Chapter 296 Why Is It You Again?
Zhuang Liu observed the decoration of Tan Rou’s house. It wasn’t a very stern style, but a vivacious style. The flowers on the shelf were in full bloom. Someone seemed to have just watered them, making them look more energetic.
Tan Rou’s house was different from his. The apartment he was living in now had cold colors and simple furniture. There were few gadgets, such as the cartoon pillow on the sofa and the half-a.s.sembled Lego on the coffee table.
Zhuang Liu was still thinking about which room was Tan Rou’s when he saw one of the doors with a photo hanging on it open. Then, he and Tan Rou’s second brother, Tao Zheng, looked at each other and were stunned.
Tao Zheng’s eyes widened when he saw him. “Did you chase my sister all the way to our house?”
“Big Brother was sending my sister home. He wasn’t chasing after her.” Tao Qi said.
Tao Zheng didn’t mean that, but he couldn’t explain it to the child. “I mean, why are you here?”
Zhuang Liu smiled and said politely, “I met Rourou on the way back today. It was getting late, and I worried about her walking alone, so I sent her back personally.”
“How is that possible?” Tao Zheng didn’t believe her at all. “Rourou went to the library today. She’ll definitely take the bus or subway when she comes back. How did you meet her? You couldn’t have moved your wheelchair onto the bus or the subway.”
It had to be said that Tan Rou’s brother and younger brother were really smart. Tao Zheng pointed out the problem in just two sentences. Zhuang Liu did not know how to answer.
“What are you arguing about?” Mrs. Tao poked half her body out of the kitchen with a spatula. “If he said they ran into each other, then so be it. Look at how loud you are. What if you disturb the neighbors?”
Tao Zheng panicked. “Mom, why are you on his side?”
“Stop it. I think Xiao Zhuang is quite nice. How dare you blame him for it? It was already getting late, but you didn’t go out and pick up your own sister.”
Tao Zheng was taken aback. “Mom, I was busy editing the photos. When I looked outside, it had already turned dark. I just forgot to pick up Rourou.”
“Alright, stop arguing.” Tan Rou brought out the braised eggplant. “Get ready to eat. Tao Qi, go wash your hands.”
Tao Qi retracted his hand that was about to steal a piece of meat and ran to the bathroom to wash his hands. When Zhuang Liu saw he had gone, he also moved his wheelchair to follow Tao Qi. However, when he returned after washing up, his hands were dirty again. For a moment, he felt a little awkward.
“Xiao Zheng, get a towel for Zhuang Liu to wipe his hands. He doesn’t need to go to the bathroom anymore. Just take yours for him.”
Tao Zheng’s face darkened, and he reluctantly went to get a towel to wipe Zhuang Liu’s hands.
Mother Tao especially changed to the rotating gla.s.s table guests usually use when eating. Due to how inconvenient it was for Zhuang Liu to get up, and they were afraid that Zhuang Liu would not like the food if they picked it up with their own chopsticks, they changed to a rotating round table. They allowed Zhuang Liu to pick up his favorite dishes.
Zhuang Liu’s gaze was fixed on the braised eggplant that Tan Rou had made. He had to eat this dish. Not only did he have to eat it, but he had to eat more. Hence, his bowl was filled with eggplants.
Mrs. Tao felt slightly embarra.s.sed when she saw that he only ate the eggplant. “Xiao Zhuang, don’t just eat the eggplant. There are other dishes. This braised pork rib tastes good, and this pot of ginseng chicken soup too. I’ve been cooking it for the entire afternoon.”
Zhuang Liu tasted them one by one. They were indeed delicious, but the braised eggplant was still the best.
At the dining table, Tao Zheng had been going against Zhuang Liu. If Zhuang Liu wanted to eat braised eggplant,Tao Zheng moved the braised eggplant further away. After noticing that Zhuang Liu did not like spicy food, he moved the stir-fried meat with chili to him.
Tan Rou looked at their little actions and stopped them helplessly. “Second brother, what are you doing? Those who didn’t know better would think that you would have a crush on him and be deliberately attracting his attention. Even the little boys in kindergarten who pull girls’ braids aren’t as childish as you.”
When Tao Zheng heard that, he awkwardly let go. “I was just picking up some food. I wasn’t doing anything else.”
“Xiao Zheng, it wasn’t easy for him to come here. Why are you making things difficult for him?” Tao Zheng’s mother scolded him.
“You’re already so old but still acting like a child.”
Tao Zheng couldn’t keep his face straight after being called like a child by his mother and sister. His face turned red like a tomato on the table.
“Second Brother, why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?” Tao Qi asked curiously. “Why don’t you let the sister look at it?”
Tao Zheng was both embarra.s.sed and annoyed. “I’m fine. Just eat your food.”
Zhuang Liu wanted to laugh when he saw this. He had never had such interactions with his own family. He was an only child and was born into the Zhuang family. Since he was young, his every move had been strictly monitored. He had to do things that his peers could not.