Han Hu had been married for only half a year and had never dealt with children before. Seeing little Walnut’s childishness despite his stern questioning, Han Hu couldn’t help but laugh, but at the sa ti, he had no idea how to respond. After a mont of stunned silence, he scratched the back of his head and said with a chuckle, "What you’re saying... What sches can we possibly have? Aren’t we doing this to strengthen your body so you can protect yourself and not be bullied by others? Little Walnut, your dad is wholeheartedly looking out for you, you can’t..."
"If it’s just about learning martial arts, why do I have to stay at the Escort Agency for three days?" Little Walnut asked.
Little Walnut didn’t buy his explanation at all and argued with furrowed brows, "I’ve ntioned several tis before to Mom that I wanted to learn martial arts from Dad, but she always said that I’m too young, my bones aren’t fully grown, and practicing martial arts too early is bad for the body. I know Mom isn’t trying to stop ; she’s telling the truth. But this ti, why did she agree so readily?"
"Well... How would I know? Maybe your dad discussed it with your mom?" Han Hu replied awkwardly, chuckling twice.
"And another thing—"
Little Walnut glanced up at him briefly, the look and mannerisms eerily reminiscent of a mini Hua Xiaomai, "Dad said there are lots of people in the Provincial City, and if I learn martial arts from you, Uncle Hu, I can protect my two sisters when we’re out on the streets. But during the New Year, don’t most shops close, and who would wander the streets? It’s so cold, and we’d probably stay indoors most of the ti in the Provincial City. Why would my sisters need my protection?"
Han Hu was at a loss for words under the barrage of questions and couldn’t mount a defense. Managing only to drop a "If you’re tired, take a rest," he fled to seek help from ng Yuhuai in the main hall.
In fact, the past couple of days at Lianshun Escort Agency had been quite uneventful, everyone had gathered together to chat and pass the ti, just waiting for the accounts room to finalize the New Year bonuses so they could collect their holiday goods and go ho for New Year’s. Although ng Yuhuai needed to supervise the accounts room, he was ultimately not too busy. Sitting in the front hall, he had heard every word of Little Walnut’s exchange with Han Hu. Internally praising his son’s intelligence and clear reasoning, he had prepared his response. As soon as Han Hu burst in, ng Yuhuai didn’t exchange many words with him. He simply waved his hand and stood up to leave.
Little Walnut was squatting under a tree with dense branches, incessantly rolling two dry yellow leaves between his fingers. When he saw his own father co out, he listlessly stood up, covertly pouting his lips.
"I agreed for you to stay with at the Escort Agency for three days at your own consent. If you had objections, why didn’t you speak up at ho?" ng Yuhuai approached Little Walnut, looking down at him. Though his face was void of smiles, his tone was very gentle.
Little Walnut hung his head and didn’t respond.
Would it be okay to start regretting now after being confused upon waking up early in the morning and not having thought things through?
"I am not asking you to stay overnight at the Escort Agency alone. I will be there with you. What’s the problem with father and son being together?" ng Yuhuai took a step forward.
"Mom..."
Little Walnut mumbled softly.
"Worried about your mom?" ng Yuhuai raised his eyebrow slightly and asked, "Don’t you always say that your mom favors your two sisters? Why do you suddenly seem inseparable from her now? I will be staying at the Escort Agency for the next few days. If you really want to go ho, every afternoon, I can have your Uncle Hu take you back. But think about it, do we need to cause trouble for others like this?"
"I know..." Little Walnut reluctantly nodded. "Dad and Mom have both said that if you can do sothing yourself, you shouldn’t easily ask others for help... I won’t go back then."
Although he felt a bit aggrieved, Little Walnut finally agreed to listen. ng Yuhuai couldn’t help but soften, and he reached out to pat his head.
"You stick with Uncle Hu to practice martial arts diligently. At noon, Aunt Zuo will cook for us, and at night, Dad will take you to town—there are so many big restaurants and street snacks you’ve never tasted. How about we go try them out together, hm?"
"Alright..." Little Walnut sighed, turned around to find Han Hu and resud practicing with him.
Han Hu was a straightforward man, and even though he was teaching a child not yet six years old, he was thoroughly ticulous in his instruction.
Little Walnut practiced all morning and sweat poured off him in layers. Since he hadn’t eaten breakfast properly, by noon, he felt as if his stomach was stuck to his back, thinking he had never been this hungry in his life. After ng Yuhuai took him to the back yard to bathe and change into clean clothes, and seeing Zuo Jinxiang bring out the dishes one by one, he imdiately pounced on the table, unable to wait.
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