Chapter 203: The “No-Brain Disease”
When Ning Xiyue made that gesture, a glimmer of amusement appeared in Ning Qingyuan and Ning Qingzhi’s eyes. But they didn’t dare let it show too much — both brothers lowered their heads, lips pressed tightly together, doing their best to keep their parents from noticing their grins.
If their parents caught them laughing now, everything would be ruined.
When Ning Hai turned his head toward them, the two brothers ducked their heads even lower, suddenly feeling very guilty.
Sensing their father’s piercing gaze sweeping over them, they suppressed their emotions even more, looking completely remorseful — heads bowed like two timid quails.
Only then did Ning Hai withdraw his gaze, signaling for Ning Xiyue to offer the tea to her mother.
Receiving the cue, Ning Xiyue shuffled forward a few small steps, getting closer to Yun Xiulan. When she reached her mother’s right side, she bent down and presented the tea with a flattering smile.
“Mom, you must be tired from chatting. Why don’t you have some tea to moisten your throat before we keep talking?”
“Jiayin, just a moment.”
Yun Xiulan’s expression softened into a kind smile as she said this to Song Jiayin. But the moment she turned her head to face Ning Xiyue, her expression completely changed — the smile vanished faster than a Sichuan opera mask change.
“Oh, so now you remember your mother exists.”
She shot her daughter a sidelong glance and took the tea, though she merely held the cup without drinking.
“Mom, I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll definitely tell you everything. I won’t hide anything from you again.” Ning Xiyue kept grinning foolishly and clung to her mother’s arm, acting spoiled. “Mom, drink the tea quickly, it’s getting cold.”
They all knew that only after their mom drank the tea would it mean she’d let things go.
Ning Qingyuan and Ning Qingzhi had been watching closely this whole time, their eyes nearly glued to Yun Xiulan’s teacup, waiting desperately for her to take a sip.
“Xiulan, the kids know they were wrong. Just forgive them already,” Ning Hai chimed in, giving her an excuse to step down gracefully.
Yun Xiulan, satisfied that she had made her point, took three sips of tea. Then she lifted her chin toward Ning Qingzhi and Ning Qingyuan. “You two — come here.”
Like two eager little puppies, the brothers scurried over and bent down to apologize:
“Dad, Mom, we were wrong. We promise it won’t happen again.”
“Remember what you said today. You’re not exactly reassuring, you know. You two… sigh.”
Yun Xiulan sighed deeply. What else could she do? They were all her children. The reason they hadn’t shared bad news was because they didn’t want to worry their parents. They were grown up now — they understood how to be considerate.
Suddenly, a wave of bittersweet emotion welled up in her chest. She blinked away the sting in her eyes and hid it by drinking more tea. “From now on, don’t hide things from me or your father. We don’t want to hear news about you from someone else.”
At this point, Ning Hai, standing beside her, put on a stern face and deliberately raised his voice. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes, we understand.”
The three siblings stood there humbly, listening attentively to the lecture.
No matter how old they got, in front of their parents, they were still children — still the kids who made mistakes and got scolded, still the ones who acted spoiled to seek forgiveness, still the children their parents would trust unconditionally.
When the lecture was over, Ning Xiyue started acting cute and playful again, Ning Qingyuan massaged his mother’s legs while cracking jokes, and Ning Qingzhi stood behind her, massaging her shoulders.
“Hmph! So you make up with your mom, and then forget all about your dad,” Father Ning muttered jealously behind Ning Xiyue, clearly feeling left out.
“Dad, of course not. Come here, sit down. I learned a set of massage techniques in the countryside — I guarantee you’ll feel amazing.” Ning Xiyue quickly stood up, cheerfully dragged her father over to a stool, and began massaging his shoulders.
Ning Hai’s mood immediately brightened, and his jealousy vanished. Feeling deeply content, he enjoyed the massage. “Ahh, my daughter’s the best. This feels wonderful. A little more to the right, sweetie.”
“Comfy, isn’t it? I learned it especially for you and Mom,” Ning Xiyue said sweetly, flashing a smile at her mother — never missing a single chance to score points in front of her parents.
Ning Qingyuan, meanwhile, was enthusiastically pounding on his mother’s legs to show his own filial piety.
Not to be outdone, Ning Qingzhi asked eagerly, “Mom, my massage feels good too, right? It’s a professional technique we learned in the military — relieves fatigue, relaxes the neck and shoulders.”
“Mm, not bad. Keep going,” Yun Xiulan said, enjoying this rare moment of pampering from her children. She lifted her teacup and took a small sip — her mouth was parched from all that lecturing.
Sitting nearby, Song Jiayin was seeing a whole new side of Ning Qingzhi for the first time — childish and playful, nothing like his usual calm, mature self.
It was obvious the family shared a very close bond — the kind where they bickered loudly but loved deeply.
She couldn’t help feeling a little envious of this warm, lively family dynamic, so different from her own more reserved upbringing.
Ning Qingzhi glanced back at her, giving her a sheepish smile, clearly a little embarrassed — though his hands never stopped working.
After finishing her lecture, Yun Xiulan didn’t forget about Song Jiayin either. Setting down her teacup, she gently held Jiayin’s hand and smiled warmly.
“Jiayin, don’t take it to heart. Auntie isn’t usually like this. Today, those three kids just made me so angry.”
Ning Xiyue looked over and offered an apologetic smile to Song Jiayin.
“It’s okay. I actually really like this kind of atmosphere,” Song Jiayin said sincerely, shaking her head.
“That’s good.” Yun Xiulan’s smile was genuine. “If my eldest ever bullies you, just come to me — I’ll help you beat him up.”
“Thank you, Auntie, but Qingzhi would never bully me.” Song Jiayin turned to Ning Qingzhi and gave him a sweet smile.
Catching her gaze, Ning Qingzhi smiled back warmly. “Mom, I’m going to learn from Dad and be a good husband — I’ll only cherish her, never bully her.”
Ning Xiyue: “…”
She wanted no part of this “dog food.” She was so done with this couple who showed off their love anywhere and everywhere without a care for the single people around them.
Sigh! Is this the downfall of humanity or the decay of morality? Why must they torture us singles like this?
Ning Xiyue shook her head and sighed inwardly.
“Little sister, do you ever feel the urge to hit our big brother?” Ning Qingyuan quietly asked as he sidled up next to her.
“Yes,” Ning Xiyue replied, suddenly finding a comrade-in-arms in the trenches, turning to her second brother with a determined nod.
“Me too.”
The two of them were the only single “dogs” present. And, by the looks of it, they’d probably remain that way for the next few years. It was bad enough that their parents were already lovey-dovey — now they had to endure their big brother and future sister-in-law piling on too.
“Second Brother, thank goodness for you,” Ning Xiyue said dramatically, eyes brimming with fake tears as she grabbed Ning Qingyuan’s hand and shook it.
“Good sister,” Ning Qingyuan sniffled, joining her melodramatic act with a tearful tone of his own.
Ning Hai looked back at the pair of drama queens behind him, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry. “Should I call a doctor for the two of you?”
“Haha, Dad, don’t worry about us — we’re just having an episode,” Ning Xiyue burst out laughing at her father’s humorous remark.
“What illness?” Yun Xiulan asked, suddenly looking worried as she glanced at her son and daughter.
Ning Qingyuan quickly replied, “The ‘no-brain disease.’”
“Hahahaha!”
The whole ward erupted into laughter.
After the laughter died down, Ning Hai adjusted his glasses, which had slipped down his nose, and brought the room back under control.
“Alright, that’s enough. Pack up your things — it’s getting late.”
Father Ning’s words carried weight. As soon as he spoke, everyone stopped laughing, quickly gathering up the last of their belongings and getting ready to complete the discharge procedures.
