AD (QT) Chapter 124

Han Ze flipped through his books and wrote out a dozen characters for the children to choose from. Da Niu pointed to the character Shu and then to Xin, combining them to form Shu-xin—Han Shuxin.

Han Ze asked her, “Are you sure?”

Da Niu nodded seriously.

Han Ze hummed in approval. “Alright then. For you sisters, let the first character of your names all be Shu.”

Er Niu and the others had no objections. Er Niu chose the character Qing, becoming Han Shuqing; San Niu liked Cui, becoming Han Shucui; Si Niu chose Xuan, becoming Han Shuxuan; and Wu Niu’s name became Han Shuqi.

As for Xiaoliu, he had no specific preference for his name. After some thought, Han Ze named him Han Shubuo. From that point on, all six children had proper names.

The next morning, Han Shubuo changed into brand-new clothes, slung a book box over his shoulder, and followed closely behind Han Ze toward the town. His small face was filled with excitement, anticipation, and curiosity.

These few days were the enrollment period for the private school, and the entrance was bustling with people coming and going. Han Shubuo’s hand was held by his father. He saw several children about his age being led by their fathers, who were sternly and repeatedly giving them instructions, clearly afraid that a poor performance would leave a bad impression on the teacher.

Han Shubuo looked up at his father. Seeing his calm expression, he spoke hesitantly, “Dad!”

Han Ze stopped and looked down at him. “Why are you calling me?”

Han Shubuo glanced at the other children nearby and asked, “Dad, what should I pay attention to?”

Having studied and learned to read, he had undergone a world-shaking transformation over the past six months. Though only seven, his speech and movements were now comparable to a ten-year-old.

Han Ze saw through his little worries and patted his shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. Just be yourself.”

Just be myself?

Han Shubuo watched his father’s back, pondering the meaning of those words. After a long moment, a faint smile appeared on his lips. His father told him to just be himself—did that mean in his father’s heart, he was already good enough?

“Dad, I will be myself.”

Han Ze turned back and smiled. “Good. I believe in you.”

As the father and son entered the school grounds, Han Shubuo suddenly tugged on Han Ze’s hand. He pointed ahead with his other hand. “Dad, Han Jixue and Han Jiwen are here too.”

Han Ze looked up and saw Han Chengming leading the two boys, standing in line to wait their turn. He said indifferently, “Pay them no mind.”

Inwardly, however, he sneered. It seemed Han Chengming had schemed quite a bit of silver out of the Original Owner in the past.

Han Shubuo gave an “Oh.” In his memory, the two brothers often snatched his things and, when no one was looking, called him a “little fool” or “little mute.” He didn’t like them very much. Since Dad said to ignore them, he would do exactly that; listening to Dad was never wrong.

Han Ze glanced at the two nephews and said, “From now on, you will be studying in the same school. If they try to bully you, tell me.”

Han Shubuo’s eyes lit up. In his memory, Dad had always favored the two brothers. Even if they snatched his things, Dad would act as if he didn’t see it, or even help them take his things. In his heart, Dad had always been better to them than to him. He hadn’t expected Dad to say such a thing.

Han Ze shot him a look. “Don’t overthink it. You are my son. If I don’t take your side, am I supposed to take a stranger’s?”

Han Shubuo clearly didn’t believe it, his eyes filled with doubt as he looked at his father.

Han Ze gave him a light flick on the forehead. “In the past, I thought you were a little fool. Those two were your cousins, and I thought you’d need their help in the future. Because of that, I had to be good to them to win them over so they’d be willing to be your support. Now that you’ve recovered and can study, and I’ve learned that Uncle Chengming isn’t actually your Grandpa’s biological son—plus the fact that they deceived me first—why should I still be that good to them?”

Han Shubuo blinked his dark eyes and scratched his head. He felt his father’s words were a bit strange, but upon further reflection, they seemed to make sense. He was confused about whether it was right or wrong. It seemed he really needed to study more; otherwise, he couldn’t even understand what Dad was saying.

Seeing the boy’s bewilderment, Han Ze realized his explanation might be a bit inconsistent, though he couldn’t put his finger on why. He didn’t explain further, letting the boy figure it out for himself. He took his hand and stood in line.

The young boy in front of them looked a year or two older than Han Shubuo. He was fair-skinned and chubby, easily twice the size of Shubuo. He looked at the book box on Shubuo’s back and asked curiously, “What are you carrying?”

Since recovering, Han Shubuo had only studied at home and hadn’t played with peers. Encountering a boy his age for the first time made him a bit reserved. He instinctively looked at his father. Seeing Han Ze watching him with a smile and remembering the advice to “be himself,” he relaxed slightly. He gathered his courage and said, “My books.” After a pause, he asked, “Where are your books?”

The chubby boy rubbed his head and looked at Han Shubuo with disbelief. “My books were all torn up by my younger brother. That kid is so mischievous; he snatches all my things and ruins them…”

Han Shubuo let out a soft “Eh?” Han Jixue and Han Jiwen used to snatch his things too. Hearing this, he looked at the chubby boy with sympathy. He figured since it was a biological younger brother, the boy couldn’t just ignore him.

The chubby boy’s father slapped him on the head and said in a gruff voice, “Stinking brat! It was clearly you who didn’t want to study and tore the books up yourself, yet you blame your brother.”

The chubby boy grumbled under his breath after being hit, looking quite defiant, but he gave Han Shubuo a couple of giggles.

Han Shubuo gave an “Ah,” staring at him in a daze.

The boy’s father looked at Han Ze apologetically. “My boy has been a troublemaker since he was small. When I try to teach him at home, he doesn’t listen. If I scold him, his grandparents protect him, so I can’t control him at all. I thought I’d send him to school and let the teacher handle him. If he doesn’t listen, the teacher can hit his palms to fix his bad habits.”

Han Ze smiled. “Children are all like that.”

The father glanced at Han Shubuo. “Your son is so refined and elegant; he looks much more obedient than mine.”

Han Shubuo’s face turned bright red; he wasn’t used to being praised. The chubby boy stuck his tongue out at Han Shubuo.

Han Ze patted the boy. “This child has caused me quite a bit of worry since he was small, too.”

And indeed, he had—not speaking since birth and being thought a fool had caused the whole family plenty of worry.

As the two fathers chatted, the chubby boy tugged at Han Shubuo’s arm. “My name is Qiao Junhao. I’m nine years old. What’s yours?”

Han Shubuo replied, “My name is Han Shubuo. I’m seven.”

Qiao Junhao threw an arm around Shubuo’s small shoulder. “I’m older, so I’ll be the Boss. I’ll cover for you in school. If anyone bullies you, I’ll bully them back for you.”

Han Shubuo was stunned.

Qiao Junhao was a bit dissatisfied with the reaction. “You should call me Boss.”

Han Shubuo whispered, “Boss.”

Qiao Junhao laughed. “Since you called me Boss, I accept the title. From now on—”

Before he could finish, he was slapped on the head again.

“Wicked brat! Whose ‘Boss’ do you think you are?”

Qiao Junhao shrank his shoulders and hurriedly stood up straight.

Qiao’s father looked at Han Ze apologetically. “My boy really is a handful.”

Han Ze laughed. “Actually, I like your boy. He’s full of energy.”

Hearing this, Qiao’s father felt relieved. He had been worried the other parent would take offense to his son trying to be a “Boss” right upon meeting. Fortunately, this parent wasn’t petty.

Qiao Junhao’s eyes darted around. He looked at Han Ze and said, “Uncle, can I be your son too?”

Han Ze was taken aback, then said with a laugh, “Sure, as long as your dad is willing.”

Qiao Junhao looked at his father expectantly, only to receive another slap to the head. He clutched his head and cried out, “Dad! You’re going to make me stupid if you keep hitting me!”

Father Qiao glared at him. “Don’t shout in the school. Stand straight. It’s enough that you torment me; don’t go tormenting others.”

Qiao Junhao rolled his eyes but obediently stood up straight.

…

Han Chengming walked out of the school leading Han Jixue and Han Jiwen, a joyful look on his face. From his expression, it was clear the teacher had agreed to accept them.

Han Ze wasn’t surprised; those two did have some talent for studying.

Han Chengming hadn’t expected to see Han Ze here. He looked at Han Shubuo and smiled—a smile containing a subtle, hard-to-detect trace of contempt. “Big Brother, Xiaoliu is going to study in town too?”

He was only recently cleared of being a fool, and already he’s being sent to study? Han Ze is in such a hurry; isn’t he afraid the little fool will make him lose face?

Han Ze didn’t really want to talk to him, especially given his mocking posture. He said, “The teachers in town are xiucai.”

Han Chengming said with a smile, “There are two xiucai teachers here. Just now, they even praised Jixue and Jiwen, saying they might pass the xiucai exams themselves in the future.”

He then looked at Xiaoliu. “In the future, if Xiaoliu has anything he doesn’t understand in his studies, he can come and ask his two older cousins.”

In reality, he didn’t think the town school would actually accept Xiaoliu.

Han Ze looked at him playfully. “Then I’ll have to trouble my two nephews.”

Han Chengming said smugly, “What trouble? They are cousins; it’s only natural for them to help and support each other. Big Brother, you’re overthinking it.”

Han Ze gave a small smile. Seeing Qiao Junhao go inside, he said, “It’s our turn to go in. Excuse us.”

Han Chengming waved his hand. “We’ll wait for you. Go on in.”

He wanted to see if the teacher would actually take Xiaoliu. Even if a fool recovered, how smart could he be? He should just be a farmer and be done with it. Why study? It was a waste of silver.

Fifteen minutes later, Qiao Junhao and Han Shubuo walked out together, followed by their fathers.

Han Chengming stepped forward with a smile. “How was it? Did the teacher agree to take Xiaoliu?”

Han Ze arched an eyebrow. “He did.”

Han Chengming froze, unable to believe it. He gave a dry laugh. “I-Is that so? It seems Xiaoliu is quite capable after all.”

Han Ze said, “Not as much as Jixue and Jiwen.”

Han Chengming thought to himself that Xiaoliu certainly couldn’t compare to them. He said modestly, “No, no.”

Han Ze didn’t want to talk to him further. “We’re going to the bookstore to buy paper and brushes. What about you?”

Han Chengming wanted to buy supplies too, but the silver in his pocket had all gone to the tuition; he hadn’t even paid the meal fees yet. Where would he get extra silver for that?

He said, “Go ahead and buy them. We’re heading back first.”

Han Ze nodded, bid farewell to the Qiao family, and led Han Shubuo away.