Chapter 559: Chapter 548: Don’t Let Me See You Again! What a Pain!
The air was exceptionally stifling, as if brewing a fierce storm for tomorrow.
The two did not leave the academy but instead headed towards the hall.
Along the way, it was unusually quiet.
No one spoke a word.
Only after passing the small corridor did Shen Zhi finally speak hesitantly, "Thank you for today’s matter."
"Tonight is the last night, make sure no one senses anything amiss."
"I know."
"After tomorrow, her side will definitely not be able to keep it hidden, what will you do?" Cui Yun asked, walking smoothly and looking straight ahead.
It was clear who that ’she’ referred to without saying.
Shen Zhi had come to this point, always shielding the frontmost, he protected Shen Hua very well, keeping her from the darker sides.
Even if the Shen Family concealed it well, not allowing servants to gossip, it would inevitably cause a stir throughout the city. The Shen Family couldn’t control other people’s mouths, but they couldn’t confine the girl and not let her leave the estate either.
And without Shen Wei, the girl would surely throw a tantrum for Daddy.
Which just leads to a dead end.
Shen Zhi remained silent.
He was actually also struggling and hesitating.
On one side, he wanted her to know the cruelty of human nature; on the other side, he wanted her to be a flower in a greenhouse, always sheltered by him should the sky fall.
But what if he was not there?
Just like in a dream, he, Mama, and all the loyal servants died by the knife.
This time, it was luck, but what about next time?
Life is unpredictable, who can foresee what happens in the next moment.
Shen Zhi became exceptionally silent and pessimistic, as the Mr. Cui by his side spoke.
"Rather than hearing it from others, it might be better if you tell her yourself."
"Perhaps... that’s a bit cruel."
Cui Yun softly said, "Ni Kang mentioned she has been taking poison for years, only a firm mind could have kept her alive till today. It shows she’s a strong little girl."
"You are here, so is her mother. Having people who wholeheartedly treat her well unharmed, that’s her fortune."
"Shen Zhi, you should be clear, she has a scale in her heart, knowing who matters more."
At least, in front of these two people, she will always be the brightest and most unrestrained girl.
If something happens to the two of them, being by Shen Wei’s side, who knows what her situation would be, maybe pride would crush her, maybe lack of care and guidance would lead her to despair.
This conversation enlightened Shen Zhi.
His heart stirred slightly: "What you say makes sense."
Shen Zhi felt somewhat more peaceful. A gentle scholar like him, who had never experienced the battlefield, was now showing his original gentle demeanor.
The girls in the hall finished their meals under the watchful eyes of the old teacher who had rushed there to mediate.
They had arrived at that time.
Upon seeing the people, Shen Hua ran up to them excitedly.
"Are we going home?"
Shen Zhi half-knelt down, his tone even.
"Yangyang."
He earnestly said to Shen Hua, "From now on, Cui Yun will be your second brother."
Shen Hua was puzzled, yet she now felt that Cui Yun indeed wasn’t bad.
Cui Yun raised his eyebrows unexpectedly and soon gave a low laugh.
"Did you hear that, Shen?"
Shen Zhi politely greeted the old teacher before going inside to pack up for Shen Hua.
"You, come here." The old man called out.
Shen Hua moved over with small obedient steps.
"Teacher, are you reluctant to let me go?"
Having escaped the cage, she couldn’t help but lift her little finger, raising her chin, and coquettishly said, "Actually, I am also very reluctant to leave you."
"Fortunately, as soon as I leave the academy, you will also leave the academy. It’s clear that the only teacher I recognize in my heart is you."
Her slick words were flying, but the old teacher didn’t believe a word of it.
Still, he gave a reminder,
"After returning, do not neglect your studies. With a brother who got such a fate, having a sister who’s a blind eye would only hold him back."
Shen Hua was puzzled.
"He isn’t held back by me, could it be he’s held back by someone else?"
"How can I let this opportunity pass to someone else."
Old man: ???
Shen Hua’s childish voice comforted him: "If such a day really comes, it would be because brother isn’t outstanding enough. If he stands at the peak, who would care how his sister is?"
She was still anxious for a moment.
"Teacher, rest assured."
"I will urge brother."
Teacher discontentedly said: "Don’t let me see you again! Annoying nuisance!"
Shen Hua: ???
She stomped her feet in anger but ultimately didn’t talk back. Not only did she not leave, but she also provocatively walked a few steps forward and stared him down.
Girls are not often in the academy, thus, her desk was hardly filled with books. But inside the desk were stuffed many large and small objects.
Shen Zhi tidied them up as usual.
He first took out an exquisite copper mirror.
While other girls read aloud holding their books, his Yangyang pinched the copper mirror, self-indulging in beauty under this atmosphere.
Then various bottles and jars were pulled out.
Varieties of rouge and lipstick.
Ivory comb, ointment, osmanthus hair oil...
Shen Zhi wasn’t without surprise.
Cui Yun felt the same.
Until Shen Zhi pulled out a thick stack of love letters, his brow twitched three times.
Cui Yun leaned against the door, casually watching. His expression gradually turned stagnant.
After tidying everything up.
Only then did Shen Zhi take the little girl’s hand. Before leaving the academy, he restrained himself and merely approached the old man to perform a courtesy.
"What’s this for?"
Shen Zhi gently said, "Regular teachers can’t control her, now that you aren’t in the academy, but often visit, it shows you still care about your students."
"So I wish to ask you to continue teaching Yangyang. If you don’t mind the trouble, there will be servants to fetch her back and forth, or it would also work to send her daily to your residence."
"I just wonder what the teacher thinks?"
Shen Hua’s wildly upwards curving lips suddenly flattened.
After leaving the academy and getting on the carriage, Shen Hua was still sulky.
She was quite distressed.
Shen Zhi didn’t comfort her right away but turned to throw out those dozens of love letters.
"What is this about?"
Shen Hua moved to the corner, hugging her knees, she was still wearing Cui Yun’s overcoat, resembling a child wearing an adult’s clothes.
Her delicate little face read ’Strangers Keep Out’.
Cui Yun, with an indifferent expression, picked up a letter, and opened it without any hesitation.
Shen Zhi also didn’t feel there was anything improper.
"Shen Hua, seeing the letter as meeting you."
Cui Yun read it with an entirely flat tone.
"I’ve noticed you for a long time, I am Zhou Anchun from the South Courtyard."
After all, it’s a child’s writing, Cui Yun found it painfully tacky with just one glance.
"Although you are delicate, I still like you very much. Last time I asked someone to send you a bag of dates I made myself, did you like them?"
"I wonder, do I have a chance to personally deliver them to your hands?"
The last sentence was deliberately added, to emphasize his own profound yet cringeworthy sentiment.
"Mountains have days, yet no terms. Tying the scarf belt, longing grows."
After reading it, he scoffed. He lost interest in reading another letter. His slender fingertips impatiently poked the letter.
He spoke coldly.
"Why don’t you explain?"
The genuine older brother Shen Zhi was still naive about the world.
He hadn’t expected! Cui Yun, this substitute older brother, could so quickly settle into the role.
He immediately started imposing restrictions on Shen Hua!!!
