Chapter 238: Impossible to Hate

Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Impossible to Hate

"What are you all chattering about? Lingering at the door for so long instead of coming in. Nuannuan, Xiao Hu, you two hurry, wash your hands, and come eat. The food’s getting cold!" From the main hall, Zhang Minzhen had heard the talking and laughing in the courtyard. Growing anxious when no one entered, she stepped outside and chidingly hurried them along.

"Coming."

Luo Xiaohu, who had just parked his bicycle, quickly answered along with Zhang Wei Qiang and Gu Nuannuan. He also went to the well to wash his hands, splashing some water on his face for good measure, before following the other two into the main hall.

"Xiao Hu, take the car back to the city tomorrow. I need to stay here for at least another week. This week, I’m counting on you to keep an eye on things in the city. Handle the small stuff yourself, and call me if anything major comes up," Zhang Wei Qiang said to Luo Xiaohu.

"Got it. Uncle, don’t you worry. The procedures are all laid out. As long as everyone follows them, nothing major will happen," Luo Xiaohu replied with a grin, not missing a beat as he shoveled rice into his mouth.

Early this year, the Zhang family had finally bought a sedan in addition to their several trucks. The happiest about the new car were undoubtedly Luo Xiaohu and the two brothers, Zhang Su and Zhang Kai. The three of them had secretly learned to drive in no time. And so, the moment Luo Xiaohu came of age this year, he eagerly got his driver’s license and began driving openly on the roads.

After riding with him a few times, Zhang Wei Qiang saw that he was a steady driver and completely let go, feeling at ease letting Luo Xiaohu drive alone wherever he needed to go.

After Luo Hongyi gave them the Internal Cultivation Methods, the Zhang Family, feeling deeply indebted to him and his younger brother, had wanted to send the young Luo Xiaohu to school. However, he was stubborn and refused. Left with no other choice, the Zhang Family had to enroll him just to keep him on the records, after which they hired a private tutor for scheduled lessons at their home in the evenings.

And so, Luo Xiaohu spent his days working as Zhang Wei Qiang’s junior assistant at the Zhang Group, and his evenings studying pre-high school textbooks with his tutor at home.

’Luo Xiaohu is undoubtedly brilliant.’ Gu Nuannuan had coolly observed this from the sidelines. His intelligence wasn’t just in how he absorbed knowledge like a sponge; it was his ability to then extrapolate from what he learned. He juggled both his work and studies without ever seeming flustered, and in fact, he managed both far better than anyone had expected.

In just two or three short years, he had completed the entire curriculum from elementary to high school through his evening studies. The tutor, who used to come daily, now only came twice a week. At the Zhang Group, he had gone from being a dispensable junior assistant to one of Zhang Wei Qiang’s key aides and was greatly valued by him. Of course, this was partly due to Zhang Wei Qiang’s deliberate training and mentorship, but for that to be effective, he had to be a diamond in the rough worth polishing, didn’t he?

Then there was Luo Xiaohu’s high emotional intelligence.

In both word and deed, even though Gu Nuannuan disliked him, she had to admit he made an excellent impression on people. ’It was such a shame he died so ignominiously in my past life. A rare gem like him... no wonder Luo Hongyi never forgot him, wringing his hands and sighing over his early death for the rest of his life.’

The thought of Luo Hongyi made Gu Nuannuan want to take her anger out on someone again. But Luo Xiaohu was too cunning, more slippery than an eel. So even if she wanted to, Gu Nuannuan couldn’t find a good excuse on the spot. All she could do was glare at him, again and again...

"What is wrong with you, child? Why are you giving your brother that look again for no reason?" Gu Nuannuan’s unconcealed actions earned her a light tap with Zhang Minzhen’s chopsticks.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about her daughter’s immediate animosity toward her godson. Eventually, they had all concluded that Nuannuan was simply jealous. It made sense; anyone would feel a bit uncomfortable if a "brother" suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was like a child being protective of their food. No matter how mature and grown-up Nuannuan appeared on the surface, deep down she was still just a child, afraid someone would come and steal the adults’ affection...

Over the past two or three years, Zhang Minzhen had made many efforts to dispel Gu Nuannuan’s jealousy, constantly trying to show her through actions that she would always dote on her the most. Unfortunately, while it had some effect, it wasn’t significant. Later, seeing that Luo Xiaohu never cared about Nuannuan’s "unreasonable tantrums" and would just grin back at her, Zhang Minzhen felt a sense of relief, but her heart also ached for him even more. She couldn’t help it; the boy was just so endearing. If at first she had only accepted him as her godson out of gratitude for the kindness he and his brother had shown their family, after all these years together, she had come to genuinely accept him from the bottom of her heart.

So, gradually, whenever Gu Nuannuan had one of her inexplicable "fits," she would start to intervene and lightly "discipline" her daughter, reminding her not to go "too far."

Gu Nuannuan shot Zhang Minzhen a mournful glance before finally withdrawing her glare from Luo Xiaohu and lowering her head to eat in silence.

"..." Seeing her daughter become obedient again, Zhang Minzhen couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She wanted to comfort her but was afraid she’d "give her an inch and she’d take a mile," so she remained conflicted. This sight made Wen Xiu, who was watching, chuckle in amusement.

"It’s so much livelier with more family around. Thankfully, soon, once Nuannuan starts high school, we can move to the city too. We’ll be with our eldest son’s family then. Even though we’ll be in separate houses, the three properties are connected, so it’ll be just like living together. It’ll be lively again. But it’s a shame Xiao Hu will be leaving around that time. Xiao Hu, are you really sure you want to take the exam for Beijing and not attend university here? I’ve heard it’s not easy to get into a school in Beijing. And since you’re self-taught, can you really do it?"

At that moment, only six people were eating in the main hall: Zhang Dazhuang, Wen Xiu, Zhang Wei Qiang, Zhang Minzhen, Luo Xiaohu, and Gu Nuannuan. Ever since Zhang Su and Zhang Kai had started high school in the city, Zhang Wei Qiang and Lin Qin had moved there with them and Luo Xiaohu.

Last year, following Gu Nuannuan’s advice to acquire more real estate, the family had bought three adjacent villas in the city in one go. They were already renovated and waiting for Gu Nuannuan to start high school, at which point even Zhang Dazhuang and Wen Xiu would move to the city to live there long-term. But even after moving, someone would still have to take turns coming back to Lihua Village to look after things, especially from April to September when the Fish Spring was active.

Even though the fish from the Fish Spring were now breeding successfully in the external ponds, the fish from the spring itself still had to be harvested during those months each year. Firstly, it was to restock the ponds. Secondly, although the fish in the outer ponds were also raised in the same underground river spring water, there was still a slight difference in both flavor and the amount of Spiritual Energy they contained compared to the fish that came directly from the Fish Spring.

Therefore, the Zhang family stopped selling the fish from the Fish Spring to the public. Besides using them to restock the various ponds, the remainder was kept for their own consumption or dried to be given as gifts. The few families they were particularly close with would regularly receive fresh or dried fish from their Fish Spring.

This was why Wen Xiu had said what she did.

"That’s right, are you confident? I think it would be better for you to stop going to the company for the next few months and just focus on preparing for the exam. I’ve heard it’s really difficult for people from other places to get into Jingcheng University," Zhang Minzhen added, her tone laced with concern.

"There’s not much going on at the company. Lately, I’ve just been going to show my face. I spend more than half my day at work reviewing my lessons anyway. Uncle hasn’t been giving me many tasks recently, so it makes no difference if I go. In fact, if you made me stay home and just cram, I’m afraid I’d study myself stupid. Grandma, Godmother, you have to believe in me. I can definitely do it." When Luo Xiaohu talked about getting into Beijing and being by his big brother’s side, his whole demeanor lit up with confidence.

"Don’t you worry," Zhang Wei Qiang explained with a smile. "He’s done several practice exams from previous years, and his scores have always been excellent. Plus, he started practicing those Internal Cultivation Methods at a young age, so his physical condition is much better than the average person’s. As long as nothing unexpected happens during the exam, getting into Jingcheng University shouldn’t be a problem."

He sighed. "I’m truly reluctant to let such a promising young man go. But I’d be even more reluctant to hold him back and hinder his future." Patting Luo Xiaohu’s shoulder, Zhang Wei Qiang continued, "You’re a good kid. University is a great place, especially Jingcheng University. Everyone who graduates from there is talented. After you finish your studies, whether you want to come back here or start your own business, the family will support you. We will always be your strongest supporters, and we all believe you can carve out a bright future for yourself."

"Mmm." Luo Xiaohu nodded firmly. "I think the luckiest thing that ever happened to me was meeting all of you, and my big... my big brother."

"Your big brother is indeed a good man." Wen Xiu, Zhang Minzhen, and Zhang Dazhuang exchanged glances, all nodding in agreement as they smiled at Luo Xiaohu. Only Gu Nuannuan quietly pursed her lips, her expression full of disdain.

Luo Xiaohu noticed, but he didn’t get angry. Instead, he flashed her a huge grin.

Gu Nuannuan shot him an irritated glare and angrily turned her head away. ’This guy... the more I get to know him, the harder he is to hate. And that’s exactly why I’m even angrier.’