Xixi pouted, "My mommy said that when you do something wrong, you have to admit it and say sorry. Your apologies have no sincerity at all. I think you should leave quickly and never come back. We won't be friends with your kids anymore."
The old lady listened, becoming a bit anxious. "No, I admit I was wrong earlier and deliberately put on airs. But this matter has nothing to do with Yi Xin. That child genuinely likes playing with you."
She had heard her grandson mention these two children more than once. His willingness to apologize with his parents was partly due to his grandson's influence.
Mr. Zhao said with a pained expression, "Besides, these are grudges between us adults. Don't involve your children."
Xixi pouted, quite stubbornly.
Mr. Zhao was at a loss and looked at Shen Qingqing. "Mrs. Fu, what do you think about this matter..."
Shen Qingqing shrugged. "I can't do anything about it. This is, after all, a matter for the children. I've always stayed out of their affairs. My son is capable of handling things independently."
The implication was that she wouldn't intervene.
Mr. Zhao's face immediately drooped. He pondered what to say to salvage the situation. It wasn't that he absolutely insisted his child play with Xixi. The main reason was that he had heard from his son that Xixi was very popular in class.
He was the most dazzling one among the children.
If he ignored his son, his son would likely have a difficult time in class. He was very aware of the social dynamics among those children.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Shen Qingqing asked a servant to open it, but it turned out to be Zhao Yi Xin.
He saw his grandmother, father, and mother and was somewhat surprised. "What are you all doing here?"
Mr. Zhao was also very surprised. "Why did you come here? Did you come alone?"
His expression gradually turned grim.
There was a considerable distance between their home and this residence. If the child had run out alone...
Thinking of this, Mr. Zhao's vision went dark.
He grabbed Zhao Yi Xin and reprimanded him, "What's wrong with you, child? How could you run out alone? What if something happened on the way? What would your parents and grandmother do?!"
Zhao Yi Xin, reprimanded, dared not look up and could only explain in a low voice, "I just saw that none of you were home and I was bored being alone..."
"You still can't run out alone!"
Zhao Yi Xin also felt guilty. Seeing that his father was genuinely angry, he quickly promised, "I won't anymore, there won't be a next time. And I didn't come alone; I had the driver uncle bring me."
Hearing this, Mr. Zhao's expression softened. "Why did you come here?"
Zhao Yi Xin turned to look at Xixi, but Xixi wasn't looking at him. He keenly sensed that the atmosphere seemed a little off, but he didn't know what had happened, so he took the initiative to speak to him.
"Xixi, I'm sorry!"
Xixi glanced at him, his face expressionless. "Why are you suddenly apologizing to me?"
"I broke the watch you gave me." Zhao Yi Xin said with deep regret, taking out a blue cartoon watch from his pocket.
He stroked the watch screen fondly.
"It was still working before Grandma took it away. But I found this watch in Grandma's room just now and discovered it wasn't working."
It wouldn't even turn on.
As he spoke, he glanced at the old lady, thinking that perhaps his grandmother had deliberately broken it to prevent him from contacting Shen Jin Xi.
Xixi hummed.
Zhao Yi Xin felt even worse. If the other party had yelled at him, hit him, or even argued with him, it would have been better than this cold reaction.
Zhao Yi Xin felt a little flustered and quickly placed the watch on the coffee table, asking hesitantly, "Do you still want to be friends with me?"
"No."
Xixi answered without hesitation.
Zhao Yi Xin's eyes immediately turned red. But he was, after all, a proud boy and refused to cry in front of so many people. He swallowed his grievance.
"It's okay. I broke the gift you gave me, so I understand if you don't want to be friends. Besides, it was Grandma who did something wrong to you... It's okay..."
Even though he said that, the young boy's face seemed to be covered by a dark cloud. His usual spiritedness and cheerful disposition had vanished.
The old lady watched with a heavy heart. "Child, it's not your fault."
Zhao Yi Xin ignored her.
He resented his grandmother in his heart.
The old lady seemed to sense her grandson's thoughts and her face instantly paled. Distraught, she fell silent.
Zhao Yi Xin looked at Xixi persistently. Although he said he didn't care, his face was filled with disappointment and sadness.
He looked so pitiful that it made one's heart ache.
But Xixi was capable of being cold-hearted. "Your grandmother said those things in front of reporters, and her apology just now wasn't sincere. I don't think we can be friends anymore."
After he finished speaking, he turned and ran upstairs.
Zhao Yi Xin's desire to explain was stuck in his throat.
He looked at Shen Qingqing with reddened eyes.
Shen Qingqing averted her gaze, unwilling to interfere in the children's affairs. Whoever Xixi wanted to play with, he could play with. She would never force him otherwise.
Zhao Yi Xin lowered his head, full of regret.
Just then, Xixi came downstairs with Chen Chen. The two brothers looked identical, like finely crafted jade statues, delicate and adorable.
Seeing the two children, the old lady had to admit that she felt a surge of affection. Who wouldn't like handsome twins?
And both were boys.
Xixi pulled Chen Chen to a stop in front of Zhao Yi Xin, his expression serious. "I've decided I won't play with you anymore. You can ask my brother. Brother, do you still want to be friends with him?"
Zhao Yi Xin looked expectantly at Chen Chen.
In his memory, Chen Chen didn't talk much and seemed easier to get along with. If it were him, he would probably be willing to forgive him...
"As you wish." Chen Chen merely glanced at Zhao Yi Xin, then looked at Xixi. "Are you calling me down just for this?"
Xixi hummed.
Chen Chen shook his head, appearing somewhat helpless, like a little adult. "I haven't finished the homework the teacher assigned. I'm going back. You handle the rest. Don't worry Daddy and Mommy."
After giving his instructions, he turned and slowly walked upstairs. His composure and calmness made him seem, apart from his short stature, not like a child at all.
Xixi was very happy that his brother was on his side. "You see, Brother agrees with me. From today onwards, don't come looking for us anymore."
After Xixi finished speaking, he also turned and went upstairs.
It was only after his brother reminded him that he remembered he hadn't done his homework. He had never been interested in or good at drawing. If he didn't work hard to finish his homework, he would definitely be the only one in class tomorrow who didn't hand it in.
That was absolutely unacceptable!