Chapter 138: Comparison Brings Joy

“No!”

“No!”

“No!”

Before the echoes faded, Da Dan and Er Dan both turned to look at Su Qinghu, their faces full of confusion—“Who are you, what are you doing, and why are you acting just like us?”

Su Qinghu glanced at them, then looked away and turned to the old squad leader, beaming, “Don’t say anything yet. I’ve made up my mind—I’m not going to ask anymore, and even if they want to talk, I won’t listen.”

The old squad leader’s earlier awkwardness was replaced by curiosity. He wanted to ask why, but felt embarrassed, so he glanced at Cai Huayang beside him. Seeing the flash of curiosity on Cai’s face quickly replaced by a look of expected sympathy, he decided to keep quiet.

Ever since the last time he took those two pale-faced kids to tour the detention center, Cai Huayang had formed an idea of Su Qinghu’s personality and style. So even though he didn’t quite understand why Su Qinghu, who had just been urging the kids to tell the truth, suddenly called a halt, he wasn’t too surprised.

After all, this was the woman who, when the kids were barely toddlers, dared to leave them in his care and had him explain to them in detail what crimes each inmate had committed.

Still, curiosity lingered… cough, cough… he really did want to know why…

“Are you guys curious?” Su Qinghu straightened her expression. As everyone instinctively perked up their ears, the corners of her mouth began to curl up.

Da Dan watched, taking a deep breath. Here we go again! Isn’t she afraid that one day her mischievousness will get her in trouble?

Er Dan nodded eagerly, hoping she’d clear things up for him. “Curious.”

He really was curious. He’d shouted “No” because he was afraid his brother’s secret would be exposed, but why did his new mom do it?

Earlier, when new mom saw them, she looked surprised. That meant she didn’t know they were connected to Grandpa. If she didn’t know, then she couldn’t possibly know his brother’s secret, right?

So why?

Da Dan looked at his brother’s innocent, expectant face and was so exasperated he wanted to smack him!

Blockhead! How many times has this happened, and he still never learns!

Everyone was so curious, but if she answered their questions so easily, that would be the real surprise!

The old squad leader couldn’t help glancing at Cai Huayang. He hadn’t interacted with this little Su before, but something about her tone just sounded… off~~

Of course Cai Huayang picked up on it.

But before he could give the old squad leader a reassuring look, Su Qinghu said, “Curiosity is good! There’s nothing a Chinese person isn’t curious about.”

Everyone listened intently, but then Su Qinghu suddenly fell silent. They thought she was just pausing for dramatic effect to hold their attention, so they waited quietly.

But after a while, when she still didn’t continue, they started to get restless.

Cai Huayang was so anxious he felt itchy all over. Was sister-in-law waiting for applause, like those factory directors who pause in their speeches for a round of clapping?

But in this situation… wouldn’t applause be a bit too weird?

Hold it in, keep your hands down, don’t clap. If you clap now, you’ll look like a total fool…

Da Dan knew Su Qinghu was up to no good, but her words had left him hanging, so much so that he almost wanted to scratch the wall in frustration.

He glanced at his innocent, expectant little brother, and for the first time wished his brother would step up and say something to wrap up the previous question.

Er Dan was waiting along with everyone else. How could he not be anxious? But unlike the others, he just asked directly, “Huh? And then?”

“And then? And then what?” Su Qinghu blinked, pretending not to understand.

Er Dan scratched his head, then dropped his hand and replied earnestly, “Didn’t you ask if we were curious about why you stopped us from telling the truth? We are curious…”

They’d all admitted they were curious; shouldn’t she answer now?

“Oh, you mean that~~~” Su Qinghu nodded as if she’d just realized, then smiled nonchalantly. “I’m just practicing what I preach, showing you firsthand that the feeling I get when you keep secrets from me is exactly like the curiosity that’s driving you crazy right now.”

Er Dan instantly puffed out his cheeks in frustration!

For a moment, Da Dan, Cai Huayang, and the old squad leader all went blank. Then, grinding their back teeth in unison, Da Dan pressed his lips together, the old squad leader gripped the arms of his wheelchair, and Cai Huayang dug his fingers into the seam of his pants so hard it hurt—only to realize he wasn’t even wearing pants with seams today…

He wanted to complain!

Cai Huayang took a deep breath. He wanted to run to the display case of the training room and complain to the mannequin legs!

So infuriating!

In all his years, he’d never met anyone so good at getting under people’s skin! And the worst part was, he couldn’t hit her, couldn’t scold her, and didn’t even dare to keep asking!

That’s right, he didn’t dare to keep asking, because he was afraid she’d find an even more twisted way to drive him crazy.

Cai Huayang stewed for a while, and then, suddenly, he felt the urge to laugh.

He couldn’t help it. Just thinking about how these two little rascals would have to live under Su Qinghu’s “torment” in the future, his own anxiety melted away. He even wanted to slap his thigh and laugh out loud—hahahahaha!

Comparison really is everything. The moment you compare, your own happiness skyrockets~~~

“Frustrated, aren’t you?” Su Qinghu gave a gentle yet mischievous smile. “That’s right, frustration is exactly what you should feel!”

See? She really was being kind—she still answered their question in her own roundabout way.

Now that she’d pointed out the kids were hiding things from her, even if they didn’t confess, living under the same roof would be a constant reminder. Hmph, let’s see if they don’t get anxious~~~

And when they finally want to talk, well, she just won’t give them the chance. That’ll drive them up the wall, right?

If they get to that point, her goal will be achieved~~~

Su Qinghu glanced at Da Dan with a bright smile, watching his tightly pressed lips—she almost wanted to laugh out loud.

Let’s see if I can’t stir up your innate curiosity and investigative spirit!

Aren’t you into chemistry? Don’t your eyes light up when you chat with Qian Yin? Someone who loves science that much, even if he’s still young, must have a strong sense of curiosity and inquiry, right?

Even if he eventually figures out her intentions, as long as she doesn’t say it outright, there’ll always be a knot in his heart, haha!

Da Dan stared back at Su Qinghu, his little face stiff, while Su Qinghu winked at him with a sly smile.

If it weren’t for the setting, she’d have loved to throw her arms up and shout: “Let your true nature run wild, my boy!”

Being a kid is great—just be happy and carefree, and don’t worry about adult stuff.

Besides, worrying wouldn’t help anyway. Su Qinghu didn’t even need to consult her conscience to tell them the truth—when she gets spontaneous, even she can’t rein herself in!

Da Dan was so thrown by her mischievous wink that his mind went blank, and then an image popped into his head:

On a boundless grassland, a wild horse, free of its reins, lifts its eyelids to watch a plane flying overhead for a couple of seconds, then suddenly spreads its wings and soars into the clouds, disdainfully trampling on the plane with a whinny…"