Chapter 134

Little Yao Zu was holding a wine cup in his hand. His arm wasn’t very strong, so some of the liquor spilled out. The scent of alcohol wafted through the air, making Young Master He’s scalp tingle.

Although Young Master He had been drowning himself in drink for the past three years, barely going a day without alcohol, that didn’t mean he thought it was a good thing. He certainly didn’t want his son anywhere near it.

Little Yao Zu, sneaking around and doing something naughty, had no sense of guilt at all. He looked just like a kitten that had successfully stolen a bite of fish, his face brimming with glee.

He hadn’t even realized that his sneaky behavior had already been caught by his father. Still unaware, he leaned in and took another sip.

The kind of liquor Young Master He and his friends drank at restaurants was, of course, top-quality baijiu—strong and spicy.

An An took a small sip, then exhaled with a “ha” and shook his head, perfectly mimicking how adults acted after drinking.

“Yao Zu!”

His father’s stern voice rang out beside his ear. Startled, An An’s hand trembled, and the wine cup fell to the ground with a crisp clatter.

“Huh?”

Little Yao Zu didn’t even realize he had done something wrong. His wide eyes were filled with innocent confusion.

When he finally sensed that his father was scolding him, he pouted a little, looking genuinely aggrieved.

Seeing that clueless expression, Young Master He couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.

He had missed out on An An’s growth from a swaddled bundle to the little boy he was now. He didn’t know the best way to communicate with him effectively.

An An was definitely in the wrong for sneaking a drink, but Young Master He had no idea how to discipline him.

Instead, when he saw that pitiful look on An An’s face, his heart softened immediately, and he couldn’t bring himself to scold him.

Seeing An An’s eyes turn red, Young Master He’s friend tried to smooth things over.

“He’s still just a kid. Maybe he just thought it looked fun and wanted to try it. He He, don’t be so harsh on him. Look, he’s about to cry.”

Little Yao Zu sniffled dramatically on cue, looking every bit the poor, bullied child—like one unloved by both parents.

“You don’t understand. If my mother finds out about this, I’m done for.”

Even though Young Master He was trying to turn over a new leaf, he knew very well that no matter what, in his mother’s eyes, he could never compare to An An.

There was no point in even trying to compare them. His mother might just find him an eyesore for blocking her view of her beloved grandson.

“I’d say just keep it from your mother. Once the smell of alcohol fades by tomorrow, even if she wants to make a fuss, it’ll be too late.”

It made some sense, but not much.

Others knew that his mother doted on Yao Zu, but they didn’t realize just how much. She checked on him every night before bed without fail.

He’d overheard one of the maids say that if she didn’t see Yao Zu safe and sound before sleeping, she couldn’t fall asleep at all.

And now, seeing little Yao Zu’s face flushed red like a monkey’s bottom, Young Master He didn’t think they could hide it.

With this little incident, Young Master He lost all interest in catching up with his old friend.

He ate a few bites in haste, then hurried home with An An.

On the way back in the rickshaw, An An’s cheeks grew redder, and the alcohol began to take effect. He kept giggling at his father, silly and dazed.

Yao Zu himself would definitely escape punishment. His mother would vent all her anger on the real culprit—him—for taking the boy out in the first place.

Young Master He brooded the entire way home. As soon as they arrived, he went straight to the ancestral hall and knelt.

When Yang Laonainai heard what happened, she rushed over. Seeing Yao Zu giggling drunkenly and calling for his grandma made her fury boil over.

She marched up to her son, pointed at An An, and demanded, “What’s going on here? Is this how you take care of Yao Zu?”

“Mother, it’s my fault. I didn’t watch him properly.”

An An, who had been dazed for a while and couldn’t quite grasp the situation, suddenly found his sense of loyalty.

He hurried over to his grandmother, patted his chest, and tried to explain for his father in broken words:

“It was… Yao Zu… who… drank~”

“Grandma, it’s so spicy.”

“Not good to drink.”

Little Yao Zu took the blame upon himself, which eased Yang Laonainai’s anger a bit.

Still, no matter what, Yao Zu was a child who needed supervision wherever he went. The one who took him out—Young Master He—clearly bore more responsibility.

“If you hadn’t brought him out and had alcohol around, would he have had the chance to drink?”

“Yao Zu has never been this mischievous before. Maybe it’s because he sees you drinking all the time and wanted to try it himself!”

Young Master He had no way to refute that. After all, in this entire household, he was the only one constantly drinking.

“Mother, I admit my mistake.”

After getting drunk, Yao Zu’s thoughts seemed to slow down. It took him a long time to realize that helping his father explain hadn’t saved him from punishment.

He wobbled over to his father’s side and knelt down just like him, his voice soft and sweet.

“Grandma, Yao Zu knows he was wrong.”

Yang Laonainai could stay unmoved when it was her son kneeling on the cold tiles of the ancestral hall. She even thought it was a good way to teach him a lesson.

But the moment Yao Zu’s little knees touched the floor, she rushed over to scoop him up, frowning as she asked:

“What did you do wrong?”

“Yao Zu… next time… won’t drink. Grandma, don’t be mad.”

“Alright, Grandma’s not mad. I really can’t stay angry at you.”

Yang Laonainai sighed helplessly. She just couldn’t bring herself to be harsh with this little darling, let alone punish him by making him kneel.

An An clutched at his grandma’s clothes nervously. Glancing at his father still kneeling there, he bit his lip stubbornly. The look in his eyes made Yang Laonainai sigh again.

“Youn’er, you get up too.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Young Master He knew very well that the only reason this matter had blown over so easily was thanks to that little troublemaker.

When he looked over, An An winked playfully at him, a silent understanding passing between father and son.

The alcohol still hadn’t fully worn off, and the usually clever little guy looked a bit dazed, which only made him seem more adorable.

“No more taking Yao Zu to those kinds of places. And all the liquor in your courtyard—throw it all out. If you don’t, Yao Zu isn’t allowed to go there anymore!”

Even though the scolding wasn’t directed at him, An An still felt a little wronged. He responded softly, “Okay.”

Young Master He bowed deeply to his mother.

“Yes, Mother.”

He had drowned himself in alcohol before because he liked the way it blurred the line between reality and illusion, helping him escape the pain of his physical condition.

But ever since little An An had come into his life, he’d hardly touched a drop, even before his mother brought it up.

Now that she told him to throw it all away, he had no objections.

That little rascal usually seemed slow in other matters, but somehow, when it came to this, he was lightning fast. Before Young Master He could react, the wine cup was already in his hand and at his lips.

With something like this, once there’s a first time, there’s bound to be a second.

Young Master He didn’t dare take that risk. If next time Yao Zu found the stash and decided to drink himself into a stupor, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Still tipsy, Yao Zu insisted on sleeping with his father. Yang Laonainai looked at her precious grandson, who was acting so clingy, and though she held back from saying anything harsh, she couldn’t help but shake her head.

Forget it. Wanting to stick with his father was normal. Better that than clinging to his mother.

That night, Yao Zu actually slept quite peacefully for once. But Young Master He, on the other hand, found himself a bit uneasy.

He kept waking up to check on little An An beside him, tucking the blanket around him before going back to sleep.

The next morning, Young Master He got up early to pay his respects to his mother. At that hour, Yang Laonainai was already in the courtyard watering the flowers.

In her younger years, she had been tormented by her mother-in-law and was unable to do many of the things she wanted. When she finally reached the age where she should have been able to rest, her husband passed away and her son ran into trouble, leaving her to shoulder the burden of the entire household.

Now, watering the flowers in this small courtyard was one of her few remaining pleasures.

“Your son greets you, Mother.”

“Get up. Is An An still asleep?”

“Yes.”

Although An An had always woken up around this time, ever since the incident with the alcohol, Yang Laonainai couldn’t help but associate the two things in her mind.

Her gaze toward Young Master He held a trace of displeasure. She didn’t invite him to stay for breakfast and instead waved him off with a touch of impatience, signaling him to leave.

Sensing his mother’s disapproval, Young Master He said nothing. He gave a respectful bow and turned to go.

If things went according to Yang Laonainai’s wishes, it would be best if You’er never took Yao Zu out again. After all, the very first time he did, the child ended up drinking alcohol by accident.

What if something worse happened next time, like eating something he shouldn’t?

Yang Laonainai didn’t know how to express her frustration. Everyone around her seemed to be a source of worry.

When little Yao Zu’s mother took him out, he nearly got kidnapped by traffickers.

When his father took him out, he ended up drinking alcohol. This little one seemed to be especially prone to mishaps.

After thinking it over, she quietly set aside her own plans.

She remembered how happy little Yao Zu had looked when she agreed to let him go out with his father. His eyes sparkled like stars. Yang Laonainai couldn’t bear to disappoint him.

Once You’er left, she had her old maid summon several of the useful servant girls from her courtyard. She reviewed them one by one, with the old maid offering comments at her side.

If any of them had a good temperament and skill, they would be promoted to serve by You’er’s side and help take care of Yao Zu.

Ever since You’er had let Yao Zu get into alcohol, Yang Laonainai hadn’t felt comfortable letting him take the child out alone. But unfortunately, little Yao Zu had grown especially attached to his father during this time.

Yang Laonainai didn’t want to be the villain who separated father and son.

As for someone like Zhou Xiaoya, Yang Laonainai truly didn’t trust her. She had no opinions of her own, was foolish to the extreme, and yet still believed she was the kindest person in the world.

Yang Laonainai genuinely feared that Zhou Xiaoya, in pursuit of her so-called kindness, might end up losing little Yao Zu altogether.

After all, things like that had happened before. Compared to her, You’er was at least somewhat more reliable.

Children at this age were naturally lively and mischievous. Even when Yang Laonainai had watched over him herself, little Yao Zu had occasionally grabbed things he shouldn’t have out of curiosity.

But back then, she had caught it in time and taken the item away the moment he touched it.

The problem was that You’er had never really looked after An An before, so he wasn’t familiar with how quick and sneaky kids at this age could be. If you weren’t careful, they could get into trouble before you even noticed.

One incident had been caused by an adult, the other by a child’s quick hands. They couldn’t be compared.

The servant girls who stayed in Yang Laonainai’s courtyard were all from good families. They had signed contracts and were paid well each month, so they worked diligently.

Now that the old madam had assigned them to care for the young master, they all knew how much she treasured him and put forth their utmost effort.

Not long after, the old Traditional Chinese Medicine physician that Yang Laonainai had found arrived at the He residence. He was an elderly man with a full head of white hair, but his spirit remained strong.

His daughter had married the wrong man and was now suffering greatly in her husband’s household.

Physician Li was just a somewhat skilled doctor. He had no good way to resolve such a situation and could only watch helplessly as his daughter endured hardship.

One of Yang Laonainai’s maids had approached him, offering to help his daughter in exchange for him treating Young Master He’s health.

Once the treatment was complete, they would give him a large sum of money, on the condition that he and his entire family leave and never return.

For Physician Li, this was a rare opportunity.

If it meant helping his daughter escape her misery, he was willing to do anything without hesitation.

And with the promise of money to help them settle elsewhere, Yang Laonainai was like a lifeline in his darkest hour. He owed her a debt of gratitude for saving him.

At the appointed time, he arrived at the He residence, urging the servant boy to hurry up and take him to Young Master He’s courtyard.

Physician Li’s medical skills were decent. His family had once enjoyed some prestige.

But after Western medicine spread through the country, more and more people turned to it. His clinic gradually fell into decline.

That day, the sun was shining brightly. Young Master He had the servant set up brush and ink in the courtyard, intending to personally teach little Yao Zu how to read and write.

If you counted his age, little Yao Zu wasn’t that young anymore. Back when Young Master He had been his son’s age, he had already been sent to study under a private tutor, with renowned teachers at home.

Yang Laonainai might dote on her grandson in other matters, but when it came to education, she fully supported it. She even assigned someone to keep an eye on Young Master He to make sure he didn’t slack off.

Little An An, who had once dreamed of becoming a great man like his father, now only wanted to be a pampered little layabout clinging to his dad’s leg, spending his days eating, playing, and keeping his grandmother company.

When his father placed the brush in his hand, An An held it tightly and, after a moment of serious contemplation, drew a lively little turtle on the paper.

Young Master He had only turned away for a moment to grind the ink. When he looked back, the turtle was already taking shape on the page.

He remembered what one of his old tutors had said: when a child is finally motivated to do something, never interrupt them, or it might backfire.

So Young Master He held back the urge to scold him and waited until An An finished the drawing and handed it over, his chubby little face tight with anticipation, clearly waiting for praise.

After a long moment, Young Master He forced out a stiff smile.

“Not bad. But if you put this much effort into your studies instead…”

Before he could finish, An An had already covered his ears and started chanting.

“Not listening, not listening, turtle chanting scripture!”

His soft little voice made it sound quite adorable.

If the “turtle” in question weren’t referring to him, Young Master He might have found this little rascal even more endearing.

His face darkened. He reached out and gently tugged An An’s ear, lowering his voice.

“What did you just say?”

Startled by his father’s suddenly enlarged face so close to his own, An An quickly shut his eyes and continued to mutter.

“Not looking, not looking, turtle laying eggs!”

“Oh no, Daddy’s hitting Yao Zu! Boo hoo, Yao Zu’s going to tell Grandma!”

In the past, Young Master He might have panicked. After all, his mother was incredibly biased toward Yao Zu. Even ten of her own sons couldn’t compare to that one little boy.

But now, seeing him fake-crying without shedding a single tear, he simply crossed his legs and sat back, waiting patiently for him to stop.

An An kept his eyes tightly shut, pretending to cry as if he were heartbroken. But after a while, when no comfort came, he peeked through a slit in his eyelids.

He wanted to check what his father was doing, only to meet his amused, half-smiling gaze.

An An instinctively pouted and muttered softly.

“Daddy’s changed. You’re not the most most most loving daddy anymore. Boo hoo.”

“If I’ve changed, then you deserve a knock on the head right now.”

At that, An An reflexively covered his head with both hands, gave a little huff, and clutched his turtle drawing as he marched toward the courtyard gate.

Since Daddy didn’t appreciate his artwork, he would go find Grandma instead. Grandma would definitely praise it.

Young Master He was just about to follow when the servant led Physician Li to his courtyard first, explaining that the old madam had specially invited him to help nurse his health.

Two maids had already followed after Yao Zu the moment he ran out. Since this was their own household, there shouldn’t be any trouble.

Thinking this, Young Master He sat down on a stool, rolled up his sleeve, and extended his arm, palm up, to reveal his wrist.

Physician Li placed his hand on Young Master He’s pulse. After closing his eyes and feeling it for a long while, he finally said, “The chronic ailment in your body is indeed difficult to cure, but it’s not impossible.”

“These past two years, your body has been severely weakened. You must take proper care of it, or you’ll suffer greatly in old age.”

Before coming, Physician Li had already been thoroughly briefed by the people sent by Granny Yang.

The moment he felt the pulse, Physician Li understood why Granny Yang had gone to such lengths to bring him here.

This kind of matter amounted to a scandal. It was certainly not something to be widely known.

“Not impossible?”

Young Master He instinctively repeated the words, eyes widening in disbelief.

“What do you mean?”

Back when the incident first happened, his mother had invited many renowned physicians, and nearly all of them said he would never be able to have children in his lifetime.

Not only that, but he could feel it himself. No matter the time, he never felt any desire again. He had become a cripple.

Just a few days ago, he noticed his body felt a bit warm when he woke up. He thought it was because of the warm little stove, Yao Zu, sleeping beside him, and didn’t give it much thought.

“Yes. But since the old madam has offered such generous compensation, I will of course do my utmost.”

When Physician Li first realized how difficult life had become for his daughter in her husband’s family, he went to seek help from former patients he had treated, hoping they would speak on his behalf.

That family was indeed a wealthy one. Finding a new daughter-in-law wouldn’t be difficult for them. Yet, for some reason, they insisted on keeping his daughter.

But those patients who once expressed deep gratitude after being cured by him not only refused to help, some wouldn’t even agree to meet him.

“You mean, I still have hope of recovery?”

Physician Li was slightly taken aback when he heard this, then asked in return, “Why would Young Master He say such a thing?”

To Young Master He, this was the most humiliating chapter of his life.

But now, hearing the physician’s words, he could no longer hold back. He told him everything the other doctors had diagnosed back then.

“May I examine the wound?”

At first, Physician Li hadn’t taken Young Master He’s words seriously. But when the servant beside him listed the names of the doctors who had treated him before, Physician Li began to take it seriously.

He had practiced medicine in this area for decades. He had at least heard of all those physicians. Their skills were on par with his own.

Something this serious couldn’t possibly have been misdiagnosed.

“Very well.”

As soon as Young Master He heard there might be a chance, he no longer cared about modesty. He led Physician Li into the inner room.

He had had enough of living like a cripple all these years. No matter how others looked at him, it always felt like mockery.

He didn’t want to go out and meet people, afraid that his mother hadn’t done a good enough job of keeping the matter quiet.

Proud and arrogant since childhood, how could Young Master He bear to be laughed at over something like this? It was like having his pride trampled underfoot.

Physician Li carefully examined the wound, then took Young Master He’s pulse again.

Judging by the location of the injury and the scar that remained, it was true that Young Master He would likely never be able to father children.

But from the pulse, it was clear that the current difficulty came from his weakened state. If he could properly restore his health, it would only be a matter of reduced fertility, not complete impossibility.

To be cautious, Physician Li only said that it was treatable.

But even those two uncertain words were enough to make Young Master He overjoyed.

No matter how hard he tried to hide it, the joy in his eyes and expression was unmistakable. He even stood up and bowed deeply to the physician.

“Then I’ll be relying on you from now on.”

Physician Li quickly stepped aside to avoid the bow, reaching out to help Young Master He up, repeatedly saying he didn’t dare accept such courtesy.

Such wonderful news, of course, had to be shared with Granny Yang.

When Young Master He arrived, An An was sitting beside his mother, proudly showing her a little turtle he had just drawn.

Young Master He knew very well that if he’d dared to do something like that when he was young, his mother would have scolded him for wasting time on frivolities.

But now, Granny Yang leaned in, studying the drawing for a long time before rubbing Yao Zu’s little head and saying, “Very good, very good. Our Yao Zu is going to be somebody. This little turtle looks just like the real thing.”

She gently turned the prayer beads she always wore on her wrist, her eyes full of indulgence for little Yao Zu.

At that moment, Young Master He stepped forward and bowed to his mother. The smile on Granny Yang’s lips immediately faded.

From her expression, it was clear she resented his presence for disrupting the warm atmosphere between grandparent and grandchild.

The news had shaken and thrilled Young Master He so much that he couldn’t wait to share it with his mother.

He knelt before her and kowtowed, repeating everything Physician Li had said.

“Is that true?”

Granny Yang’s ever-present prayer beads slipped from her hands and fell to the floor. She stood up in shock.

“Your son would never dare deceive his mother.”

“Good, good! Where is Physician Li now? Xiao Pei, hurry and send some silver over.”

Originally, Granny Yang had planned to help only after the treatment succeeded. But now she had changed her mind.

Since Doctor Li had such skill, the He family needed to show their sincerity as well.

If they waited until You’er’s body was fully healed before rescuing his daughter, it would seem careless and ungrateful.

Granny Yang bent down to pick up the prayer beads, pressed her palms together, and softly chanted several Buddhist prayers.

“Bodhisattva bless us, Bodhisattva bless us.”

If it had only been a matter of not being able to have more children, it wouldn’t have mattered much now that they had An An.

But the doctors had said back then that You’er had lost all function in that regard.

And because the injury had been so severe, he wouldn’t live past twenty.

A perfectly fine son, struck down just as he came of age—how could Granny Yang not feel bitter?

But now, things had turned around. There was still hope.

Not only was Doctor Li’s daughter brought back from her husband’s home early, but he also received a generous gift from one of Granny Yang’s maids.

On top of that, all the He family servants had their monthly wages doubled.

Granny Yang was truly overjoyed. So much so that even when she looked at Zhou Xiaoya now, she no longer felt the same annoyance.

While treating Young Master He, Physician Li didn’t ask him to stay indoors. Instead, he encouraged him to go out more, saying that exercise would help his recovery.

Granny Yang began giving him the household account books to review. She was getting old, and if not for necessity, she wouldn’t have taken on such heavy responsibilities herself.

Almost every time Young Master He left the estate, he brought An An with him.

The little one was like a clingy shadow. If Young Master He ever said he couldn’t take him, he’d run to Grandma and cry pitifully.

In the end, not only would Young Master He have to take him along, he’d also get a good scolding from his mother.

After enough times, Young Master He gradually began to accept it.

Rather than letting the little rascal throw a tantrum and make a fuss, it was better to talk things through with him from the start and take him along.

One day, Young Master He was out checking the accounts and came back a bit late. By the time he returned, the sky was already dark.

He was carrying An An back to his own courtyard when, turning a corner, he suddenly saw a familiar figure standing in the garden.

Zhou Xiaoya was holding clothes she had sewn herself. She stepped forward a few paces and asked timidly, “Young Master, is Yao Zu already asleep?”

She seemed to know that the Young Master still didn’t look kindly upon her. So after asking, she didn’t wait for a response and quickly added, “These are clothes I made for you and the young master. I sewed them myself…”

After speaking, Zhou Xiaoya held the clothes out in front of Young Master He, hoping he would accept them as a small way to make up for her past mistakes.

Young Master He let out a cold snort. Before he could say anything, the little one in his arms had already woken up. Rubbing his eyes, he struggled to stand on the ground, still groggy and unaware of what was happening.

With his hands now free, Young Master He grabbed the two sets of clothes Zhou Xiaoya had painstakingly sewn over several sleepless nights and tossed them aside without the slightest trace of mercy.

“Young Master…”

Young Master He’s face was cold, and the way he looked at Zhou Xiaoya wasn’t like a man looking at his wife. It was more like he was staring at a mortal enemy.

Even if Physician Li said that his physical injuries might still be treatable, everything he had endured back then—he had borne it all alone.

Just because there was now a chance to heal didn’t mean he could simply erase all the pain he had suffered.

“Don’t do these pointless things anymore. If you do, I’ll have Mother lock you in the ancestral hall.”

“And don’t appear in front of Yao Zu again. I don’t want you corrupting him.”

Whether it was Zhou Xiaoya’s weak and gentle nature or her opium-addicted brother, Young Master He didn’t want An An anywhere near them.

There was truth to the saying that children learn by example. A few days ago, Yao Zu had secretly tried to imitate him by drinking alcohol. Give it a few more days, and he might try smoking that black tar with his uncle.

Just as Young Master He was about to leave, he saw the little rascal sneakily pick up the two sets of clothes and clutch them in his arms.

Then he returned to his father’s side and rubbed against him gently, signaling for him to pick him up.

Young Master He still hadn’t forgiven what happened back then. Now, after all the effort he’d put into raising little Yao Zu, the kid was already showing signs of betrayal.

The way he picked up Zhou Xiaoya’s clothes and then turned around asking to be carried reminded Young Master He of a piece of gossip he’d just heard that day.

A man had set up a second household outside and brought his mistress’s child home for his wife to raise.

That kind of behavior was exactly what little Yao Zu was doing now.

“Daddy, carry me.”

Sensing that his father was displeased, little Yao Zu quickly turned on the charm. No matter how angry Young Master He was, he couldn’t bring himself to ignore him. So he simply kept a cold face and picked him up.

That night, Young Master He didn’t say another word to the little rascal.

An An tossed and turned for a long time, unable to come up with a good way to resolve the conflict between his parents.

The stitching on that piece of clothing was incredibly fine. It was obvious a lot of care had gone into it.

The next morning, just as Young Master He had finished washing up and was preparing to greet his mother, he saw An An calling over the maid to help him change clothes too.

During the morning greeting, as expected, Young Master He was sent away, while little Yao Zu was kept behind to have breakfast with Yang Laonainai.

The old madam had already heard about what happened the night before, when the young master ran into Zhou Xiaoya upon returning home. She also knew that little Yao Zu had picked up the clothes that was discarded.

As for Zhou Xiaoya, the old madam wasn’t willing to just let her go. But given the current situation, keeping her around the household was becoming an eyesore.

After breakfast, An An snuggled up next to his grandmother and began to act cute.

“Grandma, would you agree to a tiny little request from Yao Zu?”

Usually, whenever he acted like this, Yang Laonainai knew it wouldn’t be anything good. But seeing his adorable expression, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, gave a light cough, and said, “Let’s hear it.”

“You have to promise first.”

An An crawled over and clung to her arm, shaking it with all his might until Yang Laonainai could hardly bear it.

“All right, all right, I promise.”

“Grandma~ Yao Zu wants to study abroad.”

The smile that had just bloomed on Yang Laonainai’s face because of her darling grandson’s affection froze instantly. She reflexively asked, “What did you say?”

“Grandma, Yao Zu wants to study abroad.”

An An put on an innocent face and repeated his request.

“I don’t care. Yao Zu wants to go. If Grandma won’t let me, I’ll cry. If I cry too much, Grandma won’t have her sweet little Yao Zu to hug anymore.”

If things went the way he said, Yang Laonainai really wouldn’t be able to bear it.

But at the same time, she couldn’t bear to let her precious little grandson go overseas.

In their circle, it wasn’t uncommon for families to send their children abroad. But that was usually after they turned eighteen. Who had ever heard of sending a toddler who still needed to be carried?

Even if he did go, what could he possibly learn?

Just thinking about the long voyage by sea made Yang Laonainai’s heart tremble. If a storm hit and the ship capsized, wouldn’t her little Yao Zu be lost forever?

Her mind filled with stories she’d heard about children who had accidents while studying abroad. The more she thought about it, the more wrong it felt. No matter how much the little rascal shook her arm, it was out of the question.

“Yao Zu, tell Grandma, why do you suddenly want to study abroad?”

“Yao Zu heard it’s super fun. But that person was stingy and didn’t want to tell me much.”

An An pouted, pretending to be wronged, which made Yang Laonainai’s heart ache.

“Who was it that only told our little Yao Zu half the story? Let Grandma think about this, all right?”

“No no no, Yao Zu wants to go.”

Seeing his big, beautiful eyes start to fill with tears, Yang Laonainai quickly pulled him into her arms and asked, “How about this? Grandma will send someone else to study abroad. When they come back, they can tell little Yao Zu all about it. How does that sound?”

An An sniffled and leaned in close to ask, “Really?”

“Of course it’s true. Grandma wouldn’t lie to you.”

Tired from crying, An An leaned against her to rest for a while, and soon drifted off. Yang Laonainai called for Ya Huan to carry him off for a proper nap.

As she sat there turning her prayer beads, she started to give real thought to who ought to be sent abroad.

It couldn’t be Yao Zu. He was too young, and she couldn’t bear to part with him.

It couldn’t be You’er either. He had only just left, and if he went abroad now, the clan would surely swoop in and devour both her and Yao Zu.

Just then, a name popped into her mind, and Yang Laonainai’s eyes lit up.

— Translator’s Notes —

• baijiu: A traditional Chinese distilled spirit made from fermented sorghum or other grains, typically 40-60% alcohol by volume, known for its pungent, fiery taste.