Chapter 309: Good-guy Older Brother

Mu Youyu's expression didn't change; she had been used to such a family pattern since childhood.

But her world never lacked love, with the indulgence of the Mu and Song families' elders and the care of all her brothers.

Moreover, Jiang Liangjin's companionship from childhood had already filled those gaps completely.

As for her parents' absence, there was only a faint longing.

When she occasionally thought of them, she only wished they were safe abroad, never feeling any resentment.

Jiang Liangjin noticed her expression, said nothing, merely tilted his head to glance at her, a silent comfort.

In Song Lujing's eyes, a hint of obvious envy flickered.

His parents were a typical business marriage; after marrying, they each went their own ways, often living apart year-round.

Even his coming-of-age ceremony was merely his assistant delivering an expensive gift and a perfunctory blessing.

Seeing the Han Mo family's harmony, he suddenly recalled his childhood.

Other classmates had parents pick them up after school, but he was always chauffeured; at birthday parties, his brothers always surrounded him, while his parents' seats remained empty.

Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi had been different from ordinary people since childhood, often away, having seen much of human warmth and coldness, so their definition of family might differ from others'.

They felt that as long as their sister was happy, having these brothers around was enough.

Mu Yichi was sharp-eyed, instantly catching the emotion in Song Lujing's eyes.

He was always someone who couldn't hide his emotions, and couldn't bear to see those around him wronged, especially his own sister and the brothers who grew up together.

He raised his hand and patted his back, deliberately lightening his tone: "Envious of this? When we go back, I'll get you a parent-child game set; I and my brother will play with you, guaranteeing you'll feel what it's like to be pampered by parents."

Mu Yichen: "Right."

"Get lost, who wants to be your son?" Song Lujing lifted his head to meet the two brothers' deep eyes, and that hint of sourness instantly dissipated halfway.

Jiang Liangjin softly said: "Let's check ahead? There seems to be a lottery event, and some mini-games to play."

Song Lujing immediately perked up, shaking off his earlier gloom: "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

Mu Xi naturally knew how childish those mini-games were; aside from regular activities like archery, most were set up by the school to liven the atmosphere, meant for lower-grade students.

For example, ring toss and beanbag throwing.

But seeing everyone's enthusiasm, she didn't dampen the mood; she simply looked at her sister, the meaning obvious.

Mu Xianqi gave Mu Yichi and Mu Yichen a sideways glance, saying: "You two are good at coaxing people, yet you're always off gallivanting outside—why aren't you this attentive at home?"

Mu Yichi immediately retorted, chin slightly raised, full of righteous certainty: "We care about everyone, especially our sister and brother."

Saying that, he deliberately put an arm around Song Lujing's shoulders, pulling him closer: "Right, Xiao Jing? We dote on you the most, far better than those brothers who only vie for the sister."

Thus, in his sister's eyes he became the "good-guy older brother."

Mu Yichen also nodded with a cold face: "Yeah, better than you."

He is surely also a kind older brother in his sister's heart, who will care for his brother.

Song Lujing seemed to disdain it on the surface, yet didn't break free, letting him hold him.

"I don't want to play the mini-games, A Jin, let's take photos~" Mu Youyu, seeing her brothers arguing, couldn't help tugging Jiang Liangjin's hand and gently shaking it.

After Jiang Liangjin nodded, she immediately pulled him and ran, saying: "Brothers, bye-bye, we're off to take photos!"

"Brothers, goodbye."

Mu Xi and Song Lujing exchanged a helpless smile, seeing the two clearly wanting some alone time, they tacitly stopped and didn't follow.

Mu Xianqi had just lifted his foot to follow when both shoulders suddenly sank.

Mu Yichi and Mu Yichen placed their hands left and right on his shoulders, the force so great he couldn't move.

Mu Yichi smirked slyly: "Qi-ge, long time no see—stop always thinking about finding your sister."

Mu Yichen saw his sister leave, his expression also fading: "Yeah, let's go play."

"Get lost……" Mu Xianqi regretted listening to his grandfather's words that brought the two back.

These two troublemakers, as soon as they returned, opposed him—clearly on purpose!

"……"

A few days into the winter break, the temperature still hadn't warmed.

Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin sat side by side on the carpet, two tablets before them, playing a two-player co-op game together.

After winning another round, she rested her head on his shoulder, set down her phone, and complained: "A Jin, home is so boring, boring, boring!"

In previous winter breaks, she would basically go to Y Guo to find Mu Xin, wandering around Y Guo.

Now her grandmother has returned home, each day she goes out shopping and gathering with friends, busy as can be.

In Y Guo, aside from her grandfather, she had no one she particularly missed, so her desire to go there naturally faded.

Jiang Liangjin lowered his head to look at her listless self, couldn't help ruffling her hair, and said: "How about we go out to play? Wherever you want to go, I'll accompany you."

"I don't know where to go……" Mu Youyu rubbed her shoulder, her small face full of indecision: "The mall's gotten old, the suburbs are a bit far, there doesn't seem to be anything good to watch at the movies, and besides, there have been lots of people outside these past few days."

As she was speaking, a knock sounded; Mu Youyu rose from his shoulder, sat upright, and called out: "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Mu Xianqi walked in.

As the New Year approached, the elders of the Mu and Song families, plus the brothers, frequently came to the Mu household, keeping the house lively.

Mu Youyu lifted her eyes: "Xianqi-gege, what's up?"

Jiang Liangjin politely nodded: "Xianqi-gege."

At this time, aside from them, only he plus Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi were at the Mu household.

He had thought it would be those two.

These two have recently, albeit inadvertently, helped him a great deal, constantly pestering Mu Xianqi, leaving him no time to "care" for him.

Mu Xianqi ignored Jiang Liangjin, only replying to his sister: "Grandma Song has returned, just arrived at the Song family's old residence; she asked me to call you and A Jin over for a meal."

His father is her paternal uncle, with no blood relation to her grandmother, and he has always been addressed this way.

Mu Youyu pulled Jiang Liangjin up: "I and A Jin will just throw on an outer layer and head down…… By the way, isn't your cousin spending the New Year here?"

Mu Xianyan said goodbye to them yesterday and returned to her country.

Mu Xianqi said gently: "Yes, you know, she rarely returns home, and this time she won't be able to stay for a few days."

Mu Youyu lifted her little face, her eyes showing a hint of reluctance, "When will she come back?"

Mu Xianqi smiled and said: "Maybe it's your birthday; you can go ask her—your cousin abroad is also quite bored, and she surely misses you too."

Mu Youyu obediently agreed, waving her hand: "Got it, Brother Xianqi, go out first—we'll be right there."

Although Mu Xianqi was somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Liangjin always clinging to his sister, he also knew that his sister and he had grown up together since childhood, sharing a deep bond.

He thinks that aside from that one matter, Jiang Liangjin hasn't done anything wrong to his sister, so he feels reassured letting them be together.

Besides, those two blockheads, Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi, need his 'concern' even more.

He left the words "Alright, I'll wait for you at the door" and turned to leave.