Chapter 30: Carried Away

When the two of them returned to the shop in their current state, Zhong was stunned.

He didn't expect that once his lord opened up, it would be so intense.

Seeing his lord with a triumphant smile, Zhong quietly lowered his head, trying to minimize his presence.

In the end, his lord really acted as if he hadn't seen him, didn't even greet him, and just got on the mule cart and left.

Zhong...

Shen Li raised the whip, and the mule cart ran smoothly and quickly. The morning breeze blew on Zhou Qing's face as she silently calculated how much money she could make today.

While Zhou Qing and Shen Li were on their way to meet Zhou Huailin.

Zhou Huaishan, after staying indoors for three days, couldn't hold back anymore.

As for the issue of breaking character, Zhou Huaishan had already thought it through while eating noodles this morning.

When a man reaches middle age, who doesn't experience some of life's thrills?

First, he experienced his elder brother's family slandering his daughter, then his mother faking illness to deceive his honest feelings.

With such emotional stimuli, a sudden change in character was perfectly normal.

After convincing himself like this, Zhou Huaishan waited for Zhou Qing and Zhou Huailin to leave, and then took Zhou Ping out.

Zhou Ping had a small basket on his back, filled with the gifts Shen Li had brought yesterday.

A hedonistic person wouldn't carry a basket himself.

Why bother when he had a nephew to do it for him?

As for Zhou Ping...

With meat to eat, not just one basket, but even ten baskets, he could carry them.

However...

"Second Uncle, where are we going? Why do we have to carry all the things the senior brother brought?"

Carrying roast chicken and pork knuckles was one thing, but why carry raw pork belly too?

Zhou Huaishan patted Zhou Ping's head and said seriously, "I'm afraid things will get stolen if we leave them at home while we're out."

Zhou Ping immediately glanced at Sun and Wang in the courtyard.

Wang's ankle was swollen and red from being flicked by Shen Li in the morning, and she was still in tears from the pain.

Sun was applying medicine to her foot and massaging it. Hearing this, Sun sprang up and glared at Zhou Huaishan.

"What are you saying!" Sun's face darkened, and she looked furious.

Such fragrant meat noodle soup in the morning, and they didn't even bring her a bowl.

So unfilial!

Sun was so angry that her chest hurt all morning.

Seeing Sun furious, Zhou Ping immediately wanted to argue, as his honest and kind second uncle could easily be bullied by his grandmother.

It doesn't matter if grandma bullies second uncle, but what if she takes the food away?

Protecting food was his responsibility.

However, before Zhou Ping could speak, Zhou Huaishan said with a smile, "Mother, I mean, I'm planning to take our own food out to eat. Mother, sister-in-law, you go ahead and stay busy, we won't get in your way."

After saying that, he pulled Zhou Ping and left.

Zhou Ping...

Did my second uncle say that?

Why did it sound like something I would say!

Zhou Ping was clever and, without needing to be pulled, ran out with the basket as soon as Zhou Huaishan finished speaking.

Sun stared dumbfounded at Zhou Huaishan's disappearing figure.

Was that really something her honest and kind second son would say?!!

After a moment of shock, Sun came to her senses, picked up a broom beside her, and wanted to chase after them, but they were already gone, leaving her cursing in frustration, "This is outrageous, outrageous!"

Wang had originally planned to persuade Sun to take the meat from the second house while Zhou Qing was away.

She didn't expect Zhou Huaishan carried the meat away!

Carried it away!

"Mother, second brother-in-law is guarding against us," Wang said tearfully. "I don't mind, but you, after all, are his own mother who raised him. I feel it's unfair for you. But don't worry, mother, we and Yuan will definitely be filial to you."

Wang's words only made Sun even angrier.

Taking advantage of Sun's anger, Wang said, "Mother, since second brother-in-law is capable now and has taken on apprentices, do you think my nephew could also come and become his student? That way, my nephew could improve and get closer to Qing."

Sun understood what Wang meant.

"Okay, once your foot doesn't hurt, go and inform him."

Wang immediately agreed, "No problem, I can walk now. I'll go right away."

Wang wished for Wang Qiang to move in immediately and cause trouble for Zhou Qing, then marry her off quickly.

Without Zhou Qing, how could Zhou Huaishan study? He'd be a joke!

Unaware of the scheme, Zhou Huaishan wandered to a small river with Zhou Ping.

"Ping, have you ever had grilled meat?"

Grilled pork belly, cooked until tender and seasoned with spices, was incredibly delicious!

Zhou Ping's eyes sparkled as he shook his head. He had rarely eaten meat, let alone grilled meat.

"Is Second Uncle going to make it for me?"

Zhou Ping drooled at the thought.

Zhou Huaishan rolled his eyes. If I knew how to make it, why would I bring you out here!

But he couldn't say that.

Finding a shady spot, Zhou Huaishan sat down comfortably and instructed Zhou Ping, "Put the basket down and go collect some dry wood."

Zhou Ping quickly ran off and soon returned with a pile of dry wood.

"Second Uncle, here's the wood. Are we grilling meat?"

Zhou Huaishan smacked Zhou Ping on the head, "So young and all you think about is eating."

Zhou Ping...

He jumped back in surprise, "Didn't you ask me to get the wood?"

Zhou Huaishan said faintly, "I asked you to get twigs so you can use it as a brush to practice writing."

Zhou Ping...

He stared at Zhou Huaishan in disbelief, "If you wanted to practice writing, why mention grilling meat!"

Zhou Huaishan...

That was because I thought you knew how to grill!

"That's because today you'll practice writing the characters for 'grilled meat'."

Zhou Ping...

Zhou Huaishan wrote the characters for 'grilled meat' on the ground with a twig, "Here, practice with this. You should know to work hard from a young age!"

After saying this, Zhou Huaishan leaned back against the tree trunk, picked up the twigs Zhou Ping had gathered, and started weaving a cricket cage.

A proper cricket cage wasn't made from twigs, but he wasn't being picky now.

He wanted to see if mimicking the act of catching crickets would allow him to travel back.

So, after a while.

While Zhou Ping was lying on the ground diligently practicing writing, there was a splash behind him.

Turning around, Zhou Ping saw Zhou Huaishan sitting in the river with a small cage.

He didn't travel back in time, he had fallen into the river.

"Second Uncle!"

Zhou Ping was shocked and rushed to pull Zhou Huaishan up.

As Zhou Huaishan pushed himself up from the riverbed, he suddenly felt a jolt.

The hand he used to push himself up had pressed down on a fish.

Excitedly, Zhou Huaishan grabbed the fish and said to the approaching Zhou Ping, "Ping, let me teach you how to catch fish."

Zhou Ping...

Weren't you telling me to study hard?

Filled with questions, Zhou Ping stared at Zhou Huaishan. He suspected he was being lied to but had no proof.

However, for a five-year-old, choosing between writing with a twig on the ground or catching fish in the river was a no-brainer.

The river wasn't deep, just enough to cover Zhou Huaishan's calves, reaching Zhou Ping's thighs.

One big and one small, they played in the river, catching fish, as time passed in laughter and joy.

After catching half a basket of fish, they collapsed on the riverbank, each holding a chicken leg.

"The roast chicken senior brother bought is really delicious!" Zhou Ping said, crossing his legs and savoring the food.

Lying on the ground looking up at the sky, Zhou Huaishan sighed silently: I'll have to play hard for a while longer, otherwise, it’ll be dark soon and Qing will be back.