Chapter 198 Change Your Words
Xu Wan walked over, reached out and touched his little head, and said softly: "Call me mother instead. From now on, I will treat you as my own child and love you."
She thought that if she was to live in this mansion for the rest of her life, and if Zong Zhao never came back, then Zong Jincheng would always be her son, her only child.
She will watch him grow up, start a family, get married and have children. He will become her closest relative in this long life.
She also didn't want to be yelled at by the little devil every day for most of the rest of her life.
The little devil finally waited for this day.
Her hands were so soft, and it felt so comfortable when she touched his head. It was completely different from the feeling when her grandfather or the Crown Prince touched him.
Zong Jincheng felt like crying.
But how can a real man shed tears so easily?
He lowered his head stubbornly to hold back his tears, then whispered, "Mother."
It's very quiet all around.
Such a small sound was heard by everyone. His brothers, teacher, and relatives were all watching nearby.
But the little devil didn't feel ashamed at all. He even felt particularly happy, especially when he was held in Xu Wan's arms at the end.
The little devil was laughing secretly, and he caught a glimpse of his grandfather out of the corner of his eye. He saw him winking at the kid, indicating that their cooperation was successful.
Zong Jincheng thought to himself: Grandfather is still very reliable today.
From this day on.
Although the little devil has already spoken, he still doesn't call her often. Every time he calls mother, it still feels weird, but it is much better than saying "hey hey hey".
"Where is my mother? Why didn't she come to have lunch with me?" The little devil came to Xu Wan for lunch as usual after school, but he was disappointed.
The maid who stayed behind in the courtyard said, "Madam was asked by Madam Shen and Madam He to go out and buy New Year's goods this morning. She probably won't be back for lunch."
"You didn't come back for dinner again. This is the third time this month..." The little devil pouted in dissatisfaction and muttered softly, "You didn't even take me with you... Humph, I don't want to go."
The maid thought that the end of December was already a busy time, with New Year's goods to buy and new clothes to make, so it was normal for a woman to go out shopping.
But after she explained it tactfully to the young master, she still failed to gain his understanding. He even snorted heavily and said, "Then my brother and I will go out for a walk too!"
Maid: “…”
Go ahead and do whatever you want, you living ancestor.
As the year draws to a close, the streets are crowded with people, red lanterns are hung everywhere, and the sounds of people selling door paintings and New Year trinkets are endless.
Zong Jincheng brought his brother and He Zheng out to play. At the end of the year, every family was busy celebrating the New Year, and Bailixi's classes had been suspended. The three private instructors only came to accompany them for one morning every day, and resumed full-day classes on the sixth day after the New Year.
In the afternoon, the three brothers put down their books and test papers and went out to relax together.
"He Zheng, what have you learned recently? Have you figured out what it means to be a fox borrowing the power of another? Don't let me accidentally hurt you when I scold someone else next time." Zong Jincheng asked while looking at the gadgets on the street.
The four hundred and forty-nine taels of silver he owed Xu Wan were finally paid off after ten months of study. Now he had saved a few dozen taels of silver and could spend them on these beautiful little gadgets.
He Zheng said with a smile: "Jincheng, don't worry, I'm very powerful now, I even learned how to mend the situation after the sheep have been lost!"
Zong Jincheng's mouth twitched and he said, "Okay, when I hurt you by mistake again, I'll know what you haven't learned yet."
Zong Wenxiu chuckled on the side and shook his head helplessly.
Zong Jincheng took a fancy to a nine-ring trick, shook it in his hand, listened to the crisp sound, and fiddled with it a few times, obviously showing that he was quite interested in it.
Seeing that he liked it, the vendor quickly introduced it, "Young Master, you have good vision. This is the Nine-Ring Chain invented by Zhuge Liang. Many adults can't solve it. The children who can solve it are all the smartest child prodigies and will definitely be admitted to the Boy's Examination!"
The three children were all dressed better, and they did not walk or talk in the timid manner of other children. The peddler immediately guessed that they were children from the academy.
However, Zong Jincheng is no longer someone who can be fooled by just a few compliments. He shook the Nine-Link Ring and reminded, "It has not been proven in history that the Nine-Link Ring was invented by Zhuge Liang. Some say it was invented by King Wen of Zhou."
"Ah...ah? Is it King Wen of Zhou...?" The peddler was confused.
He is just a toy seller for children, so how come he is being taught historical knowledge by children?
In the past, whenever he mentioned Zhuge Liang, the kids would buy the books immediately, hoping to prove whether they were as smart as Zhuge Liang. Now, it seems that he will change his saying that King Wen of Zhou invented the invention.
The little devil proudly explained: "However, King Wen of Zhou is also a legend, and there is still no historical evidence."
The vendor: “…”
Forget it. I will continue to brag about Zhuge Liang’s invention in the future.
Zhuge Liang has the strongest selling ability.
"Buy three, we'll each take one and see who can solve it first." The little devil generously paid for them.
He Zheng immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Jincheng. I haven't even learned the Nine-Ring Chain. Oh no, I haven't even learned King Wen of Zhou yet."
Zong Wenxiu was amused and laughed: "He Zheng, just listen to this. Don't learn this. Jin Cheng saw it while flipping through a book in the study."
The little devil patted He Zheng's shoulder proudly and said, "Brother, although you study very hard, your spirit and action are commendable. However, I am still the most talented, hardworking and gifted person. I study fast and learn things that you can't learn in my free time. Hahaha, don't be jealous of me, I will protect you in the future!"
He Zheng regarded his words as if they were God, and immediately clasped his fists and responded loyally: "I'll listen to you, big brother!"
Zong Wenxiu: “……!”
Big brother? If I remember correctly, among the four of you, Jincheng is the youngest...
The little devil nodded with satisfaction and handed him the newly bought Nine Links: "Here, good brother, this is a gift from big brother."
Zong Wenxiu: “…………”
After watching the big brother taming the little brother, Zong Wenxiu couldn't bear to watch it any longer. He turned around to look elsewhere, but unexpectedly saw a familiar person.
Oh no, I should add one more sentence: familiar scene.
Zong Wenxiu patted the little devil's shoulder and reminded him, "Jincheng, look over there."
The little devil turned his head and saw Qin Shi holding a book and being pushed again.
The person hasn't changed, his personality hasn't changed, the way he holds the book hasn't changed, but the person who bullies him has changed.
The little devil was a little tired: "Is this the third time we've run into him?"
The first time was Feng Song, the second time was Luo Chen, and I don’t know who it was the third time, but they could easily flatten and roll Qin Shi into a ball. He didn’t resist when they pushed him, and he didn’t respond when they confronted him.
Zong Wenxiu held his forehead and replied, "Yes, you still need to care, right?"
The little devil crossed his arms and sighed, "Brother, I think I understand what you said to my mother before."
"What sentence?" Zong Wenxiu didn't react.
The little devil said in a deep voice: "It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish."