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Hong Yi stumbled over to Su Yu, reaching out to hug Su Yu’s legs: “Uncle, hug.”
Su Yu lifted Hong Yi and sat him on his lap, then picked up Xiao Bao: “Where is your Brother Zhilin?”
“Brother is practicing martial arts.”
Xiao Bao kept nodding: “Daddy, Brother Zhilin is really amazing.”
“Let’s go, let’s go outside and have a look.” Su Yu carried the two children outside to see Zhang Zhilin, who was meticulously training with a wooden sword.
Sweat kept dripping down his face.
After Xiao Zhi’s sword training was complete, Su Yu gestured for him to come over: “Xiao Zhi, come here.”
Zhang Zhilin walked over to Su Yu and looked up at him: “Godfather.”
“Recently, you’ve been focusing a lot on sword training, neglecting your studies. Why is that?” Su Yu frowned and asked, looking at Zhang Zhilin.
He could somewhat guess what Zhang Zhilin thought, but he wanted to hear it from Zhang Zhilin himself.
Zhang Zhilin remained silent for a long time before speaking: “Godfather, is it because I started studying again that they want to call me back? If I stop studying, will they stop having such thoughts?”
“Xiao Zhi, I don’t want you to be influenced by these people. With godfather around, you will stay by godfather’s side and not go elsewhere.”
“Why, with such talent, do you not study? Godfather likes doing business, but he also learned the necessary knowledge before engaging in business. Learning prevents being deceived. If you become a general, even if you command the entire army of Xuan Empire, people will still say you’re just a brute if you can’t read.” Su Yu stared at Zhang Zhilin, speaking sternly.
Zhang Zhilin tightly pursed his lips, looking at Su Yu but not uttering a word.
In truth, he enjoyed studying, but his family’s demands made him resentful of it once again.
Now, godfather’s words left him unsure of what to do.
Su Yu gently rubbed Xiao Zhi’s head and whispered, ” Xiao Zhi, don’t give up what you love for others. It’s not worth it at all.”
“Godfather, I don’t like them,” Zhang Zhilin said, expressing his disgust with the Gu family for the first time.
Su Yu nodded, “Godfather knows. In the future, we’ll stay here. We’ll only go back for the New Year, because we’ll send Hong Yi and Chang Le back for the New Year.”
“Godfather, can I not go?”
He didn’t want to see the people from the Gu family anymore.
“Unfortunately, no. During the New Year, we all return to the capital. What if something happens when you’re alone? The Gu family isn’t as frightening as you think. You’re my adopted son, and I’m a prince; your status is higher than that of the Gu family. We shouldn’t care too much about those people,” Su Yu comforted, looking at Little Zhi.
Although Xiao Zhi was a bit unhappy, he reluctantly nodded, “Godfather, I understand.”
“Xiao Zhi, your current concerns are only because you’re not strong enough yet. When you become truly powerful, you’ll realize these people are just ordinary in your life, and your direction isn’t here. Hong Yi will be the future crown prince, and with your talent, godfather hopes you can assist Hong Yi when you grow up. He’s still young and needs your help.” Su Yu, seeing that Zhang Zhilin was preoccupied with these thoughts, decided to provide him with a direction and a goal.
Zhang Zhilin remained silent and didn’t speak for a while, then scratched his head and looked at Hong Yi.
Hong Yi tilted his head, looked at Zhang Zhilin, and suddenly smiled.
Watching Hong Yi’s adorable expression, Zhang Zhilin nodded earnestly, “Godfather, rest assured, in the future, I will definitely protect Hong Yi.”
“And Xiao Bao too.” He was their older brother and wouldn’t let any harm come to his younger brothers.
He had to practice martial arts, study, become stronger—all to better protect the people he cared about.
Seeing Zhang Zhilin finding his direction, Su Yu smiled and nodded, “Good, godfather will support you.”
“Thank you, godfather.”
“After practicing for so long today, take a break. Martial arts cannot be rushed; you have to take it step by step, or you might end up hurting yourself, and it won’t be worth it, right?” Su Yu said to Zhang Zhilin.
“I understand.”
Su Yu put down Hong Yi and Xiao Bao, letting the three of them play.
Seeing Zhang Zhilin finally able to relax and play with Hong Yi and Xiao Bao, Su Yu felt relieved.
Since coming back, he had noticed that Zhang Zhilin’s mind was too heavy. He initially thought he was overthinking, but now it seemed that the boy indeed had other thoughts.
When Wang Jinhe returned in the evening, he noticed that Zhang Zhilin seemed to have undergone some changes.
“What did you say to Xiao Zhi today?” Wang Jinhe sat in front of the dressing table, chin in hand, curious.
Su Yu pointed at his lips, saying, “Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you.”
Giving Su Yu a cool glance, Wang Jinhe casually said, “Then forget it.”
Su Yu stared at Wang Jinhe in bewilderment, apparently not expecting her to say such a thing.
Walking up to Wang Jinhe, Su Yu reached out and pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Xiao He, are you rejecting me?”
“No.”
“You’ve been busy lately. Shouldn’t you compensate me?” Su Yu leaned in front of Wang Jinhe, asking seriously.
Wang Jinhe pushed him away with her hand and mumbled, “I’m exhausted. Shouldn’t you be compensating me instead?”
Su Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at Wang Jinhe. He then lifted her up and said, “Alright, I’ll compensate you.”
Wang Jinhe looked somewhat puzzled at Su Yu. What was this guy up to?
When Wang Jinhe found herself tossed around in bed in a state of disarray, she finally understood what Su Yu had in mind.
“Let go of me. I don’t want your compensation.”
“That’s not happening.”
…
The next morning, when Wang Jinhe woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Su Yu was by her side, looking at account books and hadn’t left.
Wang Jinhe opened her eyes and felt annoyed at the sight of Su Yu beside her.
“Awake? Hungry or not? I’ll have someone bring you some food,” Su Yu asked, looking at Wang Jinhe.
Wang Jinhe gave Su Yu a cool glance. “As long as you don’t act recklessly, I won’t feel so uncomfortable.”
“And if I get ridiculed today, you better be prepared to sleep in the study.” It was already so late when she woke up.
Su Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at Wang Jinhe with a hint of amusement. “That won’t happen.”
As a servant, he had a keen sense of such matters.
“Hmph.” Wang Jinhe snorted coldly and didn’t say much.
Su Yu hugged Wang Jinhe, making her lean against him. “Yesterday, Xiao Zhi practiced martial arts for a long time, and I had a talk with him.”
“Xiao Zhi, what’s going on?” He’s been acting a bit strange since we came back.
“Before leaving, Grandpa Gu’s actions made Xiao Zhi start to dislike studying. He thinks that as long as he doesn’t study, the Gu family won’t come looking for him,” Su Yu said helplessly.
Wang Jinhe looked at Su Yu in surprise, “Is that what he thinks?”