In ancient times, there was a saying: "A woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent." Back then, girls barely needed to recognize a few characters—most started learning needlework early.

But in this era, such outdated notions had long vanished. Boys were expected to brim with talent; girls to be well-read and courteous. As the adage went, *knowledge naturally radiates grace*. Thus, Fang Yiyi took her twins’ early education seriously.

Parenting books claimed ages two to three were prime for oral language acquisition, and foreign language learning shouldn’t start later than four or five. At this stage, children wouldn’t confuse their mother tongue with a new one. Our household blended Eastern and Western methods. Far from resisting, the little rascals learned quickly. In just over half a year, both Chinese and English tumbled from their lips, albeit haltingly.

After dinner, besides their promised cartoons, came Fang Yiyi and Xiaoxi’s "Three-Character Classic" sessions.

Drawn from China’s cultural tapestry—astronomy, geography, ethics, loyalty, filial piety—the text centered on "benevolence, righteousness, sincerity, respect, and devotion." It spanned history, cosmology, morality, and folktales.

*"Master the Three-Character Classic, and you’ll know a thousand years of history."* Yet historically, it carried ideological dross and artistic flaws.

Fang Yiyi had hesitated at first. But after careful comparison, she recognized its unique philosophical value and cultural charm. She began selectively imparting its lessons.

"Rong, at four, yielded the pear. Younger to elder—this truth holds dear…"

"Dust! Orange! Do you know what this means?"

I leaned against the sofa watching the news. Fang Yiyi and Xiaoxi knelt on a small rug before me, chanting in unison. The twins sucked their fingers, then shook their heads blankly.

"At four, Kong Rong gave the bigger pear to his elder brother. Respecting and loving siblings is a lesson every child should learn early…"

Fang Yiyi explained gently. But before she finished, Orange’s lips trembled. She burst into tears.

"What’s wrong?"

Even Fang Yiyi and Xiaoxi looked baffled. I’d seen everything—they hadn’t said anything upsetting. At her age, she surely wasn’t crying for milk?

"I’m the youngest at home… so I’ll always get the smallest pear."

Tears streamed down Orange’s face as she hiccuped.

I moved to lift her, ready to explain that it wasn’t just about younger yielding to elder—it was about siblings loving and yielding to *each other*. But someone beat me to it. A pair of arms swept Orange into a hug first.

"It’s okay. I’ll give you my pear too. Then you’ll have two…"

Hearing her brother’s words, Orange stopped crying instantly.

Watching the little rascal comfort her in his soft, milky voice, we felt both touched and amused.

"No worries! Auntie’s got a better idea—have your parents make another baby. Then neither of you will be the youngest!"

Before Xiaoxi finished, I grabbed a cushion and hurled it at her. *Daring to suggest such nonsense?!*

I had no intention of Fang Yiyi bearing more children. It was like brushing death’s door. One son and one daughter were perfect.

"No! I only want Orange as my sister!"

"And I only want Gege as my brother!"

To my surprise, the twins were fiercely resolute.

"Bro, how did you even produce one brother-complex and one sister-complex kid?" Xiaoxi groaned, gazing heavenward as if seeking a tofu slab to bash her head against. But she was the last person qualified to say that. Even Fang Yiyi poked her forehead.

"And you? Aren’t you glued to your brother’s side too?"

"Not at all! I’m glued to *your* side, Yiyi-jie~~"

…

…

…

…

Time flew like a white colt. Soon, it was time for the twins to start kindergarten.

The first day should’ve been memorable. But judging by Fang Yiyi’s expression, it hadn’t gone smoothly.

"Yes, yes, I understand. Thank you, teacher…"

"What happened?"

In the ten years since I’d met Fang Yiyi, I’d rarely seen her truly angry. The corners of her eyes always crinkled with smiles. Now, her face was stern.

"Xiaoxi, bring Dust downstairs!"

"What’s wrong? Did the little rascal cause trouble?"

Fang Yiyi didn’t even bother answering me. Red alert!

Ordering Xiaoxi to bring him down? This reeked of mischief.

But how old was he? Barely old enough to bully others, surely?

*Thump thump!!*

"Do you know why I called you?"

After Xiaoxi brought Ye Chen down, Fang Yiyi even rapped her knuckles on the coffee table. I was startled.

*What huge trouble had he caused?*

"I know!"

"And you’re still so defiant?"

Thank goodness Fang Yiyi was a patient mother. A less tempered parent would’ve spanked him by now.

"Yiyi-jie, what did he do?"

Xiaoxi and I were both curious. It was only their first day—what could possibly make Fang Yiyi this furious? The teacher had even called home!

"Let him tell you himself!"

"Come here. Why did you upset Mom on your very first day?"

When Fang Yiyi was pregnant, I’d assumed our roles would be stern father and gentle mother.

But now, buried in work, that idea was nonsense. Usually, it was stern mother and gentle aunt. My role shifted—I could be stern or kind as needed.

"…"

"What *did* he do?"

When Ye Chen stayed silent, Xiaoxi and I turned questioning looks to Fang Yiyi. Without a word, she showed me a message from the teacher:

*"Ye Chen pulled down three boys’ pants and drew turtles on their backsides."*

No photos—likely deemed inappropriate—but I could picture it vividly.

*No wonder his pencils vanished so fast. He barely wrote anything, yet his pencil case was always spotless.*

"Chen, why draw turtles on them?"

If it were just one boy, I might’ve thought he was bullying the weak.

But three? I knew my son. There had to be a reason. Why else pick a fight with three kids at once?

"…"

"Silence means punishment! Confess now!"

*Knock knock—*

*Knock knock—*

"Daddy! Daddy!"

As I prepared to scold Ye Chen, Orange stumbled down the stairs. Xiaoxi lunged to catch her before she fell.

I’d installed a slide on the second floor to prevent falls—they usually slid down. But today, Orange’s frantic run felt wrong.

"Orange, let’s go back upstairs. Mom and Dad need to talk to Gege."

"NO!!! Gege was helping me!!!"

As Xiaoxi tried to carry her away, Orange’s wail tore through the room.

"Then tell us what happened."

I beckoned Xiaoxi to bring Orange over. There was more to this.

Fang Yiyi’s expression flickered—she looked like she’d wrongly accused someone.

"They kept calling me Chubby Orange. Gege told them to stop, but they wouldn’t listen… so he hit them."

"Outrageous! I’ll settle this with them tomorrow!"

Seeing Orange’s tears, Xiaoxi exploded before Fang Yiyi or I could react.

We treated Orange like a princess. How dare anyone bully her?

"Don’t make things worse. Why didn’t you speak up earlier?"

I shot Xiaoxi a look, then turned to Ye Chen.

I’d long accepted that children being chubby was normal. Orange was only three—chubby cheeks were healthy. Being too thin would worry me more.

If three boys ganged up calling her "Chubby Orange," it showed terrible upbringing and rudeness. I wouldn’t have tolerated it either!

"Real men don’t cry over pain! I couldn’t say I was wronged!"

???

"My fault. I shouldn’t have told him that. Come with me."

Catching Fang Yiyi and Xiaoxi’s odd stares, I took the blame.

I didn’t regret teaching him that phrase. But who knew he’d take "bearing wrongs" as heroism? Tonight demanded a second lesson—before his understanding twisted further.

"Daddy… don’t hit Gege…"

"When have I ever hit you? Come here too."

I lifted Ye Chen with my left arm and took Orange from Xiaoxi with my right.

"Daddy’s going to teach Gege to draw prettier turtles. Next time someone bullies you, have him draw on them. I’ll always have your backs."

I’d told them not to bully others. But I never said to endure bullying.

I’d beaten up bullies for Xiaoxi back then. Today, my son stood up for his sister. Nothing wrong with that.

If he’d stayed silent while his sister was bullied? *That* would make him worthless. I was glad he wasn’t. I’d have been the first to punish him for it.

"Daddy’s the best! Daddy’s the best!"

"Ye Xi, don’t encourage fighting!"

"Yiyi-jie, it’s fine. My mom was the same…"

Let Xiaoxi handle the explanations. Today’s actions deserved praise.

"But listen well: I’ll back you when you protect your sister. Hurt others over petty squabbles? I won’t go easy on you then. Understand?"

Standing up for your sister was right. Fighting over trifles wasn’t. He *had* to grasp that difference.

"Okay~~ But… can I have a watercolor pen? Pencils are hard to draw with…"

"Done."