Zhang Fangyuan knew what Xu He was thinking. “Don’t take everything Master Meng said to heart. Even if children from the countryside start their education later and don’t have the same advantages as children in the city, Ruijin and Ruili are among the brightest in the village. I refuse to believe they’d be considered dull in the city. Are all the children from wealthy families in the city exceptionally smart?”
“If that were the case, every scholar who passed the imperial exams would come from prominent families. But we know many successful scholars come from humble backgrounds. Not everyone has a family like the Luo family.”
Xu He felt somewhat reassured but was still troubled. Although their meeting with Master Meng didn’t go well, his private school was the only viable option they had found so far.
“Let’s not rush. We’ll keep looking. Siyang is a big city, there must be a suitable teacher somewhere.”
Xu He nodded.
“Daddy is back!”
As they walked through the corridor, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Little Ruili ran over excitedly, holding the hand of Luo Yuxing, who was walking much slower.
“Xing’er is here too.”
Little Ruili threw himself into Zhang Fangyuan’s arms, while Luo Yuxing stood still, looking up at Little Ruili, who was being held high by Zhang Fangyuan.
“Can Uncle hold me too?”
Seeing the child’s pitiful expression, Xu He crouched down, and Luo Yuxing happily jumped into his arms.
This was the first time Xu He had held Luo Yuxing. The child looked soft, but holding him felt even softer.
Although both Little Ruili and Luo Yuxing were young ge'ers, Little Ruili was sturdy from eating well and running around, while Luo Yuxing, though slightly chubby, wasn’t as active due to the strict discipline at home, making him feel softer to hold.
Zhang Fangyuan noticed only two children had come out and asked, “Where’s Big Brother?”
Little Ruili replied, “Big Brother is in the house counting again.”
Zhang Fangyuan’s thick brows twitched, feeling a pang of guilt. Little Ruili then asked, “Daddy, have you found a teacher yet? Big Brother doesn’t like playing with me and Xing’er in the garden. Send him to school quickly.”
“No rush, we haven’t found the right one yet.”
Little Ruili pressed on, asking why, but Zhang Fangyuan changed the subject. “Are you hungry?”
At the mention of food, the child immediately forgot his question. “Yes! I want to eat the bean cakes Little Daddy makes.”
Meanwhile, Luo Yuxing, still waiting for an explanation about why they hadn’t found a teacher, he asked, “Are Little Ruili and Ruijin going to start school?”
Xu He nodded. “Children can’t just play all the time. They need to study and learn to read.”
Luo Yuxing obediently agreed.
“But today, you can eat bean cakes first.”
Zhang Fangyuan chuckled as he carried the child under the old pear tree in the garden. Little Ruili clung to Zhang Fangyuan’s neck and called out to Xu He, “Little Daddy, hurry up and bring Xing’er over.”
Xu He felt much better seeing the children in high spirits. Together, they went to the kitchen to make pastries.
Luo Yuxing had rarely set foot in the kitchen at home and had never seen a family making pastries together so cheerfully. He found it both interesting and delightful.
Little Ruili led him around the stove, and they even dragged Ruijin out of the room to join them.
They played until nightfall.
Luo Yuxing didn’t want to leave, but as it grew late, his nursemaid and maid urged him to go home. He politely bid farewell to Little Ruili and Ruijin, who, like his uncle, often wore a serious expression.
Little Ruili put down his pastry and walked Luo Yuxing to the door. He peeked through the heavy wooden door, watching Luo Yuxing enter the Luo residence before running back to finish his pastry.
As soon as the door closed, Luo Yuxing was met with the cold silence of his home, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere at the Zhang family's. The smile on the child’s face visibly faded, and he slumped dejectedly into his nursemaid’s arms.
“Why do you look so unhappy after playing for so long?”
Luo Yuxing turned at the familiar voice. “Grandfather, you’re back?”
“Yes, I’ve been back for a while.” Luo Yan picked up the child. “Did you have fun at the Zhang family today?”
Luo Yuxing nodded enthusiastically. “Xing’er wants to play with Little Ruili every day.”
Luo Yan patted the child’s head. “That’s not possible. Every child has their own home.”
Hearing this, Luo Yuxing lowered his head, his eyes flickering. He didn’t cry or make a fuss, but his quiet sadness was heartbreaking.
Seeing this, Luo Yan softened his tone. “If Xing’er studies hard and practices his writing, Grandfather will let you play with the Zhang children often. How does that sound?”
Luo Yuxing tugged at Luo Yan’s sleeve. “Uncle said Ruijin and Little Ruili are also looking for a teacher. Grandfather, you’re a great scholar. Can you teach Ruijin and Little Ruili too?”
Luo Yan’s brow twitched. “Why do you ask? Did the Zhangs request this?”
Luo Yuxing shook his head. “Uncle wasn’t home today. He went to find a teacher for Ruijin and Little Ruili but couldn’t find a suitable one. Xing’er likes Little Ruili and wants to study with him.”
Luo Yan didn’t answer the request directly. Instead, he asked, “What would you like to eat tonight? I’ll ask Auntie Tian to make it for you.”
Unlike Little Ruili, who was always eager for pastries, Luo Yuxing wasn’t easily swayed by food. “Xing’er already ate fruit at Uncle’s house. He’s not hungry.”
He tugged at Luo Yan’s sleeve again. “Grandfather~”
“Yuxing, remember what Grandfather taught you. Don’t share family matters with others. If anyone asks, you must tell Grandfather.”
“Xing’er knows.”
Luo Yan didn’t respond to the request, and Luo Yuxing’s eyes lowered in disappointment. After a moment of silence, he slipped out of Luo Yan’s arms and returned to his room alone.
Luo Yan watched the child’s retreating figure and sighed deeply.
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