I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 13 Good Father

Zheng Fa had yet to respond when a middle-aged man walked out from the estate.

“Steward Huang, what brings you here?”

The speaker, a tall, thin man who bore a seven-point resemblance to Wang Gui, was none other than Wang Gui’s father, Steward Wang of the Zhao estate. At that moment, he was eagerly gazing at the rotund middle-aged man standing beside Huang Yu.

The plump man descended the carriage with Huang Yu, nodding slightly in acknowledgment but not offering much conversation.

Huang Yu pulled him over to Zheng Fa and introduced him. “This is my father. I told him about you and said we should come visit.”

Huang Yu’s father, the middle-aged man, smiled wider as he looked at Zheng Fa, his expression noticeably warmer than before. “Young Zheng, since Huang Yu has known you for some time, may I presume to call you Nephew Zheng?”

Zheng Fa nodded, glancing at the father and son pair, unsure of their intentions.

“Huang Yu has always been somewhat unruly, and I’ve often worried about how he might manage his own affairs someday. But with a friend like you, I can rest easy.” Huang Yu’s father gestured toward the carriage. “Since he wanted to visit his friend, I thought it would be proper to bring a small gift for our first meeting.”

Steward Huang’s apparent indifference toward him, coupled with his overly warm attitude toward Zheng Fa, made Steward Wang’s face darken. Yet, he had no choice but to endure it. 

Though they both served as stewards of Zhao estate properties, Steward Wang had only assumed his role five years ago, while Steward Huang’s family had held their position for over three generations. Furthermore, the estate managed by Steward Huang was larger and more productive than his own. The disparity in their status within the Zhao family was stark. Thus, despite the cold treatment, Steward Wang had to swallow his pride.

Wang Gui, standing nearby, noticed his father’s displeasure and felt even more resentment toward Steward Huang’s friendliness toward Zheng Fa. Watching as Steward Huang and Zheng Fa approached the carriage, he craned his neck, trying to see inside. When the curtain was lifted, two large chests were revealed.

At this moment, Zheng’s mother also came over, holding little Zheng Shan’s hand as she watched.

Huang Yu’s father cheerfully opened one of the chests, revealing several bolts of fabric. The material wasn’t luxurious, but it was brand-new.

“These were originally prepared by my wife. She dreamed of making new clothes for this boy if he became the Seventh Young Master’s study attendant.” He glanced sideways at Huang Yu, his tone carrying a trace of disappointment.

Huang Yu shrank back, looking sheepish.

“Now that you, Nephew Zheng, will be serving the Seventh Young Master, consider these bolts of fabric a congratulatory gift. I hope you won’t find them too meager.”

Zheng Fa glanced at his mother, who subtly shook her head at him.

“Uncle Huang, it’s not that I dislike them, but I cannot accept such generosity without merit…”

“Oh, what’s a few bolts of fabric?” Steward Huang chuckled, cutting off Zheng Fa’s protest. “As I said, I only have one son. It’s his blessing to have a friend like you.”

Zheng Fa glanced at Huang Yu, who had turned bright red and kept his head down, avoiding eye contact.

“Huang Yu and I hit it off immediately; there’s no need for these…”

“If you put it that way, then it’s only fitting for me to treat you as a junior. Isn’t it customary to give a gift upon meeting one’s junior?” 

Seeing that Zheng Fa was about to object again, Steward Huang waved him off and opened the second chest. Inside was a complete set of calligraphy supplies: brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

“Since you’ll be studying with the Seventh Young Master, you’ll need proper tools. I happened to have a spare set at home. It’s not particularly valuable, but I hope you’ll accept it—don’t look down on it.”

“Uncle Huang, this is…” Zheng Fa could only smile wryly.

Although Steward Huang repeatedly downplayed the gifts, the bolts of fabric and the calligraphy tools were precisely what Zheng Fa needed, even anticipating his requirements. They were undoubtedly heartfelt and practical. Zheng Fa wanted to refuse, but he couldn’t find the right words.

Sensing his hesitation, Steward Huang laughed heartily and instructed Huang Yu to unload the chests. Then he abruptly declared, “Nephew Zheng, I have matters to attend to at the estate, so I’ll take my leave.”

Before anyone could react, he mounted his horse and galloped away, leaving no room for further discussion.

Huang Yu stood there, dumbfounded, holding the chests as he watched his father’s retreating figure. “Dad! What about me? I’m not on the carriage!”

“You can stay here, Huang Yu! I’ll pick you up tomorrow!”

Zheng Fa: “…”

Looking at Huang Yu and then at the two chests, Zheng Fa suddenly felt a headache coming on. However, with Huang Yu left behind, he had no choice but to invite him to the Zheng household. Each of them carried a chest, heading toward the house, with Little Sister Zheng following behind, holding a food box.

As for Wang Gui and his father, they said nothing and didn’t seem inclined to.

Thanks to the food box gifted by the old coachman, the Zheng family had something to offer Huang Yu for a meal. However, when it came to sleeping arrangements, Huang Yu had to share a room with Zheng Fa.

After dinner, Huang Yu sat silently in Zheng Fa’s room for a long time before finally saying, “Actually, it was my dad who told me to come.”

“I know.”

“My dad always says I’m irresponsible,” Huang Yu continued without looking at Zheng Fa. “He’s afraid that after he’s gone, there won’t be anyone to protect me.”

Zheng Fa nodded. Huang Yu wasn’t someone adept at currying favor or navigating social situations. This was evident even at the waterside pavilion, where he had tried to ingratiate himself with Gao Yuan but had quickly given up in frustration after being rebuffed.

“At first, he wanted me to compete for the position of the Seventh Young Master’s study attendant. Later, he told me it was more important to make friends like you. He said if I became the study attendant, he was afraid I’d bring ruin to the entire family.”

Leaning back and resting his hands behind his head, Huang Yu stared at the ceiling, looking somewhat dejected. “Adults are so annoying; they overthink everything.”

Zheng Fa sat beside him and suddenly said, “You have a good father.”

“Huh?”

“Your father must hold some status in the Zhao family.” From Steward Wang’s attitude, Zheng Fa could infer this. “I’m just a study attendant. I can’t even guarantee that I’ll be able to help you in the future. Why would he go out of his way to bring me these things?”

“...For me.”

Zheng Fa shrugged. “So, don’t you think he’s…”

“Selfish?” Huang Yu’s face flushed. “Isn’t he just sucking up?”

“Who in this world isn’t selfish?” Zheng Fa smiled. “Wasn’t competing for the study attendant position also selfish? Who would willingly serve someone unless they had no other choice?”

“That’s… disrespectful!” Huang Yu stared at Zheng Fa in shock. “Our family has served the Zhao family for generations. Isn’t that our duty?”

Zheng Fa said nothing. After a moment of silence, Huang Yu muttered, “I’m starting to think being friends with you might actually get my family into trouble…”

---

Back at the Wang household, Wang Gui was still fuming. “When I became the study attendant, why didn’t anyone try to curry favor with me?”

“They did—plenty of people brought silver,” Steward Wang replied as he emerged from the bedroom carrying a bundle. “But I had to borrow money to bribe my way into getting you that position.”

“Then all those gifts were used to pay off debts?” Wang Gui felt like he was starting to understand.

“Not exactly. There’s still this.” Steward Wang patted the bundle in his hands.

“That’s a lot!” Wang Gui, seeing the bundle’s size, felt a bit satisfied before suddenly realizing something. “Dad, where are you taking that bundle?”

“Of course, I’m delivering it to the Zheng family.”

“What?!”

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