Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1115 - 1104: Valuing Daughters Over Sons

Upon reaching the mountain summit after purchasing water, Ye Qiu discovered Ye Qing and the others had vanished, intensifying the chill he felt.

"Didn't I instruct you all to remain here and await my return?" he inquired, drawing a deep breath.

Perched on the mountain's railing, Ye Qing casually observed the scenery, stating, "We grew bored. Besides, we cannot afford to keep everyone waiting solely for you."

The hand holding the water bottle trembled in Ye Qiu's grasp, its knuckles turning white. His companions, sensing the palpable tension, remained conspicuously silent. Ye Qing, however, continued, her tone shifting slightly, "It's not that cold anymore; never mind. The mountain top is quite refreshing, and we don't strictly need a cold beverage."

Ye Qiu cast a stoic glance in her direction before deliberately moving away. He then quietly put on his headphones, beginning to listen to English audio.

"Ye Qing, your brother appears rather displeased," one companion remarked.

"Indeed, it was our oversight; we should have extended our wait for him a little longer," another added.

"It's quite alright," Ye Qing dismissed with a wave of her hand. "He's a young man; there's no need for such a fuss."

The other companions exchanged uncertain glances, their silence deepening. They had previously heard Ye Qing describe her younger brother as exceptionally well-behaved. Today, however, it seemed his compliance stemmed from being consistently ordered around, an arrangement that felt somewhat excessive even within a sibling dynamic.

Typically, siblings engaged in playful banter and occasional squabbles, but they rarely intentionally created such discomfort for one another. If they possessed such a handsome and seemingly obedient younger brother, they would undoubtedly cherish him, reluctant to see him inconvenienced.

As outsiders, they found themselves in a difficult position, unsure how to intervene without causing further offense. Discussing family matters too extensively could easily alienate Ye Qiu. Nevertheless, they harbored a growing concern that Ye Qing's continued behavior would irreparably damage their sibling bond.

Furthermore, the decision to ascend the mountain earlier hadn't originated from them. Initially, they had proposed waiting for Ye Qing's brother. However, Ye Qing had adamantly insisted it was unnecessary and that they shouldn't delay their schedule, pushing them to leave ahead of him. Now, Ye Qing's brother was visibly upset. Had the situation been reversed, any one of them would have felt similarly incensed and likely would have caused a scene.

They perceived Ye Qing's actions as short-sighted. Even from the perspective of maintaining family ties, this persistent wear-down tactic seemed unwise. They reasoned that once she married and potentially faced difficulties, she would likely seek support from her maternal family. By needlessly straining her relationship with her brother now, she was jeopardizing future support and unnecessarily flaunting her perceived higher status within the family.

They recalled hearing that she was exceptionally doted upon at home, seemingly exempt from any responsibilities. A prevailing suspicion among them was that all household duties fell to her brother.

A glance at the siblings' attire further highlighted the disparity. Ye Qing was adorned in designer clothing, her entire ensemble, including accessories like necklaces and watches, easily surpassing ten thousand in value – a considerable extravagance for a college student.

In stark contrast, her brother, Ye Qiu, sported an unremarkable tracksuit. His shoes were visibly worn, their edges appearing yellowed from repeated washing. His backpack, a mere hundred-yuan purchase, projected an image far removed from that of a fashion-conscious young man. Compared to his sister's opulence, he appeared almost discarded.

While some degree of divergence in upbringing between affluent daughters and sons might be expected, could the contrast truly be this extreme?

Although they envied Ye Qing's favored position within her family, they fundamentally disagreed with the method. Contemporary society often decries the excessive pampering of sons over daughters, but the overindulgence of daughters at the expense of sons could be equally detrimental. Parental bias, when too pronounced towards one child, inevitably fostered deep-seated imbalances among siblings.

Parental favoritism, while sometimes leading to the favored child showing care and affection towards siblings, became truly concerning when that favored child began to brazenly dominate their siblings, mirroring the parents' own behavior. Ye Qing, in her current demeanor, displayed no inclination to reciprocate her brother's errands, yet clearly reveled in her commanding authority – a dynamic that felt deeply troubling.

One companion, observing Ye Qiu's continued avoidance, ventured a jocular remark: "Ye Qing, given how obedient your brother is to you, you must truly care for him. Does he ever ask you for pocket money?"

Ye Qing responded with feigned confusion, "No, why on earth would he ask me for pocket money?"

"Well, you are his elder sister, and young men often have greater financial needs," the companion pressed gently.

"Our parents provide him with ample living expenses each month; surely that should suffice?" Ye Qing countered.

"It's just that young men often indulge in activities like gaming, treating friends, or perhaps secret dating – don't these expenses add up?" the companion elaborated.

"He wouldn't dare!" Ye Qing declared, her brow furrowing. "His focus should be on his studies; how could he possibly engage in gaming? Treating friends? What understanding do those associates possess? They're bound to part ways after graduation. Pursuing a girlfriend now would inevitably lead to heartbreak; why expend funds on individuals who hold no lasting significance?"

Hearing Ye Qing's rationale, the companions were left utterly speechless, baffled by her peculiar logic.

While the adverse effects of games on academics were understood, it begged the question: was there any boy who didn't indulge in gaming? The key, surely, lay in knowing one's limits, and how could friendships forged in the crucible of school life dissipate so readily? Hadn't they been classmates once? Furthermore, the assertion that romance was destined for an end seemed perplexing. What was this notion of expending resources on individuals unrelated to themselves? Were they unaware that a student's first love was often cherished as the sweetest? Would abstaining from all expenditure not lead to future ridicule during reunions?

Moreover, it was a known fact that many first loves culminated in marriage. Ye Qing's refusal to engage in dating didn't negate the value of early romances, and her words struck an infuriating chord! It was particularly galling for the girl among them who had been in a committed relationship since her freshman year, now scoffing at Ye Qing's statement.

However, they ultimately decided not to meddle further. Since convincing Ye Qing seemed an impossible task, they ceased their discussion. It wasn't their affair, after all, but through this episode, they began to perceive Ye Qing's nature as somewhat self-centered.

It's often said that only children are inherently selfish, implying that growing up with siblings fosters a sense of sharing. Yet, favoritism could manifest even more extreme forms of selfishness.

Ye Qiu paid no mind to the feelings of the others; he complied with every request Ye Qing made. It was merely a year, and once he departed this household, he wondered who would tolerate her anymore. The more he indulged her now, the more demanding Ye Qing would inevitably become – he mused over who would eventually dote on her next, and whether that person would do so with the same unconditional acceptance.

A palpable silence enveloped Ye Qiu and Ye Qing on their journey home. Unable to bear it any longer, Ye Qing finally broke the quiet, stating, "What's wrong with you these days? You're mortifying me in front of my friends."

Ye Qiu, perplexed, responded, "What have I done wrong this time?"

"Why have you been sulking the entire day?" Ye Qing pressed.

"You made me trek up and down the mountain for no reason; do you expect me to greet you with a smile?" Ye Qiu retorted, barely suppressing his simmering anger.

"I am your sister; why are you speaking to me in such a manner?"

"Just because I have a sister doesn't give you the right to treat me as less than human."

"Oh, it's a sibling spat!" The taxi driver interjected with a hearty laugh as their argument escalated, "Siblings are often like this, bickering frequently in their youth. But as they mature, they realize that only the bond of a sibling truly endures. Sisters ought to show more leniency towards their brothers, just as brothers should strive to understand their sisters – there exists no hatred between siblings that cannot be overcome."

Ye Qing and Ye Qiu fell silent once more, yet as they prepared to disembark, Ye Qiu still assisted Ye Qing with her bag.

The driver chuckled again, remarking, "Now that's more like it. Girls are generally delicate; boys should naturally be more magnanimous."

Ye Qiu offered a smile in response, "Thank you, Master. Please drive safely and keep your eyes on the road."