Chapter 103: Second Brother Apprenticeship
Zhao Yu and Zhao Ya both nodded, firmly saying, "Big Brother, don’t worry. We know full well in our hearts that we will never do anything to let Uncle or Aunt down."
Only then did Zhao Cheng nod in satisfaction. He had heard enough of the idle gossip in their village. Some people claimed the Zhao Dong family was merely feigning affection towards the three siblings, wanting only to secure someone to care for them in their old age and see to their burials. Others alleged that Zhao Dong and Sun Mei treated the three siblings poorly, only allowing their own daughter to attend school while disregarding the siblings’ futures.
Although he wasn’t the quickest on the uptake, Zhao Cheng knew he should trust his own heart; he could sense the genuine sincerity of his uncle and aunt’s family. Therefore, he didn’t believe a single word of the gossip spread in his presence. He often warned his younger brother and sister not to pay attention to such talk but to keep their eyes open and discern who truly cared for them.
Of course, while many villagers spoke ill of the Zhao Dong family, some also called them foolish. "I’m afraid Zhao Dong will end up raising three ungrateful wretches. Once the siblings grow up and their birth mother returns, they’ll just leave with her." He had heard this particular sentiment the most. However, he never bothered to argue or defend against it. As long as he and his siblings were filial to their uncle and aunt, that was all that mattered.
After their first heartfelt conversation under the moonlight, the three siblings dispersed to their beds.
A few days later, just as Zhao Dong had prepared gifts and was about to take Zhao Yu to find Meng Fusheng, Meng Fusheng himself unexpectedly arrived at their door.
It turned out that while Zhao Yu was waiting for Zhao Zhitong to finish school, he had been idly practicing with a stick near the school entrance. Meng Fusheng happened to witness this. He was astonished to find that although Zhao Yu’s movements were still unrefined and lacked strength, with one or two mistakes in the forms, they showed a clear spark of talent. Crucially, Meng Fusheng recognized the moves as those he had casually demonstrated at the Zhao Family’s home some days prior. Unexpectedly, the boy had remembered a good seven or eight parts of those moves. This was undoubtedly a martial arts prodigy!
So, he had come to the Zhao Family, intending to teach Zhao Yu a few more techniques.
After hearing Meng Fusheng’s purpose, Zhao Dong’s eyes lit up. He reached out and patted the dazed Zhao Yu, saying, "Silly boy, what are you standing there stupefied for? Hurry and thank your master!"
"Ah!" Zhao Yu finally snapped out of it. With an almost startled jump, he then immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed three times to Meng Fusheng, exclaiming, "Zhao Yu thanks you, Master!"