In any case, compared to other children, the quartet didn't lack money. Lin Feng hadn't given the kids pocket money in a long time, and they hadn't asked for any either.

Little Bao seemed to understand, and for once, she offered an angelic smile. The hearts of her four older brothers melted.

Oh my, their little sister is just too adorable.

How could such a cute little angel even exist!

They really wished she would grow up faster…

In the midst of their anticipation, Little Bao yawned and was taken to have her Fan Fan. Zhang Yuxi carried Little Bao to feed her while the four boys went to do their homework, and Lin Feng started preparing dinner.

By the time they had finished their homework, Lin Feng's dinner was also ready.

At the dinner table, the children brought something up.

Eldest Bao asked, "Dad, the school is organizing an exchange student program. Do you think we should participate?"

"All of you?" Lin Feng asked.

The trio nodded.

Their teacher had mentioned it before. The school held an exchange program every year, lasting from half a month to a full month. Students who wanted to participate could sign up, but selection was based on luck. The teacher had clearly advised that any students prioritizing their academics should skip it.

However, the trio, being excellent students, found the idea quite interesting and all wanted to sign up. Whether or not they would be selected was just a matter of luck.

For the middle and high school grade levels, nearly every class in the middle school had students signing up. As for the high school… almost no one participated. With time being so tight, it was better to just focus on studying.

The quartet, for their part, had already filled out their application forms. The other students in the school's top ten, who were always left in the dust by the trio, were secretly thrilled. Rumor had it that the exchange program was basically just a trip abroad…

They were determined to seize this opportunity to turn the tables!

To shatter their rivals' legendary streak of holding the top three spots in their grade!

With that thought, they were truly invigorated!

Just thinking about it made their spirits soar!

When Lin Feng heard about it, he didn't object. After all, the boys were old enough to make their own decisions. The school would announce the results after Little Bao's one-month celebration.

「…」

As the treasure of the family, Little Bao's one-month celebration was quite a grand affair. Times had changed, and the relatives now regarded Lin Feng as an unreachable figure. Since he had invited everyone, they certainly had to attend to show respect. This time, Lin Feng just wanted a lively gathering and wasn't accepting gifts; all the red envelopes from relatives were returned.

Little Bao was born weighing 7.9 pounds. After a month, she had filled out a bit and was simply too adorable for words.

As Little Bao's mother, Zhang Yuxi had almost nothing to do. The baby had a nanny and Lin Feng to take care of her. Now that the quartet had learned how to hold a baby, Zhang Yuxi hardly ever held Little Bao except for feedings. Today, for instance, everyone else was busy, while she was the most idle one there.

An Lan, on the other hand, seemed to have gone through something and had suddenly become very laid-back. Watching An Lan transform into a foodie, Zhang Yuxi asked, "Aren't you keeping an eye on your two sons?"

"No need," An Lan said nonchalantly. "Their dad is with them."

"You seem different lately. What happened? Did you and your husband have a fight?"

"Nope! I just feel like… my own life is more important, you know. I've learned it's better to just turn a blind eye to some things."

Zhang Yuxi was surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just got so angry with my two sons that I had to be hospitalized and put on oxygen."

"!!!!"

An Lan finished her statement casually and went back to eating.

Zhang Yuxi recalled how tutoring her own kids had been so stressful it nearly caused her milk supply to dry up. She patted her chest. "Eat up. Children will make their own way in life…"

An Lan genuinely seemed to have come to terms with it. "Yeah, I've done my best. They can do whatever they want now."

Zhang Yuxi thought it couldn't be that serious, but then she recalled her own experience and felt it was entirely possible. After all, if people can get so angry they need heart bypass surgery, then needing oxygen is hardly surprising.

Seeing the look on An Lan's face, she really did seem to have let it all go. "Don't look at me like that, eat!"

Zhang Yuxi shook her head. "I'm full."

An Lan "oh"-ed, took a sip of water, and decided she was done eating. She glanced around. "I recognize a few of these relatives. They've changed quite a bit."

Just then, Cai Cai came running over. "Mommy, Mommy, I want to set off firecrackers!"

An Lan shook her head. "No, sweetie. Setting off firecrackers isn't allowed here!"

"Why? Why not? It's such a happy day, why can't we?"

An Lan thought for a moment. "Go ask your father about this."

"But Daddy told me to come and ask you!"

What a jerk! An Lan thought, though she patiently explained, "Because the police say it's not allowed. It's very dangerous."

Alright, Cai Cai was convinced by this reason and ran off again.

Zhang Yuxi thought that Cai Cai and Guo Guo were quite well-behaved. It was normal for boys to be mischievous sometimes! She was curious, though. Why had An Lan gotten so angry she needed oxygen that day?

An Lan put a hand to her forehead. "Don't bring it up. I don't want to relive it."

Seeing the utter refusal in her friend's posture, Zhang Yuxi dropped the subject, feeling very fortunate herself.

Just then, Lin Feng came over carrying a crying Little Bao.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Yuxi asked quickly.

"Little Bao made a stinky," he said. "I came to change her diaper."

The trio followed right behind him. Today, they were Little Bao's shadows. Lin Feng had even taught them how to change diapers, give Little Bao water, and so on. Even when Little Bao had a stinky diaper, the quartet didn't find it smelly at all. On the contrary, they were surprisingly enthusiastic about learning how to handle it.

Zhang Yuxi occasionally tried to help, but it was never her turn. Aside from being a walking milk bottle, she had nothing else to do.

An Lan was green with envy. Her husband didn't have these skills, nor were her children this adorable. She used to hope for that kind of family life, but not anymore. She had long since accepted her reality.

Nearby, the brothers Guo Guo and Cai Cai came over, equally envious.

Wow, a baby sister! We want one too!

They found their dad, Liu Bo. "Daddy, we want a baby sister!"

Liu Bo pursed his lips. "You'll have to ask your mother. If she agrees, then we'll have a baby sister."

The two children scampered over to their mother.

When An Lan saw her two children running toward her, she felt a headache coming on. Still, she managed a smile and said to Zhang Yuxi, "You see? They never have anything good to say when they come looking for me."

Sure enough, the two boys ran up and surrounded An Lan, clamoring for a baby sister.

Stay calm, An Lan told herself. Don't get angry.

Kids aren't so terrible, after all. They're actually quite adorable!

Thinking this way made her feel much better.

"This is something you need to talk to your father about," she said.

The children quickly replied, "Daddy said that if Mommy agrees, you'll give us a little sister!"

Jerk! An Lan thought again.

Zhang Yuxi laughed. "What if you get a little brother instead? Would you still like him?"

The brothers declared in unison, "No, we only want a sister!"

"But what if your mom has a little brother? What will you do then?"

The two boys asked, confused, "Why would she have a little brother? We want a sister!"

Zhang Yuxi explained, "Whether you get a little brother or a little sister is decided by fate. We can't choose."

"Whether it's a brother or a sister, they are both gifts from heaven!"

The brothers were greatly disappointed. "Isn't there some way to make sure?"

Zhang Yuxi shook her head. "No, there isn't. When your mother was pregnant with Cai Cai, she wanted a daughter. But she had a son, and she loves him all the same. Since you want a sister so badly, you have to be prepared for the possibility of a brother, too."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.