Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Hearing her eldest son's question, Song Xiuying lowered her head. In fact, she knew her older brother's temper. He might get beaten if she listened to Nan, but she didn't want to think about it. She had an ostrich mentality and always comforted herself—her mother was watching over her.

"Did your uncle hit you?" Song Xiuying mustered her courage and asked Tingnan. It was time to face it; this was her child. If her brother really did hit her, she would definitely bring Tingnan back.

Song Tingnan understood her mother's implication, but it seemed unnecessary. She quite liked the Song family as it was now, with its lively bickering and squabbles. But it was enough that her weak-willed mother had such determination.

"How could that be? Mom, my older brother, and my uncle have all been very kind to me." Ting Nan smiled.

"That's good, that's good!" Song Xiuying didn't want to dig any deeper. She directed Zheng Xiangqian to catch chickens and kill fish, and had Zheng Ruidong accompany Tingnan. She then went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Zheng Ruidong stood close to Ting Nan, not quite believing it: "They really treated you well? They didn't hit you? You came back in this heat? You do have calluses on your hands."

The young man was rather thin, with a slender build, deep-set features, and rather long hair that hadn't been cut in a long time. His clenched fist revealed the taut veins that spoke of his unwavering resolve.

"Brother, I came back because I missed you guys! It's the weekend today! I'm doing well now, don't worry, I've grown up." Ting Nan gently separated his tightly clenched hands and patiently explained, "I'm dark and thin because I've been practicing martial arts for almost a year, and that's how I developed my lean muscles. The calluses on my hands are from practicing punches and wielding sticks."

"Really? You've learned martial arts? And they agreed to it?" Zheng Ruidong was still not quite convinced.

"Really, my master is amazing. I begged him to let me become his disciple, and now I'm learning Wing Chun. I'll let you in on a secret: my uncle is terrified of my master and listens to him a lot." Ting Nan whispered in the younger brother's ear.

"Then show me what you've got, and I'll believe you!" Zheng Ruidong was a stubborn mule.

"Alright!" Ting Nan stood up, glanced around, saw no one, and performed a set of punches without even breathing heavily.

Zheng Ruidong then believed it, but was also filled with envy.

"Young man, you are indeed a bit weak. I'm afraid you would fall to the ground if I gave you a light push," Ting Nan teased him with a smile.

"Then teach me, just the simplest one." Is this tendency to take advantage of others really hereditary?

"Young man, with your physical condition, you can't do strenuous exercise. First, stick to getting up early every day to run, jump rope, stretch your legs, and build up your strength before we talk about anything else." Ting Nan looked at Zheng Ruidong and shook his head, clearly indicating that he wasn't exercising enough.

Zheng Ruidong was not convinced and tried to tickle Ting Nan, but Ting Nan twisted his hand and controlled him.

Song Xiuying was terrible at raising children; she had no methods and just spoiled them. Especially after sending Tingnan away, she felt guilty and transferred all her love to Zheng Ruidong. She didn't let him do anything, sent him to school at six, and had him stay in his room studying during holidays. He was waited on hand and foot, turning into a pretty boy. How could he possibly be a match for Tingnan, that mischievous monkey?

Just then, Zheng Zhibei returned. She had married not far away, and after Song Xiuying sent a message, she rushed back.

Upon seeing Tingnan, Zheng Zhibei picked up his younger sister and kissed her on the cheek.

"Tingnan, your sister misses you so much."

"Sister, I miss you too. How are you? Is your husband treating you well?"

"Okay, all good. You didn't come back this time because your uncle hit you, did you?"

"Why does everyone think my uncle hit me? Am I such a lovable and charming girl?" Ting Nan didn't want her sister to worry, so she deliberately made a funny flower-shaped hand gesture.

"Really?"

"Really, if you don't believe me, ask the guy. He's been questioning me for ages." Ting Nan shifted her focus.