Chapter 4: Brother, You’re Really Too Much

Li Fuling learned from the butler that Shen Jici had gone to school as usual early in the morning.

Shen Hai had specifically taken a day off for him. Missing the first day of school made Li Fuling feel inexplicably annoyed.

The dizziness and weakness from the low fever hadn’t completely subsided yet, and the doctor said he needed rest.

After the IV drip, he felt somewhat relieved and got out of bed to walk around.

Passing by the kitchen, he heard only the sound of servants washing kitchen utensils. The stove was clean and tidy, with no steaming pots in sight.

He walked into the yard where the sunlight was just right. The red and white Koi in the pond were extremely well-fed, each plump and sturdy, leisurely swaying their tail fins.

He crouched down, carefully reaching out to touch the water surface, the cool pond water covering his fingertips. The Koi’s eyes were pitch black and translucent, swimming nimbly. Everything seemed so normal that he breathed a sigh of relief.

He sat on a white swing nearby, gently swaying. The breeze brushed against his face, seemingly dispersing much of the frustration brought by nightmares and illness.

Just then, a small truck stopped at the villa entrance. The butler hurried out from inside and exchanged a few words with the driver.

Curious, Li Fuling looked over and saw the truck loaded with plants still in their soil balls, with tender green buds already sprouting on the branches.

The servants began carefully moving these flowers and plants into the yard, neatly arranging them in a pre-reserved empty area.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Li Fuling approached: Butler Grandpa, what are these for planting?

Seeing him approach, the butler smiled: Young Master A’Ling, these are roses, precious varieties specially selected by the master from out of town. Once they take root and bloom during the flowering season, they will surely be very beautiful.

Watching everyone busy, Li Fuling felt a sense of participation welling up inside him. He volunteered: Let me help.

The butler quickly waved his hand, No need, Young Master A’Ling. Let them handle it. You’ve just recovered from illness, don’t overexert yourself.

But Li Fuling had already picked up a small gardening hoe, his eyes earnest and serious: It’s alright. Back at the orphanage, the director often took us to plant flowers, vegetables, and such. I’m very familiar with these tasks, don’t worry.Seeing his insistence and such sincere attitude, the butler no longer stopped him, just carefully reminded: Alright then, Young Master A’Ling, be careful not to hurt your hands.

Mm! Li Fuling nodded vigorously, a genuine smile blooming on his face.

He immediately joined the planting team, rolling up his sleeves and skillfully helping to dig holes, straighten the seedlings, and fill the soil.

Sweat soon dampened the hair on his forehead, but he didn’t mind at all. Instead, he felt a long-lost sense of fulfillment and joy from labor.

A small area was specifically designated by the butler for him to tend alone.

Li Fuling worked with extra care, finally using the various smooth pebbles handed by the butler to carefully outline a beautiful border around this small flowerbed that belonged to him.

Looking at the fruits of his labor, Li Fuling’s heart filled with simple achievement, his cheeks flushed with healthy redness from exercise and excitement.

He was completely immersed in the joy of creation, so much so that he didn’t notice at all that behind a certain window on the second floor, a cold gaze had been watching him for a long time.

Shen Jici had just returned from school. He hadn’t seen Li Fuling since morning, and during breakfast, he only overheard his parents and the butler whispering about the newcomer’s feverish nightmares. The entire household seemed somewhat flustered because of this outsider.

Standing by his bedroom window with his schoolbag still slung over his shoulder, his gaze darkly settled on the busy figure in the courtyard.

He watched Li Fuling carefully mounding soil around the rose roots with a small trowel.

Watched how indulgently the butler fetched pretty stones for him.

Watched him personally enclose that jarring, glaring little garden.

Watched him wipe glistening sweat from his forehead after finishing everything, wearing that… deeply detestable expression of timid satisfaction.

Shen Jici’s lips pressed into a cold, tight line as his gaze slowly shifted from Li Fuling’s damp forehead.

Finally, it fixed intently on the newly planted rose seedlings swaying gently in the breeze.

Deep within his eyes churned a gloom completely at odds with the bright afternoon.

Li Fuling entered the house carrying the scent of sunshine and earth. The waiting maid immediately stepped forward to carefully roll up his slightly dusty sleeves.

Standing at the sink, he let cool water rinse the soil from his fingertips.

The young maid named Lily handed him a towel while praising with a smile: Young Master Fuling is so diligent. The flower seedlings you planted are so straight and firm – they’re sure to thrive.

An older maid nearby nodded in agreement: Indeed, and the stone border is so beautifully arranged, just like a proper little garden. Young Master Fuling has such thoughtful ideas – perhaps you could study painting someday.

Lily’s eyes brightened: Yes, yes! Young Master Fuling would definitely have talent!

Another maid gave Lily a reproachful look: Don’t encourage him recklessly. Studying art is hard work.

Li Fuling accepted the soft towel, carefully drying his hands before looking up. I’ve never tried painting before, so I don’t know if I’d like it.

He paused, his eyes clear and sincere. But I think… you have to try things first, to understand them, before you can know what you truly want.His earnest, childlike adult speech contrasted peculiarly with his still-chubby, fair face, creating an oddly endearing contrast that made the maids chuckle despite themselves.

Oh my, our Young Master Fuling is just too adorable!

Talking like a little philosopher with that baby face still!

Hahaha…

Their laughter made Li Fuling’s cheeks flush pink. Mother will be home soon. I shouldn’t keep you all from preparing dinner.

With that, Li Fuling hurried away.

However, his steps faltered the moment he entered the living room.

Looking up, he saw Shen Jici leaning against the second-floor stair landing, unclear how long he’d been standing there.

Backlit, his face was shadowed, leaving only his eyes visible – filled with undisguised malice and mockery as they coldly looked down on him.

Had enough fun?

Shen Jici’s voice carried a bitterness completely at odds with his delicate appearance. Did our hardworking, adorable ‘Young Master Fuling’ enjoy rolling in the mud?

The sharpness in those words made Li Fuling’s heart clench. Pressing his lips together, though unwilling to argue, he still softly addressed him politely: Brother.

Then, he walked directly toward the building blocks placed near the sofa.

That brother call struck Shen Jici like a needle, catching him completely off guard.

He abruptly straightened up as if insulted, his voice filled with anger: Who’s your brother? Stop calling me that!

Li Fuling didn’t look back. He sat down on the sofa, picked up the colorful wooden blocks, and began carefully assembling them piece by piece.

He worked with intense focus and steady hands, gradually building an intricate block tower nearly one meter tall.

Shen Jici had somehow descended the stairs unnoticed and now stood silently beside the sofa, watching his creation with cold eyes.

Just as Li Fuling held his breath and steadily placed the final arched block atop the tower—

Shen Jici suddenly lifted his foot and, with full malice and force, viciously kicked the foundation of the block tower!

CRASH—!!!

With an ear-splitting roar, the meticulously built block tower instantly collapsed into pieces, wooden fragments flying everywhere like explosion debris!

A sharp triangular block struck Li Fuling directly on the forehead, leaving a clear red mark that burned with pain.

The tremendous noise startled the servants in the kitchen. They peeked out, saw the chaos in the living room and Shen Jici’s unruly posture, then immediately withdrew, too frightened to make a sound.

Shen Jici stood with his hands in his pockets, chin slightly raised, provocatively looking at Li Fuling who stood frozen in place. What are you staring at? Keep building! Weren’t you so patient?

Li Fuling widened his eyes, looking incredulously at the mess on the floor, then at this unreasonable brother before him.

He didn’t dare try again.

But he felt this brother was truly going too far.

As he looked at Shen Jici, the rims of his eyes turned red.

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