112 112 Almost Tamed
Tao Zheng almost spat out the milk in his mouth when he heard Tao Qi call her “big sister.” He coughed repeatedly and looked at Tao Qi in shock. What kind of medicine did this kid take? Then, he turned to look at Tan Rou, who was smiling with relief.
Mr. and Mrs. Tao seemed to have hit the pause button as well. They didn’t dare to say a word as they watched the situation between the two siblings change dramatically.
Tao Qi was still arguing about not acknowledging Tan Rou yesterday, and he was calling her sister this morning.
Mr. Tao secretly gave Tan Rou a thumbs-up while Mrs. Tao’s eyes were a little wet from excitement.
Yesterday, when Tao Qi refused to acknowledge Tan Rou, Mother Tao was so worried that she couldn’t sleep well. She didn’t expect to have such a big surprise when she woke up in the morning. How did Xiao Rou do it?
Tan Rou was very calm. She had already figured out Tao Qi’s temperament. She was always able to step on Tao Qi’s bottom line and constantly force him to retreat, making him struggle on the edge of erupting and compromising. Then, she would give him a sweet date, and he would be able to convince himself to do so.
Tan Rou considerately handed Tao Zheng a piece of tissue, then shot a consoling look at Mr. And Mrs. Tao, telling them not to worry.
Only then did he place the plate in front of Tao Qi. “Be a good boy; eat more of it. You’re still growing.”
After that, Tan Rou didn’t stay to provoke Tao Qi anymore. She got up and said goodbye. “I’m done. I’ll go to school first. You guys enjoy your meal.”
Mrs. Tao was still in a state of shock and joy. She replied, “Okay, okay, okay. Rou’er, be careful and study hard.”
Tan Rou smiled and nodded. She picked up her school bag and went out.
Only Tao Zheng and his parents were left, staring at Tao Qi in a daze. No matter how they thought about it, they found it rather magical that the little tyrant of the Tao family would one day bow his head obediently.
However, the three of them didn’t dare to say anything else. If they provoked Tao Qi now and he flew into a rage out of humiliation, Tan Rou’s efforts would be in vain.
Hence, they all lowered their heads in tacit understanding and acted as if nothing had happened. They ate their meals in silence, but the corners of their lips curled up in unison, secretly laughing in their hearts.
Although this little brat still looked awkward and unconvinced, it was a good start!
Tao Qi didn’t notice that the other family members were snickering. He was still immersed in the shame that Tan Rou had brought him. He fiercely stabbed the fork into the sausage and ate it in big mouthfuls, treating the sausage as Tan Rou. He was using such a method to vent his inner dissatisfaction.
‘Hmph, what an evil woman! Threatening me at every turn. I’ll eat all your sausages! He would be tall and strong! By then, she will never be able to bully me anymore!’
Tao Qi swept across the dining table, only stopping when his little stomach was full. He shouted loudly, “I’m full! I’m going to exercise later!”
Mother Tao pursed her lips and smiled. She could roughly guess Tao Qi’s thoughts. He was turning his grief into appetite, not forgetting to exercise after he was full.
He must have felt that he had embarrassed himself and wanted to use his physique to gain an advantage over Xiao Rou.
Mrs. Tao didn’t demoralize her child. Even though she thought that Tao Qi was only ten years old and wouldn’t be able to surpass Tan Rou for some time, she still nodded her head in encouragement.
“It’s been a good day. It’s good to exercise, but you still need to rest and digest before going. Otherwise, it’ll hurt your body.”
Tao Qi gave a casual reply and ran back upstairs.
After Tao Qi left, the remaining three looked at each other and laughed. Tao Zheng couldn’t hold it in and laughed out loud. “Tan Rou really has her ways. Is the little tyrant about to be tamed?”
Mrs. Tao smiled in relief. “Xiao Rou is really the most considerate and sensible child. Even when she was wronged, she still took the initiative to help us train Xiao Qi. It must be hard on her.”
Mr. Tao patted Mrs. Tao’s hand to comfort his wife. “Xiao Rou is a child with her own ideas and strong mental fortitude. We don’t need to worry too much.”
It was already too late last night, so Father Tao didn’t have the chance to tell Mother Tao about his conversation with Tan Rou. At this moment, Father Tao was relieved, but not as surprised as Mother Tao and Tao Zheng.
He knew that since Tan Rou was able to say so, she would be able to figure it out. She was no ordinary child.
Mrs. Tao nodded repeatedly, thinking that Tan Rou was a gift from the heavens. She was so smart and obedient that it would be incredibly difficult for them to find someone like her.
Mrs. Tao’s love for Tan Rou was indescribable, and she was even more concerned about Tan Rou’s previous grievances. She looked at Mr. Tao hesitantly.
Mr. Tao got the hint and patted Mrs. Tao’s shoulder meaningfully, hinting for them to have a private chat after the meal. Tao Zheng was still around and he had no plans to reveal the family’s affairs to the children.
Mrs. Tao nodded, suppressed the excitement in her heart, and continued eating.
Tao Zheng’s personality was more boorish, so he didn’t notice the secret conservation between his parents. He gobbled down his meal and returned to his room to study his photography.