After Descending the Mountain, Seven Big Brothers Spoil Me - Chapter 457

Chapter 457: Bring Them Here, Let them Fight!
Adhering to the principle of the early bird catching the worm and not losing at the starting line, Zhouzhou studied diligently.

Watching his soft little cousin, Qin Ren displayed a gentle expression, relishing their rare moment of solitude.

Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden knock came on the door.

He turned his head and saw Mu Xuan walking in with a smile, saying, “It’s time for metaphysics.” Instantly, the eyes behind his plain glasses turned dangerous.

Qin Ren’s fingertips rested on Zhouzhou’s shoulder in a possessive manner, his expression towards Mu Xuan becoming unfriendly.

Yet, Mu Xuan seemed oblivious, calmly approaching and saying, “Zhouzhou, your fifth senior brother has prepared the tools for drawing talismans.”

Hearing this, Zhouzhou hurriedly jumped off the chair. “Let’s go, let’s go, we mustn’t let Fifth Senior Brother draw, we have to keep a close watch on him.”

“Yes,” Mu Xuan nodded, taking her hand and walking out step by step. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to nod politely at Qin Ren, then decisively closed the door with a snap.

Qin Ren, removing his glasses, gently rubbed his fingertips together, his tongue pressing against his cheek.

Anyone who tried to take Zhouzhou was no good. Coincidentally, Mu Xuan thought the same.

Upon reaching the study, Mu Xuan immediately locked the door and led Zhouzhou to the table without a word.

Zhouzhou, oblivious to the subtle battle among her brothers, dashed to the table, snatched the cinnabar brush from Lu Qing’s hand, and handed him a book. “Fifth Senior Brother, you read.”

Lu Qing smiled, nodded, and without a word, took the book and sat on a chair, removing the black cloth from his eyes to read.

His scholarly demeanor made his profile look even gentler while reading. Zhouzhou couldn’t help but glance at him.

Fifth Senior Brother was truly handsome, albeit a bit weak. His frail body couldn’t withstand any strain and needed proper care.

Thinking this, Zhouzhou hurriedly pushed the water and fruit platter on the table towards him, placing her chubby little hand on his knee, looking up at him with a soft face. “Fifth Senior Brother, rest if you’re tired.”

“Alright,” Lu Qing replied warmly. They shared a smile, filled with warmth.

However, Mu Xuan’s face darkened as he glanced at the “delicate” Fifth Junior Brother, his heart scoffing.

Sensing his gaze, Lu Qing looked over and gave him a “friendly” smile. Sparks flew instantly.

Mu Xuan clenched his fist; indeed, there was a reason he didn’t like him. He spread out the yellow paper, smiling at Zhouzhou.

“Zhouzhou, let me draw a talisman and you can guide me. I haven’t been drawing them well lately.”

“Sure, sure,” Zhouzhou climbed onto the chair, squatting. “Eldest Senior Brother, you go ahead.”

“Alright,” Mu Xuan then drew a talisman in front of her. Zhouzhou, after a moment, exclaimed, “No, no, Senior Brother, it’s not drawn like this. Let me teach you.” She demonstrated this on the paper. “Got it?”

Mu Xuan nodded, but when he drew it again, there were still issues. Feeling frustrated, he said, “Zhouzhou, am I too dumb?”

“Of course not.” Although Zhouzhou didn’t understand why such a simple talisman always eluded her Eldest Senior Brother, she instinctively comforted him. “It’s okay, practice a few more times and you’ll get it.”

“Alright, then I’ll trouble you to teach me a few more times,” he said, blushing slightly, looking bashful and honest. Zhouzhou patted her small chest. “Don’t be polite with me, we’re all family!”

With that, she began teaching again. Mu Xuan chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over to his junior brother, giving him the same “friendly” smile.

Lu Qing’s smile froze, his grip on the book tightening subconsciously.

What a nice Eldest Senior Brother he had. Just as the saying goes, ginger gets spicier with age.

When Mu Xuan finally “succeeded” in drawing his first correct talisman, she turned around and saw Lu Qing sitting quietly on the side, looking somewhat lonely. Zhouzhou immediately felt she had neglected him, so she quickly peeled an orange and brought it to his mouth, coaxing, “Fifth Senior Brother, what are you reading? I’ll read with you.”

“Okay,” Lu Qing replied, still smiling gently without a trace of complaint.

Seeing this, Mu Xuan’s eyes grew cold again.

Zhouzhou, oblivious, was like an emperor being fought over by concubines, unable to favor one over the other. She was a bona fide little flirt. But what could they do? They just liked her. So, they had to compete for her favor. As for sharing her attention equally? Ha, whoever wanted that could have it; they wanted her all to themselves!

The two of them, one playing dumb and the other feigning weakness, secretly exchanged cutting glances, while Zhouzhou busied herself between them. However, this delicate balance was shattered the moment Qin Lie walked in.

He stood at the door and said, “It’s time to learn characters.”

“Coming!” Zhouzhou unhesitatingly ran toward him and innocently waved goodbye to Mu Xuan and Lu Qing, “See you tomorrow, Eldest Senior Bother, Fifth Senior Brother.”

“See you tomorrow.”

As soon as the little girl left, the study fell silent. Mu Xuan and Lu Qing exchanged a glance, and Mu Xuan sneered, “Fifth Junior Brother, what a clever act. Since when have you been so frail?”

It’s true that Lu Qing had a precarious fate, but he wasn’t a fool. He loved reading and had long finished reading the books in the master’s study, even finding ways to change his fate. Though he still faced various dangers, he wasn’t as weak as he appeared. Only Zhouzhou still thought he was.

Hearing this, Lu Qing looked at him in apparent surprise, “Eldest Senior Brother, when did I say that?”

Indeed, he hadn’t said it outright; he merely led Zhouzhou to believe so. Watching his innocent expression, Mu Xuan clenched his fists.

What a saintly white lotus; this was clearly a black-hearted angelic bitch. Bah!

He shot him a cold glance and left with a flick of his sleeves.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Qing slowly refocused on his book, turning a page with a faint smile. Sometimes, not competing is a form of competition.

Zhouzhou, unaware of the tension between her brothers, lay in Qin Lie’s arms, learning to read with him.

Qin Lie, looking at the dictionary, pinched his little daughter’s cheek. “Are you tired?”

Zhouzhou shook her head. “Not at all, it’s fun. I love learning.”

Seeing she wasn’t forcing herself, Qin Lie felt reassured. “If you get tired, let me know. You need to balance work and rest, don’t overwork yourself.”

“Mm-hmm!” Zhouzhou nodded vigorously. “I’m not tired. Daddy, let’s continue.”

“Alright.” Since it wasn’t suitable to exercise at night, Ye Lingfeng scheduled Zhouzhou’s lessons for the morning.

Zhouzhou, being an early riser, followed him to learn a new set of martial arts, then returned to her room for a refreshing shower, had breakfast, and headed off to kindergarten.

How wonderful, another fulfilling day had begun. Waving goodbye to Qin Lie, Zhouzhou skipped into kindergarten.

Noticing her palm, she suddenly exclaimed, “Wow, I have good money-fortune today!”

Hearing this, the teacher looked over, puzzled. “Hmm?”

Zhouzhou was about to speak when someone suddenly rushed towards her, fell to the ground with a thud, and hugged her leg, wailing, “Little Celestial Master, save me!”