Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Watermelon was restrained by the guards, struggling all the way and cursing loudly that he was the young master's man.

After being pushed into the room, he immediately calmed down, shrinking his neck and bending slightly, looking pitifully at Chen Jinyou.

Softened by his gaze, Chen Jinyou scratched his head and pleaded, "Father, why did you tie up Watermelon? He was just running errands for me, buying some story books."

Chen the county magistrate glared at his foolish son and scolded, "Shut up, or people will think you're mute. Just wait and see if this rascal is loyal or treacherous."

After scolding his son, Chen the county magistrate felt frustrated, unable to comprehend how he, such an intelligent man, could have given birth to such a foolish son.

Perhaps it was because he took after his Madam?

Such a thought was dangerous, for if the Madam found out, he would surely have to kneel on a washboard. Chen the county magistrate quickly dismissed the idea.

Clearing his throat, Chen the county magistrate glared at Watermelon with a grim expression and said, "How dare you, behind my back, buy these kinds of story books for Jinyou.

The stories are all about bullying and taking advantage of others.

One or two books with similar content could be a coincidence, but every single one is like this, clearly harboring malicious intent."

At this point, Chen the county magistrate could no longer contain his anger and demanded fiercely, "Where did these story books come from?"

"Bought... bought them."

"Oh? From which bookstore? I'll have my men seal it off right now!"

He had asked the key question, and Watermelon's gaze began to shift evasively. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before stammering, "I... I forgot."

All this time, Watermelon had been very careful, repeatedly instructing the young master to hide the story books well, so the Old Master would not find out. The young master was also afraid of being scolded by his father, so he kept them hidden tightly. How did this sudden exposure happen today?

Before he could figure it out, Chen the county magistrate waved his hand, and the guards standing by understood the meaning.

They skillfully carried a long bench into the room, immediately frightening Watermelon into trembling like a sieve.

Under the terror of the "Whipping County Magistrate," Watermelon quickly changed his attitude, "Old Master, there's no need for that... I'll tell the truth!"

"It was Aunt Wu! She gave me the story books.

At the time, I was lucky enough to be chosen as the young master's personal attendant, and I was afraid of ending up like the previous attendants, being sent away to do other chores for following the young master in his mischief.

Aunt Wu saw through my thoughts and approached me herself, giving me these books. She said they were specially written for the young master by people she hired, and that the young master would definitely love reading them. As long as the young master was willing to spend some time reading every day and showed some improvement compared to before, the Old Master would keep me by the young master's side, and I would earn a better monthly wage.

I was just momentarily bewitched, please have mercy on me, Old Master."

After hearing this, Chen the county magistrate was stunned. He had originally thought it was someone from the officialdom trying to sabotage him, or someone he had offended before seeking revenge.

He never expected the fire to be burning in his own backyard.

He furiously found Aunt Wu, grabbed her by her clothes, and demanded, "Why?"

Upon learning that Watermelon had been tied up, Aunt Wu had already prepared herself mentally. She smiled coyly and said nonchalantly, "Of course, it's to get revenge on you!"

"I've been the Old Master's concubine since I was sixteen, and I've never missed a dose of the contraceptive soup.

Who knows where they came from?

"Jinyou, there's one more thing your father doesn't understand. You've been hiding these story books for so long, so why did you suddenly think of showing them to your father? And circle and fold the problematic parts?"

Chen Jinyou had always been honest and plainly said, "Huan says that after reading those storybooks, you'll understand that collecting protection fees wasn't entirely my fault... Huan also gave me new storybooks, and they're so good!"

Upon hearing about storybooks, Chen the county magistrate instinctively tensed up.

"Hand them over and let me take a look first!"

After flipping through them, he found that the storybooks Qi Huan had given were all about guiding his son to reform and be upright. Chen the county magistrate's eyes brimmed with gratification.

Doctor Qi's daughter was raising her well!

Closing the storybooks, Chen the county magistrate said earnestly, "Jinyou, these books all convey the same message - it's not terrible to make mistakes, but it's terrible not to repent."

"The rent grain from the manor has all been handed over. Sell those grains, and I'll add some more money. Return every coin you took from others."

"Yes, I'll listen to you, Father. Huan also said that since no one is a saint, who can be without fault? Acknowledging mistakes and reforming is of utmost importance."

Hearing him speak such eloquent words surprised Chen the county magistrate.

And he inwardly sighed: Qi Huan's influence on his son is immense.

*

A few days later.

The Cloud Shadow merchant group sent back news that the first batch of starch they transported was successfully sold, and the money from selling recipe books also brought in quite a sum.

When Qi Huan received the silver notes and was getting motivated, the system suddenly started repeating, "Act of kindness +1, points +1."

"Act of kindness +1, points +1."

...

Qi Huan was puzzled, "What good deed did I do without even realizing it?"

"Host, Chen Jinyou returned all the protection fees he collected. You gain one point for each sum he returned. Guiding him to reform was a great kindness."

"Just one point for a great kindness? You're so stingy."

"..."

After teasing the heavens to silence, Qi Huan didn't mind. She paused from counting the silver notes and suddenly smiled.

Repaying a wood apple with precious gems.

Chen Jinyou had helped her a lot, and she was willing to repay him in some way. They were friends.

Friends are people who sincerely wish the best for each other.

She was glad Chen Jinyou could reform, unrelated to points, solely because of friendship.