The other children must have all gone to see the rabbits, no wonder they weren't clingy.
Cai Shi and Xi Shi exchanged glances, both feeling a bit exasperated.
But they also sent Cheng Xiaotian to find Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao to ask how to cook the meat dish.
The two of them were still thinking about the midday meal and naturally feared wasting it if they didn't cook it well, so they had to ask them to come over and explain, so they would know next time.
Cheng Xiaotian obediently went.
He didn't go far.
He saw the inseparable pair and chuckled to himself, thinking how good their relationship was, always together wherever they went, what good company they had.
He was also very envious.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao had just returned after changing the soy sauce when they saw Cheng Xiaotian running over. After a bit of hesitation, he told them his purpose.
"So that's how it is, a small matter, a small matter, it's very simple to make!"
Su Miaomiao waved her hand, acting like an experienced person, though she was only half-knowledgeable.
Cheng Hao couldn't help but chuckle, and said to Cheng Xiaotian, "Let's go, we'll head over now."
When Cheng Xiaotian started talking to the two of them, he realized it wasn't as scary as he thought to talk to them, and he was very curious about them, so he couldn't help but steal glances.
Cheng Hao asked him with a smile, "What are you looking at? How old are you this year?"
Seeing that he was following them.
He casually struck up a conversation.
It was evident that the child was quite nervous and very curious about them.
Cheng Xiaotian, being asked so gently, immediately blushed. He didn't have older brothers and had been sensible since he was young, so he had never experienced having an older brother. He just felt that this older brother was so kind, reliable, and steady.
And very gentle.
He grinned and said, "I'm eleven years old this year."
After saying that, Cheng Xiaotian also patted his chest, saying that he was a big boy now.
He could stand tall and be mighty.
Cheng Hao found him quite cute and teased him with a smile, "That's not young, but not old either. By rights, you should still call me brother."
Su Miaomiao poked her head out from the side and said with a smile, "Then what should you call me?"
The two adults were quite bored. Their business was done, and they were here teasing a child.
Cheng Xiaotian immediately blushed, stammered, and called out, "Hello, Elder Brother, hello, Little Sister-in-law."
His mind completely froze.
He hadn't expected that the people he thought were so formidable would be so approachable to him.
He felt they were so good.
So very good.
It made him both nervous and excited, feeling a bit dizzy.
He even started to walk awkwardly.
Cheng Hao was amused by his reaction and told him not to be so nervous, as if he were some fearsome person. "I'm not that scary, am I? Just call me brother, or Brother Hao is fine, but calling me brother is more intimate."
Calling him Elder Brother was too awkward.
Like a gang leader.
Su Miaomiao clearly thought the same and was laughing uncontrollably on the side.
Her head even leaned onto his shoulder.
Afraid she would fall.
Cheng Hao had to reach out and support her head, his large hand cupping the back of her head. The round shape felt good, soft and fuzzy, so he casually ruffled her hair. She dodged him, afraid he'd make her hair greasy.
He was amused by her little thought and then said to Cheng Xiaotian, "As for her, if you call me Elder Brother, how can you call her Little Sister-in-law?"
He was genuinely curious.
Cheng Xiaotian felt embarrassed that he had blurted out the title he had implicitly used, and stammered, "Because I think she's very young?"
Cheng Hao, with his youthful and handsome face, expressed disbelief, "Then do I look old?"
Su Miaomiao was already laughing heartily, her sense of humor inexplicable.
Cheng Xiaotian felt as if his mouth was both present and absent, too nervous to speak. He tried to explain, babbling that it was because she was sometimes very lively and like a child, so he thought she was very young, cute like a little sister.
He also said that he had always admired Cheng Hao, heard that his studies were excellent, and that every teacher praised him for being smart and capable, which he greatly admired.
That was why he called him Elder Brother.
Children's worlds sometimes contained peculiar thoughts.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao didn't really take it to heart. It was just a name. They found the child amusing and wanted to relax him, with no ill intentions. The child was too nervous around them.
If they didn't know better, they would think he had met his idol and was so nervous, excited, and curious. He was indeed a cute child.
They just didn't expect to make the child even more nervous.
Cheng Hao apologized to him and said that if he wanted to play with them, he could come anytime.
No need to be so reserved.
They would be spending a long time together, and if there was anything he didn't understand, he could come and ask.
"Here, your so-called Little Sister-in-law might seem unreliable, but she knows quite a lot. If you encounter anything you don't understand, feel free to come to us."
Su Miaomiao really wanted to laugh when he emphasized the word "us."
Hey.
He's still just a child, okay?
Cheng Hao sometimes had inexplicable feelings of insecurity and would get jealous over trivial things. Su Miaomiao sometimes really couldn't keep up with him, as he was quite sensitive and prone to overthinking.
Now, he seemed even cuter! She liked him more and more!
Cheng Xiaotian saw a barrier between the two of them, separating him. They formed their own world, with emotions in their eyes that he couldn't yet comprehend, but he could feel that their feelings for each other were genuine.
It was different from how he felt about his parents, different from any couple he had ever seen.
But Cheng Xiaotian couldn't quite describe it, only saying shyly, "You two are so good." It made him extremely envious.
Cheng Hao also smiled and said to him, "When you grow up, you'll meet someone who will be your best companion."
Su Miaomiao also nodded and said, "Exactly, exactly, why is the little kid in such a hurry?"
Cheng Xiaotian could only scratch his head and smile foolishly, finding it funny.
Although it seemed like the three of them talked for a long time, it was actually not that long.
Back and forth.
They gradually became more familiar with each other.
Cheng Xiaotian was able to talk to them without being nervous or stuttering.
Cai Shi and Xi Shi looked up when they heard the noise. Seeing the three of them chatting and laughing, they were a little surprised, but they understood that this was a good thing.
If their son could befriend the legitimate son of the Cheng family, they would have more security in the caravan.
Cai Shi became even more polite to Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao, and quickly explained the situation, "Look at my child, I asked him to ask you how to stew this meat, but he ended up chatting with you instead. Did he bother you two?"
Her tone was somewhat anxious and a little embarrassed, and she was genuinely worried that her son might have annoyed them, which would not be good.
Cheng Hao understood Cai Shi's concern. People like her, traveling with the Cheng family caravan, would be more sensitive, fearing they might be driven away.
It was understandable.
He also said it was fine, that Cheng Xiaotian was very cute and sensible.
He had also conveyed their message to them properly.