Chapter 109: with translation of the given Chinese title

Several people returned to Class A.

As soon as Mu Youyu stepped inside, she drew everyone's gaze.

She didn't mind; upon seeing a familiar person before her, her eyes lit up.

Jiang Liangjin had returned at some point, standing right opposite her, poised to leave.

Mu Youyu walked over, her face bright with excitement as she looked at the boy opposite, "A Jin, why did you come back?"

Jiang Liangjin didn't lift his head right away; his proper face looked especially refined under the overhead light.

He heard the voice, lifted his eyes, his gaze swept over her but went past her shoulder to the person behind her; his stance straightened instantly, his thin lips parted slightly, and he called out, "Second brother."

"?" Mu Youyu froze for a moment, then turned her head to look at Mu Xi behind her.

Mu Xi raised her cold eyes, glanced at Jiang Liangjin, tone carrying a hint of disdainful speechlessness: "This young master only has one precious little sister."

He said while walking forward, casually picking up Mu Youyu's backpack from her desk; blue-white strands of hair fell down, covering the disdain in his eyes.

If it weren't for seeing that this kid actually cared a bit about his own sister, he wouldn't even bother to acknowledge him!

... Don't think a piano can buy him off!

Time rewinds to when Jiang Liangjin just left the house and reached the student council office door.

Just as his fingertip was about to touch the cold doorknob, his phone rang, caller ID showing "Ms. Shen".

He resignedly answered, his tone carrying a bit of weary prediction: "What now? Is the plane stuck again, preventing you from returning home, and you want me to manage the company for a few days?"

"What blockage? Mom just came back from the old residence and is on her way home!" Shen Ningmu's voice came through the earpiece, tinged with excitement.

Jiang Liangjin didn't respond.

"I'm calling to talk about something important."

Shen Ningmu shifted tone, instantly turning serious with a hint of trouble: "Did you offend Song LuXiao? He just rushed back, and your grandfather invited him to the Jiang family as a guest. He just sat down, never mentioning your name, but between the lines it's all hidden dissatisfaction toward you—clearly he has an issue with you!"

He went on about "teaching grandchildren well, teaching children well," feeling deeply guilty, inadequate… he said it all.

Grandfather Jiang was so scolded he dared not even breathe; even Shen Ningmu and Jiang Su rarely refrained from rebutting.

Jiang Liangjin froze:? Xiao brother?

"No, I haven't seen him lately!" he said, sounding wronged.

Lately he hasn't even seen Song LuXiao's brother, Song Lujing!

No one knows where they are or what they're doing.

"It's either not him, or you haven't gotten along with Mu Youyu's other brothers!" Shen Ningmu replied firmly, "Those boys from the Mu and Song families all protect their sister like their lives; if you don't win their favor, they might trip you up behind your back!"

Jiang Liangjin raised his eyebrows slightly, but didn't respond.

Between the Mu and Song families, Youbao has nine male cousins in total; some you see often, some you rarely see.

A few of them think well of him and get along with him.

And Youbao's several older brothers…

Mu Nian is ten years older than him; since childhood he's been a few steps ahead of him and Youbao, studying early, entering the family business to learn management early, and from childhood he's been polite toward him, giving no hint of his thoughts.

Maybe there's a generation gap?

As for Mu Xi, although you could call him a childhood friend who grew up together, he's actually been protecting his sister like his life since childhood; he always feels Mu Xi has ulterior motives toward Youbao and thus doesn't get along with him.

Later, he and Youbao were separated for a while over some incident, not in the same city; although Mu Xi didn't delete him as a friend, he still harbored some dissatisfaction.

But Mu Xi might also wish him well deep down; otherwise he wouldn't have punched him the last time he got into a fight to calm him down.

During summer break he gave him a piano, and only then did Mu Xi's impression of him return to how it was before he and Youbao quarreled…

As for Mu Xin, aside from him leaving Y Guo at age three, the first time he went to Y Guo to find Youbao he saw him, and his gaze was indifferent.

He calls him "Xin Ge"—aside from initially saying he's two months older, there seems to be no particular reaction.

Jiang Liangjin still can't tell whether his first impression of that person was good or bad.

Jiang Liangjin helplessly said, "Mom, Xiao brother said…" What?

He was curious.

"What Xiao brother?" Shen Ningmu snorted in disagreement, cutting him off.

"How does Ah You call him?"

Jiang Liangjin thought for a second, then honestly replied, "She calls him Xiao brother… Lu Xiao brother."

"You learn it too!"

Jiang Liangjin:?

"You kid, you're just too stubborn!" Shen Ningmu exclaimed in frustration, "Learn from your dad! Back then my brother disliked him, and your dad handled your uncles that way—calling everyone 'brother' more affectionately than anyone, even winning over your grandma. This is you carrying on a fine tradition!"

Jiang Su's voice came faintly from the side, amused: "Don't teach the kid bad habits; back then I…"

"Shut up!" Shen Ningmu snapped at him, then turned to Jiang Liangjin and softened her tone.

Her tone was self-righteous: "But Ah You's few older brothers are the most important! Ah You calls the eldest 'big brother,' so you should call him big brother too; she calls the second 'second brother,' so you should call him second brother too; you and Ah You are childhood friends, by seniority you ought to call them that; sweet talk a bit, coax those brothers-in-law… when they're happy, they'll entrust Ah You to you."

Jiang Liangjin: "…" They even brought up brothers-in-law?

"Mu Nian… forget it, we hardly see him and have little interaction, let's not talk about him for now."

"Think again, Xiao Xi!" Shen Ningmu grew more enthusiastic, smiling encouragingly, "Mu Xi is all about softness, not hardness; you usually give him a cold face, so he naturally acts cross with you; try calling him second brother like Youbao does, and he'll surely be stunned, unable to even lose his temper…"

Jiang Liangjin objected: "I haven't been giving him a cold face."

"That just means you're not soft enough!" Shen Ningmu declared, "Look how much Ah You was adored as a child, all soft and cute, speaking so adorably—if she were my daughter I'd hold her close every day! Mu Xi watched her grow up; he's especially fond of that soft, cute nature, and he certainly still likes it!"

…… Jiang Liangjin's fingertips gripping the phone paused, and in his mind flashed the image of Mu Xi dotingly looking at Youbao.

Seems, there's some sense to it?

On the other end, Shen Ningmu kept urging: "A Jin, listen to Mom, you'll definitely be fine! If you're embarrassed, just try calling out once and see his reaction? Maybe his heart will bloom with joy, and then he'll change his opinion of you!"

Jiang Liangjin hesitated, "I'll try it when I see him later?"

Just like that, it's settled. Remember, your tone mustn't be all high and mighty! If your tone can be half as good as coaxing Ah Yu, that's enough!

After the call ended, he stared at the darkening screen, a hint of complexity flickering across his clear, handsome brows and eyes.

Maybe... is there any other way?

So he opened his phone and sent a message to Gu Xingnan: 【Find out what Mu Xi is lacking lately】

Gu Xingnan replied instantly: 【Lacking a beating?】

Jiang Liangjin: 【……】

Gu Xingnan: 【A Jin, it's not six yet, where are you? Come to the office quickly】

Jiang Liangjin made a soft 'tsk', put away his phone, and walked into the office.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the phone, Shen Ningmu slapped the car seat and laughed, 'See, I told you this trick works! A Jin will definitely listen! By then, those juniors from the Song and Mu families will all look up to A Jin!'

A Jin really did, having wholeheartedly entered the top university, staying just for Ah Yu—she wholeheartedly approves!

But the only thing she's dissatisfied with is that her own son is slow in his actions, and besides, he's so busy.

Those brothers from the Song and Mu families, who grew up with him since childhood, he still hasn't managed to win over any of them.

Watching Ah Yu send messages day after day, each one calling her 'Aunt Shen', made her anxious!

So she had her son take the initiative.

Jiang Su laughed helplessly, 'Your idea is really setting him up—aside from others, just saying Xiao Xi has been a sis-con since childhood, how could he change his opinion of him just because of A Jin's one nickname?'

Shen Ningmu objected to his saying, 'How could I be setting him up! I merely had him give away the bracelet, just having him do what he should do!'

Jiang Su suppressed his laughter, adjusting her scarf, 'Yes, yes, you're the smartest—just don't know if A Jin will buy it.'

In the sweltering heat, Shen Ningmu disdainfully took off her scarf, not forgetting to add confidently, 'Rest assured! After all, he's my son—follow me, sweet‑talked!'