Chapter 168: Chapter 168: The Threatened Young Master (1)_1 Chapter 168: Chapter 168: The Threatened Young Master (1)_1 Because of someone’s sudden visit, the Lin family was all abuzz the whole day.
After all, they were well aware of Xia Zheng’s status.
The idea that the Young Master of Fuman Building would actually linger in their home was both surprising and daunting.
Lin Yuan vividly remembered how cautious her parents had been at breakfast, and of course, she also noticed how voraciously the guy was wolfing down the rice in his bowl.
Despite being a dainty and pampered young master, why did he eat like a rough fellow from the village?
But to be fair to Xia Zheng, he had been so preoccupied with the matter of the Shi Liu these past few days that he hadn’t thought about eating or sleeping.
Lin Yuan’s offhand jest had inadvertently caused him quite some suffering.
Lil’ Lin Shuang, on the other hand, was absolutely delighted.
After the meal, she kept pestering Xia Zheng to play with her, and when she grew tired of that, she brought out a thin notebook that Old Fan had casually given to Lin Jiaxin to use for acupuncture and asked Xia Zheng to help her learn to read.
Since Lin Yuan could only recognize a few ancient Chinese characters, and didn’t really understand their meanings, the young girl had no choice but to seek help from someone else.
As soon as Xia Zheng saw the notebook in Xiao Linshuang’s hand, he was first taken aback, then laughed, “That old rascal!
Always claiming he wouldn’t take on disciples, yet sneakily he has taken an exclusive disciple.
Well, kid, whatever you do, don’t go to the Capital city when you’re older.
If those people find out who you are, they’ll be challenging you at your doorstep every day!”
After speaking, he even pinched Xiao Linshuang’s chubby cheek, and with a brother-in-law tone he didn’t even notice himself using, he said, “I’ll tell you, kid, you’ve really struck it lucky.
You have no idea how many people in the Capital city would crack their heads open just to have this thing, even if it were only a single page, it would be worth a fortune.
You’d better study hard and not waste the old man’s good intentions.”
Xiao Linshuang nodded, not quite understanding his words about being a ‘Closed-door Disciple’, but she did grasp the concept of studying well.
Her resolution to learn medicine was initially because her parents were in poor health, and Lin Yuan had been worried about finding her a capable master.
Little did she know that the glutton Old Fan was an outstanding doctor who had taken a fancy to Xiao Linshuang at first sight.
Her elder sister’s interest was piqued by his words, and her eyes gleamed with excitement as she stared at the small notebook in her sister’s hand, seeing stars.
Watching her all-too-familiar expression, Xia Zheng inwardly sighed at their kindred spirits; this mischievous girl had come to the same conclusion as him.
Pointing at her forehead from a distance, he leisurely said, “Don’t get your hopes up.
I sold that notebook ten years ago; basically everyone in the Capital city has a copy by now.
You, my dear, have missed the chance to make a profit.”
Facing the loss of a business opportunity, Lin Yuan pouted and lowered her head to continue peeling potatoes; how did this guy know she was thinking of selling Old Fan’s notebook for money?
Could he read her like an open book?
For lunch, they had potato-steamed rice.
After frying the potatoes, they were mixed with the rice and then steamed together, so there was no need for separate dishes, making it both convenient and delicious.
During the meal, Lan Hua came by with a basket of eggs, and also brought some homemade pickled vegetables.
As soon as she entered and saw Xia Zheng sitting at the table, nonchalantly eating, she nearly dropped the basket of eggs from fright.
After pulling Lin Yuan aside into the kitchen, Lan Hua finally let out a secretive sigh of relief and touched her chest, saying, “Oh my, that scared me to death.
Isn’t that the Young Master of Fuman Building?
How come he’s here eating at your house?
And he doesn’t seem to dislike children at all; he’s even serving food to Shuanger!”
He was nothing like the fan-wielding young noblemen she had seen in town.
Forget those noblemen; even ordinary men usually didn’t like children.
Take Chen Zhu, for example.
He particularly disliked Xiao Linshuang.
Whenever Lin Yuan took Xiao Linshuang to visit him, he would always look like he had swallowed a fly.