Chen Guangren shook his head and told him what had happened in the straw hut.
Afterward, he couldn’t help but scold, “Do you realize your mistake now? Will you still neglect your health and run around while sick?”
“I understand,” Chen Jiu said remorsefully. “I’m sorry for causing you trouble again.”
“Don’t say that. I’m not afraid of trouble, just afraid something will happen to you.”
Chen Guangren glared at him, then frowned and asked, “Did Zhao Silly really say he didn’t find the pouch?”
Chen Jiu nodded, “He didn’t seem to be lying. I thought Ling’er might have been mistaken, but she was so sure at the time, otherwise, she wouldn’t have insisted I help.”
He furrowed his brows, looking puzzled.
Chen Guangren didn’t suspect Chen Ling of doing it intentionally. In his mind, although Chen Ling was capricious, she wouldn’t put her brother in danger. So, he said, “Maybe Zhao Silly forgot. Didn’t he say he forgot many things after he stopped being silly?”
“That could be. I’ll help you ask him another day.”
Chen Jiu didn’t argue and didn’t mention Chen Ling drugging him.
With his current abilities, he couldn’t have noticed these things, and saying too much would cause more trouble.
Chen Ling said that their father always spoke gently to him, but the fact was, who in their household hadn’t he been gentle with?
In his memory, up until now, their father had rarely scolded any of them, including him, Chen Ling, Chen Fu, or Chen Gui. Only when their actions crossed his limits, making him feel that tolerance would harm them, did he get angry. Unlike other households where fathers beat their children with sticks, this was never the case in their home.
It was Lan Shi who often pinched his arms, legs, and waist for various reasons. She frequently hit and scolded the mischievous Chen Fu but only showed kindness to Chen Ling and Chen Gui, who sided with her.
Now that their father was angry, it was still for Chen Ling’s sake.
Who wants others to say their daughter is disrespectful to her brother and not virtuous?
Chen Jiu always knew these things, so he didn’t expect to deal with Chen Ling right away.
But this matter wouldn’t pass so easily; Chen Ling had to pay for her viciousness!
But not now. It would be far more interesting when Father finds out that the embroidered pouch with Chen Ling’s name is with Qian Yun.
Chen Guangren didn’t dwell on this matter. Remembering what Chen Jiu had just said, he still felt uneasy. “We really owe a lot to Zhao Silly this time. Tomorrow, I’ll bring some rice and noodles to thank him and ask about the pouch.”
Chen Jiu thought to himself that Zhao Chen had actually gained a lot and didn’t need more thanks.
But what Zhao Chen had gained was not something he could tell Father now, so he simply said, “Father, he’s not silly anymore. Please don’t call him Zhao Silly.”
“True, it’s not appropriate to call him that if he’s no longer silly.” Chen Guangren nodded. “Let’s call him Zhao Chen from now on. Though I guess not many people know his full name.”
Chen Jiu hummed in agreement.
The father and son chatted for a while. Since Chen Jiu had already eaten at Zhao Chen’s place, he wasn’t hungry and didn’t want to eat anything prepared by Lan Shi and Chen Ling, who knew what they might have added to it?
So, he yawned and said to Chen Guangren, “Father, I’m sleepy. I want to go to bed.”
“You haven’t eaten anything. Eat the noodles first, then sleep.” Chen Guangren said gently.
“But I’m so sleepy.”
Chen Jiu half-closed his eyes, looking as if he could barely keep them open.
He wasn’t exactly lying. He was indeed weak and exhausted from everything that had happened. He had originally planned to check his space once everything calmed down and he was alone, but now he was too tired.
As soon as he closed his eyes, sleep overcame him, and he quickly fell into a deep slumber.
Listening to his increasingly steady breathing, Chen Guangren sighed and didn’t wake him. He adjusted the blanket and sat by the bed, watching over him.
When Lan Shi and Chen Ling came in with a bowl of noodles, they saw Chen Jiu sleeping soundly with Chen Guangren sitting by his bed, creating a warm and peaceful scene.
“Children’s father, the noodles are ready.” Lan Shi whispered, lowering her head to hide her emotions.
“Oh.” Chen Guangren came back to reality and, not wanting to wake Chen Jiu, lowered his voice as well, “Jiu-ge’er is asleep. Whoever is hungry can eat the noodles.”
“This…” Lan Shi was stunned.
Chen Ling’s face also froze.
