Chapter 115: Xu Huizhen Pays a Visit

Xu Huizhen stepped into the grand courtyard, bringing her husband and child, passing through Flowering Wealth, passing through the Hanging Flower Gate, passing by the Chashou Corridor, passing through the Moon Gate, and all the way arrived at the Houzhaofang.

As soon as she entered the rear courtyard, she saw a crowd gathered around something to watch the excitement.

She called out.

"Is this the Yang Qing residence?"

Hearing someone shout Yang Qing's name, the crowd made way.

"This is the Yang Qing residence; is someone looking for Yang Qing?"

A group of older women, young wives, and little brats looked curiously at Xu Huizhen.

Although Xu Huizhen's family dressed ordinarily, their fabric was not simple.

All were high-quality cloth, unlike their coarse homespun.

Xu Huizhen was also curious: what's going on, that Yang Qing attracts women so much?

During work hours, the men were almost all out, leaving mostly women behind.

Yang Qing heard the voice, put down the dictionary, and rose to his feet.

By then, Xu Huizhen and her party had already walked in.

Cai Quanwu felt astonished: what a fine catch, surrounded by two such beautiful wives—could he have taken on more? Envious, bold.

Afterwards he glanced around, hissing… could it be that all of them have an affair with him?

Seeing Yang Qing rise, Xu Huizhen also paused a moment, thinking: wow, this Yang Qing has some tricks.

But upon looking at his face again, it was somewhat understandable.

No wonder Chen Xueru acts all flirtatious.

A monk's face, yet it attracts people so easily.

Upon seeing Xu Huizhen and Cai Quanwu, Yang Qing happily said.

"Brother Cai, Sister-in-law Huizhen, how did you come?"

"Quick, quick, quick, come inside and sit, come inside and sit?"

Xu Huizhen glanced around at the people, using her eyes to scout.

They are here as guests, so they must not lose propriety.

Seeing this, Yang Qing introduced.

"These are all my neighbors left and right."

"This is my grandmother."

Xu Huizhen faced the crowd.

"Hello, everyone."

Then she looked toward the old lady.

"Grandma, hello."

Seeing Yang Qing had guests, the old lady also happily said.

"Hello, come in, come in, come in and have a cup of tea."

"Qing, greet the guests well."

Only then did Yang Qing lead the people inside.

Hou Kui entered the house, then excitedly shouted.

"Uncle Yang."

Yang Qing rubbed his head.

"Hey, Hou Kui has come too—see, didn't I tell you? Aunt Xu is back, and your mother will be back soon."

Hou Kui nodded.

"Mm, Aunt Xu told me I'm a good child, waiting for Mother to return."

Yang Qing smiled at Xu Huizhen, then poured tea and water.

Cai Quanwu's gift had already been placed on the table.

Yang Qing said politely.

"You came, why bring anything?"

Xu Huizhen stopped Yang Qing from continuing his busywork.

"It's nothing special—just our homemade pickled vegetables and a jar of old liquor."

"Today we came over to make acquaintance and also to thank you!"

"They say adversity reveals true feeling; true feeling is worth a thousand gold; it was fate that brought us together."

"Our family doesn't want to miss this genuine feeling."

"From now on, let's interact more."

Yang Qing didn't expect Xu Huizhen to be so direct, straightforwardly stating her stance.

"I'm telling you, our family has latched onto you—just say yes or no."

Yang Qing was somewhat amused and exasperated: "I myself can barely cope, and you still want to get involved—aren't you just courting death?"

But seeing Xu Huizhen's determined gaze, and Cai Quanwu's appearance of obeying only Xu Huizhen's command.

Yang Qing gave up the idea of persuading them for now.

"After Sister Xueru returns, we'll go over for a visit; then, if Sister Huizhen doesn't mind, this young one will be acknowledged as kin."

Xu Huizhen immediately understood Yang Qing's meaning.

"Everything will wait until Chen Xueru returns; I'll lay out the pros and cons for you, then you can decide."

Xu Huizhen nodded; the purpose of her visit today was fulfilled, and she recalled the scene she had just seen, smiling lightly.

"Brother Qing, you've got quite a lot of luck with the ladies."

Yang Qing awkwardly waved his hands repeatedly.

"Don't get the wrong idea, don't get the wrong idea; I'm just trying to study on my own, so I found a university student from our institute, the one with the fair, clean skin you saw."

"Teaching, teaching, it ended up attracting a few people from our institute."

"Next to me is a daughter‑in‑law from the middle courtyard, bringing her own daughter, learning along."

"Just now the two of them were still correcting the 'ren' and 'rer' thing."

"The two taught a bit passionately, so a crowd was drawn in."

"Women, you know, just love to join the fun."

Xu Huizhen heard Yang Qing studying on his own and gave him another admiring glance.

"You, Cai Quanwu, have even taught literacy classes; why not have him teach you?"

Yang Qing waved his hands repeatedly.

"No need, no need; I studied a bit before, now I'm just using a textbook to learn systematically."

"There's no need to bother Cai Quanwu."

Cai Quanwu, seeing the topic had turned to his specialty, replied.

"Where have you gotten to now?"

"Just learned how to use a dictionary."

"How long have you been studying?"

"I just started today."

"Hmm, dictionaries aren't taught until second grade, right? Have you mastered pinyin?"

"I have, I learned it this morning."

"Seems your foundation was decent before—have you attended literacy classes or night school?"

How does Yang Qing answer? He hasn't, so he can only lie.

"I learned a little by following others."

Cai Quanwu nodded.

"No wonder."

"He can review first‑ and second‑grade material in a day, showing his original study was solid."

"The rest, I can't teach much either."

"He already knows how to use a dictionary."

Xu Huizhen's big eyes stared at Yang Qing; she noticed the instant his gaze flicked upward—he was lying, a typical liar's tell, just like Fan Jinyou.

But she didn't know: that "learned a little by following others" part was a lie.

She didn't probe further—whether it was a little or a lot, does it matter?

It doesn't matter at all, okay.

The few chatted a while longer; as dusk approached, Xu Huizhen stood up to take her leave.

Yang Qing tried to keep her.

"Let's just have a bite at home today."

Stay over at someone else's house for a meal? What time is it now, can they be so oblivious?

Would Xu Huizhen be that kind of person?

Ridiculous.

"There's still something at home; maybe next time."

One wants to stay, the other is determined to leave.

Hou Kui and Xu Manager looked utterly confused.

"You say what you're pulling at."

"The adult world is too complicated."

In the end, Yang Qing couldn't keep anyone, so he turned to Hou Kui.

"Hou Kui, would you like to stay here with uncle for a few days?"

Hou Kui shook his head.

"I still have to go back and wait for Mom to return; once she's back, I'll come to uncle's house as a guest."

Yang Qing sentimentally patted Hou Kui's head.

"Uncle's place always welcomes you."

After seeing off Xu Huizhen and her husband, Chen Hong happened to finish work and return; seeing Yang Qing at the doorway, she thought he was greeting her.

She ran the whole way, then, like cradling a child, scooped him into her arms.

She held Yang Qing's bottom with both hands and walked inward.

"Yang Qing, you even came out to meet me—mwah, here's a reward for you."

This beautiful misunderstanding—how could he explain it? He could only admit it.

"Hey, put me down; how does it look? Out there you have to give your man face."