Chapter 263: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 263: The First Heartbeat - Zhen'er’s Request (Part 7)
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Han Zhiyun straightforwardly slapped Mo Qingze's shoulder, expressing his envy with a mix of jealousy, "It’s one thing to be good at studying, but having such intelligent and capable children—it's just unfair!"
Mo Qingze, finding it both funny and exasperating, quickly downplayed the praise. However, the broad smile on his face betrayed his modesty.
Han Zhiyun wore an expression of feigned frustration but was genuinely envious of his friend’s three wonderful children.
A small jar of pear wine, holding no more than two catties, quickly ran out as it was shared among three adults and three half-grown children.
Han Zhiyun, still unsatisfied, grinned at Mo Yan, "My good niece, do you have more of this wine at home? If you do, could you save some for your uncle next time?"
Mo Yan, stifling a laugh, replied, "I brought a few jars for my father this time. If Uncle Han likes it, take two jars with you. I’ll bring more next time."
Han Zhiyun nodded eagerly, afraid that a moment’s hesitation would make her withdraw the offer.
"Yan girl, this pear wine is so delicious. Have you ever thought about turning it into a business?"
After lunch, Han Zhiyun, contentedly clutching the two jars of pear wine Mo Yan had given him, suddenly proposed the idea. He believed that if the Mo family started a business with this unique fruit wine, it would surely succeed.
Mo Yan smiled and shook her head, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Han, but I have no plans for that at the moment."
Running a business required too much mental effort, and the deceitfulness of the business world was also bothersome. She preferred the leisurely life of acquiring more land and mountains in the countryside, enjoying the peace and being a large landowner, which was far better than dealing with the complexities of business.
After seeing the two men off to the academy, Mo Yan, as usual, put the chicken stew on a low simmer. Locking the door, she then took her younger siblings in the carriage to visit Liu Tinglan at the Liu family.
"Big sister, you promised to bring Yun Zhao and his sister to our home. Can we pick them up now?" Zhen'er suddenly brought up the matter as soon as they got into the carriage.
"When did I promise that?" Mo Yan asked, puzzled. She thought he just wanted to play with Yun Zhao, so she said, "Yun Zhao is busy at Huixian Residence every day and can’t just go out to play. If you want to see him, you can visit when he’s free."
"But big sister, you did promise Zhen'er to bring them to our home," Zhen'er said, looking disappointed. "Big sister, you can’t break your promise."
Bring them to stay at their home? Mo Yan was confused, having no recollection of this promise. However, Zhen'er wouldn’t lie, so she asked Xin'er, "Did I promise this?"
Xin'er nodded, "Big sister, it was when we were coming back from Huixian Residence last time. Zhen'er mentioned it, and you nodded and agreed."
"Really?" Mo Yan thought hard but couldn’t remember. But since both siblings confirmed it, she must have agreed then.
"Since I promised, let’s go to Huixian Residence and see if we can bring them home for a few days."
Zhen'er glanced at his sister and quietly said, "Big sister, not for a few days. It’s to bring them home to stay with us, like Grandpa Li’s family."
Mo Yan’s smile faded, "Is this your idea or did Yun Zhao tell you this?"
Hearing the displeasure in her voice, Zhen'er didn’t dare to look up, "It’s... it’s my idea..."
Seeing his hesitation, Mo Yan frowned, "Why do you think this way? You’ve only played with Yun Zhao a few times, and you want them to live with us?"
Zhen'er mustered the courage to look up, his eyes unusually serious, "Big sister, Yun Zhao and his sister are very pitiful. They don’t have a mother, and their father doesn’t care for them. They don’t even have a home. Yun Zhao likes to study; he’s better at it than I am, but he doesn’t have money for school or to buy more books. I don’t have a mother either, but I have Dad, you, a home, and Grandpa Li’s family... Yun Zhao is my age, but I have lots of good food, clothes, and books, while he only has his sister... Big sister, can you help them?"
Mo Yan looked at Zhen'er, her expression hard to read, and didn’t speak for a long time.
What could she say? Be angry? Angry that he didn’t explain earlier? Scold him? Scold him for making decisions on his own? Regret? Regret saving Yun Zhao, making him take advantage of her brother’s compassion?
More than anything, she felt heartache. Zhen'er’s promise to bring Yun Zhao and his sister home wasn’t just out of sympathy, but shared suffering.
Zhen'er lost his mother in infancy. She thought that with their family’s love, he wouldn’t yearn for more, but what child doesn’t long to nestle in a mother’s arms, to be pampered?
Zhen'er, feeling anxious and regretful for acting on impulse and upsetting his sister, felt incredibly sad.
Just as he thought his sister wouldn’t talk to him or agree, he was suddenly pulled into her warm embrace.
"One must keep their promises. Since you promised him, big sister can’t let you break your word! But this is a one-time exception!"
Hearing this, Zhen'er buried his face in Mo Yan’s chest and burst into tears...
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(End of Chapter)
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