Meng Yuluo's mouth watered at their words. He swallowed and remembered something.
"Let's hurry and catch up. Once we get to Grandfather's house, we'll definitely have a chance."
"Why?" Meng Yutang was a bit lost.
"Don't you remember, if Brother Qi and Sister Xinci plan to go to the seaside, Ning'er will go with them."
The young boys remembered Ning'er and their faces lit up.
"Qi He wants to get rid of us? Impossible."
In the Meng family courtyard, the forsythia was in full bloom beside the bluestone path. A four or five-year-old boy with a distinctive topknot was dragging a bamboo broom taller than himself, pretending it was a horse.
"Giddy-up, giddy-up." His sweet voice echoed through the courtyard.
Until a tall, straight figure rounded the screen wall and waved enthusiastically at the little boy, "Ning'er."
"Brother-in-law." The boy saw Qi He and immediately dropped the bamboo broom, running towards him.
Clearly, the words "Brother-in-law" pleased Qi He immensely. He caught the little boy who rushed into his arms and lifted him onto his shoulders.
The boy's eyes narrowed into slits with joy, his chubby little hands gripping Qi He's head, his mouth chattering incessantly.
"Brother-in-law, where will you take me to play later?"
"Ning'er, call your sister, and we'll go to the seaside to collect seafood."
"Wow." The little fellow was even happier at the mention of the seaside. Everyone in the family knew that Ning'er loved seafood the most.
Whether it was big blue crabs, shrimp, or fish, the boy loved them all.
Fu Xinci had been kept in the room by Madam Fang, diligently doing needlework. The mother and daughter were chatting when they heard Ning'er call out "Brother-in-law."
Fu Xinci blushed, and Madam Fang's face fell.
"That rascal, your father and I have reminded him countless times, but he just won't learn."
It was strange, really. Ever since Ning'er could speak fluently, no one knew where he picked it up, but he had taken it upon himself to call Qi He "Brother-in-law" without anyone teaching him.
At first, Qi He used to feel shy, but after these two years, he had become so accustomed to it that he knew no shame.
In Fu Xinci's opinion, he was probably secretly delighted.
In the courtyard, Ning'er's excited voice could be heard intermittently, and the mother and daughter could tell from his cheerful tone that Qi He was planning to take them to the seaside.
Madam Fang glanced at her daughter, her meaning unmistakable. She did not want them to go to the seaside with Qi He.
It was a long story. Although her daughter and Qi He were engaged early on, her daughter was young then, so she hadn't said much.
But now, things were different. Her daughter was fourteen years old and a young lady. They should avoid such close proximity.
Madam Fang was contemplating how to broach the subject with her daughter when she heard the approaching footsteps of her little devil. She knew her thoughts were futile.
Alas, Madam Fang pressed her forehead, wondering who her little imp of a son inherited his temper from. Compared to Yu'er's childhood, there was nothing similar.
Upon reflection, there were still similarities. For instance, they shared the same grandfather, parents, and sister. Other than that, their personalities seemed entirely different.
If Fu Xinci knew what Madam Fang was thinking, she would definitely add, "They also have one thing in common: they are both boys."
The mischievous-looking Ning'er, unaware of his mother's worries, gently lifted a corner of the curtain. A smile bloomed on his little face.
He beckoned secretly, as if to say, "Sister, hurry out."
Though he was small, he knew his mother disliked him calling Qi He "Brother-in-law" in front of everyone.
Fu Xinci had already heard Qi He's and Ning'er's plans. Without being coy, she got off the bed, put on her shoes, and went to the closet to find a set of a narrow-sleeved, light green long skirt suitable for traveling.
Madam Fang looked at her daughter's graceful posture, which was even more beautiful than the forsythia blooming in the courtyard, and a surge of pride welled up in her heart.
Ning'er was also a lover of beauty. He had known since he was young that his sister was beautiful. Otherwise, why would his brother-in-law come back every day, diligently showering his sister with attention?
When Qi He arrived at the main gate with two horses, waiting for the siblings, he saw a group of children running over with playful grins.
Qi He didn't say much. With a gesture, Meng Qishan and Meng Yutang quickly went to tie up the donkey cart.
As Fu Xinci walked out, holding her younger brother's hand, Qi He's smiling eyes immediately met hers.
"Sister Fu, let me help you onto the horse."
"Mm." Fu Xinci didn't refuse. Although she was considered tall among her peers, she only reached his chest when standing before the tall and long-legged Qi He.
Fu Xinci was also puzzled. They ate almost the same food every day, so why was Qi He growing so rapidly?
She was now secretly wondering if there was a way to stop this foolish boy from growing any taller.
She envisioned her future height, needing a husband who was about 1.8 meters tall. Any taller would be too much; she didn't like having to look up when speaking to someone.
Qi He didn't know that his Sister Fu was complaining about his rapid growth. Otherwise, he would certainly feel wronged. He also didn't know why.
After Fu Xinci was seated steadily on the horse, Ning'er, full of envy, hugged Qi He's thigh and mumbled, "Brother-in-law, I want to ride a horse too."
"Okay." Qi He knew Ning'er was clever. After responding, he scooped up the little boy and placed him on his horse.
"Ooh, riding a horse!" The little fellow's bottom bounced with delight.
Afraid he might fall off the horse, Fu Xinci rushed to stop him. However, Qi He gestured for her not to worry. With a long leg, he sat down behind Ning'er.
"Ooh, riding a horse!" With his brother-in-law sitting behind him, Ning'er leaned heavily against him and cheered even more heartily.
Madam Fang, hearing this from the courtyard, couldn't help but shake her head. This child was truly a show-off.
Qi He, however, doted on his little brother-in-law the most. He gave Fu Xinci a look to follow, then rode his horse out first.
In the gentle spring breeze, Ning'er's mouth never closed.
Once the two horses were out of sight of the crowd, Qi He spoke up, reminding Fu Xinci.
"Sister Fu, if you encounter anyone from the He family these days, stay away from them."
"Oh. Have they started scheming again?" Fu Xinci had always known that He Xiaoni's intentions towards Qi He were not innocent.
"A little. I don't fear them, but I'm afraid they will bother you."
"It's fine. Let them try if they dare." Fu Xinci didn't care who they were, nor would she indulge them. She was never generous towards those who coveted Qi He.