Chapter 392: Selfish
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation ‘ Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The first two were just formalities, but he truly missed his daughter.
“Go ahead,”
Han Qiao took the list.
Dong Lai would bring people to count these items.
She then looked at He Hong, “Today is Cheng’er’s birthday. You…”
He Hong paused.
He instantly panicked.
He had already forgotten when He Cheng’s birthday was.
“Sister-in-law, I…”
Han Qiao took a deep breath to suppress her displeasure.
What kind of father was this?
“Whether you acknowledge him or not is up to you. He is part of the Marquis’ family, the Second Young Master of the Marquis’ family. He doesn’t need anything from you. I just think that he’s intelligent and sensible for a child his age. If you don’t intend to acknowledge him, then don’t ever do so,”
“He Hong, Heng Yi, and I have never stopped you from visiting him. He is your own son. But I hope you, even if you don’t love him… Please don’t hurt him.” The child you don’t care about means the world to us.”
She had never ignored He Cheng just because she had Ah-Yao.
She could see that Heng Yi was biased towards Ah-Yao.
But she could also see that he had been making an effort to be nicer to He Cheng.
He Hong blushed at Han Qiao’s words.
“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry, I—”
“Mother, Mother!” He Cheng ran over.
He ran inside the room with sweat rolling down his forehead, a big smile on his white and tender face. Big Yellow loyally followed behind him.
Ah-Yao trotted behind the big dog, trying to grab its tail. Fortunately, the Big Yellow had a very good temper, so it let Ah-Yao pull it.
Then behind them was the fair and chubby Zeng Bao’er.
“Mother, did you ask Brother Bao’er to bring Big Yellow? You are so kind, thank you, Mother! I really like this birthday present!”
Han Qiao laughed and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his face.
This is just one of the gifts. Mother has prepared other gifts for you.”
“Will there be Longevity noodles?” He Cheng asked with bright eyes.
“Of course.”
“Will it be the same as Ah-Yao’s? Is it going to be one long strand? Will Mother make it?” He Cheng asked a barrage of questions.
He remembered that on Ah-Yao’s birthday, Han Qiao cooked longevity noodles with her own hands, and made it in one long strand.
He also ate some, but he didn’t have that one long strand in his bowl.
“Yes, Mother will cook for you later.” Han Qiao patted his head.
Then she gently pulled him in front of He Hong, “Call him—”
“I know! That’s uncle! Uncle told me to call him that earlier,” He Cheng said immediately.
He raised his head to look at Han Qiao as if asking for a reward.
Han Qiao felt the air stuck in her lungs, unable to exhale or inhale.
She didn’t even know what to say to He Hong.
“How about you go play with Ah-Yao and Bao’er? Where is Wen Xuan? You all
go to the dining room first, and we’ll join you in a bit.”
“Un!”
These few children…
Zeng Bao’er was the oldest, but he doesn’t seem to have grown up. He liked to tease He Cheng and Ah-Yao who were younger than him.
He Cheng would fall for it, but Ah-Yao would always avoid Zeng Bao’er’s traps. Watching as the children went away, Han Qiao gave He Hong a side glance.
111 head to the kitchen and check on the preparations. You two just talk.”
He Cheng was very unlucky.
His biological mother hated him to the point of poisoning him, while his father was cold.
She didn’t know whether He Hong was like this by nature, or if the things he experienced later changed his temperament.
But when she first met him, she genuinely thought that He Hong was a good person.
Heng Yi still insisted that He Hong stayed for dinner.
He Hong felt a little dejected.
He sat with everyone at the dining table and watched as He Cheng asked Han Qiao to feed him longevity noodles with a satisfied look on his face.
Only children who were loved would make all kinds of requests to their parents.
He also discovered that only the noodles in He Cheng’s bowl had one long strand of noodles. The ones in their bowls were all cut up.
Ah-Yao sat on a small chair, eating the noodles with his hands. He didn’t want anyone to feed him. He didn’t need anyone to feed him, so he ate the noodles with great relish.
He Hong took the jade pendant from his waist, “Cheng’er.”
“Uncle?” He Cheng looked over.
His eyes were pure and innocent.
Here, this is Uncle’s birthday present for you.”
He Cheng turned to Han Qiao.
Han Qiao patted his head, “Go ahead. Thank your Uncle.”
He Cheng took a few steps forward and bowed respectfully, before reaching out his hands to hold it.
Rules were rules.
He Hong asked himself, if this child was by his side, could he teach him this well?
He knew he couldn’t.
Not even with Zhao Huan by his side.
“Good boy.” He placed the jade pendant in He Cheng’s hand.
Thank you, Uncle,” He Cheng hurriedly said.
Then he happily ran back to Han Qiao’s side.
When Ah-Yao saw what was on his brother’s hand, he squealed and reached out to touch it.
But the noodles were still sticking to his fingers.
Han Qiao asked the servant girl to carry Ah-Yao to wash his hands.
He Cheng followed Ah-Yao, coaxing,
“You can wear it first. But be careful not to break it.”
“Mmmm.” Ah-Yao kept nodding.
After he was done cleaning his hands and clothes, the little boy stood obediently and waited for Cheng’er to put the jade pendant on him.
Then Ah-Yao ran to show Han Qiao.
“It’s very beautiful,” Han Qiao complimented.
Ah-Yao ran to He Cheng, “Brother, wear it! Brother, wear it!”
The adults didn’t understand the child’s feelings and shouldn’t interfere in their interactions.
As long as they didn’t fight and live in harmony, it was fine for brothers and sisters to respect each other.
He Cheng loved his younger brother, and Ah-Yao respected his older brother.
Han Qiao never interfered with how the children got along. If they make mistakes, they will be punished, and they will be reprimanded if they refuse to listen.
She ate slowly and glanced at He Hong, whose eyes were a little red.
He did not speak.
Heng Yi poured He Hong a cup of wine.
He Hong raised his wine glass and faced Heng Yi, “Brother Heng, I would like
to toast you, to thank you-”
“Let’s not talk about that.” Heng Yi said softly.
They had given He Hong several chances, but He Hong never told He Cheng the truth.
From now on, He Cheng was a child of the Heng family and had nothing to do with He Hong.
As for who He Cheng would choose after he grew up, it would be his own decision and business.
All these years in the Heng’s family, he had a clear conscience.
After lunch, He Hong bid his farewell.
Heng Yi sent him to the gate.
Before He Hong left, he bowed deeply to Heng Yi.
“Brother Heng, The He Hong I was and the He Hong 1 am now is not the same person. Please don’t tell Cheng’er the truth, and let him live a worry-free life.”
Heng Yi agreed with a muffled voice.
He then asked Bai Cha to take He Hong to the barracks to find Shopkeeper Zhu. Heng Yi turned to look for He Cheng and took him to see the new horse that just arrived.
It was a three-month-old foal. It was said that its father was a Ferghana horse from the grassland.
It would grow tall and big and would be a mighty steed.
“For me?” He Cheng asked cautiously.
He knew that his eldest brother had a horse, and Han Chi would only let him pet it most of the time.
“Yes. It’s a birthday present for you. Let’s take care of it first, and when Cheng’er is older you can ride it on your own.” Heng Yi patted his head.
He carried him and placed him on the horse’s back.
Ah-Yao shouted and wanted to ride the horse too.
Heng Yi carried Ah-Yao up and led the horse slowly.
“Can I be as powerful as Father?” He Cheng asked.
The child looked up to strong people.
Especially his father.
He Cheng looked at Heng Yi with admiration in his eyes.
“Yes, in the future, you will study hard and train hard. You will be stronger than Father.”
He Cheng giggled.
Ah-Yao also laughed.
Heng Yi also chuckled.
Han Qiao watched them from a distance and turned around with a smile on her face.
On the way to the barracks, He Hong and Bai Cha were silent.
They were once master and servant, but now…
Although He Hong found himself a wife, he was no different than any other sons-in-law.
He couldn’t do whatever he pleased.
Although Bai Cha was still a slave, he was the Second Master of the Marquis’ Residence. He had real power in his hands. Everyone respected and fawned over him.
Their lives were already worlds apart….