Chapter 815: Chapter 815: The Scumbag Husband Tries to Please
Song Zhiqingās nose itched, and he sneezed twice. He felt his sleeve but didnāt have a handkerchief, so he directly used his fingers to pick his nose.
Ru Yi came out of the inner room and saw this scene. She paused in her steps, feeling a bit surprised and embarrassed, with a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.
Since when did the genteel gentleman become like a crude hillbilly, using his hand to wipe his nose and pick his nostrils?
A scene suddenly appeared in her mind, one she had witnessed on the manor: those farmers sitting on the field ridge, taking off their shoes to pick their feet, and even smelling their hands afterward. She imagined replacing that manās face with Song Zhiqingās.
Ru Yi felt a bit nauseous and made a gagging motion.
"Go get a clean handkerchief for the Old Master," she instructed Ru Yi, who stood by the door.
Song Zhiqing: "..."
His hand slightly stiffened, and he nonchalantly said, "Although itās the end of May, itās still a bit chilly at night. Xinmei, you should take care to add clothing and not catch a cold."
People are so strange. If it were before, Ru Yi might have been so moved by such words that she would clasp her hands to her heart like Xi Shi, but now, hearing him call her Xinmei gave her goosebumps all over, making her feel uncomfortable.
Ru Yi brought over a clean handkerchief and presented it with both hands.
Song Zhiqing said, "You all can leave now, I want to talk with Madam."
"Yes."
Everyone left and considerately closed the door behind them.
Ru Yi: "..."
Somethingās not quite right. Broad daylight, is he thinking of that? That canāt be, right?
When somethingās unusual, thereās something odd.
Ru Yi became secretly vigilant, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said lightly, "If you have time, Old Master, you should pay more attention to Zhouāerās studies. After all, as the eldest legitimate son of the third household, he will be the backbone of our family business in the future and cannot be neglected."
Song Zhiqing frowned slightly but quickly relaxed, saying, "Donāt worry, heās our eldest son, how could I neglect him? Iāll go check on his studies in a bit."
"That would be best. The child often says you havenāt taught him to read or write in a long time, and that ever since you had another son, you havenāt been close to him."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhiqing felt a pang of guilt, moved closer, held her hand, and said apologetically, "This is all my fault. Lately, there have been some adjustments in our department, and a lot of things have piled up. Iāve been busy connecting with people and entertaining my superiors, leaving me no time."
Ru Yi did not reply, only chuckling coldly in her heart, thinking to herself how he spins one lie after another. If she believed him, she might as well believe in the impossible.
Not a day in a month did he skip going to the Youyuan Courtyard, seeing that womanās family more often than them, the official family. If it werenāt for helping her sister-in-law manage the household, she wouldnāt even know who was the official wife between her and Bai Shi.
Seeing her not responding, Song Zhiqing felt a bit awkward and laughed, "How about this, tomorrow I have a day off. Itās summer now, why donāt we take Zhouāer and Weiāer to go play at the Lotus Garden? I heard thereās a new chef there who makes authenticated delicious pine nut fish. Isnāt that your favorite dish? You should try it."
Upon hearing this, Ru Yiās heart was slightly moved. It wasnāt that she was eager for Song Zhiqingās company; rather, she was concerned for the two children, especially Zhouāer. In the past year, he seldom mentioned his father. She feared if this distance continued between father and son, it would only benefit the illegitimate son at Youyuan Courtyard.
"Just our family? No one else?" she probed.