Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: I’m Coaxing You!
Shen Yao subconsciously looked at Ji Zhao. Just as Ji Zhao was about to explain, he heard Qin Minghong speak again.
‘Looks like Ah Tao hasn’t told you yet,” Qin Minghong said with a smile. “She wants to hire a teacher for you and Ji Chen. Coincidentally, there’s a Master Song in my family. He’s knowledgeable and serious.”
Ji Zhao hurriedly held Shen Yao’s hand and explained with a smile, “Yes, I didn’t have time to tell you...”
‘Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Qin.” Shen Yao smiled slightly, but his smile did not reach his eyes. “However, I have already made a decision about the teacher.”
‘Shen Yao...” Just as Ji Zhao was about to speak anxiously, Shen Yao stood up.
‘There’s still soup simmering in the kitchen. I’ll check the heat.”
After Shen Yao left, the atmosphere was a little awkward.
Qin Minghong lowered his eyes and took a sip of tea. He was in a good mood. ‘Ah Tao, Master Song is really good. If Shen Yao is unwilling, you can bring Ji
Chen to meet him.”
Ji Zhao was stunned at first, but she could only nod in the end.
‘Then take good care of yourself. I’ll take my leave first.” Qin Minghong sensed her emotions and left with a smile.
‘Ah Tao, Young Master Qin sent over a lot of medicinal herbs. I saw some Lingzhi or something inside. Isn’t this... too expensive?” Eldest Brother Shen looked at Ji Zhao and asked slowly.
“It’s indeed too expensive.” Ji Zhao closed her eyes in frustration and raised her hand to pinch the space between her eyebrows. “Eldest Brother, please keep these medicinal herbs first. I’ll think about how to deal with them.’
‘Alright.” Eldest Brother Shen nodded silently. Then, he could not help but say,
‘Ah Tao, Third Brother... He’s really worried about you. Actually, that day...”
After Eldest Brother Shen’s explanation, Ji Zhao finally understood how worried Shen Yao was about her.
‘Actually, Third Brother is really worried about you. It’s just that he’s used to keeping everything to himself. He’s been like this since he was young. Even if he’s unhappy, he won’t say it out loud. Ah Tao, don’t blame Big Brother for being nosy. Although Big Brother knows that there’s nothing between you and Young Master Qin, if you switch positions with Third Brother now, if Young Master Qin wasn’t a man, but the eldest daughter of the Qin family. Do you think you won’t feel frustrated?”
Eldest Brother Shen sighed softly. ‘Ah Tao, this is the key to the shop. I’ll go back first. After all, your Eldest sister-in-law is pregnant.’
‘Okay.”
After Eldest Brother Shen left, Ji Zhao quietly closed the door of the shop, then turned around and went to the backyard.
In the kitchen, Shen Yao was staring at the fire on the stove in a daze.
The two-eared jar on the stove was misty, and the air was filled with the rich fragrance of meat.
‘Shen Yao, what soup are you cooking?” Ji Zhao walked to his side with a smile and asked curiously, “This meat fragrance smells a little special! Could it be Tianma Pigeon Soup?
‘Ah Tao’s nose is very sharp,” Shen Yao replied with his eyes lowered. However, the expression on his face made it impossible to see his emotions.
Ji Zhao thought for a moment and suddenly moved to his side. Then, she wrapped her arms around his and placed her head in his arms, rubbing it gently.
This sudden coquettishness made Shen Yao very confused.
‘Ah Tao... What are you... doing?
‘Tm coaxing you!” Ji Zhao suddenly popped her head out of his arms. The smile on her face was obedient and cute. “Shen Yao, can you smile?”
Shen Yao tapped the tip of her nose helplessly, but there was still no smile on his face.
Ji Zhao suddenly stretched out the index fingers of both her hands. When she pulled the corners of his lips, she did not forget to make a face at him.
In the end, Shen Yao’s defense broke and was amused by her.
‘You finally smiled!”
Seeing the smile on his face, Ji Zhao heaved a deep sigh of relief.
Shen Yao tapped her forehead.
‘Then, Master Song...” Ji Zhao looked into his eyes and said sincerely, “I really want to hire a good teacher for you and Chenchen. However, I really neglected your feelings. I’m sorry.”
‘Silly girl, you don’t have to apologize.” Shen Yao couldn’t help but pull her into his arms and say gently, “I’m not angry. I’m just a little jealous.”
When Ah Tao was in danger, it was Qin Minghong who stepped forward to save her.
Although Shen Yao was grateful to Qin Minghong, he felt a little disappointed.
“Why don’t we make some dumplings tomorrow? We don’t have to buy vinegar anymore!” Ji Zhao teased with a smile.
‘Alright, as you wish.”
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the wound on Ji Zhao’s face finally healed, and the wound on her shoulder had already scabbed over.
“1f we don’t go back, I’m worried that Mother will rush to the county city,” Ji Zhao said with a smile as she packed her bags.
‘Yes, Mother and the rest miss you very much,” Shen Yao said as he helped her pack her luggage.
At the end of the day, the two of them finally returned to the Shen family’s courtyard in Shanghe Village.
Zhao Lanhua carefully examined Ji Zhao from head to toe several times. After confirming that she was safe and sound, she was relieved. ‘Are your injuries healed?”
‘Mother?” Ji Zhao raised her eyebrows in surprise. ? I’m not injured!”
‘You still want to hide it from me?” Zhao Lanhua looked at her angrily. ‘Your eldest brother has always been honest. He has never lied since he was young. Do you think Mother can’t guess it?”
Ji Zhao smiled awkwardly. She wanted to explain but didn’t know where to start.
‘Don’t be so impulsive in the future. If anything happens, our family can discuss it together, understand?” Zhao Lanhua held her hand and reminded her gently, ‘Mother believes that as long as our family works together, we can definitely overcome any difficulties!”
‘Okay!” Ji Zhao nodded heavily.
‘Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s have lunch together!”
Lunch was sumptuous, but Ji Zhao’s lunch was meticulously arranged by Zhao
Lanhua.
‘Radish and pork rib soup, stir-fried cabbage, and braised fish,” Zhao Lanhua explained softly. “In winter, our familyrs meals are a little greasy. Your injuries just recovered a little. Mother has already asked the doctor. The doctor said that it’s best for you to eat light food. Ah Tao, why don’t you drink the soup first?”
..Okay.”
Ji Zhao was so touched that her eyes turned red. She obediently picked up the bowl of soup in front of her and took a sip.
The fragrance of the radish and the meat of the pork ribs perfectly fused into one, forming another wonderful taste. It entered her throat for a moment, and there was a faint sweet aftertaste.
“1 even added some wolfberries to the soup. It should taste good, right?” Zhao Lanhua looked at her and asked expectantly.
‘Delicious!” Ji Zhao quickly gave her a thumbs up. “Mother, your soup-making skills are unparalleled!”
‘You’re such a sweet talker!” The smile on Zhao Lanhua’s face deepened as she added another piece of pork ribs to Ji Zhao’s bowl.. “Ah Tao, eat more!”