CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: YOU WERE RIGHT TO CALL ME MOTHER

After a while, Zhao Dahe came to his senses and asked with difficulty, "Mother, did you agree?"

Meng Yao sighed, "I originally thought about agreeing, but now, if I do agree, wouldn’t it confirm that I was involved with the County Magistrate? If I really was involved, it wouldn’t be unjust, but I didn’t do it!"

Meng Yao expressed that she didn’t want to take the blame.

Zhao Dahe’s attention was completely on the first sentence, ’I originally thought about agreeing.’

So, has mother let go of father in her heart?

Clearly, she always kept father in her heart.

Zhao Dahe’s expression became rather complex.

During these days of interaction, Meng Yao felt she had basically grasped Zhao Dahe’s character, so how could she not know what he was thinking at this moment?

This child is smart, a bit selfish, and finely self-serving. But when it comes to important matters, he is clear-minded and aligns himself with the Gu family on many matters. He has a bit of youthful passion and occasionally acts idealistic. Upon knowing that Zhao Ting might be alive, he started acting like a good son, wanting to help take care of her for Zhao Ting.

In simple terms, he very much hopes his parents will reunite.

This guy is surely questioning in his heart why she would agree with the County Magistrate!

"Chang’an, Qin Zheng, I want to have a word with Dahe. You two take your bowls and eat in the room." Meng Yao said.

"Alright," the two of them said in unison.

After they left, Meng Yao closed the door, ready to speak sincerely with Zhao Dahe.

However, this rascal’s expression turned even more resentful, looking defeated, "Mother, cousin and Qin Zheng only left me one piece of pig’s trotter."

Meng Yao couldn’t help but laugh.

"If you want to eat, we’ll make some more tomorrow. Now, let’s talk about why I initially agreed to the County Magistrate’s proposal."

Zhao Dahe put aside his sadness, sat upright, and assumed a listening posture.

"Ren Zi’an needs a mother. He relies on me, which is the County Magistrate’s starting point. Simply put, it’s not that he fancies me, but Ren Zi’an does. The County Magistrate is a loving father, willing to sacrifice himself for his son."

Zhao Dahe thought that if he were in the County Magistrate’s position, he might make the same choice.

"As for my considerations, if I agreed, it would be beneficial for you and your sister. Besides, the County Magistrate also mentioned that Huaiyuan County is not his final destination. If you pursue an official career, having someone to guide you would save you from taking many detours."

What mother deliberated most in this decision was him.

The County Magistrate made a sacrifice for his son.

And didn’t his mother also force herself for him?

Honestly speaking, in terms of looks, the County Magistrate is not a match for his mother.

"Besides, it’s not about truly becoming a couple," Meng Yao continued.

Zhao Dahe blinked, "What do you mean?"

"I would take care of Ren Zi’an, and he would assume the role of a stepfather. But between us, each will live their own life," Meng Yao said.

"So, it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement? Mother seeks him as a backing, and he looks to mother to care for Zi’an?" Zhao Dahe exclaimed.

"You could say that."

"The County Magistrate really knows how to play, doesn’t he?"

"Why? Do you want us to become a real couple?" Meng Yao asked, her words laced with meaning.

Zhao Dahe forced a smile, ingratiatingly said, "How could I think that, mother? I know you’ve never forgotten father, so how could you fancy someone else? That would be unfair to you, wouldn’t it? Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to the County Magistrate either. We are honest people; we can’t do deceptive things."

"However, now with this whole mess involving Chen He, clearly the agreement can’t go through. If it really did, it would be inexplicable," Meng Yao said.

"What should we do then?" Zhao Dahe asked.

"You don’t need to worry about that; I’ll have a word with the County Magistrate," Meng Yao said light-heartedly, "that Chen He will not be able to stir up anything significant."

Hearing Meng Yao say this, Zhao Dahe felt immediately reassured. If his mother said there’s no problem, then there surely wouldn’t be any issue.

"Let’s eat," Meng Yao said.

Zhao Dahe immediately grabbed his bowl and headed to Li Chang’an’s room.

As a result, Li Chang’an and Qin Zheng each biting the last piece of pig’s trotter calmly, looked at Zhao Dahe as his face gradually twisted.

Meng Yao had stewed a half-pot of pig trotters, and Zhao Dahe only got a small piece—what a loss!

After Meng Yao finished eating, she greeted the three and left the inn.

Just as she stepped out, Chen He followed.

His tracking skills weren’t great, so Meng Yao pretended not to notice and still took the path to the back door of the County Government.

This time, Chen He wasn’t alone; he dragged along another student from the inn, which probably hinted at the kind of company he kept.

Ren Zi’an was very happy to see Meng Yao again; he was having a meal with the County Magistrate.

"I’m here to give you my answer," Meng Yao began straightforwardly.

"An Ge’er, why don’t you and Apu go for a walk and digest your food," Ren Zhong said.

"Actually, there’s no need to hide this from An Ge’er," Meng Yao said. "An Ge’er is a sensible child."

Ren Zhong was a bit unsure of what Meng Yao was about to say.

"An Ge’er, I’m actually not your mother," Meng Yao said softly.

"Madam Zhao!" Ren Zhong’s tone was somewhat urgent.

"Sir, I know you kept this from him out of love for An Ge’er and thought up this method. To be honest, I was quite tempted by your proposal. But now that there’s been a complication, I can only refuse," Meng Yao said calmly.

Ren Zi’an’s tears welled up in his eyes, and Ren Zhong’s heart ached as he held him in his arms.

"No matter what happened, Madam Zhao, you have overstepped," Ren Zhong said impassively.

Agreement would lead to joy for everyone.

Disagreement, yet such words couldn’t be said in front of Zi’an.

Meng Yao bowed slightly, showing an expression of apology, "An Ge’er..."

"Father, I actually know, I know mother, mother is no longer here..." Ren Zi’an sobbed as he spoke.

Meng Yao sighed in her heart, perhaps only the County Magistrate himself believed his son knew nothing.

Ren Zi’an looked at her with eyes like he was longing for someone else through her.

He especially liked seeing her scold Zhao Xiaohua and how gentle and patient she was with Zhao Xiaoshu.

Probably, he was wondering in his heart if his mother would have loved and scolded him like that if she were still alive.

Ren Zhong was quite shocked, given that he had warned everyone in his household.

"An Ge’er..." Ren Zhong was somewhat at a loss.

"That day, when I was trapped, I felt discomfort, but also happiness and fear. If I died, I could see my mother again. But I feared, if I died, leaving father alone, he’d be lonely," Ren Zi’an said, sniffling.

"Later, I saw Madam Zhao..." Ren Zi’an’s voice grew softer, "I didn’t know what I was thinking at that time, I just felt that if my mother were alive, she would be like Madam Zhao. So, I called her mother."

Ren Zhong felt deep sadness; he always thought he did well in protecting the child.

Yet, the child knew everything, withstanding his longing for his birth mother alone so as not to worry him.

As a father, he had been truly inadequate.

"An Ge’er, actually, calling me mother was the right thing to do." Meng Yao’s voice grew increasingly tender.