"Alright, I won't scare you anymore, I won't scare you anymore."
Zhenye and the other two were also feeling bad. They had spent a lot of time with Zhou Shixiong and had developed feelings for him. Besides, no matter how bad Zhou Shixiong was, he was genuinely good to the four children.
Gu Chuanming sat to one side, feeling extremely distressed. Zhou Shixiong's face had changed.
A short while later, the kitchen brought out a variety of snacks, all prepared for Zhenye and his group.
"Ancestor, I've learned close combat. Shall Xiao Si and I give you a demonstration?"
"Oh, so it was that foreigner who taught you?"
"Yes, Ancestor, his skills are really quite good. I estimate that Uncle Li and the others can fight to a draw."
"That's amazing?"
"That's right, he taught us very seriously, look at our level."
Gu Yaozu and Zhang Weiyu were sparring in the living room, while Zhou Shixiong watched with amusement.
When the two of them came down, she said, "Okay, I'm at ease no matter where my third son goes."
Zhou Shixiong had a special fondness for Zhang Weiyu, and the other three brothers didn't feel jealous at all. The more they practiced their skills, the more they felt like they were one.
"Eat quickly, these were all freshly made this morning, and they're all your favorites."
Old Gu, don't you dare try to take my babies away from me.
So you mean I can't eat it?
"Sure, after they've eaten their fill, the leftovers are for the two of you."
"Old Zhou, you really are stingy."
"It's just that I was in a hurry, so I haven't done much. Also, the children have always been with you, so it's time for them to be with me too."
“Okay, they’ll stay with you, and I’ll stay with them.”
Lunch was truly a Manchu Han Imperial Feast; the chefs in the kitchen really went all out.
Zhang Shouyi also came back for dinner. Looking at his four sons who had grown taller, he felt truly proud.
Zhou Shixiong was delighted by the lively atmosphere and kept urging Zhang Hongmei to serve food to the four children.
"Grandpa, please don't let my mother serve us anymore. We're all grown up now and can manage on our own."
The main reason is that Dad glared at them several times.
"Then let Chang'en serve you some food."
"Ancestor, let's just forget it. We can just pick whatever we want to eat."
Zhou Shixiong enjoyed the meal. Afterwards, while having tea, he said, "You can all leave now. I only need the four of them to keep me company. I don't need you anymore."
Zhou Shixiong spent the entire afternoon distributing his treats to the children.
Of course, Zhang Weiyu's is the best in terms of quality. The other three are about the same.
“There are still many more. Wait, I’ll have Chang’en bring them all back tomorrow and distribute them to the four of you.”
"Ancestor, you have given us so many good things, and we are still young."
"They're not young anymore, they're all young men approaching ten. The old ancestor wanted to make arrangements while he was still lucid, so that if I suddenly couldn't open my eyes, I wouldn't be able to properly explain things after my death."
The four children's eyes welled up with tears as they listened.
"It's alright, the ancestor can still live for a while, I know that myself, don't worry."
We ate dinner together again tonight. Today is the Little New Year, so of course we ate dumplings.
Zhou Shixiong was happy and had two more children than usual. "Hongmei, thank you for letting the children come back to see me off on my final journey."
"Uncle, it hurts me to hear you say that."
"Why are you crying? It's nothing, it's all part of life, from birth to old age, sickness and death. Alright, everyone go back and rest."
The family stayed for another hour before going home.
Li Chang'en sent someone over to deliver the gifts that Zhou Shixiong had distributed to the children that afternoon.
The family sat in the living room, their mood somewhat heavy.
The four children sat around Zhang Hongmei. Zhang Shouyi gave them instructions.
"The four of you should spend more time with him."
Zhang Zhenye nodded. "Dad, we know. None of the four of us want any of this stuff."
"Have you talked to him about it?"
"I already told him, but he insisted on giving it to us, and said he would share it with us while he was still sober."
"Dad, will this cause any problems in the future? Will his family make a fuss?"
Zhang Shouyi smiled and said, "No, he doesn't have any family left. You can take it."
Actually, the four children didn't really want the children; they felt pressured.
"Shouyi, what did Doctor Sun say?" Gu Chuanming asked.
"At most, there's still a month left."
"Sigh! Let's prepare the packing in advance. And what is his intention? Has he given any instructions?"
"He meant to be buried in the cemetery, which is already furnished."
"Alright, he doesn't have any other requests?"
Zhang Shouyi shook his head. No, he said he wouldn't let anyone share his bones with him, and that Zhou Yuanqing could just stay by his side.
"Oh?" Gu Chuanming was confused. What did Zhou Shixiong mean by this?
"I don't know either. He treated all three of his wives indifferently, and he didn't want any of them to be moved to the side of his grave."
"Sigh! He probably hates them; he blames their loss of his children on them."
"Maybe, let's go along with his wishes. But the Zhou family isn't without members; they'll have to come for the funeral, won't they?"
"You don't need to get involved in this. Leave it to me. I'll talk to him tomorrow."
Gu Chuanming had no choice but to make arrangements while he was still lucid.
In the evening, I would give the four children a bath in the spiritual spring, and the six of them would cultivate together.
However, Zhang Hongmei felt out of sorts these past few days. She meditated for an hour without disturbing Zhang Shouyi, and then lay down to sleep by herself.
Zhang Shouyi woke up in the middle of the night and looked at his wife sleeping soundly beside him. What was wrong? Could she be pregnant? Otherwise, why would his wife be resting so early?
I'll have my pulse checked tomorrow. I can't overexert myself. If I am indeed pregnant, I'll have to be extra careful.
He gently lay down beside his wife and pulled her into his arms. He lightly traced circles on her belly with his hand.
I got up at 4:30 the next day to exercise with my four sons.
Now they all need sparring partners, so Master Wu has also come back with them. The foreigners are still on the mountain. They have almost finished learning, and Chengzi will send them away at the end of this month.
Zhang Shouyi watched as the children's skills improved significantly.
At six o'clock, they finished training and went back to wash up.
Seeing his wife still sleeping soundly, Zhang Shouyi thought she was probably pregnant and began to worry again. He had gotten her pregnant because he was afraid she wouldn't be able to accept the death of their elders.
He lowered his head and kissed her red lips. Even this simple gesture had excited him, but not now.
My wife still hadn't woken up by 7 a.m., and I had to go to work, so I decided to wake her up. The children had gone to Zhou Shixiong's house at 6:30 a.m. to have breakfast with her. My wife was probably sleeping soundly because she had nothing to worry about.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com