Chapter 40 - 40 40 Reporting the News Overnight

Words : 1349 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

40: Chapter 40: Reporting the News Overnight 40: Chapter 40: Reporting the News Overnight “` “Is that Xue Guohong?” Wang Meifeng’s eyes instantly went wide as saucers, “Auntie, do you recognize the girl sitting in his car?” “Hmm.” Zhao Yucui nodded, but said nothing more. Wang Meifeng was no fool; she knew this was not a matter to discuss in the middle of the street, so she changed the subject, “Auntie, Xiaoqing should be getting out of school by now, right? Should we go pick him up?” Speaking of her beloved son, Zhao Yucui’s gaze warmed up, “That wild monkey runs off as soon as the bell rings; how could we possibly catch him?” “My mom always says that if Songsong were half as tough as Xiaoqing, she’d be content.” Songsong was Wang Meifeng’s younger brother, officially Wang Jinsong, born in the same year as Zhao Yucui’s son Zhang Xiaoqing, both fifteen years old. “That’s because she hasn’t had to apologize to everyone for him. Let her apologize and smile to make peace every now and then like I do; then she wouldn’t envy Xiaoqing’s toughness...” “How could my family compare to Auntie’s? If Songsong actually hit someone, would an apology even be useful? But no matter what, it’s better for boys to be a bit tougher.” Zhao Yucui sighed deeply, “Meifeng, some things are not as simple as you imagine. There are many tougher out there than our family. Forget it, let’s not talk about this. Once you’re part of that circle, you’ll understand it gradually by yourself.” Part of that circle? Wang Meifeng’s eyes immediately lit up, “Auntie, are you saying there’s progress with me becoming a teacher at the central primary school?” “Your uncle has gone to a lot of trouble, but he finally succeeded. Just be observant and get along with your coworkers,” Zhao Yucui said sternly. “I will follow Auntie’s commands in everything!” A pleased smile appeared in Zhao Yucui’s eyes, but she said, “You can’t talk like that. If your uncle heard it, he’d lecture us again on not distinguishing between public and private interests.” “He can’t hear us from this far away.” Wang Meifeng pulled her car up next to Zhao Yucui, “I only talk like this in front of Auntie. I know how to act.” “If your grandma and grandpa knew I helped you get into the school, they would certainly complain about me not taking care of Chuxia... Sigh, if that girl were half as sensible and reasonable as you, your aunt wouldn’t have to worry about her...” Zhao Yucui said with a wry smile and shook her head, “That child, she’s really been spoiled by your little aunt and uncle, and your grandparents.” Wang Meifeng quickly assured her, “Auntie, once I’m in the school, I’ll be sure to listen more and talk less, report back to you frequently, and never cause you any trouble.” Zhao Yucui wanted Wang Meifeng in the school to act as her confidante, to clear the path for her promotion to vice-principal. Seeing that Meifeng understood her intent, she immediately switched topics with a grin. Zhang Xiaoqing stood with one leg propped against his bike, looking carefree as he stood at his own doorstep. Spotting Zhang Guojun and Zhao Yucui from afar, he shouted, “I’m starving to death!” “Coming, coming, this kid, definitely lost his keys again...” Zhao Yucui headed toward him at a quicker pace, Wang Meifeng hurried to keep up. Nearing him, she glanced at Zhang Xiaoqing with a hint of flattery, “It’s lucky Auntie and I didn’t go to the school to find you, or we would’ve missed you. Speaking of which, how come you’re home so early today?” “Missed you, didn’t I? Did you bring me something tasty?” Zhang Xiaoqing stretched out a paw towards her playfully, then switched it towards Qiang Junjie, “Prospective brother-in-law, even if sister didn’t bring me anything, it’s fine if you did.” Qiang Junjie laughed and swatted away his hand, “Didn’t bring anything today, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.” “Bah, tomorrow is tomorrow’s business!” Zhang Guojun glared, “Xiaoqing, who taught you to be so disrespectful?” “` Xiaoqing slanted his eyes and curled his lip, entering the yard with one foot on his bike, “Mom, hurry up and make me something delicious; I’m about to starve to death.” Wang Meifeng’s face turned even more unnatural. To her, Zhang Xiaoqing’s string of complaints about hunger seemed like a complaint that she hadn’t brought any tasty food and was coming over for a free meal. She couldn’t help but shoot Qiang Junjie a resentful glance. Just then, Qiang Junjie was also stealthily glancing her way. When their eyes met—with hers full of silent reproach—he racked his brains, feeling like... maybe... he hadn’t really done anything to wrong her... right? ... “Clack!” After dinner, the old couple of Zhao’s house, Zhao Yushan’s family of three, Zhao Yuying, and Zhao Yulan, as well as Chuxia, were sitting and chatting leisurely in the east room when they suddenly heard the door latch outside. Zhao Yushan quickly grabbed a flashlight and went out to check. As he closed the door, Zhang Xiaoqing shielded his eyes with his hand: “Is that Uncle? Don’t shine that on me; it’s dazzling!” “Why have you come at this time?” There was a tone of concern in Zhao Yushan’s voice. “I missed Grandma and Grandpa; I missed Uncle, Eldest maternal aunt, and Sister Qihui; I also missed my little aunty and Chuxia. I missed you all so much, I couldn’t take it anymore, so I came over.” Zhao Yushan was helpless: “You child, have you had dinner?” “I have, but if Uncle has some tasty food for me, I wouldn’t mind stuffing a bit more in,” Zhang Xiaoqing said without any seriousness. During their conversation, the two had already entered the east room. After greeting everyone and cozying up to the Old Lady Zhao for a while, when Zhao Yushan brought up the old concern and asked him again what exactly had happened, Zhang Xiaoqing’s playful manner vanished in an instant, and he looked earnestly at Chuxia: “Chuxia, you can’t marry Xue Guohong.” Chuxia wasn’t familiar with this cousin and wasn’t clear about his relationship with the person in question, but his coming all this way just to say this left her unsure how to react. If it was just out of concern for his cousin, she was touched. If it was because he had incomprehensible feelings for her, she was perplexed. Seeing her gaze flicker and fixed on him without a word, Zhang Xiaoqing repeated himself: “Lin Chuxia, did you actually understand what I said? I said, you cannot marry Xue Guohong!” Chuxia could only nod her head, indicating she had understood. “Xiaoqing, did you come all this way late at night just to tell your Sister Chuxia this?” Old Lady Zhao looked at her grandson with confusion, “Did you hear something, or what’s the matter?” “Xue Guohong doesn’t have good character. If Chuxia marries into his family, she’ll have a hard life. I’m Chuxia’s brother; of course, I can’t just watch her jump into the fire pit.” Zhang Xiaoqing looked towards Zhao Yuying, “Aunty, you are an honest person, but how could you raise such a villainous second cousin?” Chuxia instantly felt a headache coming on. No matter what, Zhao Yuying was an elder, and this Zhang Xiaoqing was indeed a brazen fellow. “Xiaoqing, did Meifeng go to your house?” Zhao Yuying’s facial expression turned sour. “Yeah, if I hadn’t heard her plotting bad ideas there, why would I rush over here this late?” Zhang Xiaoqing expressed his irritation, “I really don’t get what’s wrong with my dad and mom; why would they help her and not Chuxia?” “Xiaoqing, what exactly happened? Tell Grandpa everything,” Old Master Zhao spoke up.

Chapter 40 - 40 40 Reporting the News Overnight

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