Perhaps feeling that his tone had been a bit too harsh, Xu Yunfan softened his voice. "Mom, I watched Zhao Yu grow up. Regardless of whether she shares our blood, she is my own sister. As for Fourth Brother..."
"Of course I know. You brothers all watched Zhao Yu grow up." Old Madam Xu fell silent for a moment before saying flatly, "Rest assured, no matter what, he can never surpass Zhao Yu, nor does he have the right to."
One was Xu Zhao Yu, who had lived under the same roof with them for many years, possessing both beauty and talent, an outstanding child. The other was Ming Chengli, whom she had only met once and had no affection for—a man who had accomplished nothing and had a useless daughter. Even a fool would know who to choose.
"It’s just that the outside world now knows Zhao Yu isn’t biologically yours and Dad’s, so we must compensate her well." Xu Yunfan nodded. "But I really don’t know how Fourth Brother raised his child. How could she be so disrespectful?" He had yet to meet Shi Changying, but he already thoroughly disliked her.
"That girl, from what I can see, is a rebellious one who refuses to be disciplined." Old Madam Xu massaged her temples. "When the time comes, I’ll hand her over to you. Thoroughly grind down her temper."
Xu Yunfan gave a faint smile. "Don’t worry, Mom. No matter how tough someone’s bones are, they have to obediently submit once they fall into my hands."
"But she is still Chengli’s only daughter after all. You can’t be as heavy-handed with her as you are when training your subordinates," Old Madam Xu instructed. "What happened today absolutely cannot be leaked, either. Otherwise, how would the other Jianghuai families view us?"
"I understand what you mean, Mom. It’s just..." Xu Yunfan paused. "I’m afraid we won’t be able to hide the fact that Zhao Yu was admitted to the hospital from the Meng Family. We will definitely have to give them an explanation." The Meng Family was very satisfied with Xu Zhao Yu as their future daughter-in-law; they would never allow an outsider to bully her.
Old Madam Xu frowned. "Never mind. Since it’s a disaster they caused themselves, then they must bear the Meng Family’s fury."
Seeing that Old Madam Xu was not showing favoritism toward Ming Chengli and his daughter, Xu Yunfan finally broke into a smile. "Mom, you should go back and rest first. I’ll keep watch here."
***
CLACK. Shi Changying set down her empty bowl. "Another bowl."
"D-daughter... although your old dad said you can eat whatever you want, you... you still can’t eat like this!" Ming Chengli was dumbfounded. "You’ve already eaten thirty-one bowls of noodles. Your stomach is going to burst."
The shop owner stated that his entire inventory was sold out. Even if someone put a knife to his neck, he wouldn’t be able to make another bowl of beef noodles. The other customers were all staring at Shi Changying in profound awe and admiration. So this was the meaning behind the establishment of the new era—even a Taotie could transform into a human to eat noodles!
Shi Changying said with a lazy expression, "Then let’s go to the next place." The martial arts she cultivated required her to consume massive amounts of food. Moreover, her current body was far too weak and in desperate need of nutritional replenishment.
Ming Chengli checked his bank balance and felt deeply sorrowful. "Daughter, your old dad originally thought that with this paycheck, food and drink wouldn’t be a problem for at least three months. But if you eat like this, we’ll be living on thin air by next week."
Shi Changying had never imagined that she would one day fret over money again. She paused and asked, "Forget it. How much money do you have left?"
Ming Chengli sheepishly shook his wallet. "Only this much."
Taking the three hundred and forty yuan and fifty cents, Shi Changying turned and walked into a bookstore.
Ming Chengli was greatly shocked once again, but in the next instant, he wept tears of joy. His daughter had finally seen the light! She actually knew she needed to read books!
Ming Chengli immediately followed her inside, only to watch Shi Changying first pick up a copy of Criminal Law, then a copy of Xuan History, and finally, a copy of Modern History.
Even Ming Chengli, an archaeologist, couldn’t fathom what connection could possibly exist between these three books. But since his daughter wanted to read them, he was determined to fully support her.
All three books were very thick, yet Ming Chengli happily lugged them back into the hospital room.
Shi Changying lay back on the bed and first took out Xuan History. History books of a previous dynasty were always patched up and compiled by the succeeding one; whether their contents were true or false still required careful scrutiny.
"Although the path of studying history is too bitter, if you want to learn, Changying, your old dad will definitely support you," Ming Chengli said thoughtfully. "But don’t study Xuan Dynasty history. Study the Jing Dynasty instead. Jing History has better prospects. It was the second orthodox dynasty of Jiuzhou, lasting for three hundred years. Even the names of the provinces in Jiuzhou were named by Emperor Chengtian. Speaking of Emperor Chengtian, that Young Emperor truly had the bearing of a celestial being!"
Shi Changying didn’t even lift her head. "I don’t want to study it." She was a person who created history; why would she need to study it? Right now, she only wanted to know what had actually happened after her death.
Ming Chengli didn’t try to persuade her any further. After a moment of silence, he said, "Changying, although the Xu Family is... but if we go back, at least we won’t have to go hungry. For all these years, your old dad has wronged you. I haven’t even taken you to an amusement park once."
Shi Changying asked casually, "What is an amusement park?"
Hearing that she didn’t even know what an amusement park was, Ming Chengli’s heart trembled, and an unstoppable wave of sourness surged in his nose. "Changying, it’s your old dad’s fault. No matter how you scold me or hit me, I won’t say a word."
Shi Changying finally looked up, freeing one hand to pat his head. "Father, as long as you honestly abdicate the throne to me, I will honor and provide for you well in your old age."
"Huh?" Ming Chengli was completely bewildered. "I’m your dad; of course all my things will be left to you. But our family doesn’t have a throne! If we did, let alone a throne, your old dad would even pluck the stars from the sky for you."
In his heart, he finalized his decision to return to the Xu Family. It didn’t matter if he suffered a few grievances, but he had to fight for a promising future for his daughter.
***
That evening, Old Sir Xu also rushed from his company to Jianghuai First Hospital.
He was still on the phone along the way, listening to his secretary report, "Chairman Xu, the Young Master of the Pei Family has returned from the Southern Region."
"Is that true?" Old Sir Xu’s expression lifted. "When did he get back?"
"He just arrived in Jianghuai this afternoon," the secretary said. "However, we weren’t able to see him."
"It’s only normal not to see him. Even if we pay a visit to his residence, we might not necessarily get an audience." Old Sir Xu hung up the phone and sighed in admiration. "This Young Master of the Pei Family, Pei Xuan—truly a remarkable young hero."
"Pei Xuan?" Xu Yunfan said in surprise. "What a familiar name. If I remember my history correctly..."
"That’s right. The characters and pronunciation are exactly the same as the Pei Xuan from the era of Empress Taichu." Old Sir Xu nodded. "Elder Pei placed great hopes on him, which is why he used their ancestor’s name. And sure enough, he did not let Elder Pei down."
"So that’s how it is." It was only now that Xu Yunfan learned of this inside story. He chuckled. "The Pei Xuan from four hundred years ago was one of the illustrious Four Great Young Masters of his time. Not only did he write excellent poetry, but he also possessed peerless Swordsmanship, earning him the prestigious title of ’Poetry and Sword Dual Master’."
"It’s a pity, though. I heard that such a noble young master was ruined by Empress Taichu." Old Sir Xu shook his head, opting not to continue discussing illusory history. He asked, "How is your sister doing?"
"Zhao Yu has just passed the critical stage, but she’s still in a coma," Xu Yunfan replied. "Dad, what are your thoughts... on Fourth Brother and his daughter?"
"Since they are returning to the Xu Family, they need to change their surname first," Old Sir Xu said nonchalantly. "Without changing their surname, they can’t be entered into the family registry."