Chapter 82: 82: Inexplicable Irritability

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Inexplicable Irritability

Then, standing on the ground with eyes sparkling full of anticipation, she asked, “Brother-in-law, how was it?”

Qin Yize was surprised and raised his eyebrows but hadn’t expected that this kid would actually be a good prospect.

Only sixteen this year, if sent to the Special Preparation Team, they might truly be able to make a name for themselves.

However, as Gu Zishu was the Gu Family’s only son, it was just a fleeting thought for him.

With gentle eyes and brows, he praised, “Not bad, your agility, resilience, and angles are all well mastered. Who did you learn this from?”

Gu Zishu grinned proudly, “Brother-in-law, I learned from the circus troupe that came to town last year.”

...

Self-taught and quite skilled, impressive!

Gu Tianfeng’s eyes widened in annoyance, “Gu Zishu, can’t you stay out of trouble for a bit? Go get your brother-in-law a skewer of candied hawthorns.”

Qin Yize was taken aback and then couldn’t help but laugh.

They were treating him like a child.

But he didn’t dislike the feeling, yet he still waved his hand, “Zishu, don’t bother, I don’t eat sweets.”

“Those are candied hawthorns your mom made herself, with haw apples and winter mushrooms, boiled with rock candy. They taste quite good, give them a try.”

Qin Yize did not decline further.

After all, although he felt he was a strong and upright man, in Gu Tianfeng’s eyes, he was probably just a child.

To refuse would have been unappreciative.

This was Qin Yize’s third visit to the Gu Family.

Gu Tianfeng was a true scholar with a proud backbone, never feeling inferior in standing to the Qin Family.

So, his attitude toward Qin Yize was very normal.

Gu Qiaoqiao’s mother, a typical rural woman, was capable and honest but always felt uneasy and nervous around him.

And then there was Gu Zishu, a real monkey, fearless and greatly admiring of him.

He and Gu Qianqian were twins. It was said that Qianqian was the best in studies and was the most studious of the three children, favored by Gu Tianfeng.

The atmosphere in the Gu Family was very warm.

Though they were poor, theirs was a typical happy household.

At this thought, Qin Yize picked up another teacup engraved with a plum blossom. He noticed there was a line of writing, very small and somewhat blurry.

So, he turned and held the teacup up to the sunlight streaming through the window to take a closer look, but his gaze fell upon the view outside the window.

Gu Qiaoqiao was carrying a basin, and since her back was to him, he couldn’t see her expression, but Qin Yize clearly saw the bright eyes of a handsome youth on the other side of the fence.

And the laughter that seemed about to spill out of those eyes.

He didn’t always keep his gaze on Gu Qiaoqiao, but whenever he did look at her, his eyes would light up even more.

He had seen that youth before. He hadn’t expected that in less than a year, he would shoot up like bamboo after rain, now taller than Gu Qiaoqiao.

He was the neighbor of the Gu Family.

Named Chang Qing.

Qin Yize put down the cup quietly, his gaze still on the boy and girl standing on either side of the fence.

The winter scenery was bleak and solemn.

Yet today, it seemed to be exceptionally vivid.

Qin Yize’s brows finally twitched, and the hand holding the teacup slowly loosened.

And Gu Tianfeng also saw the two children talking over the fence in the courtyard outside the window.

He sighed, “Chang Qing lives a hard life. His mother died early, and his stepmother is brutal. From childhood, it’s either beatings or scolding.”

“Doesn’t anyone care for him? What about his father?” Qin Yize continued to gaze at the two, but he voiced the question in his heart.

“His father is weak and doesn’t dare to say a word. If others intervene, that woman throws a tantrum, screaming and threatening to take her life. In the end, Chang Qing is the one who suffers. And as you know, parents beating their children is a common occurrence. What I can do is ensure he doesn’t starve and that he has books to read. Ah Ze, did you know that kid is incredibly smart, with an extraordinary memory, a genius…”

Speaking to this point, Gu Tianfeng sighed again, “I’ve watched him grow up since he was little, yet all I can do is this much; I feel ashamed…”

Qin Yize finally withdrew his gaze, yet his curiosity about what they were discussing lingered.

Moreover, it seemed they were talking quite cheerfully.

Suppressing a trace of inexplicable irritation in his heart, Qin Yize turned to Gu Tianfeng and said, “You’ve already led him onto a bright path. You’ve done well, and there’s truly no need for guilt.”

Qin Yize could be very incisive when he spoke, yet his words were always apt.

Hearing this, Gu Tianfeng first paused, and then as though awakening from a dream, felt enlightened.

He looked at Qin Yize, “Ah Ze, do you mean I shouldn’t feel guilty?”

“Why should you feel guilty?” Qin Yize asked back.

“But I hear the sounds of beating and scolding from that courtyard every day; I can’t do anything, and it pains me…”

Seeing that Gu Tianfeng was genuinely troubled, Qin Yize spoke calmly, “For Chang Qing, reading books is the most important thing in his life, only through which can he change his fate. You’ve made that possible for him. To read books, he needs to be well-fed and healthy, and you’ve made that happen too. As for the rest, consider it a toughening of his spirit. So, you should be proud of yourself!”

Qin Yize’s voice was not loud, but to Gu Tianfeng’s ears, every word sparkled with wisdom!

His usually stern features softened and, with a broad laugh towards Qin Yize, he said, “Good kid, I like what you say. Let’s have a few drinks later…”

Qin Yize smiled faintly, yet his gaze involuntarily drifted back outside the window.

Those two were still talking…

At that moment, Gu Qiaoqiao suddenly remembered something and asked, “You must be in junior three, right?”

Chang Qing started school late; he was twelve when he entered the first grade. However, he was clever and skipped grades several times, though he also dropped out a few times. All in all, his education journey was quite arduous.

“I’m planning to skip to senior three when school starts and then take the college entrance exam.”

Gu Qiaoqiao was stunned and blurted out, “So fast, can you handle it?”

Then she felt foolish; the child was a genius, after all.

“I’ve made arrangements with the principal of County No.1 Middle School. I’ve promised to be the top scorer in the city, and the principal will help with my student record and documentation. Moreover, being able to study up to now is already my limit; I can’t bother Uncle Gu much longer because I’ve grown up…”

Chang Qing’s voice was soft, with a smile on his face.

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t say anything; Chang Qing was clever, and his future was bound to be brilliant.

“Then, Sister Qiaoqiao, I wish you success on the gold list in advance!” Gu Qiaoqiao said sincerely, with a smile on her face.

“Sister Qiaoqiao, I will.” Chang Qing nodded firmly.

The encouragement from Sister Qiaoqiao was incredibly important to him!

“Come over for dinner tonight; there’s lots of delicious food.” Gu Qiaoqiao invited warmly.

“No, I still need to gather firewood later.” Chang Qing smiled as he declined. Then, from the pocket of his worn cotton jacket, he took out a clean paper package and handed it to Gu Qiaoqiao, “Sister Qiaoqiao, this is the kind you love the most, the black sticky ones. I dried them out, and they taste quite good.”

Without waiting for a reply, he placed the paper package into the bowl held by Gu Qiaoqiao and hurriedly ran off.