一夜情

Before they left, Xie Heng gave some of the bean paste he had made to the Chen and Niu clans.

He even taught them how to make the bean paste.

“Da Lang, are you sure you can teach us this?” Niu Tongsheng was a little flustered. “Isn’t it better if you keep this to yourself? Then, you can use this to make money in the city.”

“It won’t help me much. I only gave you the recipe, but whether you can replicate it depends on you. Chuchu has already taught the Yuan clan how to make this too. So even if you guys try to make a business out of it, it’ll be hard for you to compete with them.” Xie Heng was honest with the village chief.

“All we want to do now is focus on the tofu skin business. We don’t have the time to spend on other stuff.” Niu Tongsheng was not that greedy. All he wanted was for the tofu skin business to flourish so that the village wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore.

“Da Lang, you and Chuchu must take care of yourselves once you reach the city, okay? Even though most of us can’t read, remember to send messages back here from time to time so that we can know that you’re doing well over there,” Old Mrs. Chen said.

She even made a lot of baked snacks and other condiments for Zhao Chuchu to eat during their trip to the city.

Zhao Chuchu accepted the gift, but the other villagers also gave them many other farewell presents. There were so many that they almost filled their entire horse cart with gifts.

“Guys, we have a lot of silver with us. It’ll be troublesome for us to travel while taking so many things with us. So, just take the meats back and have a feast next time we return.”

“But, who will know when you guys are coming back once you leave? Just take them and eat on your way there.”

“Right? It’s going to be sad once you all have left. But we all know that Da Lang is talented and will ace the Imperial Examination. We can’t have him rot in this village forever.”

“Chuchu, will you be coming back during the new year? We’ll prepare an entire pig if you come back.”

Zhao Chuchu looked at the caring villagers. Although quite a lot of them were vicious or scheming, most of them were nice people.

Having been used to the deadly post-apocalyptic world, she treasured the kindness that the villagers had shown her. She couldn’t help but want to help them more so that they could live a better life.

“Thank you for everything. As for the new year, I can’t say for sure. We’ll try our best to come back.” Zhao Chuchu smiled. “Or, you guys can visit us in the city.”

“But the city is so far away. There’s no way we can go there.”

“Yeah. The furthest we’ve ever been to was the town.”

“I heard that it takes around seven to eight days to reach the city. We won’t have the time.”

Xie Heng looked at the time and said, “It’s late. We should depart soon. My roots are in Lengshui Village, so I’ll return here eventually. But, before that, I’ll have to trouble everyone to look after my house. I still need a roof over my head when I return here.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just focus on your studies once you reach the city. I’ll ensure the watermill workshop prospers and have someone send the account book to the city every month. So you don’t have to worry about the village either. I’ll ensure everything is well handled,” Niu Tongsheng promised.

“Thank you, Chief.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Niu Tongsheng patted Xie Heng’s shoulder. Xie Heng and Zhao Chuchu then entered the horse carriage.

As they slowly left the village, Zhao Chuchu pulled open the curtains and peeked her head out. Everyone was standing where they were, watching them leave.

Zhao Chuchu waved her arms as hard as she could and shouted, “Goodbye!” “We’ll be waiting for you to return!” everyone simultaneously replied.

“We will!”

The villagers still stood there by the entrance.

Zhao Chuchu spotted Madam Ma at the back of the crowd.

Madam Ma was supporting Zhao Changrong and silently watching them leave.

Maybe she felt that Zhao Chuchu had spotted her, and she waved her hand.

Zhao Chuchu smiled and pulled her head back into the carriage.

After what had happened on New Year’s Eve, Zhao Changgui and Zhao Changfu had been living in hell.

On the other hand, Zhao Changrong had made a good recovery, while Madam Ma was getting more annoyed with Zhao Changgui and Zhao Changfu.

However, Madam Ma had nowhere to go. That was the only reason she promised to take care of them. That was also the only way to prevent the land of the old Zhao clan from being taken away by other clan members.

Ultimately, Niu Tongsheng would also choose to protect them because they were still young.

However, all of those had nothing to do with Zhao Chuchu.

She had rarely interacted with Madam Ma ever since she saved Zhao

Changrong.

Zhao Chuchu believed that Zhao Changrong was not pure evil and it would be a waste for him to lose his life like that. That was why she decided to save him. “Is it hard to say goodbye?” Xie Heng looked at Zhao Chuchu. “We can still go back and stay there for now. We can leave when the autumn exams begin.” “No. Your studies are more important.” Zhao Chuchu shook her head.

Lengshui Village was too rural, and it was hard for Xie Heng to execute his plan.

Xie Jun was also a ticking bomb. If the Great Prince and the others learned of the young boy’s true identity, they could bring trouble to the village and the villagers.

Leaving the village was also a way to protect them.

“Sis…l don’t want to leave. Can we not see them anymore?” Xie Jun looked back toward the village There were still many things he had yet to do with his friends. Leaving so suddenly was too much for him, as he had no idea when he would be able to return.

“Junjun, life, fateful meetings, death, and goodbyes are the four cycles of life. Just like a party, every relationship will eventually end. Leaving now is so that you can have a better reunion. You’re already a teenager. Your brother was already very knowledgeable at your age. You can’t fall behind him.”

“I know! I’ll do my best to catch up to him. But he’s too good. It’s difficult to be as good as him.”

Xie Jun glanced at his brother.

Xie Heng laughed as he patted the boy’s head. “Everyone has their own talent and purpose. Don’t compare what you lack to what other people possess. You just have to learn from me. Don’t think of the other stuff.”

Ultimately, Xie Jun would not become an official like his brother. Instead, the lesson he was going to learn was about the ways of managing a country.

He was not the weak little boy anymore. His future had infinite possibilities. Xie Heng would only be even stricter with him once they reached the city.

They headed to the Gan clan’s house when they arrived at the county town. They decided to spend the night there before continuing on their journey. The Gan clan was thrilled to see them. Old Mrs. Gan even personally prepared a feast for them.

“It looks like your body has recovered a lot, Grandma Gan. You can still cook!” Zhao Chuchu laughed. “Could it be that you’re also stricter when you punish the younger people?”

Old Mrs. Gan glared at Zhao Chuchu and pretended to be angry. “You brat! Is it hard for you not to crack a joke? I’m going to get angry!’

“Don’t, Grandma Gan!” Zhao Chuchu laughed. “I’ll feel bad if I go to the city knowing that you’re angry. So here, let me give you a gift as my apology!’