At that moment, she didn't notice the greedy glint in Lin Shouchai's eyes. She just gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "It's absolutely true! I know that place very well! Does Sun Sanlang think he can hide it from me?"
Lin Shoucai was furious upon hearing this.
At this moment, he forcibly suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, and a concerned and gentle smile reappeared on his face.
"Big sister, don't panic. That bastard Sun Sanlang dared to steal your things; he's asking for death! We need to think this through carefully. Don't worry, with your brother here, I'll definitely help you get everything that belongs to you back!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "take it back"!
But what he was plotting in his mind was far more than just Lin's private savings. Looking at his angry sister Lin and glancing at his timid niece in the corner, a bolder and more meticulous plan quietly began to take shape in his mind.
That secret basement, like a piece of braised pork exuding an enticing aroma, completely stirred up the deep-seated hatred in Lin Shou's heart.
[Is this a case of letting a wolf into the house without realizing it?]
The Ministry of Personnel.
The tranquil evening breeze dispelled some of the summer night's heat. The room was brightly lit, and Zheng Yu sat upright at his desk, but the books laid out before him were not the Four Books and Five Classics.
Instead, it was a slightly worn-out file, which was the examination paper from three years ago.
His long fingers turned the pages, looking at the familiar questions and his somewhat naive answers from back then, and he couldn't help but smile as he looked at them.
His expression was filled with longing, as if he were reminiscing about his youth, or perhaps examining his past self. The path to the imperial examinations was fraught with difficulty, a single-plank bridge crossed by thousands of soldiers.
But those were indeed Zheng Yu's greatest ambitions and ideals in his youth, all of which have been gradually lost amidst the family's turmoil. Now that Minister Zheng is seriously ill, it is time for Zheng Yu to step forward.
Now, rekindling that dream from years ago, I am filled with a myriad of emotions, too many to list.
"Is my brother home?"
A melodious shout interrupted Zheng Yu's thoughts.
He Yi slowly walked into the house with a smile on her face, carrying a tray. On the tray was a bowl of chilled red bean porridge. As soon as she came in, Zheng Yu smelled the sweet and soft aroma.
[Yiyi, the little angel who brings warmth, is online!]
[Yu-ge looks so focused when he's looking at the exam paper! Is a top student awakening?]
[Zheng Heyi's inner thoughts: What siblings? They don't exist...they don't exist.]
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yu turned to look at He Yi, and his gaze softened considerably in that instant. The solemnity he had felt for Qixi Festival seemed to have been somewhat dispelled by He Yi's smile.
"Heyi, it's so late, why aren't you resting yet?"
Zheng Yu felt very sorry for He Yi. Not only did she not rest, but she also prepared her favorite red bean porridge to come and find him.
He Yi smiled slightly and said matter-of-factly, "Seeing that your study light is still on, I thought you were working hard studying, so I asked the kitchen to make some late-night snacks."
He Yi gently placed the red bean porridge on the desk, her gaze fixed on the exam paper spread out in front of him, her eyes filled with encouragement: "Brother is looking at the exam paper from three years ago? That's great! I knew it, brother has never truly let go of these things."
Zheng Yu scratched his head and looked back at He Yi.
He Yi's bright eyes were also staring at him, her pupils filled with unreserved trust and expectation.
He Yi often thought of those strange characters that appeared around her from time to time, which only she could see. They had predicted that Zheng Yu would "wield absolute power over the court."
In the past, He Yi would have scoffed at all of this, even finding it absurd. But now, looking at her brother who was wholeheartedly focused on his studies, she understood that that day might be coming.
[The comments weren't lying! Yu-ge is about to unleash his power!]
Zheng Yu chuckled softly in response. He looked at He Yi and slowly put down the exam paper. The candlelight flickered, casting soft shadows on Zheng He Yi's fair cheeks, her long eyelashes curving beautifully like butterfly wings.
An unprecedented and subtle emotion seized him without warning. This was certainly not just the affection between siblings, but a more ardent, hazy, and mysterious longing.
[Ding! Zheng Yu's romantic storyline is progressing rapidly towards a red hue.]
"Heyi." Zheng Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, and he subconsciously reached out, wanting to touch Heyi's cheek, which was so close to his.
"Brother, try this red bean porridge. I chilled it specially; it's the best way to cool down in the summer."
He Yi didn't notice the deeper meaning in Zheng Yu's eyes, thinking he was just tired from reading. She calmly picked up the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to Zheng Yu's lips. "From now on, brother, you just need to focus on your studies every day. I'll take care of all the important and minor matters in the manor."
She added, "Brother will definitely pass the high school entrance exam and become a very, very amazing person!" Her movements were so natural and fluid, as if Zheng Yu were the pillar of her entire world.
Zheng Yu looked at He Yi, and in that instant, he suddenly came to his senses. His outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and then he timidly withdrew it slowly.
He Yi is still too young. Right now, it seems that He Yi relies entirely on her "brother". He cannot, and should not, frighten her with his chaotic thoughts at this time, or taint this pure family affection.
Zheng Yu suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, hurriedly and quickly took the bowl, avoided the spoon offered by the woman, and swallowed the sweet red bean porridge in large gulps.
He Yi found it strange that Zheng Yu was eating so heartily. The main thing was, why was he blushing when he was eating?
The cool, sweet red bean porridge entered her taste buds, but it couldn't extinguish the burning passion churning in Zheng Yu's heart.
"Thank you, Heyi. It's getting late, you should go back and rest." Zheng Yu's voice returned to its usual capable and amiable tone.
He Yi felt that Zheng Yu was acting strangely tonight, especially the way he was staring at her; it was extremely odd.
"Why are you being so polite with me, brother?" He Yi smiled, her eyelashes curving and her eyes blinking. After watching him finish eating, she quickly cleaned up the bowls and spoons, got up, and yawned.
"Achoo! I'm going back now. Brother, don't stay up too late. Don't overwork yourself. It's best to take your studies step by step."
He Yi smiled, picked up the tray, and gracefully left. Although she was gone, she left behind a faint, subtle sweetness that filled the room.
At this moment, Zheng Yu's heart was still unable to calm down... Zheng Yu looked at the closed door, then looked down at the exam paper, his eyes becoming very strange.
Power, glory, money, social status—all of these things he once scorned—now became incredibly clear before his eyes. He needed to become stronger, strong enough to acquire them all, for only in this way could he ensure the smooth operation of the Ministry of Personnel.
Now that her father has passed away, problems are bound to arise within the household, and she must step forward.
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