Meng Yao was quite surprised, she had completely prepared herself for whatever was coming.
The result: Is that it?
Han Muchi calmly explained to the village chief and his wife what had happened that day, and then, with an apologetic face, "Alcohol clouds judgment, my mind was momentarily confused and I was rude to Miss Zhao, truly... In these days of illness, there’s not a moment I haven’t been regretting!"
A young man with striking features, speaking very politely, and full of sincerity.
His heartfelt apology was really hard to refuse.
Of course, except for Meng Yao.
After all, she had seen his cold demeanor before.
Zheng Chunhua cleared her throat, "Meng sister, what do you think..."
"If Mrs. Zhao and Miss Zhao have any requests, they can be made. My mother and I are willing to compensate Miss Zhao," Han Muchi said sincerely.
Seeing her son so humble, Mrs. Han felt very uncomfortable; she really wanted to yell at them for not knowing what’s good for them. But her son wouldn’t let her speak, so she had to remain silent.
"Who hasn’t had a moment of impulsiveness?" the village chief tried to smooth things over, "Since everything’s been clarified, shall we shake hands and make peace?"
Zheng Chunhua wished she could just sew her husband’s mouth shut so he wouldn’t speak rashly.
Now that the truth was out, whether to shake hands or not is up to Meng Yao and Xiaohua, what mediator role is he playing?
Fortunately, Han Muchi didn’t respond to the village chief but looked sincerely at Meng Yao and Zhao Xiaohua.
"Is Young Master Han blaming it all on drinking?" Meng Yao asked without showing emotion.
Han Muchi showed a look of deep shame, "It’s my lack of self-control, I can’t blame it all on drinking. And I truly admire Miss Zhao, that’s why I... In any case, I will absolutely not bother Miss Zhao anymore. Now that the village chief and his wife can testify, if I ever act improperly again, let the village chief drive my mother and me out of Shanghua Village."
This barely counts as an explanation.
"If Young Master Han continues to pester, my protective instinct for my daughter might make me do something unpredictable. Young Master Han is prestigious, there’s no need to make things difficult with us. Right?" Meng Yao directed this at Mrs. Han.
Her eyes were a clear threat and warning.
Mrs. Han snorted and turned her head; her son was a fine piece of porcelain, whereas Zhao Xiaohua was nothing but a grain of sand.
There will come a time she regrets it!
Zheng Chunhua laughed and said, "Then it’s settled, this incident, let’s not use it as a talking point. Young Master Han, coming to our Shanghua Village must be for the purpose of studying with a focused mind, you mustn’t get your priorities wrong! Even though your origin isn’t from here, you’re living here now, and we consider you part of Shanghua Village. We’re hoping that when Young Master Han achieves great success, we can bask in your glory too! That way, when we talk about scholars around here, we won’t only have Dahe to mention."
Han Muchi smiled, "The village chief and madam’s care for this youngster, I’ll remember it with gratitude."
It sounded like advice for his own good, with concern in mind. But it was clearly satirical, and at the same time, a reminder that so what if he was a scholar? Their village had others too.
"No need for that, Young Master Han should just focus more on acquiring knowledge!" Zheng Chunhua cheerfully said.
Remembering is all well and good, but crouching in the countryside, it all depends on whether one can go back. Studying is indeed useful, but it’s clear they have been ostracized by noble families. What the future holds remains to be seen.
But Dahe, he was truly one of our own.
"Now that everything’s said, we won’t disturb you anymore," Meng Yao said.
"Alright, you’ve had a long day traveling, so I won’t keep you. Once you’ve rested, I’ll come to talk to you," Zheng Chunhua laughed and said. "Come on, I’ll see you out."
Han Muchi also quickly bowed to the village chief, "We’ll be heading back as well."
Meng Yao and Zhao Xiaohua walked in the front.
Mrs. Han and Han Muchi walked behind.
Once they were some distance from the village chief’s house, Mrs. Han saw her son quicken his pace a bit, catching up with Meng Yao and Zhao Xiaohua.
"Mrs. Zhao is quite formidable," Han Muchi said without emotion.
"Young Master Han, don’t forget what I said," Meng Yao replied with a blank face.
Han Muchi chuckled, "No need to worry, Mrs. Zhao, I’ll definitely keep my word. However—"
He gave Zhao Xiaohua a meaningful look, "The things I want, I always end up getting."
With that said, he walked straight past Meng Yao and Zhao Xiaohua, quickened his steps, and put distance between them.
Mrs. Han, as she passed by Meng Yao, harshly left behind a sentence, "There will come a time when you regret it! Just wait and see!"
Meng Yao cursed inwardly, this pair of mother and son must be seriously ill.
"Mom, what did Han Muchi mean by that?"
"Don’t take it to heart, people like that, they’re not right up here," Meng Yao tapped her forehead, "With me around, he won’t be able to stir up any trouble."
Zhao Xiaohua gritted her teeth, "I’m not afraid of him! How come he didn’t get brain-fevered? If his brains were fried, it’d be much simpler!"
"When we get home, I’m going to check if you’ve been slacking off these days," Meng Yao said.
It’s not scary to be on someone’s mind, as long as you’re talented enough, none of it matters.
What’s scary is being aware you’re targeted and yet having no sense of crisis. If that’s the case, there’s only one word: deserved.
Zhao Xiaohua was quite composed. Though she played around, she didn’t fall behind on any of the tasks her mother assigned to her.
Not that she was particularly diligent, it was just that with Zhao Xiaoshu around, if she slackened off, she’d clearly lag behind. If she did slacken off, the difference would be too obvious.
Even though they’re siblings, why is there such a big difference?
Can’t say what went on during the pregnancies, but it was clearly an uneven distribution!
Upon entering the house, Zhao Dahe came out to greet them, "Mom, all sorted out?"
"On the surface, it’s been resolved," Meng Yao said, "But that Han Muchi, he said chillingly that there’s nothing he wants that he can’t get."
"Did he just refer to my sister as a thing?" Zhao Dahe was furious, "My sister is not a thing!"
"How am I not a thing!" Zhao Xiaohua glared.
"That’s not what I meant, you are a thing, you are," Zhao Dahe quickly said.
This wasn’t wrong, it was just weird.
"You know what I mean!" Zhao Dahe explained again.
Zhao Xiaohua huffed, showing she didn’t want to pay him any attention.
Meng Yao stifled a laugh, "Han Muchi is so arrogant, isn’t it because he’s relying on his talents, thinking he can rise up again through studying. So, Zhao Dahe, the burden on your shoulders is heavy!"
Zhao Dahe snorted with disdain, "That’s simple, I’ll teach him a lesson using what he relies on the most. Let him know that even if he turns things around, it won’t matter, because I’ll stand higher than him. My sister, Zhao Dahe’s sister, is not someone he can desire."
"Second brother, you’re so serious, I’m almost moved to tears!"
"Are you saying I’m not serious? Zhao Xiaohua, you’d better explain when I’ve been unserious?" Zhao Dahe instantly bristled.
Meng Yao: As expected, brotherly love and sisterly respect, they don’t really exist!