Chapter 35: Contempt

Chapter 35: Contempt

Bran stood at the gate of the Manor looking at the young boy and girl before him, feeling a bit dazed. The girl reluctantly pushed the lamb towards Bran. Even though they hadn’t seen each other for a few days, the little lamb that had just returned home was extremely excited, hopping and rubbing against Bran for a long time. But Bran couldn’t feel any joy. If you could steal something from us Northlanders, you should be proud of having taken it. At the very least, you should have waited for me to come challenge you, beaten you until you were picking your teeth off the ground, and then you could obediently return it with both hands. Since when did the relationship between our two peoples become so friendly?

Bran truly felt like he needed a hug from Danny at that moment. This was bullying, and bullying that had come right to his home. Where are your hands, Danny? Give me your hand. So Bran instinctively raised his hand, reaching towards that familiar height. But Danny wasn’t by his side now. So after raising his hand to that height, Bran turned around and walked back inside, leaving the two youths at the gate.

Just as the two were about to leave, Bran returned to the gate, pulling the tall female Warrior along with him. Danny’s appearance made the two youths feel a hint of pressure. A person’s reputation casts a long shadow; the influence of Danny’s previous killings had gradually spread. But the slight admiration and respect for a strong person also made the two youths seem somewhat excited.

“Take the lamb back. I will bring Bran to take it back personally when I have time.” Hearing the words of this tall female Warrior made the two youths even more excited. This was a form of recognition, a kind of unspoken understanding between Warriors. So the two youths, excited yet somewhat solemn, bowed respectfully to Danny. “Aiman, Eileen, we greet you.”

“Also, if you have time, you are welcome to visit the Mountain Villa.”

What do young people need? Sometimes, just a look of recognition is enough. An attitude of equality can give them immense satisfaction.

…

The two mischievous kids happily carried the lamb back to their camp. However, their fathers and older brothers didn’t think the same way, though they didn’t want to ruin the children’s happy mood. They just sighed inwardly that the Northlanders had also learned to be sly.

Given the nature of Northlanders, if they didn’t retrieve their things the same day, they probably couldn’t sleep at all. If a night passed without them coming, it basically meant they didn’t care about the matter. The two kids had stolen the lamb and run away, even letting them be happy for a few days. They had really hoped that this Northlander wild child would jump up to interact and spar with their own kids. But after figuring out Bran’s identity as an Idiot, this happiness turned somewhat speechless. Their own kids had stolen something from an Idiot? Did they have no shame at all?

But then another question arose. Your adult said she would personally take it back when she had time? What does ‘when I have time’ mean? Since when did Northlanders learn to speak such ambiguous words? According to Northlander habits, as long as children’s affairs weren’t life-threatening, getting a beating and suffering a loss would actually make them happy that their own kids had learned a lesson. What was the meaning of this suddenly appearing adult? They had all been corrupted by these years with the Delegation people.

But welcoming the children to visit the Mountain Villa was nice. Then let them visit more often. We’ll just pretend we don’t understand it’s a polite gesture. After all, Northlanders don’t know what politeness is. Then they told their own kids to go visit the Mountain Villa more often these days. The layout of that villa was quite nice; it was a pity it was placed in the Northlands.

…

Children have their own World and ways of handling things. No matter how much their families instructed them, these children, brought to the Northlands with their own various purposes, still mixed together. So the courtyard in the Castle became lively.

Loving beauty is always the nature of little girls. So when Bran’s two sisters appeared wearing beautiful hair accessories, they always became the focus of a group of little girls’ eyes. The younger sister, Xirui, habitually ran to her brother’s side. Even though her brother’s Idiot symptoms had returned these past few days, it aroused her strong sympathy. So as the younger sister arrived, part of the attention also gathered there.

Although children are children, there are always a few thoughtful ones who remember their family’s teachings and understand their purpose. So there were always one or two who would seize the chance to come over and say a few words, even if the person they were talking to was an unresponsive Idiot. But an Idiot has an Idiot’s advantages. He wouldn’t show clear rejection, annoyance, or other emotions. So as long as they maintained a proper distance, and their casual talk carried a slight tone of care and accommodation, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.

There was now such a graceful and proper girl standing next to Bran. The only shortcoming was that Bran was just too clean. If he had some dust or grass on him, and the little girl helped clean it, that would be the typical image of a virtuous wife and loving mother. Bran complained in his heart, “Little girl, were you reincarnated from a drama school?”

The elder Sister, acting as the host, led more carefree silly girls around, gradually increasing the distance from Bran. Bran couldn’t help but sigh that in critical moments, his own family was still more reliable.

…

When young boys and girls gather, it’s inevitable they compare themselves. And this comparison infinitely magnifies some originally faint competitive hearts, eventually exploding into various unpredictable behaviors.

Bran was now facing such a young boy. Actually, Bran didn’t have a bad impression of this boy. At least he came before him not out of jealousy over a girl. He just couldn’t stand the taunts from other boys, felt his sister was being wronged, and thought this behavior brought shame to his family, so he was preparing to end his sister’s degrading behavior.

Bran felt somewhat innocent for this girl. At first, because his younger sister Xirui was by his side, the girl remained cautious and mindful of her speaking skills. But later, Bran gently squeezed his sister’s hand, hinting for his sister to leave. After that, the girl opened up. Maybe because no one had ever listened to her talk so quietly before. Maybe having no one to understand or confide in was just common for this age. So the girl began to talk about her troubles, her parents. She had just gotten to the major family event that happened two years ago. It was probably the full-blown fight between her parents over which foot to step out with first when leaving the house—a major matter of showing proper dignity.

At least the older brother who pulled his sister away could feel her reluctance and attachment. Well, anyone who finds a confidant would have this feeling more or less. It’s easy to find someone who talks over you, but finding someone willing to patiently listen to your rambling is extremely difficult. Often, trying to find someone to pour out your troubles to ends with you being lectured or becoming the listener instead. So you get more annoyed and more upset. And the person you found walks off refreshed after their own venting, saying as they leave, “We’re good friends, that’s why I kept you company to relax today. If you have more troubles later, feel free to come to me.”

Bran looked forward to the next few days. He believed this little girl would definitely come find him again to talk about life, family, and many of her own sorrows. Confiding can be addictive…

…

In the evening, the brother and sister sat on the railing chatting.

“What did that girl cling to you and talk about?”

“Nothing much. We talked about life, ideals, family.”

“That’s all? Nothing else?”

“In front of everyone, what else did you expect?”