Two days later, Tie Qingfeng suddenly said to the five brothers, "I want to go up the mountain for a walk. Can you come with me?"
Going up the mountain to have some fun isn't a bad idea, but who would be responsible if something went wrong? They wouldn't dare joke around with Tie Qingfeng's life. If he died of exhaustion halfway there, things would get really complicated. Not only the Zhou family, but the entire Yegou Village would probably suffer.
Zhou Dafu and Zhou Zhoufu were trying to come up with an excuse to decline when the outspoken Zhou Zhoufu spoke up, "You can go with a group of guards, maids, and servants. Why are you calling us?"
Tie Qingfeng stared intently at Zhou Erfu, as if he wanted to poke a hole in his body with his gaze. This dim-witted idiot never knew what tact was, and he wasn't afraid of offending people. He had wasted all his education.
With his status, anyone would fawn over him, flatter him, please him, and beg him to befriend them so they could have a chance to gain the Iron family's favor.
Uncle was right. The Zhou family members were indeed not very smart, and even a bit stupid. In particular, this Zhou Erfu was especially clueless. He was two heads taller than him and as strong as a bear. His image perfectly fit the description of "brave but reckless".
"Are you cursing me in your heart? Don't you call yourself a gentleman? Just say what you want to say, don't hold back." Zhou Erfu had an expression that said he had seen through everything.
Tsk, when you call him stupid, he's smarter than ever. Tie Qingfeng really wanted to roll his eyes at him, but his good upbringing from childhood wouldn't allow him to do such an unseemly thing. No matter how much his heart was churning, he remained calm and composed on the surface.
Tie Qingfeng did not answer Zhou Erfu's question, but said indifferently, "I don't want you to follow me. We can all go up the mountain together. You can do your own thing, and I will bring people to watch from the side."
"You want to see how we play?" Zhou Erfu said, finding it hard to understand.
"I'm weak, and it's hard for me to walk. I need servants to carry me up the mountain. I've never been to the mountain since I was born. I want to go." Tie Qingfeng lowered his eyes, looking even thinner and more pitiful.
Zhou Erfu is the kind of person who responds better to gentleness than force. If Tie Qingfeng uses his status to pressure him or gives him a hard order, he will definitely resist to the end. But as soon as the other party softens up and plays the victim, he immediately transforms into a hero, eager to save the poor little guy in front of him.
"It's a lot of fun on the mountain. There are lots of small game and wild fruits. The bayberry season is almost over, but we can still pick some. When we get to the mountain, we'll pick bayberries for you to eat, and we'll collect bird eggs for you to cook. Whatever you want, we'll get it for you," Zhou Erfu patted his chest and made a generous promise.
"Then thank you, Erfu. I don't know anything. Can you teach me later?" Tie Qingfeng continued to maintain his image of being beautiful, weak, and pitiful.
“What’s the big deal? We’ll teach you whatever you want to learn.” Zhou Erfu put his arm around his shoulder in a very loyal manner.
Zhou Dafu and Zhou Sanfu twitched their lips as they watched the two of them suddenly put their arms around each other's shoulders and act like best buddies. The second brother/second brother was the kind of guy who would happily help the Iron Prince count the money even after being sold out.
"Why does Second Brother look so silly?" Xingxing muttered to Ruru, her little brows furrowed.
"It's because Young Master Tie is cunning; Brother Erfu is no match for him," Ruru said indignantly.
Knowing that Tie Qingfeng was going up the mountain to play, Song Jiao wanted to go with him, but she had no other playmates, so she could only look at Xingxing and Ruru, the two little ones.
Hearing them speak ill of Tie Qingfeng, she was unhappy and instinctively wanted to retort, "You are not allowed to talk about Brother Qingfeng like that. He really has never been to the mountain. We've known each other for so many days, aren't we good friends? Good friends should help each other."
“Good friends wouldn’t be so fierce. Being friends isn’t just about saying it; you have to be a good person first,” Xingxing retorted in her childish voice.
"How am I not a good person? What's so strange about arguing occasionally? You guys even yelled back, didn't you?" Song Jiao was still making excuses for her willful behavior these past few days.
"We've been studying at the Song residence for several days now, and you pick a fight with us every day. People who like to argue aren't good people. If you insult us, we'll definitely insult you back. You've corrupted me and Ruru!" Xingxing's angry little voice grew louder and louder.
"I... I didn't mean it. I apologize to you, okay?" Song Jiao's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, clearly realizing that she was in the wrong.
"An apology isn't enough. You have to promise that from today onwards you won't throw a tantrum like a spoiled princess anymore, and you won't yell at us anymore. You have to respect me and Ruru, do you understand?" Since she started studying, Xingxing has learned to use a lot of words.
Seeing Song Jiao puffing out her cheeks and remaining silent, Xingxing snorted heavily, "If you don't agree, you're not allowed to play with us after we go up the mountain. Ruru and I won't take you with us."
You think you can't be dealt with, huh?
We'll be accommodating to you at the Song residence, but we won't tolerate you up in the mountains. If you've got the guts, then don't go.
"We're not taking you. You can play by yourself with your maids and servants," Ruru said angrily.
"Okay, I'll control my temper. If I lose control and you scold me, I definitely won't talk back," Song Jiao promised, stamping her little feet.
The weather is nice today. The sun is shy like a little girl, always hiding behind the clouds. When it does show its face, it only peeks out a little bit, as if afraid of being discovered, and then quickly hides again.
This cloudy weather is perfect for going out and having fun. You don't have to worry about getting sunburned, and the gentle breeze makes walking on the mountain path very refreshing.
Five brothers walked in front. Zhou Erfu carried Xingxing in a basket on his back, and Zhou Sifu carried Ruru on his back. The five of them walked quickly and led the way.
Tie Qingfeng had insisted on walking by himself, but after walking for half an hour, his pale face turned even paler, and his legs began to tremble slightly. Helpless, he had no choice but to have his servant carry him.
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