Chapter 30

“What delicious food will you be making, Aunt Zhao?” Qin Zhen asked excitedly.

Zhao Dahe proclaimed that his mother’s cooking skills had improved, and Qin Zheng was great at eating. Therefore, he was curious about how delicious Meng Yao’s food would be.

“I’m just making some home-cooked food,” Meng Yao replied smilingly.

The chubby boy Zhao Dahe brought along was one of his best friends, so Meng Yao was amicable toward him.

“I love eating home-cooked food, Aunt Zhao.” The chubby boy had a sincere look on his face.

“Enough, Qin Zheng. If you want food, go back to your own house!” Zhao Dahe punched Qin Zheng’s shoulder in dissatisfaction.

Qin Zheng called Meng Yao “Aunt Zhao” once and then again. Qin Zheng was getting too comfortable.

“Sigh, I know my family chef’s cooking is decent, but can’t I change my palate once in a while? You know you’re my only friend. Where else can I go besides your home,” Qin Zheng said with conviction.

“Then don’t come empty-handed,” Zhao Dahe said after some thought.

“Don’t worry. I’m not that impolite.” Qin Zheng grinned from ear to ear.

It was evident these two had a good relationship, or at least Meng Yao never saw Zhao Dahe being so intimate with his siblings.

“You should bring Qin Zheng home with you more often, Dahe. Then I’ll make more food.” Meng Yao welcomed Qin Zheng.

“Then I will have to impose on you.” Qin Zheng cupped his hands and bowed at Meng Yao.

Seeing that it was getting late, Meng Yao prepared to leave. After taking two steps, she remembered something. “Dahe, do you have enough money with you? If you don’t, I can give you some.”

Even though Meng Yao told Zhao Dahe to handle his tuition fees independently, she had some extra money on hand. She could now afford to support Zhao Dahe a little.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Zhao. Lady Luck visited your son recently. He received a reward from the principal and has yet to use it. Besides, next time—” Qin Zheng chuckled, but Zhao Dahe covered his mouth before he could finish.

Qin Zheng was exemplary in every way, except his mouth was too big sometimes.

“Mother, if you don’t hurry, you might miss Mr. Niu’s oxcart,” Zhao Dahe urged Meng Yao.

Meng Yao gave Zhao Dahe a pensive look and forced a scary smile. Zhao Dahe’s heart trembled when he saw this, and he felt that his mother had discovered something.

Zhao Dahe was a child, so it was okay if he wanted to keep some money for himself. Meng Yao was very generous about it.

“Well then, take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just get Mr. Niu to send me a message.” Zhao Dahe walked behind Meng Yao as she departed for home.

Qin Zheng was puzzled. “Dahe, why did you cover my mouth just now? Why didn’t you tell Aunt Zhao that you had received three taels of silver from the principal? If I had your ambition and ability, I’d tell my parents and make them happy.”

“Do you think I’m like you?” Zhao Dahe rolled his eyes at his good friend. “Your family has been in business for generations while my family doesn’t earn as much as yours. Your family has a big business and can earn more monthly than my family can in a year. Also, I didn’t tell my mother I would get three taels of silver if I placed first in class because I want to keep it for myself.”

“S-So you plan on keeping it a secret?” Qin Feng asked hesitantly.

“Didn’t you see my mother’s expression just now? She saw through me,” Zhao Dahe mumbled, “I don’t know what’s wrong with her because she seems a little different from before. It’s not that she doesn’t dote on me anymore, but it feels different and bizarre now.

“Do you think Aunt Zhao’s change is a good thing or a bad thing?” Qin Feng asked.

Zhao Dahe pondered before he replied, “I think it’s good.”

Qin Zheng spread his hands. “That settles it then. If it’s good, what’s there to be puzzled over? After all, humans are fickle.”

Zhao Dahe nodded and said, “You’re right.”

…

As Meng Yao placed some cloth on Song Xiu’er’s bed, Song Xiu’er said, “I’ll make clothes for Xiaoshu, Mother.”

Song Xiu’er’s natural response was fast.

“Those aren’t for Xiaohua. It’s for you,” Meng Yao said.

Song Xiu’er quickly waved her hands, “The patterns are too bright, so they’re more suited for young girls. It’s not suitable for a person like me.”

“A young girl?” Meng Yao raised her tone. “How old are you again, Xiu’er?”

“I’ll be seventeen when the new year comes,” Song Xiu’er whispered.

“You’re still a young girl,” Meng Yao chastised. “I gave you what’s yours. Don’t even think about giving these to Xiaohua. It’d be a waste if you do and she doesn’t like it. Don’t rush to make the clothes. You should focus on recuperating first.”

Song Xiu’er’s face was apprehensive, “B-But I…”

Zhao Dajiang, standing on the sidelines, said, “Mother already said those are for you. You should just keep it. Why are you still hesitating?”

Don’t think that Zhao Dajiang was speaking for Song Xiu’er’s sake. With a glance, Meng Yao knew that her simple-minded eldest son was only carrying out his orders.

One should always accept a gift. Otherwise, it would be rude. Similarly, one cannot ask for a gift. That’s not right either.

Meng Yao heaved a long sigh. She had a long way to go if she wanted to change Song Xiu’er and Zhao Dajiang.

Meng Yao stopped arguing with Song Xiu’er and Zhao Dajiang. She picked up her things and went to Zhao Xiaoshu’s room. As soon as she entered, Zhao Xiaohua flew toward her. “Mother, hurry! You need to fix Xiaoshu’s arm!”

Meng Yao was stunned. “What?!”

“Xiaoshu wanted to practice joint dislocation with me. I did it, but I can’t put it back,” Zhao Xiaohua said frowningly.

Zhao Xiaoshu’s left arm was hanging at an unnatural angle. Even an adult wouldn’t be able to bear the pain. However, Zhao Xiaoshu didn’t make a sound even though he was only a child.

If it weren’t for Zhao Xiaoshu’s pale face and sweat on his forehead, Meng Yao would never have guessed that he was hurting.

“I bought some cotton to make clothes for you. What would you like? Just let me know,” Meng Yao gently asked as she sat down.

When Zhao Xiaoshu lowered his guard, Meng Yao grabbed his shoulder with one hand and his arm with the other. Then she tightened her grip and popped Zhao Xiaoshu’s arm back into place.

Meng Yao said with a dark expression, “Xiaohua, did you forget that Xiaoshu is your brother? Others might not know how painful it is to have their joints dislocated, but you do. You’re so young. Why is your heart so cold?”

Zhao Xiaohua was scared of her mother. She stood in a daze and mumbled, “I-I just wanted to try and see if I could do it.”

“So, you tried it on your little brother?”

Zhao Xiaohua’s eyes were rimmed red, and she looked like she was about to cry.

“Don’t cry,” Meng Yao said sternly.

Zhao Xiaohua shivered and bit her lip, attempting to hold back her tears.

Meng Yao stood up and walked toward Zhao Xiaohua. She said expressionlessly, “You’ll never know how painful it is unless you experience it yourself. I’m teaching you this so others won’t bully you, not for you to bully Xiaoshu. Do you want me to dislocate your arm, or do you want to do it yourself?”