Shen Hui was still "deeply reciting" even though she felt Shen Wu approaching her.
So as she read the next few lines, she deliberately raised her voice and slowed down her speech to make sure the approaching Shen Wu could hear clearly what she was reading:
"With a pained heart, I reflect on my mistakes. On the morning of June 14, 20XX, I was walking around the garden with my Nine Chance awl (the well-maintained one) and casually injured the innocent little animals in the yard, causing extremely serious harm to Eldest Brother's young mind and forcing Eldest Brother to take leave from work and putting my little sister in an awkward situation as well.
To repent wholeheartedly, a mistake is a mistake! After deep reflection and consideration of future developments, I am determined to make the following corrections..."
Shen Wu quickened his pace as he listened, hurriedly grabbing Shen Hui's phone before she could read out the random corrections he had written at the time.
Shen Wu glanced at the screenshot photo on Shen Hui's phone and deleted it directly.
Shen Yichen, who was standing to the side, did not try to stop him. He just reposted the photo in the family WeChat group after Shen Wu had deleted it from Shen Hui's phone.
Seeing the "evidence" of his misdeed reappear in the WeChat group, Shen Wu felt very complicated. He was different from his past self now. After spending two years with Shen Yue learning to pretend to be normal, he could now infer more intense emotions in others.
He quickly followed Shen Yichen's repost with an angry emoji, and only then did he look to Shen Yichen. "Eldest Brother, I wasn't the one at fault this time. You can't take it out on me."
Shen Yichen rubbed his temples and spoke plainly, "Was that line you and Shen Hui drew together?"
When Shen Wu heard that, he suddenly had an ominous feeling. He looked to Shen Hui, and sure enough, saw delight in her eyes.
She had dragged him down with her.
Shen Wu realized what was happening, but still couldn't figure out where exactly Shen Hui had set the trap for him. He could only say, "That line was drawn by me and Shen Hui that day. We agreed not to disturb each other. Could it be that your precious pet died on my side?"
Shen Wu reflexively left Shen Yue out. He didn't say that Shen Yue had also taken part in drawing that line.
Hearing the word "died", Shen Yichen felt a pain in his heart. His tone was very unpleasant. "Shen Hui, say it again yourself."
Shen Hui blinked her eyes innocently. That harmless little look was actually somewhat similar to Shen Yue's when she tried to get out of trouble after making a mistake.
They only heard Shen Hui repeat her crime process in that seemingly innocent face and indifferent voice.
"That toad was sitting on the line. It was a very precious line. What right does a beast have to touch it? So I slaughtered it." Here Shen Hui smiled and pointed to where the line started bending, continuing, "Such a cute place should always stay clean."
Shen Yue looked to where she was pointing and understood.
The "cute" line Shen Hui mentioned was actually a mess of winding grass and weeds - the same things she had randomly planted that day to ease the relations between Shen Wu and Shen Hui.
So it turned out she shared part of the blame too.
After hearing Shen Hui's answer, the displeasure in Shen Wu's heart strangely dissipated. He even felt a strong agreement with what Shen Hui had just said.
She was right. Such a cute line that little sister planted herself, what right did a toad have sitting on it? The line was drawn with grass. If the toad sat on it and flattened the line, what then?
"That toad deserved to die," Shen Wu thought to himself, and the words slipped out.
When Shen Yichen heard that, his already not great mood worsened. He casually punished, "Starting today, the family driver will stop driving you. You take the bus to the hospital yourself every day."
Shen Wu was silent for a while before responding, "Eldest Brother, there is no bus stop near our house."
"I didn't ask you to tell me why you can't. You're clever enough, spend your own money to build one."
Shen Wu shut his mouth. He could sense that Eldest Brother had completely lost his temper.
Before Eldest Brother went mad, Shen Yue spoke up to pacify him, "Eldest Brother, I know you're anxious, but don't be so hasty."
Si Chengyou, standing not far away, expecting that Shen Yue would have some special pacifying technique: ...
But strangely enough, Shen Yichen did calm down a bit after hearing Shen Yue say that one line, and even acknowledged his mistake. "Sorry, I was too impatient just now."
Shen Wu: !
Shen Hui: !
The two of them had not yet adapted to Shen Yichen's sudden change when they heard their devilish Eldest Brother continue, "Now that I've calmed down, I'll say it again - the punishment for your unruly behavior.
Shen Wu, I'm confiscating all your cards for two months. Your daily allowance will be 50. Figure out how to survive on your own.
Shen Hui, for the next 100 days you will write a 500 character self-criticism every day. Don't copy it from online, I'll have my assistant check for plagiarism. If you fail to turn in your self-criticism on time any day, I'll dismantle your lab."
"There are rules in the Shen family. If you do something wrong in the Shen family, you bear the consequences."
After calming down, Shen Yichen felt much more comfortable. He was just about to go into the room to get a plaque made for his pitiful toad when he turned around and saw the extraordinary man standing not far away.
Shen Yichen and Si Chengyou's eyes met for a moment before Shen Yichen looked again at where Si Chengyou stood, immediately realizing his identity.
He pretended nothing had happened and walked up to Si Chengyou, smiling apologetically. "You came at an awkward time, Chief. Please excuse us."
