Chapter 14

On New Year's Day, as expected, Ruan Miao was violently woken up early by He Shanglu knocking on his door. Squinting his eyes, he got up to open the door. He had stayed up too late studying the night before and, combined with cramming for exams, had almost failed to wake up.

He Shanglu had been banging on the door for quite a while. Just as he was about to start cursing, he saw Ruan Miao, with puffy eyes and a swollen face, wearing cute bear pajamas. Whether from staying up late or some other reason, Ruan Miao's face was slightly swollen, making his small face look rounder. Dressed in fuzzy pajamas, he looked quite adorable.

He Shanglu was silent for a moment, then grabbed Ruan Miao's hair with one hand. Though he didn't use much force, he still shouted aggressively, "Got some nerve, huh! Letting the whole family wait downstairs just for you!"

"You've got ten minutes to get ready! If you're late by a minute, I'll bash your brains out!"

After cursing, He Shanglu quickly withdrew his hand and rushed downstairs like he was on fire. Ruan Miao, still not fully awake, was startled by He Shanglu's threat. He hurried into the bathroom to wash up and managed to get dressed and downstairs within ten minutes.

"Good morning, big brother." Having washed his face, Ruan Miao was much more awake. Seeing everyone already seated at the table waiting for him, he quickly apologized and greeted them politely.

"Sit," He Shangye said without any anger.

After Ruan Miao sat down, they began eating breakfast. Ruan Miao couldn't recall when the family had started waiting for him to eat breakfast together. Initially, everyone ate separately, but since he began waking up early to study and coming downstairs before them, they sometimes waited for him.

While cutting his steak, He Shanglu looked at Ruan Miao disapprovingly. After a while, he couldn't help but scold him again, "What's with that straw on your head? You used to dress like a peacock every day, even using hair oil. What happened now?"

"Huh?" Ruan Miao touched his hair, realizing it had grown longer. "I'll get a haircut in a couple of days."

He Shanglu rolled his eyes, "Just now, grabbing your hair felt like grabbing a bunch of bristles. You don't even care about your appearance anymore."

Having grown used to He Shanglu's attitude over the past month, Ruan Miao didn't get angry. He continued putting sausages on his bread, resigned to eating whatever was available since his favorites—buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk—weren't present.

"All you do is eat!" He Shanglu rolled his eyes aggressively.

At that moment, He Shangye also looked at Ruan Miao's hair and surprisingly nodded in agreement, "It does need some grooming."

After breakfast, despite having banged on the door about being late, He Shanglu quietly sat on the sofa, watching He Shangzhi style Ruan Miao's hair. Among the three siblings, only He Shangzhi was a girl, so she took on the responsibility of Ruan Miao's appearance.

He Shangye had Ruan Miao change clothes. After brushing his hair meticulously, He Shangzhi applied some unknown products, making Ruan Miao's hair smell fragrant in no time.

After getting a makeover, Ruan Miao stood in the living room, looking down at his small suit, leather shoes, and tie. His head felt light and scented, making him very uncomfortable in this attire.

"This looks more presentable," He Shanglu snorted through his nose. "You're worse off now, dressing like a beggar every day."

Ruan Miao fiddled with his bow tie and looked at He Shangye, pleading, "Big brother, do I have to wear this? It's a bit tight."

"It's fine," He Shangye said, finishing his drink from a highball glass. For once, he gave a rare compliment, "You look good."

Ruan Miao had no words. He genuinely wasn't used to wearing suits. Although the suit was custom-made for the original Ruan Miao, his increased appetite over the past month had made him gain weight. Having eaten a lot that morning, his stomach felt uncomfortably tight.

Seeing his discomfort, He Shangye glanced at him and calmly said, "I'll have someone come to take your measurements again tomorrow and make a new suit."

"Yes, you have gained weight."

Ruan Miao could swear he saw the corners of He Shangye's mouth curl up.

After finally getting ready, the family left the house. Upon arriving at their destination, Ruan Miao shivered in the cold wind. The small suit wasn't warm at all. He looked at He Shangye and He Shanglu, who stood straight in their similarly thin attire, and muttered, "Cold."

He Shanglu turned and glared at him, "Endure it!"

Ruan Miao shut his mouth but soon whispered again, "Ate too much, need to fart."

He Shanglu turned back and pinched his cheek hard, "All you do is eat! You'll eat yourself to death!"

"Dare to fart, and I'll blow your head off!"

Ruan Miao felt genuinely wronged. The suit was too tight, making his stomach uncomfortable.