Previously on Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life...
Ye Qiu's previous life as a philanthropist ended, and upon entering a new world, they found themselves in a family that excessively favored daughters over sons. The protagonist, Ye Qiuxin, is treated as subservient to his sister, Ye Qing, who enjoys extreme pampering from their parents and extended family. Despite being exploited and unappreciated, Ye Qiuxin decides to endure until after the college entrance exam, planning to assert independence then.
"Brother, go fetch me a cup of milk tea. You know the drill: less ice, half sugar," Ye Qing nonchalantly commanded Ye Qiu, stretching out on the sofa after finishing an apple.
"Aren't you supposed to be on a diet?" Ye Qiu inquired with a blank expression.
"I'm so skinny, what's there to diet for? Just get it if your sister asks," Ye Peilin retorted, narrowing her eyes at Ye Qiu.
"It's so late, why don't we just order delivery?" Ye Qiu suggested.
"No way," Ye Qing refused. "What if the delivery person messes with my milk tea? Who knows what they might do to it on the way?"
"Exactly, it's better if one of us goes. Hurry, your sister is leaving soon," Mom, Han Hui, intervened, backing her daughter's request. Ye Qiu grudgingly stood up and extended his hand.
"What for?" Ye Qing blankly questioned.
"Money," Ye Qiu replied.
"Don't you still have money?" Ye Qing pouted, reaching for her wallet.
But Ye Peilin intervened, stopping Ye Qing. "You're asking your sister for money to buy a cup of milk tea? What about the living expenses we give you? What have you been doing with all that?"
Ye Qiu took a deep breath, defending himself. "You only give me US$500 a month. If Sis asks me to buy things for her almost every day, how can I possibly have any money left?"
Witnessing his defiance, Ye Peilin's displeasure intensified. She glared at him, asserting, "You're blaming your sister for using your money? Isn't all your money from me and your mom? What's wrong with letting your sister use it? She never asks for anything expensive. How much can one cup of milk tea even cost?"
Ye Qiu lowered his head, having no desire to argue further. He knew speaking up would only result in this outcome; no one would ever consider his feelings.
As he walked along the neighborhood path, despite the pleasant evening air, his heart felt as cold as ice. No one ever thought about him. Ye Qing might ask for a cup of milk tea or a box of strawberries occasionally – small sums, yes, but how long could US$500 last under such frequent demands? He wondered what he even ate for lunch at school, just to save money every single day.
Yet, whenever he mentioned not having enough, Dad and Mom would dismiss it, claiming boys were naturally wasteful and didn't know how to be thrifty. If his memory served him right, when Ye Qing was in high school, she received at least fifteen hundred yuan in pocket money monthly, with Dad occasionally supplementing her funds. Now, in college, her allowance had jumped to three thousand yuan per month, and she still expected him to pay for her milk tea.
Everyone envied him for having such an intelligent and beautiful sister, attributing his good grades to her tutoring. But the reality was, it was good enough if she didn't consume all his study time; tutoring him? She never possessed the necessary patience.
Like this year, he was on the cusp of entering his senior year, a critical period for academic focus, yet she never ceased ordering him around.
Claiming the delivery person might tamper with her drink? Who would be so incredibly bored? Moreover, delivery drivers nowadays maintained high standards of service, didn't they? She simply reveled in ordering him about, likely to assert her dominance within the family.
"Dad, Mom, please stop criticizing little brother so harshly. What if he develops some inner turmoil?" Back at home, Ye Qing looked at her parents with a seemingly helpless expression, her voice soft and charming.
"We aren't saying much to him. Boys are meant to be raised tough; what sort of inner turmoil could he possibly feel?" Ye Peilin replied dismissively.
Ye Qing feigned concern. "I noticed little brother seemed a bit unhappy about getting me milk tea earlier. Do you think I might be asking too much?"
"Too much?" Ye Peilin's eyebrows practically shot up. "It's perfectly natural for a brother to buy things for his sister. Is it such a great hardship for him to run a small errand? It's precisely because you're such a considerate sister that he's becoming overly sensitive, thinking that just because it's his senior year, the entire family should cater to him. That's not how our family operates."
"But during my crucial exam year, you wouldn't let me do anything other than study," Ye Qing reminded them.
"It's different for you because you're a girl. The thought of you marrying off and facing hardships with your in-laws makes me anxious. While you're still here at home, live life to the fullest," Han Hui said, gazing at her daughter with profound sympathy. Having experienced life's trials herself, she understood the difficulties women faced. If she had her way, she'd keep her daughter by her side forever.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qing genuinely smiled sweetly, clasping both Ye Peilin and Han Hui's hands. "Then I won't get married in the future. I'll stay here and take care of you both."
They were both overjoyed by her words. Han Hui even playfully tapped her nose, remarking, "What nonsense are you spouting? How can a girl not get married? Besides, if you meet someone you truly love in the future, even if we told you not to, you'd likely insist on marrying him tearfully."
"I refuse to be that way. If I ever get married, it will only be because someone persistently pursued me." Ye Qing declared with evident pride.
Ye Peilin nodded, clearly pleased with her daughter's assertion: "Indeed, my daughter is truly exceptional."
When Ye Qiu returned, milk tea in hand, he observed the trio already engrossed in conversation, their closeness creating a palpable sense of exclusion, marking him as an outsider.
This was a familiar scene, and he had grown accustomed to it. In a previous existence, such a sight might have stirred resentment, but now, only a profound calmness remained: "Here is your milk tea."
"Thank you, little brother!" Ye Qing offered a warm smile as she accepted it.
Ye Qiu responded softly, almost to himself: "There is no need for thanks."
Han Hui immediately interjected with a cheerful smile: "We are family, so no thanks are necessary."
Ye Qiu remained silent, his thoughts drifting to his past life. He recalled instances where his mother would always instruct him to thank his sister whenever Ye Qing generously bought him something, emphasizing her kindness. Yet, now that Ye Qing no longer felt obligated to do so, it seemed to have become his obligation.
Why was it his obligation? Was it merely because he was born into this family? Was it because Ye Qing desired a younger sibling to dote on, prompting his existence? Had anyone ever bothered to inquire if he wished for this role?
"Here, this is for you." Ye Qing presented him with twenty yuan, her action framed as a generous gift, despite the underlying expectation.
"Hurry and take it. Are you still going to complain about your sister spending your money?" Ye Peilin shot him a stern look, her tone typically sharp.
Ye Qiu inhaled deeply, accepted the money, and with his gaze lowered, stated, "I am going to my room to complete my homework."
As the door clicked shut behind him, he overheard Ye Peilin remarking, "Who knows where he picked up such a difficult temperament. What’s the point of his good grades? Who will tolerate such an attitude in the real world?"
"He will mature eventually. If all else fails, I can use my connections to help little brother find a job," Ye Qing stated casually.
Han Hui looked at her daughter with affection: "As expected of an elder sister; make sure you look after your younger brother."
"Do not worry, Mom and Dad. I will not neglect little brother. After all, we are family!" Ye Qing declared with a touch of boastfulness.
"If only your brother possessed your level of sensibility."
"It is merely his adolescent phase; it is normal to experience mood swings."
"Whose adolescence drags on as long as his? I sincerely hope he matures quickly."
