135 Exasperated and Jealous
Lu Jiao picked off some meat from the fish’s belly for the four little ones. They ate the fish happily.
Everything their mommy cooked was delicious.
Classmate Han scanned around. This household had lost its normal depressingness and solemness, now it was bright and radiant.
Classmate Han couldn’t help but look at Lu Jiao. This woman appeared to have lost weight. Her face was no longer stupidly chubby like before. If she loses more weight, she should be very pretty.
On the bed, Xie Yunjin saw Classmate Han check out Lu Jiao and he was displeased. Though he knew Classmate Han was simply curious about Lu Jiao, he didn’t like how he checked her out.
Xie Yunjin wasn’t happy but he didn’t scold his friend. Instead, he softly asked, “Classmate Han, do you want to stay the night?”
Classmate Han didn’t decline, “Sure. I’ve been wanting to hang out with you. Since you want me to stay, I will stay.”
Xie Yunjin asked out of politeness and didn’t expect him to actually agree.
After the initial shock, he became happy with it.
Though he hasn’t left the academy for that long, he feels like he’s been away forever. He missed his old life and he wanted to hear more from Classmate Han.
Xie Yunjin said to Lu Jiao, “Tonight, Classmate Han can stay with me and the four little ones can stay with you.”
Naturally, Lu Jiao was okay with this. She beamed at the four little ones, “I’ll tell you a longer story tonight.”
The four little ones’ eyes sparkled. They loved hearing stories from their mommy. These days, they needed a story in order to fall asleep and refused to lie down until a story was told.
The Fourth Born took the opportunity, “Mommy, can you tell us two stories?”
Lu Jiao agreed, “Okay, two stories it is.”
The four little ones ate dinner very seriously. Afterward, they cleaned up the fishbones before going to feed Soot and Marble.
Lu Jiao cleaned up the dirty dishes. Behind her, Classmate Han complimented, “How did you educate your children to be so obedient?”
Classmate Han, like Xie Yunjin, had gotten married a long time ago and was the father of two children. The eldest was five and the youngest was three. They were both boys and very naughty.
Therefore, Classmate Han was very jealous of the four little ones and wanted to learn the secrets of how to educate children.
Xie Yunjin was originally going to tell him that Lu Jiao was the one who taught the kids. But quickly, he became fearful that Classmate Han would go to Lu Jiao to ask the question.
He didn’t want Classmate Han to go to Lu Jiao so he didn’t mention Lu Jiao, “You can’t let the children do whatever they want. They may be young, but they are very aware. You must be clear with your own principles. If they do something right, encourage them. If they do something wrong, scold them. If they cry and act unreasonably, ignore them. If you don’t give them attention, they’ll stop crying very quickly.”
Xie Yunjin doted on the four little ones a lot. Lu Jiao was the one who was strict. For example, when she found the First Born trying to poison her, she immediately hit him with a stick.
Though the four little ones adored Lu Jiao, they knew that they would be punished if they did something wrong.
Xie Yunjin’s lips curled up at those thoughts.
He was very fortunate to have Lu Jiao as the strict one. He didn’t think he would be able to punish the four little ones when it was necessary. He rather punish himself.
Because he was never going to forget how pitiful the four children were before.
Classmate Han seemed to have understood, “Your words have taught me more than 10 years of reading. No wonder my parents beat me up as a child. They were doing it for my benefit. I must go home and scold my two sons and make them remember what’s right and wrong.”
Just then, Xie Erzhu came over.
He came over every night to help Xie Yunjin.
Out of everyone from the Xie family, Xie Yunjin only missed his Second Brother. He’ll always remember his Second Brother’s kindness.
“Brother.”
Xie Erzhu nodded and then greeted Classmate Han.
Classmate Han wore an expensive robe which made it obvious that he was rich. Xie Erzhu was uncomfortable interacting with people like that.
Outside, Lu Jiao was terrified that Xie Yunjin would feel too awkward. No matter how good of friends Xie Yunjin and Classmate Han were, there was no way Xie Yunjin would want to be seen relieving himself. She walked to the room and asked for Classmate Han.
“Classmate Han, can you come out for a minute? I have something to ask.”
Classmate Han left the room. He didn’t think too much of it.
Behind her, Xie Yunjin didn’t like this and angriness clouded his face.
As Classmate Han left, Xie Yunjin’s mouth beat his mind.
“Lu Jiao.”
Lu Jiao turned around and found Xie Yunjin staring at her angrily.
Honestly, this guy was pretty expressionless. It was only due to all the time they spent together did Lu Jiao know that he was angry.
She didn’t understand why. But since he called out to her, she went to him.
As she entered the room, she said to Classmate Han, “Classmate Han, please wait for me outside. I’ll be there right away.”
Her statement once again aroused a wave of exasperation in Xie Yunjin.
Didn’t this woman know that as someone else’s wife, she was inviting rumors about herself by speaking to another man alone?
Classmate Han didn’t notice Xie Yunjin’s change in mood and left the room nonchalantly.
Inside the yard, the four little ones were feeding Soot and Marble. Classmate Han went to tease the kids.
Lu Jiao went up to Xie Yunjin, “What is it?”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes were dark but his tone was very calm when he asked, “What do you need from Classmate Han?”
Lu Jiao’s mind was dashing back and forth. Was this guy worried she would ask the wrong question? Could it be that he and Classmate Han had some sort of secret?
She wasn’t interested in that. She only asked Classmate Han to go outside to save Xie Yunjin from the embarrassment.
“I don’t have anything to ask him.” She then inched closer and whispered, “I was worried you would get embarrassed if he saw you relieve yourself.”
Her words soothed Xie Yunjin’s angry heart right away. At once, his cold visage turned joyous and lightful. His lips curled up and his smile crept up his eyes.
He didn’t want others to see how happy he was so he did his best to control himself.
Softly, he cautioned, “Remember who you are. Don’t get too close to other men. This village is gossipy and they may turn nothing into something. Make sure your reputation doesn’t get damaged.”