Wang Maman gradually got used to it, because He Lele was much the same. She was a bit better than Zhou Mingyu, at least she was a girl. Yan Cheng shot Zhou Mingyu a glare and then vied with him for Zhou Mingyu’s favorite chicken drumstick.
“Xiao Chengzi, how could you do this! Stealing my chicken drumstick!” Zhou Mingyu watched as the last chicken drumstick was taken by Yan Cheng and placed into Wang Maman’s bowl.
“You’ve already eaten so many, Maman hasn’t eaten yet!” Yan Cheng called her Maman, still not quite used to it, his voice a little quiet.
Zhou Mingyu mumbled softly. Wang Maman watched, wanting to give the chicken drumstick to Zhou Mingyu.
“Don’t spoil him. If he keeps eating like this, how fat will he get?” Yan Cheng told Wang Maman to sit down.
Grandma watched the lively scene at the table, unable to interject. “That’s right, Maman, you eat it. You’re so thin, you should have a chicken drumstick!” Grandma also placed a piece of crispy pork into Wang Maman’s bowl.
Yan Cheng nodded. “Grandma is right. Besides, you’re a girl and a guest. Zhou Mingyu is practically family, he should eat well.” He was quite serious about matters concerning Wang Maman.
Zhou Mingyu could only watch as Wang Maman ate the chicken drumstick. Although it was supposed to be that way, his heart ached a little.
“Alright, alright, Grandma will buy more. You won’t miss out. See, I buy them every time you come!”
“Grandma, don’t spoil him too much. He’s so old, acting like he’s begging for candy. Restrain yourself, understand?” Yan Cheng’s tone softened from firm to gentle.
After the meal, Grandma went to wash the dishes. The three of them went to the living room. Yan Cheng refilled Wang Maman’s milk and told Zhou Mingyu to get whatever he wanted to drink himself. Zhou Mingyu responded with an “oh,” feeling that something was strange, though he couldn’t quite place it.
“Rest for a bit. When it’s time to practice, if you’re not comfortable with Zhou Mingyu around, I can have him go to my room to play,” Yan Cheng said to Wang Maman.
Wang Maman felt their brotherhood was rather superficial. “It’s fine, let him stay here. Whatever makes him happy.”
“I’ll be very well-behaved, okay? I listen to Sister Maman!” Zhou Mingyu grabbed a bottle of Sprite and sat on the sofa.
Yan Cheng was taken aback. “I can’t believe you’re drinking cold drinks in the middle of winter. Aren’t you afraid of getting a stomachache?” He also noticed the cold air emanating from the drink.
Zhou Mingyu shook his head and opened it to drink. Yan Cheng was helpless and turned on the TV to ease the awkwardness.
“Let’s invite He Lele to play games. I want to see Sister Maman’s skills,” Zhou Mingyu said to Wang Maman.
Yan Cheng knew he would say this and took out his phone to log in. Wang Maman, remembering that Yan Cheng had already mentioned this to her, was not surprised. She called He Lele.
“Xiao Le, what are you doing? I’ve been waiting for a while.”
“I just woke up. You know, after exams, I need to rest,” He Lele said, talking on the phone from under her covers.
Wang Maman looked at the time. “You’re still not up at this hour? Have you eaten? Zhou Mingyu wants you to play games, are you coming?” For some reason, she felt compelled to mention Zhou Mingyu.
“Can you wait twenty minutes? No, you guys play a round first, and call me for the next one, okay!” He Lele’s voice indicated she was stretching.
Wang Maman had the call on speakerphone. Her voice shifted from a soft, sweet tone to a loud yawn, which both of them nearby heard.
“I thought girls were all sweet and clingy when they just woke up. You’re not keeping that up, you’ve revealed your true nature,” Zhou Mingyu said into the phone.
“Maman, where are you? Why is Zhou Mingyu’s voice there?”
“I’m at Yan Cheng’s place. We’re about to go on stage, so we’re practicing. Mingyu is here too.”
“Oh, Maman, be careful. When I’m not around, don’t let him take advantage of you, not even a touch.”