Chapter 98: Anger

Zhou Qing saw Uncle Zhong jump off the carriage and walk towards the courtyard.

"This place is..."

Just as Uncle Zhong was about to ask, he spotted Zhou Qing and stopped mid-sentence.

"Miss Qing, Mr. Zhou."

Uncle Zhong quickly walked up, clasped his hands, and greeted Zhou Huaishan with a respectful bow. Noticing Zhao Dacheng was also present, he smiled and nodded at him.

Zhou Huaishan had never seen Uncle Zhong before. Seeing a well-dressed man suddenly greet him, his heart skipped a beat.

Was someone here to become his apprentice again?

Half-suspicious, half-excited, Zhou Huaishan asked, "Who are you?"

Zhou Qing quickly explained, "Father, this is Uncle Zhong, the shopkeeper of Shen Li’s calligraphy shop."

Immediately, Zhou Huaishan’s face fell.

So, he wasn’t here to become an apprentice after all!

What’s with that look of disappointment?

Glancing at Zhou Huaishan, Uncle Zhong turned to Zhou Qing and said, "Our master is still in the capital and won't be able to return for a while. Seeing that the New Year is approaching, he asked me to deliver some New Year's gifts."

Upon hearing the mention of gifts, Zhao Dacheng eagerly rubbed his hands together. "What kind of good stuff is there?"

He turned around and waved to the people outside, "Bring the cart in."

Two young men led a carriage in from the gate, loaded to the brim with New Year’s gifts.

Seeing the loaded cart, Zhao Dacheng grabbed onto Zhou Huaishan’s arm, shaking it lightly. "Brother Shan, so many gifts!"

Zhou Qing, standing to the side, couldn’t help but frown.

Why does this scene look so strange?

Meanwhile, the family from the third house gathered around as well.

Uncle Zhong smiled, "The largest box is a special gift from our master for Mr. Zhou. Where should we put it?"

Zhou Huaishan immediately pointed to his room.

The two young men tugged the heavy box down and carefully carried it into his room.

Zhao Dacheng, still holding onto Zhou Huaishan’s arm, exclaimed with envy, "Brother Shan, that box looks heavy. I bet it's filled with treasure. Having an apprentice is truly a blessing."

Zhou Huaishan arrogantly tilted his chin, "Of course."

Suddenly, something didn’t feel right. He turned around and shoved Zhao Dacheng aside.

"What's with all this touching? I don’t have any special preferences!"

Hahahaha.

Finally, he realized what had felt so off earlier.

After delivering Zhou Huaishan’s box, Uncle Zhong pointed to the remaining smaller boxes, which were gifts for other members of the family.

Each person received a small box filled with gifts.

Once all the presents were handed out, Uncle Zhong exchanged a few pleasantries and then left with his men.

As soon as he was gone, Zhao Dacheng eagerly urged, "Brother Shan, hurry, let's see what treasures are inside your big box!"

Though everyone was curious about what Shen Li had sent them, they were even more interested in the large box given to Zhou Huaishan.

Each person took their small box to their room, but then gathered in Zhou Huaishan’s room.

Zhou Ping patted the box twice, excitedly.

"Second Uncle, could it be that Senior Brother is in the box?"

Zhou Huaishan chuckled, "If only that were true!"

What treasure could compare to an apprentice who could write for you in times of need?

Zhou Qing stared at the box, her heart suddenly racing.

Even though Zhou Ping’s suggestion sounded absurd, why did she suddenly feel a glimmer of hope?

Rubbing his hands together, Zhou Huaishan stepped forward and yanked open the box.

"Wow!"

Everyone’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, following Zhou Ping’s exaggerated "wow," they all looked into the box.

The moment Zhou Huaishan saw what was inside, his face twisted in fury.

"I’m kicking that unfilial apprentice out! Is this a gift? This is a death sentence!"

Inside the box was a neatly stacked pile of books.

On top of the books was a note written in Shen Li’s handwriting: "Read thoroughly and memorize."

Zhou Huaishan snatched the note and angrily tore it to shreds, cursing as he ripped it apart.

Zhou Qing leaned against the doorframe, laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

Zhou Ping, however, looked at the books with shining eyes. Gently stroking the top few, he admired them, saying, "Senior Brother has really put so much thought into Second Uncle’s education. I’m so envious."

Zhou Huaishan glared at Zhou Ping with a contorted face.

"If you’re so envious, take them!"

Zhou Ping quickly replied, "A gentleman doesn’t take what others love. Besides, I’m still a child. I don’t need to read so many books."

Who isn’t still a baby!

Looking at the pile of books, Zhou Huailin didn’t know what to say. He just patted Zhou Huaishan on the shoulder, "Second Brother, good luck!"

Zhou Huaishan shot him a fierce look.

Zhao Dacheng, standing nearby, suddenly had a flash of realization, but couldn’t quite grasp it.

He grabbed his guard and asked, "Am I forgetting something?"

The guard inwardly rolled his eyes. 

Now you remember?

"I’ve reminded you three times already! Sir, you came here to deliver some news."

With that reminder, Zhao Dacheng slapped his forehead in sudden realization.

"Right! I can’t believe I almost forgot such an important matter."

Grabbing Zhou Huaishan’s arm, Zhao Dacheng said, "Brother Shan, I forgot to tell you something important. Zhou Huaihai has been released."

At the mention of Zhou Huaihai, the atmosphere in the room, already tense and awkward, froze and turned icy.

Zhou Huailin’s face turned pale as he grabbed Zhao Dacheng, "What did you say?"

"Just a few days ago. I heard that Zhou Yuan pulled some strings. Now Zhou Huaihai isn’t even living in the county anymore. I heard Zhou Yuan is getting married, so their family has all gone to the capital."

The Zhou family...

They committed such crimes, yet they’re free?!

Seeing the family’s reactions, Zhao Dacheng sighed.

"Zhou Huaihai is both evil and stupid. He might seek revenge. Be careful."

After saying that, Zhao Dacheng patted Zhou Huaishan’s shoulder.

"If you need help, just let me know."

Zhou Ping remembered that his second uncle had once said there was no way Zhou Yuan could get Zhou Huaihai released because he had angered scholars nationwide.

But now...

Zhou Huaihai had been freed.

What did this mean?

It meant that Zhou Yuan’s influence in the capital was immense.

A strong sense of crisis filled Zhou Ping as he tightened his small fists, waiting for Zhou Huaishan to speak.

Zhou Huaishan stared at the pile of books, his eye twitching. After twitching several times, he suddenly let out a heartbreaking scream!

"Why is my life so bitter?! Others study for a bright future; I study to stay alive!"

If I don’t study, I’ll fall behind.

And if I fall behind, I’ll get beaten!

But studying... studying is so painful!

And even after studying, I still might not be better than Zhou Yuan!

Wailing, Zhou Huaishan squatted beside the box.

Zhou Huailin stood beside him, his face filled with helpless anger.

Zhou Ping looked at Zhou Huaishan, then at his father, clenching his little fists.

Just as he was about to speak words of encouragement, Zhou Huaishan suddenly slapped the box.

"No more thinking! Zhou Yuan and Zhou Huaihai haven’t even come for revenge yet, and we’re already torturing ourselves. Why worry about tomorrow's troubles today? We’ll deal with it when the time comes!"

Turning to Zhao Dacheng, Zhou Huaishan declared, "Starting tomorrow, I’m going to study. But tonight, join me for one last night of wild celebration!"

He looked like he was preparing for his final bachelor night, like a character from Lü Ziqiao.^[1]

_____

Footnotes:

[1] Lü Ziqiao (吕子乔) is a character from the popular Chinese sitcom iPartment (爱情公寓), which is similar in style to shows like Friends or How I Met Your Mother. Lü Ziqiao is known for being a carefree, humorous, and flirty bachelor, often avoiding responsibilities and commitment.

Zhou Huaishan views the upcoming period of study as a sort of "final surrender" of his freedom, much like Lü Ziqiao would view losing his bachelor lifestyle.