Chapter 40

“Xiu’er, you guys go ahead and eat while I go to my room to sleep.” Meng Yao put down her work and walked out while yawning.”Don’t wake me if there’s nothing.”

Song Xiu’er agreed immediately. Although Song Xiu’er didn’t know what had happened, she knew she only needed to obey her mother-in-law.

Zhao Dahe told Song Xiu’er not to worry about his room and instructed her to tell Zhao Dajiang and the two little ones not to tell anyone about Qin Zheng’s situation.

After that, Zhao Dahe quickly ate and left. Mr. Niu asked him when he would return, but Zhao Dahe simply made an excuse and brushed it off.

The oxcart swayed, and Zhao Dahe was in a daze as he wondered if there was a way he could hide Qin Zheng’s identity?

Unfortunately, Zhao Dahe had not managed to come up with an answer even when he arrived in the town.

After paying the fare, Zhao Dahe jumped down from the oxcart and walked toward his teacher’s house. Since he couldn’t figure it out, he would just stop overthinking. There would always be a way out. He just had to take it one step at a time.

Bang!

Zhao Dahe crashed into something with great force and fell to the ground. He looked up at the tall figure standing against the light. The man’s face looked familiar somehow.

“Are you all right?” The tall man’s voice was cold.

Zhao Dahe shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“Watch where you’re going next time, and stop shaking your head,” the tall man said, “Not everyone you hit will let you off so easily.”

Then the tall man walked past Zhao Dahe and continued down the path that led out of town.

Zhao Dahe was miffed. He had fallen, and his rump was still hurting. He thought the tall man was arrogant because he was taller and stronger. Zhao Dahe was in the midst of his growth spurt, and if that man had the guts, he should come back and try bumping into Zhao Dahe again when he had grown taller. At that time, no one would fall over.

But why was that man’s face so familiar?

Zhao Dahe got on his feet and rubbed his buttocks. ‘Where am I?’

When Zhao Dahe was about to reach his teacher’s house, he stopped in his tracks and stood rooted to the spot with a horrified expression. He remembered now. That man had looked very similar to his late father.

No, they looked the same. However, compared to the person in Zhao Dahe’s memory, the man he bumped into looked more experienced and noble.

‘How could two people look so similar?’ Zhao Dahe wondered in his heart.

No one could find Zhao Dahe’s father previously. Perhaps he wasn’t dead?

Zhao Dahe immediately put an end to this thought. ‘What are you thinking? If he isn’t dead, he would have come home a long time ago.’

Perhaps, they were just people who looked very similar. Besides, that man had seen Zhao Dahe’s face just now. It was clear that he didn’t recognize Zhao Dahe.

Which father would not recognize his son?

Zhao Dahe reached up to touch his face. He had not grown out of shape. He shook his head and thought, ‘Why am I thinking so much about someone who just happened to look like my father?’

…

By the time Meng Yao woke up, it was already noon.

Song Xiu’er heard Meng Yao waking up and quickly brought some hot water for her. “Wash up, Mother-in-law. The food will be ready soon.”

“Thank you so much, Xiu’er.” Meng Yao used a handkerchief to wipe her face.

Song Xiu’er wasn’t used to Meng Yao’s politeness. She said timidly, “I-It’s nothing. It’s what a daughter-in-law should do.”

Meng Yao didn’t bother to correct Song Xiu’er. Since correcting her was useless, Meng Yao did not waste wish to waste her time.

“Has Qin Zheng woken up?” Meng Yao asked.

“He woke up a while ago. I got him some rice, and he ate it all. He’s in Xiaoshu’s room right now,” Song Xiu’er said hurriedly.

Qin Zheng had eaten and even took the initiative to interact with others. Had he recovered?

“I’ll eat later.” After Meng Yao said this, she rushed to Zhao Xiaoshu’s room.

Qin Zheng was teaching Zhao Xiaoshu and Zhao Xiaohua how to write. When he saw Meng Yao enter the room, he bowed respectfully to Meng Yao. With tears in his eyes, he said sobbingly, “Thank you, Aunt Zhao.”

Meng Yao heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s good that you’ve thought things through. Dinner’s ready, so let’s eat first. If there’s anything else, we’ll discuss it after dinner.”

Then Meng Yao called Zhao Xiaoshu and Zhao Xiaohua to the kitchen to eat.

Zhao Xiaohua looked at Meng Yao curiously, then at Qin Zheng. After a long while, he finally said, “Mother, how did Qin Zheng lose weight so quickly? Did you give him a better regime?”

This sentence successfully dispelled some of Qin Zheng’s sadness.

Meng Yao glared at Zhao Xiaohua. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Just thinking about the things you taught me, Mother,” Zhao Xiaohua said innocently.

“Don’t try to fool me. Hurry up and help Xiu’er set the table,” Meng Yao said as she glared at Zhao Xiaohua.

Zhao Xiaohua pouted and dragged Zhao Xiaoshu away with her.

After the meal, Zhao Xiaohua insisted on standing against the wall with Qin Zheng. “Qin Zheng, you’re so amazing. You chewed 30 times in one bite.”

Meng Yao originally wanted to chase Zhao Xiaohua away, but after thinking about it, letting the little girl play with Qin Zheng might not be harmful. At least it would keep Qin Zheng distracted.

“I want to slim down as quickly as possible,” Qin Zheng said.

“Let’s cheer each other on then, ” Zhao Xiaohua said.

Half an hour later, Meng Yao gave Zhao Xiaohua and Zhao Xiaoshu their homework. Then she brought Qin Zheng back to Zhao Dahe’s room.

“What’s your next plan?” Meng Yao went straight to the point.

Qin Zheng was silent. After a long while, he said, “The Qins are gone. I have nowhere else to go…”

“You can stay here,” Meng Yao offered, “I’m sure that’s what Dahe wishes for as well.”

Qin Zheng was touched. “But I can’t implicate Dahe and you, Aunt Zhao.”

“You’ve successfully slimmed down. I don’t think even your parents would recognize you, so in what way are you implicating us?” Meng Yao said calmly.

Qin Zheng had lost a lot of weight, and no one would immediately associate him with his initial chubby image. When he slimmed down completely, the change would be even more significant.

It was true that losing weight was like getting plastic surgery. In the past, Meng Yao had seen many such instances.

“R-Really?” Qin Zheng was surprised.

“If you don’t believe me, you’ll know when you slim down,” Meng Yao assured Qin Zheng, “So, don’t worry about staying with us. I only hope you will think about how to proceed from here. After all, you can’t go to school. The imperial examination…”

Qin Zheng understood what Meng Yao was trying to say. “Aunt Zhao, don’t worry. I’m not upset.As for the imperial examination, I’m not cut out for it, so it’s not a waste. ”

“You can decide for yourself if that’s true,” Meng Yao said, “If we can, Dahe and I will help you wherever we can. However, there are some things we can’t help with, so you have to handle them yourself.”

“I’ll remember the kindness you and Dahe have shown me. I’ll never forget it,” Qin Zheng said firmly.

“Your wounds need to be disinfected. I’ll go get you some medicine,” Meng Yao said. She now had to give Qin Zheng time to plan his future.

After all, Meng Yao could help him now, but she couldn’t help him forever. For the majority, Qin Zheng would have to rely on himself.