Chapter 18

Upon hearing this, He Cuihua and Zhao Zhentang were both taken aback. He Cuihua put the bowl back on the table and scolded sternly, "You are becoming more and more unruly. First, you fight with others, and now you want to give our things to someone else to eat. How wasteful! Do you think our money falls from the sky?"

Zhao Jin, being scolded, didn't know what to say. He just scratched his head and lowered his voice, saying, "How about ten baked buns..."

With a "bang," He Cuihua slapped the table hard and raised her voice, "In the past, you would immediately admit your mistakes when I scolded you. Now, you even know how to bargain. Do you think ten baked buns don't cost money?"

After getting angry, she felt something was off and softened her tone, saying, "Xiao Jin, don't be afraid. Were you bullied outside? Did some bad kids make you do this? Don't be afraid. If anyone dares to bully you, I'll go find them."

Hearing her mother say this, Zhao Jin felt both cared for and somewhat amused. He shook his head and said seriously, "No one bullied me. I need to take them out to use."

He Cuihua's eyes widened, and her face became increasingly stern, as if she was about to get angry. Zhao Jin instinctively shrank back, not afraid but still tense in the face of his mother's anger.

Seeing He Cuihua about to lose her temper, Zhao Zhentang spoke up from the side, "What are you going to do with these snacks? Who are you going to give them to?"

He Cuihua turned to look at him, as if she wanted to say something but was stopped by Zhao Zhentang's gaze. Zhao Jin, sitting on the stool, was about to make up an excuse. With his experience in the business world, finding a reasonable explanation was easy.

But after hesitating, Zhao Jin decided to tell the truth. There was no need to lie to his parents. Even if he could deceive them once or twice, it wouldn't work in the long run. What he wanted to do would take a long time.

"Father, Mother, I went to the cargo yard with Chen Sheng yesterday..." Zhao Jin detailed his experience from the previous day and then explained his plans carefully.

Zhao Zhentang, who was about to leave, turned back and sat down at the table. He pinched Zhao Jin's cheek and said with a smile, "After that illness, you've changed so much. Your eloquence is almost as good as the clerk's. You explained it so clearly."

Speaking clearly and logically, being able to explain the cause and effect of a matter so that others could understand, was a skill. The old Zhao Jin used to be afraid of outsiders and certainly didn't have such eloquence.

Zhao Zhentang's approval made Zhao Jin feel much more relaxed. Zhao Zhentang continued with a smile, "I didn't understand the big principles you just said. Just tell me what you want to do with the snacks."

"I... I saw so many children there and thought of a way to gather them together and make more friends," Zhao Jin said, biting his lip.

Hearing Zhao Jin clearly state his intentions, Zhao Zhentang was taken aback. Zhao Jin's heart skipped a beat, wondering if his words were too advanced and if the adults would think he was crazy.

Zhao Zhentang turned to look at He Cuihua, who also looked puzzled. Zhao Zhentang, with a stern face, asked, "Did your uncle teach you these things?"

"No, I thought of it myself," Zhao Jin replied. Zhao Zhentang narrowed his eyes, trying to see if Zhao Jin was lying, but the child's face was completely honest.

Zhao Zhentang stared at Zhao Jin for a while, slowly shook his head, and his smile gradually widened. Finally, he said teasingly, "Learning martial arts and making friends, what has gotten into you?"

After saying this, Zhao Zhentang stood up. Zhao Jin immediately became dejected, thinking he would have to find another way, regretting that he had no pocket money in the past.

Unexpectedly, after standing up, Zhao Zhentang said, "Go to your uncle to learn martial arts first. The snacks and baked buns will be sent over."

Zhao Jin looked up in surprise. He had agreed. Despite having no experience in dealing with his parents, Zhao Jin knew how absurd such a request was. He had only said it to try, but he didn't expect it to be granted.

Now, Zhao Jin was puzzled. He didn't know how Zhao Zhentang had considered it. Not only was Zhao Jin confused, but He Cuihua, standing to the side, also reacted, immediately frowning and glaring at Zhao Zhentang, "Head of the household, the child is being naughty, and you are following suit. You can't indulge the child like this. How much will it cost to send snacks and baked buns every day, and to others at that?"

Zhao Zhentang tightened his belt. He was wearing a dark-colored official uniform. Hearing this, he looked up and sneered, "We don't have to pay for it. Why are you worried? A boy should make more friends, not just follow you around all day like before."

Hearing the words "no cost," He Cuihua's anger subsided considerably, but she still muttered, "He used to be such a good child, but now he's like this. Really."

Zhao Jin was puzzled. Why didn't the snacks and baked buns cost their family money? As he was thinking, Zhao Zhentang had already left the courtyard.

"Mother, why did Father say it wouldn't cost our family money?" Zhao Jin asked curiously. He had figured out that in front of his parents, he should speak his mind and ask questions without overthinking.

He Cuihua glared at Zhao Jin and said irritably, "Your father works in the government. When buying things, it's a matter of giving them face."

Zhao Jin was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh. His scope of activity was too small, and he didn't understand this era well enough. He hadn't thought about using his father's position to his advantage. Zhao Zhentang, as a government official and executioner, and a former hundred-man commander of the Xuzhou Guard, might not be a big shot, but he was certainly influential on the streets.

"Still have the nerve to laugh. Without your father's efforts, how could our family be so well off? Xiao Lan is here, hurry up, hurry up!" He Cuihua scolded and began to shoo them away.

When the little girl entered the courtyard, she first made a face at the monkey. Strangely, the monkey was quite friendly to Mu Shulan.

Mu Shulan greeted He Cuihua sweetly and called out to Zhao Jin to go together. He Cuihua stood at the door and said, "There will be snacks at noon. Xiao Lan, eat more. Don't let that boy take advantage of others!"

Just as they stepped out of the courtyard gate, Zhao Jin and Mu Shulan saw Zhao Zhenxing standing at the intersection, nodding at them and walking ahead.

Zhao Jin didn't notice that Mu Shulan was smiling particularly sincerely today and had grabbed his hand right away, walking hand in hand.

Zhao Jin didn't pay attention to these small details. As soon as they turned the corner of the street, Mu Shulan let go of Zhao Jin's hand and pouted, "Brother Xiao Jin, don't be like my uncles, always muttering while walking."

Zhao Jin finally reacted, smiled at the little girl, and didn't explain, continuing to walk forward.

The reason he was muttering while walking was that Zhao Jin was reciting to himself, trying to remember everything by using every method possible, including recitation.

Seeing Zhao Jin still muttering to himself, the little girl got angry, let go of Zhao Jin's hand, and walked ahead. After a few steps, she slowed down and grabbed Zhao Jin's hand again.

The martial arts training had changed. Instead of just standing in a horse stance, Zhao Jin now had to hold a four-foot-long wooden rod horizontally while in the stance. The rod itself wasn't heavy, but maintaining the position for a long time made his arms extremely sore.

Uncle Zhao Zhenxing was much stricter than the previous day. As soon as Zhao Jin's arms dropped, his rattan stick would strike.

At noon, when they returned for lunch, there was an oil paper package and a small cloth bag on the table, both emitting a fragrant aroma. The oil paper package likely contained peach pastries, and the cloth bag contained baked buns.

The table was already set with food. He Cuihua called the two children to eat while muttering, "What a wasteful child. Such good things, why not keep them for yourself and eat them? Why give them to others?"