They chattered back and forth, the two children vying to speak for a long time, and Feng Jin couldn't understand a word. Finally, she raised her hand to stop them.
Taking one child by each hand, she led them to the chairs and said in a soft voice, "Da Bao, you're the older one, you go first."
"Mother, this… how do I get this to move?" Da Bao, having been given permission, excitedly held up the Rubik's Cube and asked.
Feng Jin had just taken the Rubik's Cube from Da Bao when Er Bao, impatient, squeezed forward and said, "Mother, look at mine."
Suddenly, Feng Jin found herself holding two Rubik's Cubes. She was a little stunned. What was with these two children today, were they possessed? Da Bao, always playful, showing this behavior was not surprising, but why was Er Bao like this now?
After a moment's hesitation, Feng Jin decided to put the Rubik's Cubes away, at least for today, she couldn't let them continue playing like this.
"You've been playing for quite some time today, you need to learn to balance work and rest. You can't always be engrossed in one thing. I'll put the Rubik's Cubes away for now and you can play with them tomorrow."
Feng Jin simply put the Rubik's Cubes back in the box and placed it high up, determined that the two little ones wouldn't get them today.
"Mother… don't… Mother…"
Da Bao pleaded with a mournful expression, his gaze fixed on the box, never wavering. He had finally gotten the hang of it and was about to delve deeper, only to have them taken away. His mood plummeted, making him extremely uncomfortable.
"No calling out, and no crying. Otherwise, you won't play with the Rubik's Cubes anymore."
As soon as Feng Jin spoke, Da Bao's dejected look vanished without a trace. Mother was certainly capable of doing such things. For the long haul, he had to endure for now.
Er Bao, however, remained calm, making it impossible to guess his true emotions.
"Very good. Mother will keep these safe for you for now, and give them back tomorrow."
Feng Jin bent down, ruffled the soft hair of the two little ones, and then walked away.
After the door was closed, Da Bao's face immediately fell. His eyes blazed as he glared at Er Bao standing beside him, his voice tinged with anger, "Why didn't you say anything just now? If you had said something, Mother might not have taken them away."
He blamed everything on Er Bao. Who told Er Bao not to say a word earlier, causing Mother to take their toys away? Yes, it was all Er Bao's fault.
Er Bao rolled his eyes, his contempt for Da Bao deepening. He was always like this, blaming others for his mistakes and never reflecting on himself.
"Why aren't you talking anymore? Do you know you're in the wrong and have nothing to say!"
Da Bao was convinced that Er Bao's silence meant he was in the wrong, which only fueled his arrogance.
"I just think you're stupid, there's nothing to say."
Stupid… Da Bao's mouth twitched. Was he deeply despised? He, to be called stupid by Er Bao.
"I'm your brother, how can you talk to your brother like that!"
Da Bao put his hands on his hips, projecting his authority as the older brother, and rebuked Er Bao, highly displeased with his disrespect.
Isn't it most important for a younger brother to respect his older brother? How could he say such a thing, it was too much.
"I'm telling the truth. You are indeed stupid, and you only do stupid things!"
He was utterly speechless at Da Bao's intelligence now. Everything he did was mindless. Mother was already upset, and he insisted on acting that way, only making Mother even angrier, and thus less likely to give them the Rubik's Cubes.
"You… you're simply too much, you're going to make me so angry!"
Da Bao's neck and face turned red with anger, and he pointed at Er Bao furiously, shouting.
What a brat, talking to his older brother like that, where was his dignity?
Er Bao rolled his eyes at Da Bao and stood up, walking away. He kept thinking about the Rubik's Cube and then picked up a pen to draw on paper.
The air fell silent for a moment. Da Bao noticed Er Bao hunched over the table for a long time without moving. He then trotted over to Er Bao's side, peering at what Er Bao was drawing on the paper.
"Isn't this the Rubik's Cube Mother made for us? Why are you drawing it?"
Er Bao's gaze remained fixed on the paper, his pen still moving. He replied to Da Bao calmly, "I've memorized it. We'll make one ourselves, then we can play anytime."
It was better to rely on oneself. Relying on others would only lead to delays.
He had foreseen that Mother wouldn't let them play for too long, so he had memorized the parts of the Rubik's Cube early on. It was better to do it yourself for self-sufficiency.
Da Bao couldn't help but feel admiration for Er Bao. He truly was his brother, and indeed remarkable.
"Very good. It certainly has your brother's style. Excellent, excellent!"
Da Bao reached out and patted Er Bao on the shoulder, praising him, and then, without forgetting, praised himself as well.
"Shut up and say fewer words!" Er Bao said with a slight disdain. He really didn't know how Da Bao could be so thick-skinned. Such shameless words were probably only something Da Bao could say.
In order to play with the Rubik's Cube, he would endure it for now and not bother with Er Bao.
"Then you study slowly. Call me when you've figured it out and made it!"
He would then wait with peace of mind, for Er Bao to make the Rubik's Cube. The thought of being able to play with the Rubik's Cube to his heart's content made him feel incredibly happy.
Er Bao rolled his eyes, full of contempt for Da Bao. He was ready to play with a finished product. Such a good deal. Otherwise, he'd just make one Rubik's Cube and keep it for himself.
"If you only make one, I'll tell Mother about you secretly making Rubik's Cubes!"
After all, they were twins with a telepathic connection. Da Bao immediately sensed Er Bao's intention and, worried that Er Bao would hide it for himself, reminded Er Bao.
"I know, you'll definitely get one. Just go away, stop hovering around here!"
Er Bao said reluctantly. If it weren't for the fear of Da Bao selling him out, he wouldn't have made an extra one for Da Bao. Too bad he had such a brother.
"Then do a good job. Your brother will go get you something delicious to eat."