CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 156: SHAMELESS THIRD UNCLE IS BACK AGAIN

Originally, the plan was for each child to have their own bedroom.

However, Zhao Zhitong adamantly refused to sleep alone. She declared that a room by oneself was too cold and lonely, and she preferred a lively atmosphere. In reality, she was simply afraid of sleeping by herself.

Zhao Ya also expressed her preference for sleeping with Tongtong.

So, Sun Mei let Zhao Ya and Zhao Zhitong continue to share a room, while Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu shared another.

After they finished dinner, the family sat chatting in the courtyard. Their new house was at the edge of the village, and in the evenings, many fireflies would appear.

Even in autumn, they could still see quite a few of these sparkling little creatures floating about, though not as many as in summer.

Zhao Zhitong had no resistance to these shiny, elf-like creatures. She pulled Zhao Ya, Zhao Cheng, and Zhao Yu into the courtyard to help her catch fireflies.

Zhao Dong and Sun Mei sat in the courtyard, listening to the nightly chorus of insects and gazing at the half-moon in the sky. In the distance, they could hear the children’s innocent laughter.

This long-absent tranquility was something they could now indulge in and enjoy.

Initially, having suddenly lost access to technological entertainment like mobile phones and computers upon their arrival, they struggled to adapt. But over time, they not only adapted well but also found that this era without electronic products actually brought people closer together and increased the warmth of human relationships. Of course, this was all contingent on a peaceful and prosperous era, free from natural disasters or wars.

Just as the children were playing joyfully and Sun Mei and Zhao Dong were savoring this brief moment of tranquility, someone suddenly knocked on their main gate.

Zhao Zhitong, who was on the verge of catching a firefly, froze. She took Zhao Ya’s hand, and they ran to open the gate.

When the two little ones reached the gate, they leaned against the wooden panel and called out, "Who are you?!"

After a short while, a familiar voice came from outside. "It’s me, Tongtong, Zhao Ya! It’s your Third Uncle! Third Uncle is here to see you. Quick, open the gate for Third Uncle!"

Upon hearing that the voice belonged to their Third Uncle, Zhao Chun, the two little ones exchanged a glance. Instead of opening the gate, they turned and scampered back into the courtyard. Running up to Zhao Dong, who was walking over, they mouthed silently, "Daddy, it’s the bad Third Uncle!"

Zhao Dong pursed his lips. He told the children to go further into the courtyard and went to open the gate himself.

After opening the main gate, he saw Zhao Chun and his wife, Xiao Wang, standing outside, the latter tentatively holding a bag of pastries.

Upon seeing Zhao Dong open the gate, Zhao Chun snapped out of his shock and immediately smiled. "Brother," he chuckled, "I heard your house was finished. So, after I finished my work today, I rushed over to congratulate you."

With that, he nudged the still-dazed Xiao Wang.

Xiao Wang was already stunned by the impressive courtyard, and waves of jealousy surged within her. Brother’s family is truly awful! Selfishly hogging the good fortune bestowed upon the Zhao Family by their ancestors, making so much money, building such a fine house, and not thinking about his younger brothers at all!

Although her heart was in turmoil, she still managed a fawning smile as she offered the pastries. "Brother, these are some pastries I bought for the children in the county town. Congratulations on your new house."

A weasel paying a New Year’s call to a chicken – harboring no good intentions! The phrase instantly popped into Zhao Dong’s mind.

He forced a dry laugh. "Thank you, Third Brother. For a busy man like yourself to come and congratulate me, Brother, I am truly flattered."

However, he did not accept the pastries.

The last time Zhao Chun came for the tofu recipe, he also brought pastries. When he didn’t get the recipe, he took the pastries back with him, just as he’d brought them. He’s unbelievably stingy. I don’t believe for a second they’ve brought pastries this time purely to congratulate me. Accepting these pastries will definitely lead to trouble.

Seeing that Zhao Dong had no intention of inviting them into the courtyard, Zhao Chun remained unfazed and simply stood his ground.

Xiao Wang suppressed the urge to curse. Awkwardly lowering the hand holding the pastries, she said with a forced smile, "Brother, look, it’s late and quite cold standing out here. Aren’t you going to invite us in to sit down so we can talk things over slowly?"

Counter soldiers with generals, and floods with earthworks, Zhao Dong thought. He was actually curious to see what tricks this shameless couple had up their sleeves.

So, he slapped his forehead. "Oh, look at me! Seeing my Third Brother—whom I hardly ever see—suddenly appear now that my house is finished, I was so taken aback I didn’t react properly. For a moment, I almost thought you were some relatives who’d come scrounging! Please, please, do come in."

His implication couldn’t have been clearer: they were the type of people who were nowhere to be found when you needed them, but now that he was doing well, they suddenly showed up to mooch.

Xiao Wang’s face flushed with anger. Her husband had warned her before they came: no matter what, she absolutely mustn’t lose her temper until they got what they wanted. Otherwise, she would have thrown a fit already!

In the end, she brazenly swallowed her pride and followed Zhao Chun into the courtyard.

It was one thing from the outside; once they stepped in, both of their eyes widened. From outside, they could only see the tall courtyard walls, which already made the place seem truly imposing. But upon entering the courtyard itself, they were genuinely astounded.

Their eyes burned with an intense gaze as they took in the magnificent courtyard. This courtyard is built incredibly well! No wonder Landlord Qin had one built for himself according to the design plans after he obtained them. Although this courtyard isn’t as large as those belonging to Landlord Qin or Country Gentry Wei, its layout and design make it look incredibly high-class.

With a medley of complex emotions, the pair followed Zhao Dong into the front hall.

Upon entering and seeing the hall’s decorations and furnishings, their hearts were once again thrown into turmoil. Zhao Dong, however, calmly took the main seat.

Zhao Chun and Xiao Wang looked around before also taking their seats.

Zhao Chun could see that Zhao Dong had no intention of reminiscing or discussing sentimentalities. So, he dropped the pretense and stated his purpose directly. "Brother, to be honest, your Third Brother here has run into a spot of trouble, which is why I’ve come to you. Look, however you put it, we’re family, born of the same father, aren’t we? You wouldn’t just stand by and let me suffer, would you?"

"Mhmm, indeed," Zhao Dong nodded. I most certainly would, he thought.

Out loud, however, he said, "Third Brother, your family’s tavern has expanded to the county town, and your son is on the verge of entering the Official School. What kind of trouble could you possibly have? Who would believe it?"

Zhao Chun immediately began to sigh heavily. "It’s like this, Brother. You see your nephew, my son Zhao Ji, he’s thirteen this year. He’s about to come of age and is at the point where we should be discussing his marriage. As it happens, a matchmaker has spoken to us about a match for our Zhao Ji—Landlord Qin’s youngest daughter from the county town."

He glanced at Zhao Dong’s expression before continuing, "That’s Landlord Qin we’re talking about! Think of their family’s standing! They said that once our Zhao Ji comes of age, they’ll visit our home to meet him. If they find him acceptable, this marriage can be settled! Brother, just imagine, if our Zhao Ji doesn’t even have a decent courtyard by then, wouldn’t such an excellent marriage prospect be ruined?!"