Chapter 863: Chapter 736: The Jealous Little Boy

Ping’an held Old Mrs. Cheng’s hand as they entered, pointing at Zhou Jiao: "Great-grandma, you have to keep an eye on my mom, she mustn’t tire herself out, otherwise, I don’t want a brother anymore."

Old Mrs. Cheng saw three people in the living room, no, it should be two people—one busy climbing high to take down the curtain, and the other carrying a stool, ready to step on it, both bustling with activity.

She chuckled and said, "It’s fine. Your mom’s sitting down. Our good treasure, you can also look around and see if there’s anything unpleasant. We’ll take this chance to do a New Year’s cleaning and change it all."

Ping’an really doubted if he had found the right person. He sneakily glanced at the old lady, and noticed her eyes fixed on his mom. It seems his grandpa was right again, it’s better to rely on oneself than on others.

The little guy sighed silently, and sidled up to Zhou Jiao’s leg: "Mom, you don’t love me anymore."

While greeting Old Mrs. Cheng, Zhou Jiao immediately scolded with a laugh: "Nonsense. Didn’t Dad and I say that you’re our most beloved eldest son?"

Zhang Guoqing stopped his work, followed up: "Good son, come, come, come, help Dad see if it’s just right, is it crooked or not?"

Old Mrs. Cheng smiled and patted his head: "Our most loved will always be our good treasure. No matter how many brothers and sisters you have in the future, you will always be our favorite treasure."

Ping’an beamed with a big smile, suppressing his joy with a stern little face, seriously nodded: "Great-grandma, you’re also my favorite. I’m going to help my dad now."

Zhang Guoqing watched his son coming over holding the shelf, feeling a bit sour inside. Ever since he learned about the new brother, his excitement turned into sticking close to his wife without a step away, the little guy lacked a sense of security.

Putting down what he was holding, he squatted down, picked up the child, and kissed his little cheek, "We’ll soon be done here, how about Dad takes you out to buy the fireworks you like best?"

Ping’an hugged his neck tightly, shook his head: "Having a brother means we can’t waste money, he needs a lot of money. Daddy, I’ll help you raise my brother in the future."

Zhang Guoqing, moved, patted the child’s head, "No need. Dad can earn money, whatever you want in the future, Dad will buy it for you first."

Perched on his shoulder, Ping’an squinted his eyes: "I’ll pass. My mom has already started knitting little sweaters, I’m not petty. You should also buy for my brother in the future."

That sour tone, how could Zhang Guoqing not understand. He glared at Zhou Jiao, who was busy chatting with the old lady. This silly wife is really lacking in awareness!

"Baby, you’re wronging your mom. Your mom can’t bear to give your little sweaters to your brother, that’s why she started knitting. Look, you can use new diapers, hasn’t your mom said your brother will use your old stuff?"

Ping’an, hearing this, looked at Zhou Jiao.

"Dad will tell you a secret. Your mom hid your new clothes, only when you wear old ones does she give them to your brother. In our hearts, you are the best treasure."

Ping’an turned to look at him, shyly fingering his hands: "You won’t stop liking me just because of having a brother, right? Grandpa will still like me the most when he comes back, right?"

"Silly boy. Didn’t you remember your grandpa said you’re the eldest son, of course, he likes you the best. Look, doesn’t your grandma still spoil you the most after knowing your mom is having a baby?"

With the living room renovation done, concerned about his son’s issues, Zhang Guoqing ignored the desperate calls from his buddies, found a reason to turn down going out.

After sending off Old Mrs. Cheng who kept instructing Zhou Jiao, he gestured to his wife, then took his son back to the bedroom. Whatever outsiders said, he couldn’t correct it, but he and his wife must communicate well to avoid hurting their child’s young heart.

In the study, Zhang Guoqing placed his son on his leg and held him, gesturing Zhou Jiao to sit before speaking as she came in.

Zhou Jiao studied his expression, so serious, could something have happened? She watched Zhang Guoqing: "Is there something wrong with the Cheng family?"

Zhang Guoqing patted the son’s head, shook his head, signalling her to look at the child.

Zhou Jiao, seeing the bright-eyed child looking waiting for her, was touched: "Baby, don’t you like brothers and sisters? If you don’t want them, then mom doesn’t want them either."

Ping’an immediately shook his head: "No, that’s my brother."

Zhou Jiao worriedly frowned: "But mommy feels she owes you. See now, I can’t hold you, can’t go make snowmen or ice skate with you. Once your brother is born, he’s so small, surely not as sensible as you. Then mommy will spend more time with him, and have less time for you."

Ping’an’s dark eyes turned, after hesitating a while, still shook his head: "But I want a real brother, everyone else has big brothers and sisters, only I don’t."

Zhou Jiao nodded in agreement: "That’s what your dad and I thought too. No matter how good others are, they’re not your same blood siblings."

Zhang Guoqing held back his laughter, watching his wife’s flawed fabrications. Who said blood relatives are definitely close family?

"Mom, they also fight."

Zhou Jiao nodded, a smile in her eyes: "Very true. It depends on how you educate your brother. After New Year’s, you’ll be six, Mommy waited this long to have another because you can manage him, in a few years when Dad and I work, your brother is your responsibility."

Zhang Guoqing explained: "When we’re working, you’re seven or eight, your brother’ll be just one or two, you could teach him to talk, teach him right from wrong. He’s little, can’t fight you, he’ll have to listen to you. Without Mom and Dad, he can accompany you, you won’t be lonely."

Ping’an, a smart child, gently nodded along with their words.

Zhou Jiao continued: "Your dad had an elder brother who spoiled him as a kid. Let your dad tell you about his three-brother stories, you’ll understand what true brothers are."

Taking over, Zhang Guoqing looked at his son’s earnest expression, thought a bit, then began recounting how his older brother and sister were good to him as a child, describing it one by one.

As his memories grew clearer, he started talking about his second elder brother and sister, interspersing their sibling thoughts.

From childhood to adulthood, two decades’ worth of bits and pieces unfolded with Zhang Guoqing’s storytelling, and Zhou Jiao quietly left.

She worried about transferring her negative energy onto her son, making the little one as wary of human nature as herself.

In any topic, she could impart some wisdom upon her son, but concerning future relationships among her own sons, she could only choose to be silent and evade it.

For Zhou Jiao, who has been hurt, fellow siblings are just a façade. Through the ages, sibling love is always rarer than sibling rivalry.

In this lifetime, opening eyes naively into the world, then growing up, swayed by external temptations, forming families, once-blood-bonded siblings turn selfish, self-serving. Where’s the deep brotherhood, if any, how many would give without expecting return?

Standing in the yard, Zhou Jiao’s thoughts surged, instinctively touching her belly. She could only strive for fairness, teaching the children well, leaving future matters for the future.