Chapter 037 The Bad Emperor Teases the Fish Again

Based on the private interactions of the remnants of the party, they followed the clues and found some of their fellow party members outside the capital.

However, all we have found so far are small fry, and it will take some time to catch the big fish behind them.

Here in the capital, the aristocratic families, just as Zong Zhengxiao guessed, have already begun to secretly contact the remaining parties, and their every move is being monitored by Zong Zhengxiao's people.

The plan went smoothly, and Zong Zhengxiao was naturally happy.

After seeing Rong Yin, this joy naturally subsided and became another source of confidence for him to overthrow the aristocratic family.

He had been avoiding the mermaid before because he hadn't figured out his feelings for her. He didn't think he would be interested in a man, but his heart and his body told him that he liked the mermaid.

The originally tangled emotions quickly disappeared when I saw Rong Yin again.

Zong Zhengxiao regained his resolute character and admitted that he was indeed attracted to this silly merman.

Even though he is a man like me.

Later, Zong Zhengxiao finally figured out why he fell in love with the mermaid, because the mermaid was different from himself, the palace, and this world.

He is sunny, kind, lively, smart, a little short-tempered, but surprisingly well-behaved.

Zong Zheng Xiao was entrusted with the responsibility of revitalizing his family since he was born. He later followed his father into battle for ten years, ascended the throne by stepping on the corpses of his brothers, and had to be on guard against the traps of the aristocratic families at all times.

The appearance of the mermaid brought a different color to his life. It was the source of his joy and also a turning point in his destiny.

How could he not like such a person?

But even if Zong Zhengxiao affirmed his feelings, he would not tell the merman that he liked him for the time being, because he could feel that the merman was not in love with him.

In the eyes of the merman, he was actually no different from Si Xi and Lu E.

However, Zong Zhengxiao still has selfish thoughts. He will not take the initiative to confess his feelings, but he will still be nice to the mermaid as always. As for whether the mermaid will discover his love and how she will react after discovering it, he will not interfere.

Having made up his mind, Zong Zheng Xiao was no longer timid and continued to get along with Rong Yin as before.

After staring at Rong Yin for a while, Zong Zhengxiao found that Rong Yin's fish tail had become a little dry, so he signaled the palace servants to bring a basin of clean water, and he slowly poured it over the water with his own hands.

This is a method that Rong Yin and Lu'e figured out. It allows the fish tail to be kept moist without going into the water. Although the effect is not as good as soaking in water, Rong Yin still has to go back into the water eventually, but it can extend the time he stays on shore.

The fish tail absorbs water and becomes smoother and more dazzling.

Rong Yin opened his eyes dazedly and saw that it was Zong Zheng Xiao who was watering him. He moved over eagerly, hugged Zong Zheng Xiao's waist and rested his head on his legs.

Zong Zhengxiao asked softly, "Did I wake you up?"

"Hmm." Rong Yin snorted softly.

Zong Zhengxiao stretched out his hand to block the light from Rong Yin's eyes, and said, "Go to sleep if you feel sleepy. I will accompany you."

This time Rong Yin didn't say anything, and after a while Zong Zheng Xiao heard his steady breathing.

Zong Zheng Xiao lowered his eyebrows, and a soft arc appeared at the corner of his lips.

*

After the official arrival of autumn, the scenery of the lotus pond became withered, so Zong Zhengxiao asked people to move in the seasonal chrysanthemums, which almost filled half of the garden.

Rong Yin has never studied flowers and plants, he only knows what looks good and what doesn't.

Si Xi introduced them, and various names that were either rich or elegant were mentioned one by one. In Rong Yin's eyes, there were only: gold, red, purple, green...

Zong Zheng Xiao, who heard his thoughts clearly, couldn't help but laugh and rubbed his head. Rong Yin didn't understand and looked up at him with a silly smile.

Zong Zheng Xiao: Well, he is consistent inside and out.

Rong Yin pulled a purple chrysanthemum in full bloom from the vase and pinned it behind her ear, then shook her head in front of Zong Zheng Xiao in a conceited manner, saying in her heart: I heard that handsome men in ancient times also wore flowers in their hair, so I will imitate them today.

Rong Yin is pretty, and the flowers are pretty too. The combination of the two is beauty upon beauty. But Rong Yin's movements are a little silly, which weakens the beauty's coldness and makes her seem too down-to-earth.

Si Xi and Lu'e both laughed. One of the palace maids couldn't help laughing out loud, and Rong Yin heard it and turned to look over.

Upon seeing this, the young maid immediately knelt on the ground with a pale face, kowtowed and begged for mercy: "It is my fault, Your Majesty and Master, please forgive me!"

Rong Yin remembered her. She was the youngest maid in the Silver Shark Garden. She had a rather lively personality, but she was not a bad girl.

And Rong Yin could tell that she was laughing simply because she found it funny, without any ill intention.

Rong Yin also knew that as the emperor, Zong Zhengxiao was the most powerful person in this era. In addition, he had a rather cold personality, so the palace people were actually quite afraid of him.

Looking back, Zong Zhengxiao's expression had indeed changed. Rong Yin quickly stood in front of him and shook his head at him.

Rong Yin: She didn’t mean it, don’t blame her.

Zong Zhengxiao touched his face, his expression softened, and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to her."

After that, he said to Lu'e: "She has an unstable temper. I'm afraid she can't take good care of your master. Transfer her to work somewhere else."

Zong Zheng Xiao had said this in front of Rong Yin, so he would not go back on his word. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief for the little palace maid.

The young maid kowtowed again and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and your master, for your mercy."

The little palace maid was taken away, and the atmosphere in the pavilion became a little heavy for a moment. Rong Yin was not used to this.

He looked at Zong Zheng Xiao, then at the flowers in the vase, and an idea came to his mind.

Rong Yin picked up a delicate pink chrysanthemum, broke off a long branch, and pinned it behind Zong Zhengxiao's ear, imitating what she had just done.

His original intention was that if he teased Zong Zheng Xiao, he might be punished slightly, thus diverting his attention from the mistake made by the young palace maid.

Rong Yin was prepared for Zong Zheng Xiao to pinch her face and make fun of her, but she didn't expect Zong Zheng Xiao to be so calm and not react at all.

"Ah!" Rong Yin waved her hand in front of his eyes stupidly.

At this moment, Zong Zheng Xiao tilted his head slightly, raised his eyelids and looked at Rong Yin. His expression showed neither joy nor anger, like a god looking down on the world. The originally cute pink chrysanthemum beside her ear seemed to be infected by his coldness. The combination of the two created a unique style.

Rong Yin's eyes widened slightly, she was stunned, and her cheeks turned red.

What he saw before him looked like the characters in a painting.

He was wrong in his estimation. Zong Zheng Xiao's hairpin with flowers was not funny at all. Instead, it looked extremely beautiful!

Rong Yin was stunned by Zong Zhengxiao's handsomeness and could not come back to her senses for a long time, until Zong Zhengxiao raised the corner of his lips and reached out to pin the pink chrysanthemum on his ear behind Rong Yin's other ear.

"Fool." Zong Zhengxiao tapped him on the forehead.

"Ah!" Rong Yin covered his forehead, pouted and looked at Zong Zheng Xiao fiercely.

Rong Yin: This is intolerable! I only wanted you to pinch my face! I want revenge!

Thinking of this, he also reached out his hand towards Zong Zheng Xiao's forehead, but Zong Zheng Xiao would not let him succeed. He grabbed his hand, stood up and picked him up, then walked to the pool and threw him in.

With a splash, water splashed everywhere.

Zong Zhengxiao smiled and said, "There is a price to pay for teasing the emperor."

Two chrysanthemums fell down and floated pitifully in the water, just like Rong Yin whose head and face were covered with water.

"Ah!" Rong Yin wanted to climb up to take revenge, but was hit on the head by Zong Zhengxiao who was guarding on the stairs.

In fact, Zong Zhengxiao didn't use all his strength to shoot, and Rong Yin didn't feel much pain. He just didn't want to admit defeat, so he kept rushing to the shore.

Then he got hit in the head with more bullets.

"Ah!" Rong Yin broke through the defense, used his tail to stir up water that splashed onto Zong Zhengxiao's robe, then turned around and dived into the water.

Rong Yin: Never pay attention to Zong Zhengxiao again!

Zong Zhengxiao laughed loudly several times on the shore, which was really crazy. This made Rong Yin very angry, and he refused to come out of the water until dinner time.

Si Xi and Lu E took turns to persuade Rong Yin several times, but Rong Yin just shook his head and refused to go ashore.

Zong Zhengxiao was not in a hurry at all. He asked the palace maids to set the table. After noticing Rong Yin was secretly looking at him, he slowly opened a wooden box, took out a round, palm-sized night pearl from it, and held it up to examine it carefully.

"I heard that this night-shining pearl is worth a fortune, but I think it's just an ordinary pearl. No one likes it anyway. Si Xi, just throw it away."

Having said that, he did not put the night pearl back into the box, but handed it to Si Xi.

Si Xi acted out the play seriously: "I'll ask the palace maid to smash it and throw it away."

Zong Zhengxiao nodded, "Let's smash it here."

"I obey your command."

"Ah!" When Si Xi raised the Night Pearl and was about to smash it to the ground, Rong Yin, whose eyes were shining with lust for such a valuable treasure, shouted, climbed out of the water quickly, came in front of Si Xi, and snatched the Night Pearl from him.

Rong Yin held the bead in her arms and looked at Zong Zhengxiao angrily: "You prodigal son! You smashed such an expensive thing without hesitation!"

In fact, Rong Yin also understood that this was most likely Zong Zhengxiao's way of provoking him, but he was really afraid that Zong Zhengxiao would make a mistake and smash the bead.

After all, Zong Zhengxiao was the emperor and possessed countless treasures, so a bead meant nothing to him.

Zong Zhengxiao waved his hand, signaling Si Xi that he could leave, and Si Xi stood aside with interest.

Zong Zhengxiao did not ask Rong Yin to return the beads, but just waved at him, "Come here, it's time to eat."

Rong Yin didn't move, thinking: If I just went over when you called me, wouldn't that make me look spineless?

Zong Zhengxiao picked up the sashimi and showed it to Rong Yin with his chopsticks: "It's just been frozen, it's still very fresh, don't you really want to try it?"

Rong Yin swallowed, but still didn't go over.

Zong Zhengxiao said with a look of regret: "You don't like it, and I don't like it either, so just take it away and throw it away."

戎音：……你騙人就不能換點新花樣？

四喜上前，眼見就要接過那盤生魚片帶走，戎音只能抱着珠子氣勢洶洶地過去再次奪了回來，塞進宗政逍手裏，然後坐到他旁邊，張開了嘴巴。

戎音：看在你這麽誠心誠意的份上，我就勉為其難讓你喂我吧。

宗政逍輕笑一聲，熟練地開始喂起了傲嬌的小鲛人。

吃飽喝足，戎音舒服地躺在宗政逍懷裏，由着他用溫熱的手幫自己揉肚子消食。

戎音享受地想着：不理宗政逍，但可以理好皇帝。

睡前，宗政逍把裝夜明珠的盒子給了戎音，意味着這顆珠子也送他了。

戎音看着多出來的寶貝，開心地想：挨幾個不痛不癢的腦瓜崩就能得到一顆大大的夜明珠，好像也挺劃算的，嘿嘿。

睡在床榻上的宗政逍：嗯，他家小鲛人還是這麽傻氣。

相較于宗政逍運籌帷幄，可以惬意地逗魚賞花、享受生活，世家那邊的日子就沒那麽舒适了。

準确來說，是負責聯絡說服餘黨跟世家合作的賀家最近很苦惱。

書房裏，賀衍憤怒地道：“那些蠢貨還真敢提要求，要房子要美人，還想我們每月給他們一千兩銀子，癡心妄想，也不看看自己現在算個什麽東西，以為自己還是前朝的皇親國戚啊！”

賀府守衛森嚴，賀衍才敢如此大放厥詞，賀家主也沒有阻攔他，因為他知道賀衍需要發洩。

前朝覆滅，皇室成員及跟皇室有姻親關系的貴族們基本都被殺光了，那群餘黨，不過是皇親國戚旁支的旁支罷了，所以連死都沒輪到他們。

不過人家身上到底流着前朝皇室的血，世家又想利用人家扳倒宗政逍，前期自然得給點甜頭，好讓他們聽話。

聯絡餘黨的活兒落到了賀家身上，因為上次賀衍踢死了蘇潛，給世家帶來了很多麻煩，這次算是将功補過。

所以不管賀家願不願意，都得接受。

賀衍還在罵罵咧咧：“要不是爹你的命令，我才不樂意去伺候那群破落戶，今天他們還威脅我，說我不答應他們的條件，就出去告發我勾結前朝餘黨，讓皇帝砍我頭！”

賀家主道：“他們不會這麽做的，如果他們有這個膽量，哪還會龜縮在那種地方。”

餘黨們住在京城裏出名的貧民街，三教九流彙聚之地，賀衍第一次去差點以為自己走錯了地方，一國皇城居然會有那樣破敗的地方。

一個個吃着粗糧穿着麻衣，偏偏還要端貴族做派，看得賀衍想笑。

“我知道的，我就是氣不過。”賀家為百年世家，賀衍自诩高貴風流，哪裏看得上那些窮酸的前朝餘黨。

賀家主斜睨了他一眼，道：“不高興也給我忍着，這都是你惹出的禍端。”

賀衍不敢吭聲了。

誰都知道找前朝餘黨合作，是把腦袋別褲腰帶上，時刻面臨着被皇室發現，最後滿門抄斬的結局。

但即便他們賀家想退出，其它三家也不會同意。

如果不是他之前失誤，這份苦差事也不會落到賀家頭上。

假設他們和餘黨的合作關系未來真暴露了，賀家就會被推出來做擋箭牌，因為這些事情的确都是他們家做的，其它三家都沒沾手。

賀衍小聲地道：“爹，對不起，都是我的錯。”

“算了，都過去了。”賀家主還能說什麽，自己養的兒子，是龍是豬都只能認了。

他又道：“我們賀家可不是任人拿捏的軟柿子，即便真的被宗政逍發現了，我們賀家倒臺，他們三家也別想跑，我手裏可是有不少他們的把柄。”

要死一起死，誰也別想逃。

聽他爹這麽說，賀衍稍稍安心了些。

“對了。”賀衍忽然眼睛一亮，難掩激動地對賀父道：“爹你不是讓我從餘黨那邊打探，看他們還有沒有其他同夥嗎，我嘗試了好幾次，終于今天有個人說漏了嘴，告訴我他們有一個手握重兵的老友，不過後面我再問，他就什麽都不肯說了。”

賀家主一下子明白了什麽，“怪不得幾個窮酸鬼有底氣敢說要複辟前朝，原來是背後有靠山，派人暗中去查查，一定得知道這人是誰。”

有趣，一個手握重兵，還有造反之心的人，他倒是想看看是何方人物。

“好的爹，我會盡快去辦。”看見父親因為自己帶來的消息而露出滿意的神情，賀衍心裏也跟着高興，他終于沒再拖老爹後腿了。

賀家主提醒道：“查的時候謹慎些，別被皇室那邊察覺了。”

賀衍保證道：“我辦事，爹您就放一百個心吧。”

賀家主看向兒子，嘲諷地冷笑：“呵。”

賀衍：“……”

賀衍轉移話題：“爹，那些破落戶提的條件，我們都要答應嗎？”

“給是要給，但不能一次性給那麽多，否則胃口養叼了，以後就難辦了。”

“好，兒子記住了。”

幾日後，華燈初上，柳巷中的某戶暗娼家中。

一個幹瘦的男人赤/裸着從女子身上翻下來躺到一旁，邊大口喘息，邊挑眉得意地問道：“爺弄得你舒服吧。”

女子暗地裏撇了撇嘴，心道老娘前菜都才吃了一口你就完事了，還有臉問我這個問題？

不過人家給了錢，她自然得捧着。

女人轉過身，媚眼如絲地看着男人，裝作随意地問道：“爺今夜好生兇猛，都說財氣養人，爺厲害成這樣，可是最近找到了什麽賺錢的門道？”

女人看出男人發了財，自然不是因為他兇猛，而是這狗東西平時扣扣搜搜的，偶爾才會來自己這裏一回，給她點過夜錢還一臉不舍。

典型的不僅偷吃還想白嫖。

可從前幾天起就不一樣了，男人來時給了她一個銀簪子不說，完事兒了誇她伺候得好，還随手扔給了她半兩碎銀子。

并且接連好幾夜都宿在她這會兒，身上滿是酒肉的臭味，一看白天就沒少去酒館裏。

過得好了，出手就大方了，女人再說幾句甜言蜜語哄得他高興，那銀子就止不住地往外漏。

單就這幾天，女人從他這裏得到的東西要是換算成銀兩，起碼抵她兩年的收入。

女人心動了，她年歲已然不小，再過幾年可就吃不動這碗飯了，還是得早點存些養老錢。

猶豫過後，她還是委婉地問了出來，心道要是男人真有什麽賺錢的門路，看自己能不能也插上一腳。

男人在床上耳根子軟，又才發洩過，理智尚未完全回籠，再加上想在這朵野花面前顯擺，便一把将人摟進懷裏，摩挲着女人的皮肉開始吹牛。

“早就說過老子是前朝貴族，你們還笑話我餓昏頭了說瞎話，現在看見了吧，那些高高在上的大官都得跪着求着送我錢花！”

男人沒說的是，其實他們提的要求賀家那邊只答應了一小部分，沒給他們貧民街外面的房子，伺候人的美仆也沒送來，不然他才不會來這裏找這種被人玩爛了的暗娼。

之前說的一千兩只給了一百兩，還是他們好幾個人分，不過他好歹分得了幾十兩，夠他逍遙快活一陣子了。

後來他們也琢磨清楚了，這種事得徐徐圖之，急不得，反正賀家比之前那個姓蘇的大方多了。

說起姓蘇的，聽說他因為收受學生賄賂被上頭的官員給整死了，雖然他給不了他們太多的錢，但蒼蠅再小也是肉嘛。

姓蘇的女兒嫁進了寧王府，男人想過，要是哪天缺錢了，或許可以試試去寧王府敲一筆，以如今皇位上那位暴君的脾氣，怕是容不得自己有勾結前朝餘孽的親戚。

寧王府不想全家遭殃，只能破財消災。

不過這是下下策，不到萬不得已，還是別去招惹宗政家的人。

聽見男人的話，女人心裏也驚詫了一把，如果是之前，她也許會真以為男人又在說大話，但看他這幾天出手闊綽的樣子，她原本不信也得信三分了。

“京城這麽多大官，爺你說的是哪位啊？”女人的掌心在男人胸口輕撫着，柔聲問道。

男人垂眸看了她一眼，有些警惕地道：“你問這個幹什麽？”

女人心裏先是咯噔一下，轉而又暗罵：你連自己是前朝貴族這種會被殺頭的話都敢随便說，這會兒又跟老娘裝什麽裝？

“哎呀，人家就是好奇嘛，你不說算了。”女人嘟起紅唇，委屈地哼了一聲。

男人心立馬軟了，抱着女人哄道：“這是真不能說，乖啊，我們再來一回，你不是喜歡吃芳味齋的桃酥嘛，明天我給你帶。”

不是男人不肯說，而是賀家那邊警告過了，要是敢把賀家洩露出去，賀家就算是死也會拉他們一起墊背。

考慮到還要從世家那邊拿錢，他們也只能忍了。

“紅兒就知道爺您最好了。”見打聽不到多的消息了，女人也只能作罷，專心演起戲來。

The man lived happily with Hong'er for half a month, but probably he had spent all his money later, and just like before, he was not seen for a long time.

Hong'er spat and cursed angrily, "It's useless."

There were no guests that night. Hong'er was about to go to bed after washing up when a dagger flashing with a cold light was pressed against her slender neck.

Before Hong'er could ask, the man said, "Don't be afraid, young lady, and don't shout. I just want to make a deal with you."

After that night, Hong'er, who always cared about money but not people, suddenly appeared next to the man frequently. She seduced him back to her home, let him stay overnight for free, and even gave him some money privately.

When the man asked why, she said that it was to thank him for his care for her business these days, and that she was already an adult and wanted to find someone who understood her and could live with her.

Hong'er acted so realistically that the man believed her, and from then on he frequently visited Hong'er's home.

It has been quite some time since the beginning of autumn. The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. The streets are already bustling and moon cakes have been prepared in the pastry shops long ago.

The people are living in peace and harmony. The court, which used to be plagued by endless quarrels, has become unusually harmonious these days. To be more precise, it is the aristocratic families that have been shrinking.

No matter how the group of heroes provoked them, they always looked indifferent and calm, as if they were not the ones who had been quarreling with the royal family in the past.

Of course, if the royal family's insults get too radical, they will fight back, but they won't make any substantial attacks.

Zong Zhengxiao did not tell too many people about his plan, so most of the people in the group of heroes were confused and did not understand what was wrong with the aristocratic family.

Zong Zhengxiao understood the thoughts of the aristocratic families. As long as they maintained superficial peace and did not fight or compete, they would not conflict with the royal family.

If there is no conflict, the royal family will have no reason to trouble them, and it is unlikely that they will find out that they are cooperating with the remnants of the former government.

Zong Zhengxiao: It’s a good idea, but in my eyes it’s all in vain.

On the official Mid-Autumn Festival, a dinner was held in the palace. Some important officials were invited to attend, including Prince Ning. However, Zong Zheng Lianqi and Su Wan'er did not go. The reason they gave was still that they were not feeling well.

The noble families did not cause trouble, and the royal family was too lazy to pay attention to them. The dinner went quite smoothly. Everyone drank, ate, watched singing and dancing, and really enjoyed themselves.

Zong Zhengxiao wanted to accompany the merman himself, so he ended the dinner early and let the officials go back to reunite with their families.

In the Silver Shark Garden, Rong Yin lay on the fence of the pavilion, staring at the direction of the garden gate, tapping the ground with his tail in boredom.

Lu'e brought some cakes and passed them to Rong Yin: "Master, please eat something first. His Majesty will be attending the banquet and will not be back for a while."

"Ah!" Rong Yin waved her hand, pointed at the mooncakes on the plate, then pointed at Lu'e and the palace servants, and made eating gestures.

It means that he would not eat it himself, but let Lu'e and the palace ladies eat it.

Lu'e was very pleased that Rong Yin noticed them, and regardless of whether Rong Yin understood or not, she explained attentively: "The small kitchen also distributed moon cakes to the servants, so you don't have to worry, Master."

"Ah!" Rong Yin responded and continued to be the "husband-waiting stone".

Lu'e had no choice but to stand by and wait with him.

If she hadn't known the mermaid's identity clearly and knew that the emperor doted on her very much, Lu'e would have thought that the mermaid's current behavior was very much like the crazy concubine in the cold palace that she had heard of.

Every day she looked forward to the emperor coming to see her and help her escape from the suffering of the cold palace.

Lu'e was daydreaming when there was a sudden movement at the garden gate. She looked up and saw Zong Zheng Xiao, dressed in gorgeous clothes, striding towards the inside.

Across the pool, Zong Zheng Xiao and Rong Yin made eye contact.

"Ah!" Rong Yin waved at him excitedly.

Zong Zhengxiao raised the corners of his lips, and a smile appeared on the corners of his eyebrows and eyes. He no longer had the cold look he had at the banquet just now.

If someone from an aristocratic family saw his expression, they might not help but sigh: The person they know might be a fake Zong Zheng Xiao!

Zong Zhengxiao strode into the pavilion, and before he could even stand firmly, Rong Yin rushed over and gave him a bear hug.

Rong Yin shouted in her heart: Zong Zheng Xiao, Zong Zheng Xiao! You are finally here! I have been waiting for you for a long time!

Zong Zheng Xiao hugged Rong Yin and patted his head, "Sorry, I'm late. Thank you for waiting for me."

The heartwarming scene of the two embracing each other was seen by others. Si Xi and Lu E smiled at each other, then quietly stood aside to leave enough space for the two to be together.

Rong Yin pulled Zong Zhengxiao to sit in front of a low table, on which were placed wine and food, a plate of round moon cakes, and Rong Yin's favorite sashimi.

The mooncakes were cut in advance for easy eating. Zong Zhengxiao and Rong Yin fed each other a piece. After tasting the delicious food, Rong Yin smiled so hard that his teeth showed.

Zong Zhengxiao ate almost nothing at the dinner, just to save space for mooncakes with Rong Yin.

God was kind to us. The night sky was sparsely clouded and the full moon was high in the sky, illuminating the ground as bright as day.

Rong Yin looked at the moon, then at Zong Zheng Xiao, and happily ate the sashimi he fed her.

Licking the corner of his lips, Rong Yin couldn't help but think in his heart: I also have family to spend Mid-Autumn Festival with me.

The orphanage where Rong Yin stayed as a child was short of funds, and the children did not have a good life. Having enough food and warm clothes was a luxury, and the only thing they could say was that they could not starve to death.

There are various important festivals every year, and the only difference for them is that they can eat more vegetables and meat on those days. As for what the festivals represent, the children do not understand.

When he grew up and saw the world outside the orphanage, Rong Yin gradually understood the meaning of various festivals, such as Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a day for family reunion.

His classmates and friends all have their own families. Even if they cannot meet, they can still use video to make phone calls. Will their families care about whether they have money to spend and whether they have eaten mooncakes?

Such meticulous care was what Rong Yin had longed for for a long time but had never experienced.

But after coming to this world, Rong Yin got to know Zong Zhengxiao, Sixi, Lu'e and others. They were all by her side during this Mid-Autumn Festival. Although they were not related by blood, their relationship was better than that of family members.

Zong Zhengxiao was stunned for a second by Rong Yin's thoughts. Did the little merman mean that he never had a family member to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with him in the past?

Did he leave early, or lose his parents?

Zong Zhengxiao really wanted to know the answer, but in the end he suppressed his question and looked at Rong Yin with a gentler look.