Chapter Forty-Four: Why Should You Be Inferior to Others?

Da Xi brought the wooden basin closer, and soon the three children were playing together. Da Xi even helped Sui Sui and Nian Nian fish leaves out of the water. The trio became lively, smiles blossoming across their faces.

Not far off, Yu Xin watched the scene, the light in her eyes dimming for a moment, but she quickly turned to the camera and flashed a cheerful smile.

After dinner, the director, for once, showed some mercy and didn’t schedule any other activities. Instead, he gathered everyone in the large house’s living room, letting them enjoy the air conditioning.

This was Shan Shan Yin’s house, the best of the four families.

“We’re all idle now anyway—why not let the children give a little talent show?”

Following the director’s suggestion, Rui Feng steered the conversation toward performances. The other three families had already been tipped off about this segment earlier in the afternoon and had prepared their children accordingly. Only Wan Ning Su and her two children, Sui Sui and Nian Nian, were left bewildered.

“Let’s have Yang Yang go first,” Shan Shan Yin smiled, volunteering her son with a hint of pride in her eyes.

The others began applauding as Yang Yang, his small face taut with nerves, stood and walked to the front.

The camera focused on him. Shan Shan Yin gave a casual smile, her tone nonchalant: “Why don’t you recite the digits of pi, Yang Yang? He’s just learned it, so it’s a good test of his progress.”

Everyone applauded, but Wan Ning Su noticed Yang Yang take a tense, deep breath at that moment, causing her to frown.

What’s the point of reciting something like this?

Before Wan Ning Su could ponder further, Yang Yang’s childish voice began: “3.14159265358…”

To everyone’s amazement, he rattled off over two hundred digits in one breath without a single pause.

{My goodness, Yang Yang is incredible! As a university student, I only remember four digits!}
{But honestly, what’s the use of reciting this?}
{Don’t make your jealousy so obvious, can you recite it?}

After seven or eight minutes, Yang Yang finally stopped and quietly exhaled in relief.

“Amazing! If only my child could be as smart as Yang Yang in the future!” Yu Xin applauded from the side.

Rui Feng nodded, her eyes full of envy. But when she glanced at Ming Ming sitting next to her, she couldn’t help but show a trace of disdain.

She had been married to Ming Ming’s father for nearly a year, but the family had never agreed to let her have another child.

Next up was Da Xi. She had studied dance since childhood, and her endearing face made her even more captivating. After her flawless XJ dance, she was met with enthusiastic applause.

Wan Ning Su noticed that this performance was not improvised but carefully prepared in advance.

Her gaze shifted to the director, sitting in the corner.

Sui Sui and Nian Nian sat on either side of her, clapping for their friends with innocent faces free of displeasure.

Then came Ming Ming’s turn. No one knew how Rui Feng had convinced him, but Ming Ming performed some newly learned taekwondo moves, which, though a bit comical, managed to make everyone laugh.

“Xiao Ning, what are you and Nian Nian planning to perform? They’re the grand finale, right? We’re all excited,” Yu Xin suddenly called out to Wan Ning Su, her relaxed smile clearly masking a deliberate trap.

Since joining the show, Sui Sui and Nian Nian had never stood out except for their good looks. That’s why tonight’s performances had been so meticulously arranged.

Wan Ning Su scoffed inwardly but didn’t let it show, leaning over to whisper a few words in Nian Nian’s ear.

Nian Nian’s big, grape-like eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes.” Wan Ning Su nodded, and Nian Nian hopped up and bounced to the front.

{So nervous, what will Nian Nian perform?}
{Did you notice, Nian Nian is much more outgoing than before.}
{Is Nian Nian really not my daughter?}

Standing before everyone, Nian Nian’s gaze fixed on Wan Ning Su. Seeing her mother’s encouraging smile, she began.

After clearing her throat, Nian Nian’s crisp, innocent voice stunned the crowd.

“A mighty river, wide with waves, the wind carries the fragrance of rice on both banks…”

The audience was taken aback, hands raised for applause but frozen midair. Only Wan Ning Su propped her chin, savoring her daughter’s performance with delight.

Nian Nian had perfectly inherited her mother’s charms; her young face already captivating at such a tender age.

Wan Ning Su had noticed Nian Nian’s gift for singing, and during the recent break, she had arranged for a vocal teacher. The first song taught was “My Motherland,” an uncontested classic. Once she finished, those present—realizing the moment—applauded with extra fervor.

After the song, Nian Nian’s cheeks flushed pink, and she gave a polite bow before returning to Wan Ning Su’s side.

{A daughter with a patriotic heart!}
{Spreading positive energy, fantastic!}
{I declare this the best performance of the night.}

Shan Shan Yin applauded, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She exchanged a look with Yu Xin.

And then there was Sui Sui. Since appearing on the show, the boy had spoken little, except for that one time he almost broke a camera and the occasional moments he left Wan Ning Su speechless. He had never shown any special talent.

“Come.” Wan Ning Su stood and took Sui Sui’s hand, leading him to the front.

The others looked at her, puzzled.

Shan Shan Yin joked, “Sui Sui, did you bring a guest performer?”

Sui Sui nodded but said little.

Wan Ning Su cleared her throat. “We didn’t have much time to prepare, so since Yang Yang recited pi, let’s have Sui Sui do some math.”

With that, Wan Ning Su posed a problem: “312 + 1324.”

“1636.”

With barely half a second’s hesitation, Sui Sui gave the correct answer.

Wan Ning Su then challenged him with a three-digit multiplication and a three-digit division. Sui Sui responded instantly and fluently each time.

{I’m stunned, is this a child prodigy?}
{Big sister is still fumbling with the calculator, Sui Sui, slow down!}

Shan Shan Yin’s expression grew increasingly sour. After the three questions, she forced a smile and said, “Sui Sui is so impressive! Can Auntie give you a question?”

Once Sui Sui agreed, Shan Shan Yin asked, “985 × 35469.”

“34,936,965.”

For a moment, silence reigned, then applause erupted.

{Sui Sui is awesome!}
{Will his IQ surpass Einstein’s when he grows up?}

The performances ended, and everyone returned to their rooms. Shan Shan Yin stopped Yang Yang, who was about to shower.

“Look at Sui Sui—he’s younger than you, but his calculation skills are so much better. Why aren’t you as good as him?”