QTIMP -Chapter 133 Character Persona – Love Brained (Part 4)

Immediately after, the sound of heavier footsteps approached as a group of people came out. At the front was an elegant old lady, who stepped forward and grabbed Si Qiu’s hand.

“Oh my, Grandma’s precious granddaughter! How did you lose so much weight? You must’ve been exhausted preparing for the college entrance exams! Come, come, come—go back with Grandma. You must nourish yourself well during this period.”

Si Yanan took the suitcase from Si Anqi, while Grandpa Si clasped his hands behind his back and coughed lightly. “Alright, why are you all blocking the doorway? Flying is tiring too.”

The group entered the villa. A woman dressed like a walking jewelry display case stepped out. “Oh my, this must be Qiuqiu! It’s been two years since we last met—you’ve grown quite a bit taller.”

Her tone and gestures were exaggerated, making Si Qiu feel a little uncomfortable. She softly greeted her, “Aunt Wu.”

Her voice was calm and distant. The old madam, still holding Si Qiu’s hand, waved dismissively at the woman. “Go check the kitchen and see how the food preparations are coming along.”

That was because Si Qiu had made her stance clear to the Si family long ago: “This woman is the one who destroyed my mother’s happiness and caused me to grow up without maternal love. My resentment toward her is instinctive, so it’s impossible for me to get along with her peacefully. If you can’t accept that, then I’ll just visit the Si family less often in the future.”

Originally, Wu Anna wasn’t even supposed to come today. But she always felt that if she didn’t show up to keep an eye on things, the Si family would end up giving more benefits to Si Qiu.

Si Anqi wasn’t married and had no children. At present, among the younger generation, there were only these two children. If things were given to Si Qiu, wouldn’t that mean her own son would get less?

Everyone settled down in the living room, sitting around the sofa. The servants placed neatly cut fruit, various candies and pastries, and her favorite watermelon juice on the coffee table.

Si Qiu hooked her arm around the old madam’s and said sweetly, “Grandma really dotes on me—there’s my favorite watermelon juice, and all the fruits and pastries I like.”

Cough, cough, cough.

Hearing the cough, everyone turned to look at the old master. Si Qiu quickly went over and wrapped her arm around his as well.

“Grandpa, I absolutely loved the birthday gift you picked for me. Grandpa, how do you have such great taste?”

The old man couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. “For a young lady, it’s best to have some income-generating assets in hand. That way, you’ll have confidence in the future.”

Glancing at the old madam’s expression, he quickly added, “Of course, gold and jewelry are the same—when you’re prosperous, they adorn you; when you’re down, they can support your living. They’re a good fallback.”

Si Qiu nodded repeatedly. “I knew Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt, and Dad love me. With all of you around, I can study without worries and not have to think about anything else.”

Her sweet words made everyone in the room laugh heartily, and she received several red envelopes celebrating her graduation.

In the kitchen, Wu Anna curled her lips and muttered, “All she knows is how to flatter the two old ones into opening their wallets. She’s scheming like a sieve.”

The servants in the kitchen kept their heads down, busy with their work, as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

Meanwhile, Si Nan, who had been clutching his father’s sleeve, looked at her timidly, his eyes filled with curiosity and an instinctive sense of closeness.

In truth, this child had been well-raised by the elderly couple—obedient, sensible, and academically strong. Don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say a six-year-old studies well.

Children from families like this, as long as they have some talent, are cultivated with full effort. Si Nan could already converse fluently in English, had studied elementary school material up to the fourth-grade level, and had begun to gain proficiency in various talents.

But Si Qiu felt nothing for this child. She didn’t dislike him, but she couldn’t bring herself to like him either. People always say children are innocent—but those who say that never consider that she, too, was an innocent victim.

After dinner, the father and daughter took a stroll around the villa area.

Si Qiu was dressed in a T-shirt and athletic shorts, both with rainbow stripes along the sides. She wore white sports mesh sneakers, paired with rainbow-colored socks.

Her ponytail swayed lightly with her brisk steps, and Si Yanan’s eyes were filled with satisfaction as he watched her.

“I heard from your mom that you’ve learned how to drive. Have you gotten your license yet?”

“I got it before the college entrance exams. Dad, buy me a car—I want to drive to school,” Si Qiu said, tilting her head up to look at him.

“I’ve already ordered one for you. You’ll get it before school starts. For now, you can drive my car and practice in places with fewer people.”

Linking her arm through his, Si Qiu asked, “If I drive your car, aren’t you afraid she’ll argue with you about it?”

There was a hint of helplessness in Si Yanan’s eyes. “Qiuqiu, that’s between adults. You just focus on living your life. Whatever your dad gives you, just accept it. I’ll handle everything else.”

Si Qiu shrugged and spread her hands. “Alright, alright, I won’t meddle anymore.”

After a moment of silence, Si Yanan thought of the call Song Qian had given him and finally asked, “Qiuqiu, your mom said you broke up again, right before the exams…”

The moment the topic came up, Si Qiu’s mood dropped instantly. With teary eyes, she looked at her father. “He dumped me because I wanted to apply to the same university so we could go together. He said I was too clingy, that I made him feel suffocated. He said he needed space, and if I couldn’t change, I shouldn’t look for him anymore.”

“Damn it, what nonsense is that brat spouting? My daughter needs him to teach her anything? Change? Even if you did change, it wouldn’t be for his sake. Alright, enough. Those losers aren’t worth your sadness. This didn’t affect your exams, did it?”

Si Qiu stomped her foot angrily at his last question. “Dad! Am I more important, or is the college entrance exam more important?”

Si Yanan hurried to comfort her. “You’re important, of course you are. Even if you don’t do well, it’s fine—Dad can always send you abroad to study.”

Si Qiu shook his hand off. “Relax! I already agreed with my roommates—we’re all aiming for Q University together. There’s no way a small breakup would mess me up.”

Only then did Si Yanan feel relieved. Indeed, his daughter might fall in love easily, but she never let it interfere with what truly mattered.

“Well, I just don’t know if we’ll still end up in the same dorm. Though honestly, the chances are probably slim,” Si Qiu said casually.

Unexpectedly, Si Yanan thought for a moment and replied, “That’s not impossible. Your aunt’s current boyfriend works in the education field. When I had dinner with him before, I think he mentioned something about Qing University. If you really want this, I can ask your aunt to look into it.”

All along, Si Yanan had felt a sense of guilt toward his daughter. After the divorce, she had grown distant from Wu Anna, and Wu Anna had indeed treated her with subtle hostility from time to time.

As a result, his daughter rarely stayed by his side. And when his ex-wife Song Qian got busy with work, it wasn’t unusual for her to be gone for three to five days at a time.

Most of the time, Si Qiu was cared for by the housekeeper. Being emotionally sensitive, her entire adolescence had been a turbulent, chaotic time.