"…Mother thinks that although that Duan Lun went too far, it might not necessarily have been his father's intention." Mother let out a light sigh, then spoke with a hint of hesitation.

"Mother, I understand what you mean, but that David Foster is, after all, a member of the The Foster Family. No matter how you write it, you can't make two different Duan characters out of one. With David Foster acting so brazenly, who can say his father didn't give him instructions behind the scenes?" I glanced at Mother's expression, feeling a pang of softness in my heart, but in the end, I still decided to voice my thoughts. At the very least, I couldn't let Mother hold onto some illusory hope and continue to humble herself, enduring the humiliation from Charles Foster's family.

"Besides, my little sister has also told me about how their family treated us in the past, which already says a lot. Mother, don't worry, your child is about to turn sixteen and is already considered an adult. I know how to weigh things..."

Patiently comforting Mother, I was also calculating in my mind. Although Charles Foster holds the high position of Minister of War, he is by no means someone who can cover the sky with one hand. Besides, if he wants to break off the engagement, if such a thing were to spread, it would bring nothing good to the The Foster Family. What could he possibly do?

Although I haven't been here long since I transmigrated, some things are still easy to understand. Especially in this era, where keeping one's word is of utmost importance—those who break promises and turn their backs on others are not only despised but will also be attacked on moral grounds. Otherwise, why would Charles Foster have dragged out this marriage for three years after my father died, instead of simply breaking it off right away? Wouldn't that have been much more straightforward?

"Heh, our Silang really has grown up. The reasoning you give even makes Mother feel it's right. Fine, I'll listen to you on this matter." The worry between Mother's brows faded considerably, and she finally showed a smile.

"Silang, you must also take good care of your health. Mother is still waiting to see you achieve great things like your father. You only caught a cold, but it turned so serious—it really scared Mother a lot. Your Uncle also did everything he could to find the best doctors for you. Thankfully… Your father passed away early, and if you, Silang, were to… Mother and your sister really wouldn't know how to carry on." As she studied my face, Mother's eyes began to well up with tears.

Hearing this, my sister's eyes immediately turned red as well. She moved closer to Mother, tugging at her sleeve and protesting, "Mother, hasn't brother already recovered? Please don't be sad."

"That's right, Mother, I'm completely well now. From now on, I will be careful and take good care of myself. Please don't be sad, okay?" I quickly tried to comfort her with a smile. I had already decided that I wouldn't be like the old Changsun Wuji, who spent all day cooped up in the study, endlessly reciting the Four Books and Five Classics. As the saying goes, moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education must all be developed. I certainly didn't want to be as frail as a woman—that would be a disgrace to the son of a military family. After all, troubled times are coming soon. Without a strong body, how could I possibly protect myself and my family in such chaotic times?

"Mm, good, heh, Mother understands." Mother turned her face away, gently wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, then smiled brightly. "Yes, our Silang is already an adult. Your Uncle has nothing but praise for you. If he hadn't been so busy lately that he couldn't even come home, he would have come to see you long ago."

"Of course! And it's not just Uncle—even Uncle's friends all praise my brother, saying that although he's young, he conducts himself with the bearing of a true gentleman." Little Emily nodded vigorously, looking at me with eyes full of admiration.

Uh, whether I really have the bearing of a gentleman, I don't know, but at least I always thought of myself as quite the gentleman. Before transmigrating, I often helped elderly ladies cross the street and gave up my seat to seniors on the bus.

But in the past two years, I haven't dared to lend a hand much—not because I don't want to be a good Samaritan, but because society is just too "harmonious."

"Mother heard from Grace that Silang's calligraphy has gotten even better, but why are there so many mistakes?" Just as I was starting to feel a bit smug, Mother's words caught me off guard.

This little brat, why does she always have to expose me? I glared fiercely at my sister. Hmm, her nickname is Grace, called so because her skin is fairer than snow, always rosy and white since childhood, and her features are lovely and dignified, like a statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin carved from mutton-fat jade. According to my close observation, her skin is indeed the finest of the fine—delicate and fair. With those jet-black eyes and willow-leaf brows, even though she's only twelve, she's already quite charming. In another five or six years, the phrase "a smile topples a city, another smile topples a nation" would not be an exaggeration.

"Mm, I was sick for many days, so my hand is a bit out of practice. That's why there were so many mistakes. I'll work hard from now on." My fierce glare was completely ignored by the mischievous girl who stuck out her tongue and made a face at me—defeated…

Night had completely fallen. Outside the window, stars dotted the sky. Inside, the oil lamp was already lit, its bean-sized flame gently flickering, casting shadows on all four walls, swaying softly.

Chapter Five: Friendship That Can Transcend Time and Space?