I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 32 You are still young

On the way to the Zhao family manor, the cheerful chatter of little sister Zheng Shan filled the air.

The seventh young master still sat in the cart from the plateau, but Zheng Fa accompanied his mother and sister in the ox cart that had always taken him to the Zhao estate. He was holding his little sister, Zheng Shan, while Zheng's mother sat behind, looking after their few belongings.

This was Zheng Shan's first time traveling far from home. She found the monotonous rice fields around them extremely interesting and kept asking questions:

"Brother, is the city really that lively?"

"I heard Wang Gui bragging, saying that everything is sold in the city. Will you take me there to have a look?"

"What will our new home be like? Will I have my own bed?"

Her questions seemed endless, and Zheng Fa answered them casually. However, although there was a smile on Zheng's mother's face, Zheng Fa could detect traces of worry in it.

"Mother?" he asked with concern.

The old man driving the cart immediately tried to comfort her, saying, "Madam, your son has done well for himself. You should be waiting to enjoy your blessings, not worrying!"

Zheng's mother replied, "I know, I know." She looked at Zheng Fa with some pride but sighed, "With my son so impressive, I’m just afraid that when we get there, I’ll become a burden to you."

Zheng Shan looked at her mother with confusion, while Zheng Fa was about to comfort his mother when she stopped him.

"I’ve never been out of the village, and I don't know much. I’ve just heard that in the city, even a bowl of tea and a grain of rice costs money..."

The old man driving the cart seemed to understand her concern, nodding sympathetically. "Who says it's not true? The city may be good, but you can't live without money!"

"Mother, you don’t need to worry about money. The city is peaceful, and once we’re there, I even plan to send little sister to school," Zheng Fa reassured her.

"Peaceful is good." Upon hearing the word "peaceful," Zheng's mother's troubled expression lightened considerably.

Zheng Fa knew her well. He understood how much the death of her husband had affected her. Even if the city wasn’t perfect, it had city walls that could protect them from beast attacks, which was enough to comfort her.

"Is sending her to school really necessary? After all, she’s just a girl," his mother questioned.

"Little sister is smart. It would be a waste if she doesn’t go to school, and like I said, don’t worry about the money," Zheng Fa said firmly. He was much more insistent on education than his mother, having experienced a more modern world.

Seeing her son’s determined expression, Zheng's mother nodded in agreement.

Without realizing it, Zheng Fa had become the backbone of this family.

Zheng's mother gently held Zheng Shan's small hand and looked back at the luggage in the cart. The largest item was a loom that Zheng’s mother had dismantled.

"When we get to the city, I’ll ask around at the clothing shops to see if there’s any odd work available," she said, her tone firm.

"I don’t even need my own bed..." Zheng Shan understood her mother’s intentions to save up for her tuition fees and looked distressed. "When we go to the city, I won’t be able to collect pigweed anymore!"

The old man driving the cart laughed heartily, "Madam, with your spirit, your daughter’s filial piety, life will definitely get better!"

Zheng's mother smiled and thanked him, her eyes flashing with a trace of expectation.

...

However, as they entered the city, Zheng's mother’s anxiety grew even more.

The more bustling the city became, the more worried she appeared.

When they saw the prices of rice and flour in the grain store, she seemed a bit restless.

Zheng Fa knew she was startled by the high prices.

The ox cart passed through familiar streets and arrived at the back door of the Zhao family estate.

Compared to the first time Huang Yu came here, Zheng’s mother and Zheng Shan seemed even more uneasy. Even Zheng Shan, who was always full of energy, tightly held Zheng Fa’s arm, appearing somewhat fearful.

Gao Yuan was waiting by the back door. When he saw the cart, he immediately said, "The young master said you don’t need to get off the cart, just go straight in."

Zheng Fa felt a sense of warmth in his heart. Normally, the ox cart wouldn’t be allowed into the Zhao estate. The seventh young master had clearly thought of this.

The old man driving the cart now looked at Zheng Fa with more respect.

The place arranged for Zheng Fa and his family to stay was in a corner of the Zhao estate, far from the core area, quite remote. But... it was an independent courtyard upon entering!

When Zheng Shan saw the courtyard wall, her mouth dropped open in disbelief. "This courtyard... is all ours?"

Zheng Fa nodded.

Zheng Shan leaned forward eagerly, looking as though she might jump out of his arms in excitement.

The ox cart approached the gate, and a plump figure was standing at the door with several large bundles beside him and a few male servants carrying the bundles.

"Are you here?"

The man greeted Zheng Fa and the others warmly.

Zheng Fa looked at the unfamiliar man and heard Gao Yuan speak awkwardly beside him. "Zheng Fa, this is my father."

Zheng Fa quickly jumped off the cart and greeted, "Hello, Uncle Gao!"

Zheng’s mother and Zheng Shan also got off the cart. Zheng’s mother looked at Zheng Fa with a puzzled expression. Zheng Fa quietly explained to her, "This is Gao Yuan’s father, the steward of the second branch."

Zheng’s mother was startled. In her view, a steward was a significant person—compared to the steward Wang on their estate, the one on the farm seemed trivial.

Zheng’s mother was about to bow when Steward Gao preemptively gave a deep bow. "You must be Madam Zheng. It’s an honor!"

Zheng’s mother froze. She had felt uncomfortable when the old man driving the cart called her "madam" earlier. Now, even Steward Gao addressed her this way, and she seemed unsure how to respond.

Steward Gao, noticing her hesitation, smiled warmly. "I’ve heard that your son has been of great help to my son, and I came to celebrate your family’s relocation to a new home. I’ve brought a small gift."

He pointed to the large boxes behind him.

Zheng Fa replied, "Uncle Gao, you are too polite. This gift doesn’t seem small at all."

"It may seem like a lot, but it’s really just some inexpensive things!" Steward Gao said with a hearty laugh. "I figured, since you’ve just moved in, there’s no time to buy furniture or rice and oil, so I’ve prepared some for you."

Zheng Fa glanced at a beautifully carved, seemingly valuable bed behind Steward Gao and fell into thought.

Seeing that Zheng Fa was silent, Steward Gao’s face showed some nervousness.

"Uncle, you’re very kind!" Finally, Zheng Fa spoke, and a smile appeared on Steward Gao’s face.

"Don’t mention it!"

"In the future, I’ll urge Brother Gao to do his best," Zheng Fa suddenly said sincerely.

Gao Yuan, standing by, was puzzled. "Ah?"

Steward Gao’s polite expression faded, replaced by sincere surprise. "Good! Keep urging him!"

Meanwhile, Zheng’s mother, hearing the old man mutter, "Good days come as easily as snapping fingers," looked back at the loom she treasured. It seemed too large and out of place.

...

Zhao family manor arrangements were made. Gao Yuan followed Steward Gao further away, his expression slightly gloomy.

"What's wrong? Do you think I’m trying to butter up people?"

Steward Gao immediately understood what his son was thinking.

"Father, Zheng Fa and I are friends..."

"Do you even know how you kept your position as a study attendant? How many people in the manor would be willing to give up such a position for a gift like this?"

"Father?"

"Remember, the longer the relationship, the more you can’t treat others’ kindness as a given."@@novelbin@@

Gao Yuan nodded with understanding.

"Besides, who am I doing this for? Zheng Fa will surely be a key figure in the seventh young master’s inner circle. If I’m generous now, you’ll benefit later."

"I understand, Father!"

Gao Yuan felt both guilty and touched. His father was giving gifts to Zheng Fa, but it was all for his sake.

"Actually, you don’t even have to wait for later..." Steward Gao’s face showed a sly smile. "I heard that Zheng Fa might have the potential to join the Immortal Sect. The other day, the seventh young master and Madam had an argument because of him, and Madam even rewarded him with a courtyard!"

"Father, do you mean...?"

"I mean, you don’t have to wait for the seventh young master to promote him. Madam already highly values Zheng Fa!" Steward Gao patted Gao Yuan’s shoulder. "You’re still young and don’t see it."

"Ah?"

"This is a big opportunity. Let me grab this 'big leg' first," Steward Gao said with a wink.