t know Lu Qing was here and rushed over to vie for attention?

Their eyes locked, a cold tension filling the air.