Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

"Tingnan, you're still young..."

“Master, you once said that I’m not like a child. I don’t care, I just want to follow you.”

“Ting Nan, this time it’s just you and your Uncle Zuo. We won’t even tell Xiao Yue.”

“Master, I know, Teacher Zuo is going on her honeymoon. I’m on vacation and have nothing to do. Besides, ‘reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles,’ so I have to go with her!”

“Ting Nan, I’d better take you back first. Master isn’t going on vacation this time; he’s on important business. You’ll be scared if you go.”

“Master, I want to stay with you. I’m not afraid.” Ting Nan was being stubborn again.

Gao Haoran was somewhat helpless. He couldn't bring himself to be harsh with his disciple, so he had to tell the truth: "Tingnan, I'm going to Xiangdong to bring my elder brother's ashes home. You're too young. It's unlucky for you to be around these things, and you'll be scared."

After thinking for a moment, Ting Nan said seriously, "Master, I'm not afraid. They are your elder brothers, which means they are my senior brothers. I'm not afraid. My senior brothers are also my family. Bringing them home is what I should do. How could it be unlucky? If my maternal grandmother and maternal uncle knew, they would also agree with me going with you to bring them home."

"Tingnan, are you really going? Aren't you afraid?"

“I’m really going. I’m not afraid. They are family and good people. They will only protect me.”

"Okay! Tingnan, thank you! Let's go pick them up and take them home!" Gao Haoran's eyes were a little moist. It was so good that someone was finally going with him; it was so good that he hadn't misjudged him—such a kind and filial child.

"Yes, Master, send a telegram to my uncle tomorrow, just write 'traveling, returning late', so they won't worry."

"You've thought this through quite thoroughly!"

"That's right, thank you for the praise, Master!" Ting Nan seized the opportunity and made a funny face to amuse her master.

Gao Haoran looked at Ting Nan and thought that perhaps he could tell her in advance that she was indeed different from ordinary children and was more mature.

……

The next day, right after breakfast, Zuo Jinyue and Du Hongxue came over and invited them to return to the Zuo family home. It was Zuo Jinyue's second day back at her parents' home after her wedding, and she looked radiant.

She was overjoyed to see her Uncle Ah Huo and Ting Nan. They chatted non-stop along the way, greeting everyone in the Song family, including the children. She had missed the whole Song family after being separated for more than half a year.

Ting Nan was also very happy chatting with Zuo Jinyue about everyday things. She didn't mention her uncle Song Wanxing's matter. Teacher Zuo was newly married, so it was best to talk about happy things.

Upon arriving at the Zuo residence, in addition to Zuo Renxin and his wife waiting outside the gate, Zuo Renxin's elder brother, Zuo Renkai, along with Zuo Zhenyu and Zuo Zhenhua, were also there to greet them.

The Zuo family has a simple and harmonious relationship. Zuo Jinyue has no brothers or sisters, only two cousins, and her family dotes on her.

Zuo Jinyue has always been happy, except for the period of fleeing during her childhood. It was also because of those years that Yang Sumei's health was damaged and she could not have children, even though her brother-in-law was a famous doctor.

Yang Sumei warmly welcomed Tingnan, laying out a table full of fruits and snacks.

Zuo's eldest sister-in-law, Zhou Yuluo, was busy in the kitchen. Her two sons greeted her at the door and then slipped into the kitchen.

The second son, Zuo Zhenhua, said, "Mom, I heard from Xiaoyue that her student skipped a grade again and finished elementary school in just two years. It's unbelievable. Do you think it's true?"

“What’s impossible? Nobody’s bragging about this. Tingnan has a lot of class, she’s not like a child, and she’s different from the average young lady from a wealthy family,” said the eldest brother, Zuo Zhenyu.

As Zhou Yulu instructed the maid to cook, she jokingly asked her two sons, "What's wrong? Feeling pressured having a little sister like this?"

"No, I quite like girls who aren't pretentious," Zuo Zhenyu said frankly.

"Big brother, do you like...?" Before Zuo Zhenhua could finish speaking, his older brother flicked his forehead twice.

"What are you thinking about, little sister!" Zuo Zhenyu said irritably. He was a typical science and engineering guy who spent all his time in the research lab. He only took leave this time because of Xiaoyue's wedding.

"Oh, right, I heard she's only ten years old, almost twenty years younger than you, younger than me..." Zuo Zhenhua muttered beside him, making Zuo Zhenyu want to give him another beating. Looking at his mother's eyes, she was about to urge him to get married again. "Mom, I'm taking the watermelon out." He slipped away.

"Big brother, wait for me!" Zuo Zhenhua belatedly followed and fled. As soon as Xiaoyue got married, he and his older brother became the focus of the family's attention.

My older brother used to be a shield, but that doesn't work anymore. Mom says my younger sister can get married first, and so can my younger brother. Waaah... Being single is so much fun!

Zhou Yulu looked at her two sons who had slipped away, feeling a headache coming on. They were both getting on in years, so why couldn't they understand? She needed to ask her sister-in-law and Jin Yue to come up with a solution.