Lin Yi drove the carriage fast, and only now had Liu Siliang caught up, arriving at Lin Yuan’s house in his ox cart.
This time was different from the last visit, among the newcomers were her two older male cousins, Liu Zhiguang and Liu Zhiyang. One was fifteen, the other thirteen, both already half-grown lads. The elder cousin, Liu Zhiguang, was more lively and active, at a glance one could tell he was the restless sort. The younger cousin, Liu Zhiyang, on the other hand, was much quieter, and a stronger scent of books lingered about him.
Zhao Suxin even said the little guy lying in the house would be the first "First Scholar" from the Liu family, but Lin Yuan thought that perhaps her cousin Liu Zhiyang might be the first!
"Hey there, little girl, did you know your cousin was coming and came out specially to meet us?" Liu Zhiguang called out to Lin Yuan, waving his hand from afar.
After exchanging greetings, he realized that there was a distinguished young master standing beside the little girl, exuding an extraordinary aura.
With a turn of his eyes, Liu Zhiguang guessed the identity of the young man. He slapped Xia Zheng on the shoulder in a friendly manner, looked him up and down, and chuckled, "So you’re Xia Zheng? Not bad, not bad, my cheeky sister has quite the eye. It’s just that you don’t seem too sturdy. Come on, spar a bit with me and let me see what you’re made of."
Liu Zhiguang didn’t care much for studying but was particularly fascinated with martial arts. Unfortunately, the elders of the family disagreed with him going to the Martial Arts School to learn martial arts. With no choice, he could only practice stealthily at home and wanted to spar with everyone he met.
Xia Zheng looked at Lin Yuan with questioning eyes. This boisterous cousin who knows barely anything about kung fu, he’s really your cousin?
Lin Yuan’s eyes curved, of course, he is. Although he’s two years younger than you, you still have to call him cousin.
Xia Zheng felt dejected. He was seventeen, and yet here he was, having to call a fifteen-year-old blockhead cousin. How would he, the Second Young Master Xia, save face if word got out?
While feeling gloomy, Liu Zhiyang walked over, his steps relaxed. Despite being only thirteen, he gave off the impression of a thirty-three-year-old in terms of maturity and composure.
"Big brother, cut it out already, or dad will hear and spank you again," he said.
Liu Zhiguang shrank his neck, his sleeve-rolling gesture halting mid-action. He sneakily glanced back, locking eyes with Liu Siliang. Petrified, even his hair stood on end, he hurriedly straightened his sleeves, and no longer mentioned sparring with Xia Zheng.
Liu Zhiyang curved his lips in a smile, greeting Lin Yuan, and looked at Xia Zheng. After a brief appraisal, he nodded, "Hello, I’m Lin Yuan’s second cousin, Liu Zhiyang."
Xia Zheng forced a smile, barely managing to squeeze out three words: "Second, second cousin."
Liu Zhiyang nodded with satisfaction and pulled out a warm piece of sweet cake from his chest, handing it to Xia Zheng: "Good boy."
Xia Zheng took the sweet cake in a daze, feeling like he wanted to cry but had no tears.
Watching the two cousins walk away, Lin Yuan finally couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter. Who would have thought, even Xia Zheng has his moments of defeat.
Liu Siliang stopped the ox cart at the entrance, Liu Siqi hurriedly helped unload the cart, then rushed to Lin Yuan: "Yuanyuan, where’s your second aunt? How is she, did she have an attack?"
Lin Yuan shook her head, pointing towards the room where Jeng Ruyue was resting: "Second aunt is alright, just a bit tired and resting in the room."
Upon hearing this, Liu Siqi stepped into the room with his steps lightening in an instant, careful not to wake the sleeping person inside.
Lin Yuan mused, the affection between her second uncle and second aunt was indeed very strong. It hadn’t been long since they last saw each other, yet her second uncle was already so worried. No wonder her second aunt always felt she owed him, wanting to take a concubine to bear him sons and daughters.
Xia Zheng also noticed Liu Siqi’s intentions and seeing the envy in Lin Yuan’s eyes, he gently took her small hand. Under the wide sleeve, Xia Zheng’s hand interlocked with hers: "In the future, we’ll be even more affectionate than them."
Lin Yuan was startled, looking deep into Xia Zheng’s eyes, she felt they were tumultuous, brimming with infatuation and love for her.
"Who wants to be affectionate with you!" Lin Yuan’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t have the heart to shake off his hand, looking down at the piece of sweet cake in Xia Zheng’s other hand, she chuckled behind her hand, "Have the sweet cake quickly. The second cousin always brings sweet cake for Yaya when he visits; even Lin Wei and I don’t get any."
Upon hearing that, Xia Zheng’s face darkened even more. So, this second cousin treated him like a kid, like Xiao Linshuang.