"This is from Grandma." Li Zhaodi had gained a lot of face today, and when only their own family was left, she handed Ye Qing a big red envelope.

Ye Qing looked at everyone awkwardly, feeling embarrassed to accept it, but it was a gift from an elder, and she couldn’t refuse, helplessly saying, "Grandma, it’s your birthday today, why are you giving me a red envelope!"

"Grandma’s happy, what’s wrong with giving you a red envelope?" Li Zhaodi forcefully stuffed it into Ye Qing’s arms.

Ye Qing glanced at Ye Qiu and Ye Zhe: "But my brothers didn’t get any, how can I accept it?"

"They’re boys, are they going to argue with a girl like you? Besides, you made Grandma’s cake today yourself, which couldn’t be bought with money."

"But..."

"Qingqing, if your grandma gives you a red envelope, just take it. Girls need money for makeup and clothes, more so than boys, take it." Ye Qing was about to say something when Uncle Ye Peijun spoke up, looking at her with a face full of affection.

Don’t underestimate him as a coarse man, he’s always hoped for a daughter all his life, but fate didn’t fulfill his wish. His wife gave him a son, and despite how he pleaded, she refused to have another. Fortunately, his brother’s family had a niece, equivalent to half a daughter. While he looked at her with affection, he didn’t notice the stiff smile in his wife’s eyes.

Since marrying into the family, Chang Qiao knew her husband adored his brother’s niece and hoped to have a daughter. However, she didn’t mind, believing that having a boy and a girl were the same, maybe even better to have a boy. It’s not that she favored sons over daughters, she just felt that with the family’s attitude of pampering girls, they might spoil them.

Thus, after having Ye Zhe, to prevent her son from feeling aggrieved, she refused to have another child, not expecting her husband to show even more favoritism towards Ye Qing.

Even with the mother-in-law, using her money to favor her granddaughter wasn’t an issue, but at least be fair, right? Don’t show such bias in front of her, it’s no wonder she’s upset.

Everyone says how wonderful niece Ye Qing is, but she always feels girls should be spoiled, but not excessively. Like the brother’s family, putting daughters first and sons second, she decidedly disagrees, fearing it could lead to sibling rivalry in the future.

Still, as a daughter-in-law, she was insignificant in the family and unwilling to cause emotional strife. Her son was her priority, but she felt bad for Ye Qiu, the nephew, living separately and rarely gathering throughout the year. She knew how oppressed he felt at home.

It’s foolish when her husband and sister-in-law claim nephew Ye Qiu is quiet and less cheerful. She felt their partiality was the cause, and it would be odd if he didn’t mind.

Sensing his aunt’s upset glance, Ye Qiu gave a shy smile.

Chang Qiao felt even more conflicted inside, and seeing her father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and her own husband all focused on niece Ye Qing, she sighed heavily. In other families, boys were prioritized over girls; in their home, it was the opposite, shown so plainly. She couldn’t control others, but she would educate her husband after returning home. The results of her hard work could only go to her son, and even if her husband adored his niece, there had to be a limit.

"Brother, these are for you." On the car ride home, Ye Qing gave half the money to Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu didn’t take it, asking, "This is Grandma’s money for you, why give it to me?"

"We made the cake together, so you should have half the money."

Ye Qiu still didn’t accept: "No need, it was your idea to make the cake. I only followed instructions, did nothing else."

Hearing this, Ye Peilin nodded in agreement: "Your brother’s right. You said you wanted to make the cake for Grandma, and she was happy today, so the red envelope is yours, no need to share with your brother."

"But..."

"Accept it, your brother won’t mind." Han Hui smiled, "Didn’t you fancy that bag before? Are you still short? Mom will cover the difference."

Ye Qing promptly accepted and smiled at Han Hui: "Mom, I love you the most."

"What about me?" Ye Peilin asked jealously.

Ye Qing quickly appeased him: "Dad and Mom are both my favorite people."

Watching the three laughing happily, Ye Qiu quietly gazed out of the window, showing he willingly yielded?

No, he knew even if he didn’t yield, the money wouldn’t end up with him, might even earn a scolding from Mom and Dad, and be labeled greedy.

"Brother, can you buy some strawberries and cherries for me?" While nearing the neighborhood, Ye Qing blinked her wide eyes at Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu felt his anger rise; it always went like this. She couldn’t go a day without bossing him!

"Why didn’t you mention it when we passed by the supermarket?"

"I didn’t want Dad to be too tired; you know how hard parking is nowadays."

Ye Qiu understood; after all, him going alone wouldn’t tire Dad!

"Quickly go, buy more, Mom will give you money." As Han Hui spoke, she took out US$ 500 from her wallet, "Pick good ones; they must be big and red. Small ones your sister doesn’t like."

"Mom is the best!" Ye Qing cheered, holding hands with Han Hui going upstairs.

Ye Qiu shook his head with a smile, wondering what he could do, given his lowest status in the family?

After buying the items and returning home, he very conscientiously washed them for Ye Qing before heading to his room for homework. Barely starting a couple questions, Ye Qing called again.

"What?" He responded expressionlessly, noticeably under pressure.

Ye Qing seemed oblivious, pointing to the plate: "Look, I don’t like strawberry bottoms, you eat them."

Such an entitled attitude made Ye Qiu clench his fists; she ate part of a sour, unpleasant strawberry bottom and expected him to eat it? It had her saliva; how could she expect him to be okay with that?

"I won’t eat it." Ye Qiu declined straight away.

Ye Qing looked disappointed: "How could you be like this? Brothers elsewhere look after sisters. Online, brothers or siblings eat strawberry bottoms. You don’t eat; do you despise me?"

"Yes." Ye Qiu was blunt this time.

Ye Peilin was unimpressed: "You despise your sister?"

"Why don’t you eat? I won’t."

"You!" Ye Peilin looked furious, Han Hui immediately mediated, "Okay, if the boy doesn’t want it, so be it. Besides, strawberry bottoms are sour, just throw them away."

"Kids these days don’t know appreciation. Back then, we didn’t have strawberries; truly indulged you all."

Saying this made Ye Qing unhappy, though it was her who didn’t want them first, she pouted: "Dad..."

Then Ye Peilin changed his tone: "I’m not talking about you, I know you don’t like strawberry bottoms, don’t be mad at your brother. If he doesn’t eat it, Dad will."

Ye Qing felt satisfied finally, casting a smug glance at Ye Qiu.