The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye) novel Chapter 418

"That's enough, Rita!"

While Zion was not paying attention, Rita printed her oily fingers on his originally spotless white shirt.

He twitched his lips.

"You're a filthy pig, Rita!"

"I'm not filthy, just look at how clean are my hands, clothes, and my handkerchief. Oh dear, what's the matter with your shirt, bro? How did you get so clumsy while eating?"

Rita turned the tables on her brother and made Zion furious.

Mango and the rest, however, began to laugh.

Ever since Rita recovered from her illness, she became livelier and even naughty at times.

"Alright, settle down. Luckily, I've just bought some clothes for you both to keep here. Come with me to get a change of clothes, Zion."

Nathaniel saw how his son was showing restraint in the face of his mischievous sister, and he felt sorry for him.

Zion stood and he followed Nathaniel upstairs, as Rita continued making faces at him.

"Rita, since when did you become so naughty and a bully towards your brother?"

Mango could not let this sort of behavior continued.

Rita stuck her tongue out and she said, "I was just teasing him. Zion is too serious for his own good. Mommy, don't you agree that he behaves just like an old man? He hasn't got an ounce of fun in him."

Mango was inclined to agree with her daughter.

It was true, Zion was too sensible for his age. It was sometimes heartbreaking to see how mature he was at his young age.

Madam Ye sensed Mango's thoughts and she patted the back of her hand while saying, "Every child has their own timeline, all we can do is to provide them with the basics. Ultimately, it's up to them to direct the course of their lives. Zion is a boy, so there's no harm in having him go through some difficulties in life. It's the girl who needs to be raised with tender loving care."

"Grandma is saying that I need to be raised with extra love, right?"

Rita's sweet smile and cute voice made her mother and grandmother laughed in amusement.

"Yes, yes, you're the princess of the house, hurry up and eat more."

"That's for sure, otherwise once big brother comes back, there will be nothing left for me to eat."

Rita sounded like Zion was a glutton who always snatched her food, but Mango smiled anyway.

Seeing Mango like this, Madam Ye chuckled and she said, "The kids missed you and they begged to come over to see you. I know what you're worried about, but rest assured that the gossips from the outside world won't cause harm to the children. If I did not bring them over, they would insist while screaming the roof off of the house."

"I did no such thing, Grandma, I have been a good girl!"

Rita advocated for herself quickly.

Mango caressed her hair and she said, "Of course dear, you're a good girl. Hurry up and eat."

After that, Mango looked at Madam Ye and she said gratefully, "Mom, the Ye family and you have done so much for me, it was me who brought trouble to all of you."

"What are you talking about, dear? You're a lady of the Ye family now, so your problems are the family's problems too. How could you think that it's troublesome to us?"

Madam Ye's words caused Mango's eyes to redden and the latter was getting teary.

"Be that as it may, I still think I am truly lucky to have the full support from the Ye family amid all this chaos."

"Silly girl, don't be a stranger, please. I trust Nathaniel to handle the situation appropriately, and I believe that you are a good person too. This will all blow over soon enough. Don't fret too much, go ahead and enjoy the afternoon with the kids. I'll bring them back in the evening."

When Mango heard that Madam Ye intended to bring her kids home with her, she was a little surprised.

"It's okay to let them stay here for a few days."

"I'll bring them over when they miss you again, I don't think it's convenient to have them live here."

Madam Ye did not say it out loud, but Mango knew what she was implying.

After all, it was a place of contention now, and the children were not yet old enough to know what was going on. If anything happened here, the kids would get hurt accidentally.

Mango nodded as she observed her innocent young daughter. She felt sorry for her children.

It was difficult for her to spend time with her family because of the ongoing feud. Mango wondered how long she would need to keep fighting with Susie and the rest.

She had to come up with a plan to put an end to all this.

Mango frowned, and Madam Ye knew what she was thinking.

The old lady picked up some food with her chopsticks and she said nonchalantly, "Some tactics never seem to get old, for example, the bait and switch."

Mango paused as she listened.

"Mom, are you saying..."

"I said nothing. I'm old and getting senile now, I could be just rambling. Let's finish our meal quick before it gets cold."

Madam Ye smiled knowingly, as her eyes glowed with a kind of wisdom.

Mango didn't quite understand her intentions and she continued eating quietly.

Just as Rita was finishing her food, Zion and Nathaniel were coming back down the stairs. Zion still looked gloomy as he plodded behind his father.

"Wow, you look beautiful!"

Zion's mouth twitched upon hearing his sister's praise for him.

"The correct adjective to describe a goodlooking boy is handsome, not beautiful."

"Well beautiful means the same thing too. What's wrong with it?"

Rita seemed to enjoy annoying her brother, and Zion was too tired to retaliate.

Zion reached Mango's side and he looked up expectantly at his mother.

Zion was dressed in a smart casual outfit and he looked dashing.

Mango's heart was thrilled.