Chapter 458: Growing Up Together

Mu Youyu tilted her head and glanced at Jiang Liangjin; he happened to look over as well, and their eyes met.

Jiang Liangjin tilted his head slightly toward her, as if seeking credit.

Mu Xin paid no attention; Mu Xi, seeing the juniors still there, lightly said, "Restrain yourselves."

Jiang Liangjin sat up straight, "Understood."

Father Yan and Mu Nian's conversation had come to a close; the former suddenly said, "Ah Nian, have you and Ah Youyu decided on her educational path?"

Mu Nian put down his phone, "Not decided yet; we'll see what Youbao herself wants."

Father Yan nodded, making a gentle suggestion: "Girls don't need to overwork themselves; pick a school close to home for easier care... I think C University is quite suitable—nearby and with good teaching quality—what do you think?"

Jiang Liangjin glanced at him furtively, "Has he been captured?"

Mu Xi had already spoken first: "C University is indeed good, but we still need to consider little sister's own opinion."

Father Yan smiled, "That's natural; I'm just making a suggestion, Ah Youyu shouldn't overthink it—I heard C University has quite a few people you know... Ah Youyu, what major do you want to study? Art?"

Jiang Liangjin: "People he knows—how could he not know there are quite a few?"

"Yes, art." Mu Youyu nodded.

Father Yan pondered, "If it's art, C University's art department is also among the best in the province. However, if you have higher aspirations, the art departments at B University and A University are also good—just farther away."

Mu Youyu gave a faint smile.

Yan Yuejiu was baffled by this exchange and interjected casually, "Might as well go to the International College in the city."

Mother Yan: "Exactly, exactly, exactly!"

Father Yan grew anxious, "I think C University is fine."

"Aren't there plenty of universities around here? I think that whatever International College is fine—the Y Kingdom Royal Family even sits on its board."

"Your vision is too narrow; in my view, going abroad for further study would be better!"

"……"

The three argued again, and Mu Nian had no intention of participating.

He had seen such scenes many times, had learned to keep silent, and would wait for them to tire out before a result emerged naturally.

The relatives had no habit of gathering for excitement or meddling in others' affairs.

On the other side, the twin‑tailed girl slipped over to Mu Youyu amidst the chaos, clutching the corner of her clothes with her small hands, looked up at her for several seconds, then mustered courage to ask, "Mu older sister, why are you sitting with this older brother?"

As soon as she said that, everyone around couldn't help but look at her, their expressions amusing.

Seeing the other party was still a child about six years old, Mu Youyu said, "Because we've been sitting together since childhood; growing up, it's only natural."

Jiang Liangjin added from the side, "Because we grew up together."

On the other side, Mu Xi said, "Because I'm the older brother."

"Oh..." the girl blinked her big eyes, obviously only caring about Mu Youyu's answer, "Can I sit with the older sister?"

"Of course."

Hearing that, Jiang Liangjin and Mu Xi unconsciously moved closer to Mu Youyu, afraid of being pushed aside.

With no room to squeeze in, and feeling awkward to sit on someone's lap, the elders having no intention to speak, the girl could only stand.

Her eyes shifted, and she curiously asked, "Why does this older brother look the same as the older sister?"

Mu Xin caught the keyword and lifted his gaze.

Mu Youyu lowered her head to look at the curious little face, curled her lips, and said, "Because we are dragon‑phoenix twins, born together, so we look alike."

The little girl tilted her head, seemingly digesting the information, then asked, "Do dragon‑phoenix twins mean looking exactly alike?"

"Not entirely." Mu Youyu patiently explained, "Some look alike, some don't. My brother and I happen to be the kind that look alike."

The little girl gave an acknowledging sound, her gaze shifting back and forth between Mu Youyu and Mu Xin, as if seriously comparing the two faces to see how similar they are.

"Then will you mistake yourselves for each other?" she suddenly blurted, her expression troubled, tinged with a seriousness that didn't seem like joking.

Mu Youyu: "No."

Actually, she felt her and Mu Xin's appearances weren't completely identical, each having distinct traits, but to those who only look at superficial features, they seem different.

The little girl lowered her head to look at her shoes, then lifted her gaze to Mu Youyu, as if pondering some profound question, finally nodding, "Oh, I see—so am I a twin with my older sister?"

"Are you and your older sister twins?" Mu Youyu glanced at the girl behind her who was half a head taller.

"Yes, my older sister is two years older than me." The girl counted on her fingers, "Does that mean I have to wait two years before I can look like my sister?"

The older sister beside her was also led astray by her thoughts, silently pondering: "Going by that, it wouldn't be just waiting for multiple two‑year periods, not just one person aging..."

Mu Youyu was amused by her earnest demeanor, "Not necessarily—some sisters look alike, some don't."

The girl's expression was a mix of understanding and confusion, then she asked, "Then who was born first, Mu older sister or her brother?"

Mu Xin: "Me."

The little girl, listening attentively nearby, added another question: "Does the brother have to yield to the sister?"

Mu Xin glanced at her, "Hmm."

The little girl, satisfied, turned to the sister behind her and said, "Older sister, did you hear that? The brother has to yield to the sister."

Older sister: "I didn't hear it."

"That won't do," the girl exclaimed, turning to Mu Xin, "Brother, say it again!"

Mu Xin didn't like playing with kids as a child, and still doesn't as an adult; he merely glanced at her and didn't respond.

Only then did the elders laugh and pull the two little girls back.

"……"

After this little interlude, Father Yan, Mother Yan, and Yan Yuejiu finally reached a vague outcome from their argument.

Immediately afterward, they gathered around again, focusing their attention on Mu Youyu.