Chapter 142: Chapter 60: Li Family (Part 2)
Lady Li, holding Li Han’s hand, introduced him to Yueyao and Tingzheng. Li Han gave Tingzheng a big smile.
Yueyao, however, smiled and patted Tingzheng, “Tingzheng, call him brother.”
Tingzheng could only muster up his courage to say, “Hello, brother,” but even with all his bravery, his voice was as tiny as a mosquito’s.
Li Han raised his voice and said, “A real man shouldn’t talk like a girl. Look, you should talk like me.” By the end of his statement, he had intentionally raised his voice by a few decibels.
Seeing such a lovely child, Yueyao couldn’t help but laugh. This child’s loud voice indicated a lively and cheerful disposition, and his clear, transparent eyes revealed his pure nature. Of course, Yueyao mainly trusted the upbringing of the Li family.
Tingzheng, however, had a pained expression. This person had first called him pretty, and now he was saying he sounded like a girl, making Tingzheng instinctively reject Li Han.
Li Han, unaware that he was being disliked, smiled and said, “Don’t call me Brother Li Han in the future, just call me little brother.”
Tingzheng looked at Yueyao, who nodded with a smile, and Tingzheng, with a pained face, said, “Brother Li Han.” Clearly, Tingzheng was not willing to compromise.
Li Han glared at Tingzheng.
Yueyao was both laughing and crying at the situation.
Lady Li hugged Tingzheng and laughed heartily, “You funny child…” Indeed, he was amusing.
Li Han continued to scold Tingzheng, but his expression seemed to say you’re really not cute. Yueyao couldn’t help but chuckle, and she was also pleased. Tingzheng was too reserved, and Li Han was the exact opposite; hopefully, spending more time with Li Han would influence him.
After chatting for a while, Li Han whispered to Lady Li, “Mother, I need to return to school, or else father will punish me again.” He had begged his teacher to let him come here.
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Lady Li, accustomed to her younger son’s irrepressible nature, said, “Alright, off you go then!” Though her son was a bit unrestrained, he was on the right track overall.
Li Han didn’t immediately turn away but instead looked at Tingzheng and said, “Mother, since my brother has come to study and learn characters with me, should I bring him with me now?”
Lady Li smiled at Yueyao.
Yueyao, however, shook her head, “Not just yet. I need to talk with your teacher first before letting Tingzheng study with you.” Yueyao needed to inform the teacher about Tingzheng’s particular circumstances so that the teacher would be mindful when instructing Brother Zheng.
Li Han pouted, visibly upset now.
Lady Li was somewhat surprised by Yueyao’s caution; her actions seemed quite unlike the rumors, “Yueyao, if you are worried, you could have the teacher come now, and you can discuss the necessary details yourself.” Lady Li knew of her husband’s friendship with Dongbo. After Dongbo’s death, her husband had been very distressed. Taking care of Dongbo’s child would alleviate some of his grief.
Lady Li looked at the two children and recalled her husband’s cold expression when he had told her about it. Ah, these two delightful children, she thought, they need to try some new things.
Li Guoxing received a letter from Dongbo, asking him to look after Yueyao. Besides the letter, Dongbo had also sent a small box, explaining that it contained money for his daughter’s future dowry. Initially, Li Guoxing thought Ziming was being overly worried; the Lian family wouldn’t lack a dowry for their niece. Once he learned Yueyao sought out Ma Chengteng to find a teacher, he understood what his dear friend’s request meant.
Yueyao didn’t shy away but spoke directly, “Please forgive me, Auntie. It’s not that I don’t trust the teacher, but Tingzheng’s situation is special, and I must explain things clearly to the teacher.” When dealing with sincere people, there’s no need to beat around the bush.
Yueyao’s earnest demeanor made Lady Li nod in approval, “You care so much for your little brother, and I couldn’t be happier. Why would I blame you?” An eight-year-old child having to take such good care of her brother—if their parents were here, there’d be no need for her to toil so. An orphan always matures prematurely.
Yueyao smiled and said, “It’s what I should do. As an elder sister I’m like a mother; these are indeed my responsibilities. I didn’t do well in my last life, so this life I must do even better.”
Lady Li asked Li Han to take Tingzheng outside, “This child has been spoiled by me, but rest assured, Yueyao, my younger son is good in all other aspects despite his impetuous nature.” Lady Li was concerned that Yueyao might think that Li Han’s behavior could negatively influence Tingzheng, reluctantly accepting it in her heart.