Chapter 5, retribution, oh retribution

Although the relationship between Zhou Chong and Zhuo Er was previously cold, they were still deeply bonded as siblings. When Zhou Chong fell seriously ill and lapsed into a coma, Zhuo Er could not help but cry every time she saw him. Later, when Zhou Chong regained consciousness, the distance between them was significantly reduced. Zhou Chong even made a bet with Zhuo Er, stating that as long as she did not cry anymore, his illness would improve. Initially, Zhuo Er did not believe this, but in order to make her brother happy, she agreed. The next time she saw him, she forced herself not to cry. To her surprise, Zhou Chong's health actually began to improve, which left Zhuo Er both astonished and delighted, and she vowed never to cry again. The distance between them was significantly reduced, and Zhou Chong made a bet with Zhuo Er, stating that as long as she did not cry anymore, his illness would improve. Initially, Zhuo Er did not believe this, but in order to make her brother happy, she agreed. The next time she saw him, she forced herself not to cry. To her surprise, Zhou Chong's health actually began to improve, which left Zhuo Er both astonished and delighted, and she vowed never to cry again

After much effort, Zhou Chong finally managed to make the loquacious Butler Xu stop his incessant chatter. It was then that he realized his earlier punch had been instinctive and without restraint, resulting in Butler Xu now having one eye bruised, which, combined with his chubby white face, created an indescribably comical appearance. After inquiring further, Zhou Chong understood that Butler Xu had come to find him earlier, but he had been lost in thought at the time. As a result, when Butler Xu called out to him several times without receiving a response, he eventually approached, leading to the misunderstanding that had just occurred.

Butler Xu also realized his mistake, slapping his own face as he spoke. Zhou Chong, too lazy to scold him further, turned and ran towards the back garden

Hearing Zhuo'er’s complaints, Zhou Chong finally came to a realization, thinking to himself that indeed, men and women think differently. Zhuo'er was actually upset with him for this reason. However, if he were to put himself in Zhuo'er’s shoes, Zhou Chong could also understand her feelings.

Seeing that Zhuo Er's anger had subsided, Zhou Zhong took the opportunity to persuade her for quite a while. Finally, with a serious expression, he said: "Zhuo Er, people like the Song father and son are not worth your sorrow. It's freezing cold outside; hurry back to your room and wash your face. Don't catch a cold or anything. Also, look at how exhausted your aunt has been these days. Now that our debts are almost paid off, you should spend more time with her and keep her company. Don't let her wear herself out!"

Only then did Zhou Chong manage to calm his intense breathing with great difficulty, and he walked over gently, deliberately using a joking tone to say: "Oh, why is our Miss Zhou crying again? Who was it that promised me last time when I was sick that she would never cry again?"

Seeing this sister who was both familiar and unfamiliar, Zhou Chong, panting heavily, felt a deep pain in his heart. The previous Zhou Chong was merely a bookworm; in his mind, there was nothing worth his attention aside from studying. Naturally, he did not care much for his two sisters, which resulted in a somewhat cold relationship among the siblings

As he watched the bracelet leave, Zhou Chong let out a sigh and turned to go back. However, what he did not expect was that just as he turned around, he suddenly found a round, chubby face right in front of him. This startled Zhou Chong, making him think he had encountered a ghost. In a reflexive reaction, he let out a loud shout and simultaneously raised his fist to strike.

What does "inadequate in achieving success, yet abundant in causing failure" mean? Steward Xu is a typical example. Just as Zhou Chong had not yet had the chance to feel pleased about clearing the Song family's debts, Steward Xu timidly approached and informed Zhou Chong that when he went to retrieve the marriage certificate, he encountered Miss Zhuo'er. In a moment of indiscretion, he revealed the matter of the Song family's withdrawal from the engagement to her. As a result, Zhuo'er covered her face and ran to the back garden in tears. Concerned for her well-being, Steward Xu immediately spoke up after the Song father and son had left.

Hearing that Zhou Chong was so considerate, Zhuo Er felt relieved and turned to go back to her room to freshen up. Watching Zhuo Er's departing figure, Zhou Chong silently murmured to himself: "Silly girl, reputation is something that cannot be eaten or drunk; exchanging it for something tangible is already a gain. Moreover, as long as one has money and power, no matter what kind of reputation you had before, there will always be people eager to help you clean it up"

Upon thinking of this, He Tu Zhou squatted down to meet Zhuo Er's gaze, who was sitting on the swing, and then spoke earnestly: "Zhuo Er, I must first apologize to you on behalf of my elder brother! However, you have also seen the character of the Song family father and son. Our family has just encountered a bit of trouble, and they have already turned their backs on us. Such petty individuals are not worthy of our Zhuo Er. Therefore, even if they do not cancel the engagement today, my elder brother will still annul this marriage in the future. However, I assure you that once our three-year mourning period is over, my elder brother will definitely restore the prestige of the Zhou family. By then, the young talents who wish to marry our Zhuo Er will likely line up from Songjiang Prefecture to Jinling City!"

The Songjiang Prefecture, where the Zhou family resided, is what later became known as Shanghai. It is not far from Suzhou and Hangzhou, and thus the architectural style leans towards the southern aesthetic. For instance, the Zhou family's garden embodies the southern garden style, featuring pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and ponds in abundance. Although some valuable stones from the artificial hills were sold off by Zhou Chong, which opened up the view in the garden significantly, most areas remain winding and secluded, making it quite difficult to find someone hiding there. The garden is replete with pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and ponds; despite the sale of some precious stones by Zhou Chong that enhanced the openness of the garden's view, the majority of it still consists of winding paths and deep recesses, making it truly challenging to locate a person concealed within.

However, Zhou Chong, after listening, smiled and said: "Thank you for the reminder, Zhuo'er. I will be more careful in the future. However, the Song family is indeed in the wrong for canceling the engagement this time, and I believe they would not dare to spread it around!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhuo'er, who had been lying on the swing, finally reacted. She lifted her tear-streaked little face and glared at Zhou Chong, her delicate little hand hastily wiping away her tears. With a heart full of grievances, she said: "How could my elder brother be at fault? As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. Since our father passed away, my elder brother has been the head of the Zhou family. Even if it meant selling me for two hundred taels of silver, I would have no complaints, let alone for just a marriage arrangement"

Butler Xu blinked a few times, and after realizing that his vision was unaffected, he suddenly remembered the reason for Zhou Zhong's visit to hetushu.com. He then anxiously said: "Young Master, the last valuable rock in our home has been sold to pay off debts. We truly have nothing of value left at home, and our grain supply is also low. What should we do next?"

However, when Zhou Chong first woke up from his coma, the first thing he saw was Zhuo'er’s tear-streaked face, resembling a weeping pear blossom. Even after Zhou Chong realized he had traveled through time, he initially thought that Zhuo'er was his maid or child bride, only to later discover that it was all a false hope.

Upon hearing Zhou mention his mother, Zhuo'er nodded understandingly and then stood up to return to her room. However, after taking just two steps outside, she suddenly stopped, furrowing her brow and said: "Elder brother, as the saying goes, a gentleman values wealth but acquires it through proper means. Although the Song father and son are despicable, you are using a marriage contract to coerce them, thereby obtaining the promissory note in their hands. This does not seem to be the conduct of a gentleman. If the Song father and son were to spread this matter, it would likely tarnish your reputation, elder brother."

In his previous life, Zhou Chong lost his parents at an early age and had no relatives, which made him particularly yearn for familial affection. Therefore, after his reincarnation, Zhou Chong placed great importance on the family around him, especially his two lovely younger sisters, to the point of almost indulging them. Although this significant change in Zhou Chong puzzled the people of the Zhou residence, at least in Zhuo'er’s eyes, this brother was much better than the cold and distant brother he had been before. Thus, within just a few days, Zhou Chong reestablished his position as a brother in Zhuo'er’s heart, and the bond between the two siblings naturally became very close. Although this significant change in Zhou Chong puzzled the people of the Zhou residence, at least in Zhuo'er’s eyes, this brother was much better than the cold and distant brother he had been before. Thus, within just a few days, Zhou Chong reestablished his position as a brother in Zhuo'er’s heart, and the bond between the two siblings naturally became very close.

With a cry of "Ouch!", a body that resembled a leather ball rolled out. At that moment, Zhou Zhong realized that the person standing behind him was actually the plump and fair Steward Xu, who had just been struck in the eye by his punch and was now covering his eye while wailing.

Originally, Zhou mhetushu.com was planning to keep this matter from Zhuo'er, especially since, after their father's passing, they, as children, were not allowed to marry for three years. Therefore, Zhuo'er should not have noticed this matter in the short term. However, unexpectedly, Steward Xu's loose lips caused trouble. Now that Zhuo'er is aware of this, who knows how much she will cry?

However, it is evident that Zhuo'er’s vows have not been fulfilled. Shortly after Zhou Chong's health improved, first, his father Zhou Hai met with an accident, and now he is faced with the withdrawal of the engagement by the Song family. How could this not cause Zhuo'er to be heartbroken and in tears

The weeping Zhuo'er heard Zhou Chong's voice, and instead of stopping her tears, she cried even harder. This puzzled Zhou Chong, who then stepped forward to support Zhuo'er's shoulders, but unexpectedly, she shrugged him off in a fit of anger.

Zhou Chong found it quite strange this week, as he could sense that the aura of the bracelet seemed to be directed at him. This left Zhou Chong somewhat perplexed, prompting him to ask again: "What’s wrong? Did my elder brother offend your bracelet in some way? If so, would it be alright if I apologized on his behalf?"

As Zhuo'er spoke, a look of unease appeared on her face. As the saying goes, there is a hierarchy in respect; Zhuo'er, as a younger sister, was admonishing her elder brother. Even if it was out of good intentions, she could still face a reprimand.

Zhuo Er's temperament is quite mature, and she understands matters well. In fact, she knows that Zhou Chong's decision to break off the engagement is for her own good. However, it is just that Zhou Chong exchanged his marriage certificate for a debt of two hundred taels, which left her momentarily unable to come to terms with it

However, now that she has heard Zhou Chong's apology in person and understands that his decision to break off the engagement was made with her best interests in mind, Zhuo Er's anger has diminished significantly. When she then hears her brother's ambition to restore the Zhou family's prestige, she cannot help but feel delighted. Yet, upon hearing Zhou Chong mention that suitors are lining up in Nanjing and Jinling, she feels both embarrassed and angry, unable to restrain herself from giving Zhou Chong a glare. Her face slightly flushed, she turns away, but a shy smile lingers at the corners of her mouth.

"Retribution, oh retribution! Just now, I foolishly mentioned the matter of the broken engagement to the young lady, and now I've received a punch from the young master. Indeed, there are deities three feet above!" Steward Xu, supported by Zhou Chong, stood up, still incessantly muttering about retribution.

Zhou Zhong is worried that Zhuo'er might do something foolish due to her inability to cope with the situation. After all, for a girl in the Ming Dynasty, breaking off an engagement is almost equivalent to being divorced. In later generations, some young girls have even contemplated suicide over unfinished homework. Although Zhuo'er is mature for her age, she likely cannot bear such a blow.

It was precisely for this reason that Zhou Chong rushed to the backyard and immediately began searching for Zhuo'er in a frenzy, particularly focusing on areas that were considered "dangerous," such as the pond and the thickets. In the end, he nearly searched the entire garden and finally found her on a swing behind several rocks. However, at that moment, Zhuo'er was quietly sobbing on the swing, completely unaware of Zhou Chong's arrival

In the Ming Dynasty, girls married at a young age, and their dispositions were quite mature. For instance, Zhuo'er was only thirteen, yet her psychological age was comparable to that of girls in later generations who were sixteen or seventeen, making her almost half an adult. However, emotional maturity is not always a blessing. Take today's incident as an example; Zhuo'er fully understood the lifelong implications of breaking off her engagement. For a young girl, this situation felt as if the sky had fallen, and it is no wonder she was distressed. Yet, emotional maturity is not always a blessing. Take today's incident as an example; Zhuo'er fully understood the lifelong implications of breaking off her engagement. For a young girl, this situation felt as if the sky had fallen, and it is no wonder she was distressed

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chong hurriedly stepped forward to help the other party up, then somewhat helplessly retorted, "I say, Steward Xu, how is it that you walk so silently, and yet you are so close to me? Fortunately, it was me; if it had been someone timid, they would have probably been scared to death by you already"

Upon hearing Butler Xu's explanation, Zhou Chong felt somewhat embarrassed. However, this was merely a misunderstanding. Moreover, upon closer inspection, Zhou Chong noticed that Butler Xu had a broad face and thick flesh; thus, this punch would not cause any significant harm. In a few days, once the bruising subsided, he would be fine.