Mrs. Zhang was still worried about Zhu Hongan, so after she and others arrested Zhu Dagui and his wife and took them to the yamen, she took Zhu Hongan to the pharmacy to see a doctor for a check-up. Only after she was sure that he was really fine did she truly breathe a sigh of relief.

Afterwards, Mrs. Zhang did not go to the yamen, but took Zhu Hongan home. She had not even eaten the grapes she had washed.

"Come, let me peel some grapes for you." Mrs. Zhang asked Zhu Hongan to sit sideways on a recliner beside her, while she sat on a stone bench beside her.

Zhu Hongan supported himself on the chair with his hands, his two feet hanging in the air hooked together uncomfortably. When Mrs. Zhang handed him the grapes, he opened his mouth obediently. They were so sour that he couldn't help but frown.

Mrs. Zhang chuckled and apologized, "Is it too sour? I love sour food right now, and I forgot you might not like it. How about we go buy some watermelon? Watermelon is sweet."

Zhu Hongan shook his head.

"Then tell me what you want to eat?"

Zhu Hongan still shook his head.

Now Mrs. Zhang understood and felt embarrassed.

"But my aunt wants to eat sweet watermelon. Can you accompany me to buy some?" Mrs. Zhang changed the way she said it.

This time, Zhu Hongan did not shake his head immediately, but hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Come." Mrs. Zhang stood up, took Zhu Hongan's hand and jumped off the recliner.

Before the two of them reached the gate, it was knocked again, and Mrs. Zhang's heart skipped a beat.

"Xue'er! It's mother!"

Mrs. Zhang let out a breath and hurried forward to open the door.

As soon as she opened the door, Mrs. Liang grabbed Liang Xue's hand and said, "I heard that a thief broke into your house. How are you? Are you hurt anywhere? Let me take a look!" As she said that, she walked around Liang Xue to check her out.

"I'm fine. I'm taking Hongan to buy some watermelon. Why don't you come with us? We can't finish one between the two of us. We'll cut some up and you can take some home to eat with Dad."

Mrs. Liang was dragged along to buy watermelons.

There are many watermelon farmers in the villages near Qingxi Town who grow watermelons. They usually charge by the piece, and the price varies depending on the size of the watermelon.

Mrs. Zhang bought a big watermelon and spent twenty cents.

After returning home, Mrs. Liang got a large bucket of well water to cool the watermelon, and then Mrs. Zhang enthusiastically took her to the study.

Mrs. Zhang deliberately asked Zhu Hongan to watch the watermelon in the yard and did not let him come in with her.

"Mom, look at these words. They were all written by Hong'an today. Isn't it amazing? If I were as smart as him when I was a child, my dad would be so happy!" Liang Xue showed Mrs. Liang the words written by Zhu Hong'an today as if she were presenting a treasure.

Mrs. Liang was not a native of Qingxi Town. She came from Shanghe County and was the youngest daughter of a wealthy merchant family. She fell in love with Mr. Liang at first sight when he was about to take the imperial examination. After Mr. Liang passed the examination and became a scholar, Mrs. Liang came to propose to him. This was also a good story at that time.

She carefully looked through Zhu Hongan's handwriting, which ranged from crooked to neat. Although it couldn't be called beautiful, it was a big improvement.

"You said he wrote all this today? Such great progress in one day!"

Mrs. Zhang nodded and said, "More than that, he used to practice calligraphy on the dirt with a wooden stick. Today is his first time writing with pen and paper. Isn't that amazing?"

Mrs. Liang was amused by her daughter's smug look. She reached out and gently tapped her forehead, saying with a smile:

"Are you up to something bad with your dad again, you little brat? No wonder he asked me to bring him some watermelon later. It turns out he was waiting here."