Because Ye Qing came home with a sullen face, Ye Qiu, as expected, was scolded by Ye Peilin.

Ye Peilin is a typical daughter-struck parent. Whatever Ye Qing asks for, he never refuses. If Ye Qing is even slightly unhappy, he makes the person who caused it even more unhappy, and that person is usually Ye Qiu.

As for Han Hui, she is relatively fair in this family but still biased. Since Ye Qing’s birth, her status in the family and her mother-in-law’s attitude towards her changed, so she also dotes on her daughter immensely.

However, unlike Ye Peilin, who only scolds his son, she comforts Ye Qiu when his father scolds him, telling him not to be upset or take it to heart. While it seems like she’s easing the atmosphere, it’s actually at Ye Qiu’s expense to maintain the family’s harmony.

Ye Qiu had long seen through all this, so his heart remained unmoved by his father Ye Peilin’s reprimands and his mother Han Hui’s consolations. He stood quietly in the corner, not moving even when his legs numbed.

Ye Qiu naturally didn’t get to eat dinner, but in the middle of the night, Ye Qing surprisingly made him a bowl of instant noodles.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know Dad would be so angry," she apologized embarrassedly. "I made you some instant noodles, come and eat."

"No need, I’m not hungry."

"You’re still mad at me, aren’t you?" Ye Qing said dejectedly. "I’ve spoken to Dad, you don’t have to stand in the corner anymore. You have school tomorrow!"

He knew that tomorrow was the first day of school, but this family never had any considerations for him, a senior in high school. All summer, if not for him intentionally avoiding Ye Qing, he wouldn’t have had a moment of peace to study. Yet even so, he was often stopped by his parents, made to either accompany Ye Qing for shopping or buy things for her.

Today he did nothing wrong; just because Ye Qing came home displeased, he not only didn’t get to eat but also had to stand as punishment. Do they think it’s all settled with a bowl of instant noodles? Am I really this worthless to them?

"I won’t eat. It’s late, I’m going to sleep." Ye Qiu said expressionlessly.

Ye Qing pouted unhappily, "You’re still mad at me."

"Shouldn’t I be?" Ye Qiu retorted, leaving Ye Qing speechless.

She argued, "Dad cares for me, and we’re siblings, right? How can you be mad at me?"

"So you can treat me like a joke? Don’t think I don’t know, you did it because your friends were watching, to show you could boss me around."

"I only wanted others to see our good sibling relationship."

"Is that necessary?"

"Can’t you make me happy just once?"

"Forget it, you still don’t get it. You eat the instant noodles, I don’t like them."

"But you used to eat them."

"That was before. You used to love wearing princess dresses; do you still like them now?"

Ye Qing had no answer. She used to love princess dresses because she was young. Now that she’s grown, wearing those would invite ridicule. How could this compare?

"That brat. His sister gives him a way out and he doesn’t appreciate it. What does he have to be upset about?" eavesdropping Ye Peilin was unhappy and was about to storm out to scold Ye Qiu.

Han Hui quickly pulled him back, "Alright, let them resolve their sibling issues on their own. Do you see what time it is? Both kids have school tomorrow!"

After Ye Qing went to university and started staying in the dorm, she generally only came home on weekends, giving Ye Qiu much more peace. Yet even then, Ye Peilin made him do all the household chores, claiming it was to train him.

Ye Qiu didn’t mind. With Ye Qing away, he could work much faster; it didn’t interfere with his studies. But he couldn’t help wondering: once he leaves this home, given Ye Qing’s habits from being spoiled for years, Ye Peilin’s machismo, and Han Hui as a busy teacher, who would handle the housework?

And when Ye Qing marries, bringing back a husband who also eats daily, and they’re both unreserved, would the home still be so harmonious without him doing chores?

He guessed it would still be the same, because considering how much his parents dote on Ye Qing, they wouldn’t make her do chores, and according to their logic, a son-in-law is a guest, so naturally, they wouldn’t make him work either. It would be the old couple who’d need to put in the effort.

Ye Qiu wasn’t sympathetic. After all, it was their own choices. But he decided they wouldn’t exploit him for the rest of their lives.

Though time as a high school senior always seemed slow, it passed in a blink. Despite the dissatisfaction at home, Ye Qiu made significant progress academically and was very helpful, making his time at school eventful and successful.

In his teachers’ and classmates’ eyes, he was the one most likely to get into the top-tier universities, but his family didn’t share this belief.

"The college entrance exam is around the corner. Are you confident?" Han Hui subtly inquired.

Before Ye Qiu could answer, Ye Peilin frowned and interjected, "Your grades have always been worse than your sister’s. I doubt you can get into her university. You should pick a good major, and don’t go out of state. You’re inexperienced; going out would mean facing various difficulties. Stay local, so your sister and I can look after you."

"My teacher said I’ve made great progress this year." Ye Qiu quietly defended himself.

Ye Qing looked at him hesitantly, "Bro, we should be practical and not get cocky like others."

"Your sister’s right. You’re so young, why lie to your family? Listen to me, enroll in an accounting major. Work hard, get an accounting certificate. After graduation, I can have the senior accountant at my company take you under their wing." Ye Peilin had already planned Ye Qiu’s path, believing it to be the best option given his son’s capabilities.

"I don’t like accounting. I want to study computer science; I’ve been planning to apply for a computer science major. My teacher suggested I refer to Q University." Ye Qiu once again tried to emphasize that he wasn’t doing poorly, but he didn’t expect them to become even angrier.

"Do you plan to repeat a year? You lie to us saying the teacher suggested it. Do you think we don’t know your grades?" Ye Peilin retorted angrily.

Ye Qiu looked back at him, "You know? You didn’t even attend the last parent meeting; the teacher said my progress was significant."

"You think a little improvement means you’ll get into the top university? How did our Ye Family end up with someone as overly ambitious as you?"

"Bro, quickly apologize to Dad, otherwise, everyone will mock our family once the results come out." Ye Qing signaled Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu stayed unmoved, "Then you’ll find out when the results are out. I’m not giving up my dreams or my major."