Erbao's workshop was right across the way.

Dressed in goggles and a work uniform, Erbao was busy in the operating area. The workshop itself was divided into three sections: a design room, an operating area, and an exhibition zone.

By now, Erbao had already made a small name for herself. Her designs were incredibly popular with her peers, and every new release sold out in seconds.

Having just finished a pair of bracelets, Erbao stretched lazily. "Little Wen, you're here! Thanks!"

Little Wen smiled. "Can I have a look around?"

"Of course, you can!"

Erbao went to wash her hands. When she came out, she found Little Wen examining the exhibits. "See anything you like? I can give you one."

Little Wen quickly shook his head. "No, these are all things for girls."

Taking small bites of fruit, Erbao said with a grin, "Maybe you'll need them in the future!"

Little Wen chuckled, filled with sincere admiration. "You're so amazing!"

When I was in third grade, I was still battling it out with classmates with spinning tops we bought from the shop by the school! All I ever thought about was snacking and playing games.

In response to Little Wen's praise, Erbao countered, "Amazing? I guess so. I'm going to be a world-famous jewelry designer one day!"

Little Wen didn't doubt for a second that she could do it. She had been working hard for her dream since she was little.

Erbao asked, "Little Wen, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Little Wen was speechless. "I... I don't know yet."

"Oh," Erbao said simply. "You'll figure it out eventually."

Dabao and Sibao were in the practice room. Energetic and unable to sit still, they would often spar when they had free time. Despite his young age, Sibao was only at a slight disadvantage when fighting Dabao.

When Little Wen entered, he saw the two of them going at it in a fiery spar.

Little Wen was speechless.

Sibao immediately retracted his foot. "I'm done playing, I'm going to eat watermelon!"

Dabao sauntered over. "You won that round, Sibao. You're almost stronger than your big brother now!"

Sibao panted, laughing. "Hahaha, of course!"

Seeing Sibao's smug look, Dabao was at a loss for words. He turned to Little Wen and asked, "Little Wen, do you know Taekwondo? Want to join us?"

Little Wen paused for a moment, then waved his hands. "I used to, but I don't anymore."

"Why not?"

Because I was lazy! I'd rather play than go to lessons!

He couldn't bring himself to say that out loud in front of Dabao and Sibao, who were like his younger brothers. Too embarrassed to be honest, he just said, "I was busy with other things, so I stopped going."

When he left the room, Dabao followed him out. He was going to practice his calligraphy.

Remembering his own chicken-scratch handwriting, Little Wen asked, "Was your handwriting that bad before?"

Dabao nodded. "Yeah, but it's much better now!"

He had been practicing his calligraphy for three years, and now every stroke he wrote was beautiful. Every time his teacher graded his homework and exams, it was a pleasure to read, and he was often held up as an example for the other students.

Curious, Little Wen followed Dabao into his room and took a look.

He was instantly floored.

Holy crap. For a third-grader, his penmanship is incredible. Each stroke is perfect, like it was printed. No wonder Auntie looked so strange when she saw my chicken-scratch!

After leaving Dabao's room, he learned that Erbao and Sibao were heading off for a swimming competition. Since it was a hot day and the two kids were always active, they invited Little Wen to join them.

"You guys go ahead, I've got something else to do!"

If they offered me a life preserver, then maybe I'd consider it!

Back in his room, Little Wen felt utterly dejected. He knew he wasn't outstanding; compared to other kids, he was strictly average. His grades had been decent before third grade, but after he started third grade, he became more interested in playing than studying, and his performance took a steep dive.

As the saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together," and it was true. People are drawn to friends with similar personalities, and over time, they become a single unit.

「In Meicheng」

At school, he was always inseparable from a few classmates who also came from well-off families.

"Why study so hard? Haven't you heard that the top students all end up working for bosses who did poorly in school but started their own businesses?"

"Let's just scrape by in college and then open a shop together!"

"Besides, my family has several houses and millions in savings. As an only child, I don't need to try so hard!"

"Who knows what the future holds? You're only young once, so let's live it up and party!"

Spending so much time with them, Little Wen was gradually influenced by their way of thinking.

Among their parents' generation, Lin Feng was the wealthiest, and his children were the most outstanding. His dad had previously compared him to the four children, but he had retorted, "They're rich, so of course they'll spend tons of money raising their kids!"

But after spending time with them, he felt as if he'd been slapped in the face.

The four children did things for themselves. At his age, he rarely did any chores, but they already had a rotation for housework and cleaning. While he was sleeping in, they were already awake and managing their own time without any supervision.

In his imagination, Sanbao was probably forced to practice the piano, crying the whole time, while their aunt and uncle lectured her tirelessly. But no, they practiced on their own. He had never once seen their aunt or uncle force them to do anything.

In his imagination, the four children's summer had to be packed with all sorts of hobby classes and tutoring sessions. But no, their summer was a *real* summer vacation. Aside from previewing the fourth-grade curriculum, they all had their own projects and things to do.

Little Wen covered his face.

Damn it. I feel like I'm going to become a complete recluse!

The critical point was that their family was richer than his, and they were still more capable!

For the first time in his life, Little Wen truly and deeply reflected on himself.

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