CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109: DID HE FALL FOR HER FIERCENESS?

Ren Zi’an tilted his little head, looking thoughtful.

After a moment, Ren Zi’an nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "It seems like Auntie said so."

"That’s right, so our An’er did a good deed today, protecting others," said Meng Yao.

"I want to learn martial arts well. In the future, I want to be as powerful as that fierce uncle!" Ren Zi’an’s eyes sparkled, "To catch a big horse in one move like that."

Meng Yao couldn’t help but tell him about the dangers of catching horse hooves with bare hands, that no matter how skilled one is, dangerous things should be avoided if possible, and one should never do it just to show off.

Ren Zi’an was bewildered, but he was willing to listen to Meng Yao’s words and remembered them well.

As night was falling, Ren Zhong finally appeared, exhausted.

Meng Yao made something to eat, and Ren Zhong invited her to stay and eat together.

Thinking about her current identity, Meng Yao did not refuse.

After dinner, Ren Zi’an followed Apu out to digest their food.

Ren Zhong briefly spoke with Meng Yao about the wanted criminal.

"Now that girl is giving me a headache. She has no family, and she’s been crying endlessly at the Government Office, fainted several times, and refuses to eat," Ren Zhong said with a headache.

In the Government Office full of big men, he called the arrest officer’s wife to help, but it was ineffective.

Meng Yao just listened without commenting.

She wasn’t stupid. Ren Zhong was telling her this, obviously hoping she’d offer to help, right?

Helping was fine.

But she couldn’t offer on her own.

Ren Zhong asking her to help and her offering to help were essentially different.

Sure enough, Ren Zhong soon spoke up.

"Do you have any free time tomorrow to comfort that girl?"

"If the adult asks, of course, I’ll do my best," Meng Yao said.

"In the future, you should call me brother-in-law," Ren Zhong emphasized.

Meng Yao didn’t feel any embarrassment and straightforwardly called him brother-in-law.

But Ren Zhong felt somewhat uneasy as he agreed.

"What about that big man, brother-in-law, how will you deal with him?" Meng Yao asked casually.

"His merits outweigh his faults this time. If it weren’t for him, whether or not we caught the person aside, there would definitely have been more victims," Ren Zhong pondered, speaking. If it weren’t for that man’s cleverness and skills, Mrs. Wang’s granddaughter might not have been killed, but she would definitely have been harmed.

"An’er and I are both fine," Meng Yao said.

"So, it’s just a matter of some scolding," Ren Zhong said.

Meng Yao nodded.

"But—" Ren Zhong emphasized.

Meng Yao looked at him, indicating that she was listening carefully.

"That man has been watching you for a long time. People from the jianghu generally act according to their desires, and I worry he might..." Ren Zhong paused before continuing, "either he’s taken a liking to you, or he holds a grudge against you."

A grudge was possible.

After all, she had indeed used her position to act unreasonably.

As for him liking her?

Meng Yao felt it was entirely Ren Zhong’s misjudgment.

It was just a brief encounter, and it wasn’t even pleasant. That fierce man took a liking to her fierce side?

Seeing Meng Yao’s indifferent demeanor, Ren Zhong admonished, "In any case, it’s best to be cautious."

"Okay, brother-in-law," Meng Yao simply agreed.

The man was indeed skilled, but if it came to it, Meng Yao didn’t think she was powerless against him.

Besides, all of it was just Ren Zhong’s suspicions.

"It’s getting late; I should head back. The doctor said to watch An’er’s condition before bed. If he’s not uneasy, he doesn’t need to take calming medicine," Meng Yao said.

"Alright, I’ll remember that, and don’t forget to come by tomorrow to help," Ren Zhong reminded again.

Meng Yao assured she wouldn’t forget and greeted Ren Zi’an before leaving.

Originally, Apu wanted to escort her, but Meng Yao directly refused.

As she left the alley, Meng Yao smiled. That person really had perseverance; he was still following her.

She pretended not to notice and leisurely returned to the inn.

Zhao Dahe inevitably complained a bit, saying she returned so late, and then worriedly told Meng Yao that there were already murmurs at the inn.

So, Chen He was spreading rumors while following her?

"You don’t have to worry about that. Just focus on preparing for your exams. I have to go to the Government Office again tomorrow. As for the murmurs, let them be," Meng Yao said.

"Why are you going to the Government Office again?" Zhao Dahe was puzzled.

Meng Yao briefly explained the wanted criminal situation, and Zhao Dahe was somewhat surprised and displeased, "This is a Government affair..."

"The County Magistrate asked, it’s hard to refuse. Besides, we’ll be like family in the future," Meng Yao said.

"No way, Mom, are you really going to..." Zhao Dahe looked excited.

"Calm down, how would we be family just because I marry the County Magistrate?" Meng Yao rolled her eyes at Zhao Dahe.

"If you’re not marrying, then who is? Could it be Xiao Hua? Mom, don’t be impulsive!" Zhao Dahe covered his mouth.

Meng Yao couldn’t hold back and gave Zhao Dahe a hard flick on the head, "Zhao Dahe, can’t you use some of that intelligence from your studies in life? What are you thinking about all the time!"

Zhao Dahe held his head and retorted, "I can’t think of any other situation where we’d be family with the County Magistrate."

Meng Yao took a deep breath, "The County Magistrate’s late wife had a sister. Your mother, my current identity, is the lost sister of the County Magistrate’s late wife."

Zhao Dahe laughed, "Mom, this identity seems to have been tailor-made for you."

Meng Yao was too lazy to say more and impatiently pushed Zhao Dahe back to his room, "Alright, alright, I’m going to sleep."

The next morning.

As Meng Yao just got up, Wen Nuan came in with water to wash her face.

After washing up, Meng Yao took Wen Nuan to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Wen Nuan was preoccupied the whole time, almost cutting her finger while chopping vegetables.

"If you have something you want to ask, just ask. Otherwise, I’m really afraid you’ll add meat to today’s dishes," Meng Yao initiated.

Wen Nuan bit her lip, looking conflicted.

She didn’t know how to start; she couldn’t believe from the bottom of her heart that Madame was as they said.

Even if that child called Madame Mother.

"Did you hear other people’s discussions?" Meng Yao asked her.

"I believe in Madame’s character; you definitely aren’t as they say."

"If I were as they say, what would you do?" Meng Yao suddenly wanted to tease Wen Nuan a bit.

The girl’s expression changed from conflicted to resolute, "Madame has been kind to my brother and me; Wen Nuan and my brother will remember it forever. We absolutely won’t, like others, discuss Madame with unbecoming words or distance ourselves because of this."

"Aren’t you afraid it will ruin your reputation?" Meng Yao asked.

"Reputation is important, but it’s not the most important. I only know that if it weren’t for Madame’s help, my brother would certainly have missed this exam opportunity. For others, missing this time means there will be another chance, but for us, missing this time means there won’t be any more chances," Wen Nuan said firmly, "So, no matter what Madame faces, my brother and I won’t deny Madame’s character because of these external reasons."