Chapter 44: Individuality

PFFF 

For a moment, Li failed to hold back his laughter. 

"Maria… don't call your big brother that…" he requested. 

"But Mom always calls you that…" 

STOMP STOMP STOMP 

Heavy footsteps approached the door. 

Realizing who was coming, Matheus stopped, took a deep breath, and opened his arms. 

BAM 

A punch from inside the house landed squarely on his face, knocking him down. 

"How dare you show up here! I thought you forgot about your family!" 

A woman with blonde, curly hair, a broad torso, and strong arms stepped in front of the child. 

"Do you really have to do this every time?" Sitting on the floor, with his hand on his cheek, he asked. 

"HUH!? If my idiot son visited his mother more often, I wouldn't have to reprimand him every time he showed up!" 

"But…" 

"Don't talk back to your mother!" 

"Alright…" 

From behind the woman, Maria peeked out.