He also knew how severe Tao Lehua's autism was.
Getting him to speak was as hard as reaching the sky.
Sui Dongsheng curled a sinister smile. If he couldn't succeed, he wouldn't let anyone else succeed.
Next to him, a five-year-old boy with a big forehead—clearly inheriting his father's baldness gene—spoke loudly, "What are you smiling about? Hurry up and do my homework for me."
Sui Dongsheng's smile froze. He wanted to say he was only responsible for teaching.
But if the kid were that obedient, he wouldn't be such a headache.
"I'm learning your handwriting so the parents won't find out, right?"
The kid played with a toy car, bumping into Sui Dongsheng's waist. "You're pretty smart. Do as you said."
Sui Dongsheng endured the poking. It didn't hurt, but it was annoying.
"Didn't you say you wanted to learn piano and not lose to your half-brother? What, changed your mind?"
Tao Lejie acted as if he'd just remembered and ran off to the practice room.
Sui Dongsheng twitched his mouth, not hiding his disdain.
Compared to a brat like that, even an autistic kid seemed much cuter.
---
The next day was sunny.
But because the temperature had dropped yesterday, even in clear weather, the air was still chilly.
It was a good day for a custom suit fitting.
Customization had its difficulties—not in the making, but in scheduling. The first suit had to be their favorite.
For kids with decision paralysis, this was troublesome.
They could never pick a favorite.
Bo Xin had thought it would be Ji Yanyi, but surprisingly, it was Bo Yuxu.
Ji Yanyi pointed at the custom clothing and loudly described, "I want the same black-and-white color scheme as my schoolbag."
Black and white? If the tailor made a suit in the exact proportions of a panda, he would see blackness and aesthetic hell—a job that would ruin his reputation.
The tailor wiped his sweat. "What you said is too abstract. Can you be more specific?"
Ji Yanyi paused, then spoke cautiously. "Have you never seen a panda?"
The tailor wanted to throw his ruler. Who hadn't seen the national treasure pandas? When they were first reported in the newspaper, everyone bought a copy to celebrate.
The three pandas in the zoo were all featured.
Anyone with a bit of observation could tell them apart.
But by that comment, this kid must have seen a panda in person.
The tailor forced a smile. What a fortunate little master.
"I mean, just saying 'panda color scheme' can't fix the style."
Bo Xin flipped through a magazine. Suits were mostly similar. Based on Ming Ruyu's recommendation, this tailor's skill was unquestionable.
So...
Bo Xin squinted in exasperation, instantly understanding the tailor's concern.
Finally, she thought of a very modern design. "You can split it down the middle in black and white, or do white panels at the joints for a casual suit."
Yanyi wasn't going on stage, so it didn't have to be too formal.
With Yanyi's settled, Bo Xin put down the magazine and turned to the other side.
'Still haven't decided?' would sound impatient. Bo Xin wouldn't be so tactless. "It seems really tough. Is there anything I can help with?"
"Mom, should I wear a bow tie or a regular tie?"
Bo Xin picked up a bow tie. "Although I think a tie would suit your personality fine, at your age, a bow tie is cuter."
In other words, more adorable contrast.
Bo Xin smirked, ignoring Yuxu's resistant expression, and gently put it on him.
It felt like a collar—once on, his spine stiffened and he calmed down.
Bo Yuxu changed the subject. "...Mom, do you think I look better in white or black?"
Bo Xin asked, "Any requirements?"
"I don't want to clash with Yanyi."
Bo Xin coughed, covering her mouth. "Then just pick a different color."
Bo Yuxu gritted his teeth. He knew it—this guy only liked panda colors.
He had to take the lead in suit design too.
"I'll go with deep blue."
Bo Xin twitched her mouth. So he could make decisions after all.
Finally, she pointed to a style and decisively ended Bo Yuxu's dilemma, or he would have agonized for three hours.
With the style chosen, Bo Xin paid a deposit.
They would pick it up in about a week.
As they walked out of the store, a black car stopped in front of them. The person who got out was neither unfamiliar nor familiar to Bo Yuxu.
They had barely exchanged a few words.
Mostly, Butler Wang had spoken while he listened.
Bo Yuxu stepped forward. "Is there something you need?" Recently, someone had spread rumors that he threatened Tao Lehua. He didn't know who, but it was a disgusting person.
The organizers had asked him, and he had patiently explained.
It was the first time he realized people could be that rotten.
He didn't know the motive, but they succeeded in disgusting him.
The organizers had also asked his mother. She sat cross-legged, answering with little interest. "My child would never threaten anyone. Absolutely."
Faced with doubt, she also said, "Do you know my child better than I do?"
Finally, she concluded, "I think you guys are really lacking in brainpower. Someone who sneaks backstage and could harm a child—you ignore that. Now you're making a big fuss over someone who was just friendly to a competitor."
She nearly said if they didn't need their brains, they could donate them.
And indeed, it was only because the organizers couldn't find anyone else.
Bo Yuxu had been worried about causing trouble for his family, but now that worry was completely gone.
As for the Tao family, they had never appeared.
Now Butler Wang came—was he here to confront him on the spot?