Zhao Hui had intended to return home to argue with the old master.
But as soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Xu Xia under the lychee tree, propping her chin with one hand while concentrating intently on a chess game with the old master.
The young girl was so absorbed that she didn’t even notice Zhao Hui standing behind her.
“Superior Horse General, and you’ll win,” Zhao Hui’s cool voice suddenly sounded, startling Xu Xia. She turned in surprise, meeting his dark eyes directly.
Xu Xia made a few acknowledging sounds and moved according to Zhao Hui’s suggestion, indeed winning the game.
Of the three chess matches played, Xu Xia had previously won one and lost one. Now she had secured one more victory.
“Zhao Bobo, let’s stop here for today. I’ll go to the kitchen to see if there’s anything I can help with,” Xu Xia said with a sweet smile toward Old Master Zhao, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Zhao Hui. Since Zhao Hui didn’t want to marry her, she would maintain distance—she only needed to leave a good impression with Old Master Zhao and his wife to secure a job opportunity.
Watching Xu Xia leave, Zhao Manfu snorted through his nose. “See that? Even Xia Xia dares not look at you. Do you realize how unlikable you are?”
“Perfect, then let’s call off the marriage,” Zhao Hui replied.
“You little bastard, deliberately trying to anger me, aren’t you?” Zhao Manfu raised his voice before remembering they were in the courtyard and lowering it again. “The girl has already come to our home. What should I tell people when they ask? Should I say she’s a relative’s child? Wouldn’t that hurt Xia Xia’s feelings? If I say she’s your fiancée, you’ll be unhappy. Zhao Hui, you’re twenty-six already. Let’s be straightforward—what exactly don’t you like about Xia Xia?”
Over the past three days, Zhao Manfu had clearly seen how diligent and attentive Xia Xia was, and that she had completed high school education. Such a good girl would be hard to find even with a lantern.
He fixed his gaze on his younger son and was about to continue scolding when his eldest son’s family arrived.
Seeing the eldest son’s family, Zhao Manfu felt irritated and unwilling to engage with them. He snorted and returned to the house.
“Second Brother, is Dad still angry with Zhiyuan?” Zhao Ming asked nervously, hesitant to enter. He had heard that Xu Xia had come to their home, but since his younger brother was away on assignment, he thought it better to wait until his brother returned before visiting to make conversation easier.
Thinking of the letter his nephew had sent to the Xu family, Zhao Hui raised his thick eyebrows slightly. “Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, did you know about Zhiyuan sending my photo to the Xu family?”
Zhao Ming asked what photo he meant.
But Sun Danfeng beside him guiltily avoided her brother-in-law’s gaze.
Zhao Hui caught his sister-in-law’s expression. “Sister-in-law, it seems you knew.”
“I…” Sun Danfeng indeed knew. She was extremely dissatisfied with this arranged marriage—why should her talented young son marry some plain girl with no family background?
If the old master wanted to repay a debt of gratitude, let the second son do it. Her son was already one generation removed—this shouldn’t be the old master’s decision to make.
Watching her brother-in-law turn and leave, Sun Danfeng took a deep breath.
Zhao Ming asked about the letter.
Sun Danfeng told him the truth. “I just couldn’t swallow this injustice. Why does Second Brother get all the advantages? When it comes to us, we get nothing, and now it’s going to ruin my son’s happy marriage?”
Her husband wasn’t as physically capable as Second Brother and served as an army doctor. Several years ago, when the old hospital director was dismissed, she had approached the old master—just one word from him would have secured the director position for her husband. But the old master refused.
Over the years, Sun Danfeng had been holding onto this resentment. Therefore, when the childhood sweetheart arrangement was mentioned, she strongly opposed it. However, with the old master taking such a firm stance, she had no choice but to resort to this last resort.
Zhao Ming frowned deeply upon hearing this. “Have you lost your mind? Sending Zhiyuan to garrison the border is one thing, but why did you agree to let him send letters to the Xu family? What good does it do you to offend Second Brother?”
His younger brother was young and promising, destined for high positions in the future. As a military doctor, Zhao Ming’s own career had limited prospects, but his brother and son were different. Their father was getting old, and in a few years, Second Brother would be calling the shots in the military district. If Second Brother was willing to help his son, the boy would have a much better chance of succeeding.
“I… I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time,” Sun Danfeng admitted regretfully. “I thought if we were repaying a debt through marriage, it should be Father’s son who does it.” But regret was useless now – her brother-in-law was too clever and had uncovered the truth with just one probing question.
At this point, Zhao Yunzhu, who had been silent until now, spoke up nonchalantly. “Why overthink it? Second Uncle is family. No matter what, he wouldn’t harm us. Besides, Second Uncle is capable and not afraid of Grandfather. If he doesn’t agree, this marriage won’t happen.”
Sixteen-year-old Zhao Yunzhu was still in school. Having been spoiled by Sun Danfeng and her husband since childhood, she tended to view things rather naively.
Zhao Ming looked at his daughter, wanting to say something but swallowing his words, until his mother came out to call them in.
“Everyone’s at the door – why aren’t you coming inside?” He Hongying emerged and whispered, “Your father is still furious. Whatever he says later, you two don’t talk back, understand?”
Sun Danfeng smiled and nodded. “Mom, we wouldn’t dare talk back to Dad. But is that Xu girl here too?”
“Yes, she’s very well-behaved,” He Hongying replied.
“Does Second Brother not like her?” This was what Sun Danfeng really wanted to know.
At this question, He Hongying’s smile became strained. “You know how Second Brother is – he responds better to kindness than coercion.”
Hearing this from her mother-in-law, Sun Danfeng thought the Xu girl must be ugly. What use was being well-behaved? If she wasn’t good-looking and lacked influential family connections, she simply wasn’t worthy of their family.
She felt increasingly relieved that she’d sent her son to garrison the border. No matter how angry the old man was, her son was still a Zhao descendant. When her son returned in two years, the old man would surely have settled the Xu girl’s situation. Whether she married the brother-in-law or not, it wouldn’t affect her son’s future prospects.
Zhao Ming, however, was deeply worried. Fearful that his brother might hold a grudge, he went to find him immediately after entering the house.
Zhao Hui was in his bedroom, freshly showered with damp hair. When his elder brother entered, he didn’t initiate conversation.
“Second Brother, about the Xu family matter… what are your thoughts?” Zhao Ming asked awkwardly. He was fourteen years older than his brother – by the time his brother became sensible, he was already working, so the brothers had never been particularly close.
“What, did Dad send you to sound me out?” Zhao Hui asked.
“No,” Zhao Ming said. “Dad’s still angry – he ignored me when I greeted him earlier. Are you angry with us too?”
Zhao Hui glanced at his brother. “I have no issue with you not daring to confront Dad and sending Zhiyuan to garrison the border. But you shouldn’t have written to the Xu family. What, did you think I’d be easy to manipulate?”
“No.”
“Big Brother, we’re brothers. There’s no need for such scheming between us.”
These words made Zhao Ming flush with shame. He genuinely hadn’t known about the letter. “This matter… we’ve wronged you. If… if you’re dissatisfied with the Xu girl, just tell us what you need us to do.”
“No need. The best repayment you can give me is to do nothing at all.” Zhao Hui sighed inwardly. His elder brother wasn’t a bad person, just lacking in assertiveness. The letter-sending was most likely his sister-in-law’s doing.
The two brothers had little to say to each other. When Zhao Ming went downstairs and saw his father reading the newspaper, he pulled his wife aside. “Where’s the Xu girl?”
He Hongying gestured with her lips. “In the kitchen.”
“What’s with that expression? Is she really that hard to describe?” Zhao Ming thought if the Xu girl was truly as ugly as a demon, he should still mention it to his father. But then he saw his wife shaking her head.
He Hongying never expected Xu Xia to be so beautiful – so beautiful that she couldn’t help stealing extra glances.
Seeing his wife at a loss for words, Zhao Ming went to the kitchen himself. One look left him stunned. “You… you’re Xu Xia?”
Xu Xia was helping stir-fry vegetables. Seeing a middle-aged man standing at the kitchen doorway, and having already met He Hongying and her daughter earlier, she guessed this must be the eldest Zhao son. She smiled warmly. “Hello, elder brother. I’m Xu Xia. Please don’t come further in – there’s lots of oil smoke here. I’ll just finish stir-frying these greens.”
Having been at the Zhao family for three days with Zhao Hui never home, Xu Xia had nothing better to do than explore the family compound and help with daily cooking.
She didn’t have much actual cooking experience, but loved watching food bloggers. Relying on what she’d seen, she was clumsy at first but had become quite proficient by now.
The Zhao family ate well, with fish and meat at every meal. Xu Xia had prepared braised fish. Since Zhao Ming’s family had come unexpectedly, she also boiled noodles to be served with scallion oil later.
The braised fish glistened with crimson sauce, garnished with spring onions. A careful sniff would detect the appetizing aroma of vinegar. The moment Xu Xia brought the dish to the table, Zhao Yunzhu began swallowing saliva, gazing eagerly at her grandfather.
Soon after, He Hongying brought over the noodles. “I’ve cooked for most of my life, yet I’m not as good as Xiaxia. Old Xu from next door asked yesterday what we were cooking that smelled so wonderful.”
Yesterday’s stir-fried chicken by Xu Xia was only possible because Zhao Manfu’s high position ensured regular delivery of meat dishes. Otherwise, Xu Xia couldn’t have prepared such delicious food.
When praised, Xu Xia merely smiled faintly. As everyone took their seats, only Zhao Hui was missing.
He Hongying glanced at her husband, then approached Xu Xia. “Xiaxia, go call Zhao Hui down for dinner. He lives across from you.”
Xu Xia paused briefly before realizing He Hongying was creating an opportunity for her. Thinking it useless but complying anyway, she went upstairs to call him.
Her knock was immediately answered by the door opening, revealing Zhao Hui’s well-defined back muscles marred by a finger-length scratch as he attempted to apply medicine.
She retreated awkwardly, but Zhao Hui mistook her for his mother.
“Mom, I can’t reach. Could you help apply this?”
“Sorry, it’s… it’s me.” Xu Xia spoke sheepishly, though she couldn’t help stealing another glance. Just from his back, she could tell Zhao Hui had an excellent physique – she didn’t dare imagine what sights his front might offer.
Hearing Xu Xia’s voice, Zhao Hui stiffened momentarily before quickly putting on his shirt and turning with a questioning look.
“Auntie asked me to call you for dinner. Should I ask her to come help with the medicine?” Xu Xia inquired.
Zhao Hui declined. “Skipping once won’t kill me.”
Xu Xia: … This man really is difficult to talk to.
The two of them went downstairs. Just as they reached the stairwell corner, Xu Xia overheard Zhao Yunzhu saying, “This Xu Xia person cooks quite well. Grandpa, Grandma, since my brother doesn’t want to marry her and Second Uncle doesn’t like her either, why not just keep her at home as a cook? Being a cook in a commander’s household would be a blessing for her.”
Zhao Yunzhu was too hungry and couldn’t resist dipping her chopsticks into the fish soup first. The fragrant, spicy, sweet, and sour aroma made her mouth water.
Sun Danfeng also thought arranging a job for Xu Xia wasn’t a bad idea, but seeing the old master’s displeased expression, she didn’t dare speak up. She quietly reminded her daughter, “The elders haven’t started eating yet. Put that down quickly.”
“I know, I was just tasting it. Mom, why are you blinking at me? I didn’t say anything wrong. Didn’t you say at home that repaying kindness doesn’t have to mean marriage—helping arrange a job is good too. She cooks well, so having her be a cook—is that really beneath her?” Zhao Yunzhu spoke bluntly, saying whatever came to mind.
Right after she finished speaking, she saw her second uncle coming down the stairs and quickly called out, “Second Uncle, hurry over! Mom won’t let me touch my chopsticks until you’re seated.”
Xu Xia followed behind Zhao Hui. With only two seats left, she had no choice but to sit between Zhao Hui and He Hongying.
Become a cook?
She didn’t want to be a cook—it was too exhausting. She wanted to find something easier, preferably a job where she could slack off.
Xu Xia remained silent, pondering how to respond to Zhao Yunzhu, when she noticed no one had started eating.
Zhao Manfu gave Zhao Ming a deep look. “If you don’t know how to teach your child to speak properly, you can send her to us. We old folks will teach her.”
Zhao Ming and Sun Danfeng flushed instantly. Zhao Ming proactively apologized to Xu Xia, “Xu… Xu Xia, please don’t mind her. Yunzhu is young and doesn’t know how to speak properly.”
“Mm, but I don’t really want to be a cook.” Under their roof, Xu Xia didn’t want to argue with Zhao Yunzhu, but she wouldn’t let others dictate her life either, so she directly stated her thoughts.
Didn’t want to be a cook?
Hearing this, Zhao Hui couldn’t help but wonder: Was she refusing their job offer because she still wanted to marry him?
“You’re right, someone as pretty as you would be wasted as a cook.” After smoothing things over, Zhao Ming looked at his daughter and told her to apologize. “Xu Xia is your elder. You can’t be disrespectful to your elders. Hurry up and say sorry.”
Now that the family intended to match Xu Xia with Second Brother, whether it worked out or not, he had to treat Xu Xia as part of their generation and not anger his father further.
Zhao Yunzhu was reluctant and muttered under her breath, “What kind of elder is she? She’s only a few years older than me.”
“You!” Zhao Ming frowned tightly but couldn’t bring himself to scold his daughter in front of everyone. Just as he was at a loss, Second Brother suddenly spoke up.
“Even if she’s younger than you, seniority makes her your elder.” Zhao Hui had just eaten a piece of braised fish—it tasted good, better than what the cafeteria chefs made.
Only after Zhao Hui spoke did Zhao Yunzhu offer a quiet apology. Xu Xia pressed her lips together and calmly said it was fine.
After the meal, Zhao Manfu wanted to keep Xu Xia and Zhao Hui to discuss marriage, but He Hongying cut in first, “Second Son, Xiaxia has been in Jiangcheng for a few days now. We’re too old to know what young people like to do. Take her out to explore. Mom will give you money and coupons—go to the department store and buy Xiaxia some face cream.”
Xu Xia declined, but He Hongying pushed her toward the door.
Soon after, Zhao Hui drove over, honking once to hurry her along. Xu Xia had no choice but to get into the passenger seat.