Chapter 25.1

Chu Jiadong muttered, “How am I unreliable?”

Chu Xiaoyi had no intention of arguing with his father about the matter regarding the villa. He firmly stated, “It’s so dirty by the garbage can, how could I let her touch it!?”

Chu Jiadong raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction, “You’re making a big fuss. I used to pick up coal residue and prepared pig feed with my uncles. What were the sanitation conditions like back then? Besides, our neighborhood is very clean, and Xiaoxiao doesn’t actively touch dirty things.”

Chu Jiadong had done dirtier and more tiring work during his childhood. He believed that children shouldn’t be so delicate and there was no need to pamper them like delicate flowers.

He used to catch beetles to feed chickens and worked in the mud every day. Looking back, he found it quite interesting.

Chu Xiaoyi was infuriated by his father’s words. He really wanted to say that times have changed, and today’s children were different from those in the past.

He didn’t feel like arguing with his father and instead signaled his mother, “Mom…”

Chu Xiaoyi was certain that his mother had never picked up coal residue or cut pig feed. Her cleanliness was on par with his own.

Xiao Bi sighed helplessly, “She’ll come back and wash up, that’s all. You can’t possibly stop her.”

Xiao Bi really had no way to act as a referee. This kind of situation had its own two sides, and each could be said to have pros and cons, making it hard to determine right from wrong. Fortunately, the garbage sorting in the neighborhood was indeed well done, and people generally didn’t litter.

Chu Jiadong couldn’t discern his eldest son’s expression and confidently said, “I don’t see any issue. It’s a way to develop Xiaoxiao’s hands-on abilities. She’s not foolish, and besides, Yang Yin is there too. What could go wrong?”

Chu Xiaoyi muttered, “I think the situation is pretty serious right now.”

Chu Xiaoyi gritted his teeth to avoid shouting at his father. He’d rather give Xiaoxiao a monthly allowance than let her near the neighborhood trash bins. He understood the reasoning his father presented, but emotionally, Chu Xiaoyi couldn’t accept it.

Did his cute-looking sister have to rummage through the trash bins to cultivate hands-on skills?

Even if he took a step back, Chu Xiaoyi believed that Xiaoxiao was already outstanding enough.

What if she had slightly less hands-on ability? Did she really need to be so fixated on qualities like frugality, hard work, and housekeeping?

After dinner, Chu Xiaoxiao immediately dashed out of the courtyard, claiming that she was going to play with Sister Yang Yin.

Chu Xiaoyi had no impression of Yang Yin before. He was busy dragging his sister away and only remembered an inconspicuous little girl beside them. However, Chu Xiaoyi had now equated “playing with Sister Yang Yin” with “treasure hunting in the trash bins.” He hurriedly chased after them, wanting to bring his sister back.

“Xiaoyi, don’t chase after them!”

Xiaobi guessed what Chu Xiaoyi was thinking and frowned, trying to stop him.

Chu Xiaoyi seemed slightly exasperated, “Mom, don’t listen to Dad’s nonsense! Xiaoxiao and her have different resistance levels!”

Xiaobi helplessly sighed, “So what if you bring her back today? Are you going to keep watching over her at home?”

Chu Xiaoyi asked, “Does she really have to go find that Yang Yin?”

Chu Xiaoxiao was only three years old now, while Yang Yin appeared to be in her teens. Chu Xiaoyi did not recognize Yang Yin, but he found it hard to have a positive impression of her, especially after their first encounter where she was digging through the trash with his sister.

Xiaobi sensed her eldest son’s annoyance. She was equally displeased and retorted, “And what if she does? Back then, didn’t you hang out with Liu Hewei all the time? Did I say anything when he came to our house?”

Chu Xiaoyi was taken aback by the reference and questioned, “What does this have to do with Liu Hewei…”

Liu Hewei was Chu Xiaoyi’s junior high school classmate and was still a close friend of his. He had recently gotten married and had a child, and led a simple and happy life. He was righteous and enthusiastic, always cheering Chu Xiaoyi on and occasionally sent messages to review his buddy’s new songs.

When Chu Xiaoyi worked, he often flew back and forth on flights. Liu Hewei heard about it and arrived at the airport late at night, fearing that no one from his management company would be there to pick Chu Xiaoyi up. He personally came to pick him up in his car.

Despite the difference in their fame and social status now, their relationship remained unchanged, and they occasionally found time to hang out.

“Back then, Liu Hewei was at the bottom of the class, got into fights with classmates, and even dragged you to arcades. If you look at him now with your current perspective, what would you think?”

Xiaobi patiently gave an example. She knew her eldest son was worried about her youngest, but things weren’t that simple.

As expected, Chu Xiaoyi responded, “That was just foolishness from our youth. He’s doing well now!”

Liu Hewei used to act cool and carefree in school, but who didn’t have moments of trying to be the big shot during their teenage years?

Chu Xiaoyi had once aspired to wear jeans with chains and adopt a grunge hairstyle, but now he dismissed such things. Liu Hewei was the same. He was now a law-abiding citizen, speaking softly and reservedly.

Xiaobi calmly continued, “If I had told you to avoid him back then, how would you have felt? I think Yang Yin is much more reliable than Liu Hewei. At least the girl knows responsibility and won’t do reckless things.”

Liu Hewei was now a kind and helpful ordinary person, but who knew his true nature back then and what he might do in the future?

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