Third watch

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  "Uh." Xia Xiūcái had already thought of what he wanted to say to Xia Zhì, but his gaze hesitated for a moment when it fell on the little black fish's face. Xia Xiūcái took out several copper coins from his waist and smiled at the little black fish: "Little Dragon, let's take a break here before we go. Here are a few coins, you go to that shop up front and buy some sugar to eat."

  Xiao Hei Yu stood beside Xia Zhi. He looked at Xia Xiucai with confusion, then raised his hand to touch Da Qing's head.

  "Little dragon." Xia Xiūcái, like teasing an ordinary seven-year-old kid, again extended the hand holding the copper coin to Little Black Fish.

  The little black fish's gaze shifted from Xia Xiuzai's hand to his face. He pursed his small mouth and stood there, motionless. This big brother of his actually treated him like a child of a few years old. Couldn't he see that he was trying to get rid of him?

  He just wouldn't leave.

  Xia Xiuzai looked at his little brother's stubborn expression and felt very helpless. He had no choice but to negotiate with Xiao Heiyu in a gentle and peaceful manner. In his impression, although his little brother was somewhat explosive in temperament, he was a sensible and reasonable child who understood the importance of negotiation.

  "Little dragon, go buy something to eat. I'll talk to your niece for a bit."

  If Little Black Fish was a softer kid, Xia Xiūcái would have spoken to him like that and he might have agreed. But Little Black Fish's temper wasn't soft at all.

  Since Xia Xiuren had spoken so clearly, he didn't need to be polite with him. "Big brother, whatever you want to say to Sixteen, just say it in front of me."

  The little black fish didn't leave, but instead swam closer to Xia Zhi. He wasn't seeking Xia Xiucai's support in front of Xia Zhi, but rather wanted to protect Xia Zhi.

  "Little Dragon, you're still young..." So there are many things that aren't convenient to say in front of you. Xia Xiuren was very embarrassed.

  "Big brother, if you have something to say, say it in front of me. Otherwise, don't say it. I won't let you bully Sixteen." Little Black was not embarrassed at all, his stance was very clear.

  Xia Xiuzai was somewhat surprised and also a bit embarrassed. "Little Dragon, how could I bully Sixteen!"

  Xiao Hei Yu hummed coldly and looked like he didn't believe Xia Xiucai's words at all. "Tian Laiji bullied Sixteen, and you also bullied Sixteen."

  Xia Xiuzai rubbed his forehead. Xiao Hei Yu'er had made up his mind, and he was completely at a loss for what to do with him, even though he felt wronged in his heart. "Little Dragon, that is your sister-in-law," Xia Xiuzai said in his usual gentle tone, but with a hint of reprimand. Xiao Hei Yu'er had directly called Tian Shi by her name, which was very disrespectful.

  Xiao Hei Yu let out another cold hum, he had no intention of explaining or arguing with Xia Xiuzai about this matter. He just shouted Tian Shi's name, because Tian Shi was not worthy of him calling her "Big Sister". Didn't Xia Xiuzai know this?

  Xia Xiuzai rubbed his forehead again, he knew that he couldn't get rid of the little black fish, but there were still things he had to say to Xia Zhi.

  "Sixteen, can you tell Dad what's going on?" Xia Xiuzai asked about Li Xia and her relationship, as well as the matter of selling zongzi.

  "Dad has seen it all, that's just the way it is." Xia Zhi didn't elaborate, only picking out what could be said, and briefly told Xia Xiucui.

  Li Xia is her and Xiao Hei Yu's friend. She also got help from Li Xia for selling zongzi. The capital of this small business was borrowed from Li Xia. As for the matter of selling zongzi itself: “...when I came to my aunt's house, I didn't even have a decent set of clothes to change into, and my aunt made me a new set of three layers inside and out.”

  All these years, Xia Xiuzai and Tian Shi never made her a new dress, let alone those little things that other girls must have.

  "Dad and mom's money is for other uses, I won't argue. I just want to rely on my own strength, endure some hardship, and earn some money myself. I'm young and weak, can't support the family, but at least I can reduce some burden for dad and mom."

  Xia Zhi's tone was faintly melancholic. She naturally wouldn't reveal everything to Xia Xiuren. Most of these words were true, but in one or two crucial places she hadn't told the truth. She didn't want to deceive Xia Xiuren, but she had to protect herself.

  Her posture was very low-key, but at the same time, it clearly indicated one thing: she made money for herself and never relied on her family.

  Xia Xiuzai naturally also understood the meaning behind Xia Zhi's words, his face clouded for a moment, but quickly cleared up again. He let out a sigh: "Sixteen, I've wronged you, it's Father who is incompetent."

  The summer solstice does not allow for hesitation.

  Xia Xiuzai felt that it was somewhat difficult to talk to this little girl. But no matter how difficult, he still had to finish what he wanted to say.

  "Li Xia Gongzi is of noble birth. His father, Li Shan Chang, is my benefactor and I have been under his care all these years at Wen Shan Academy. Li Xia Gongzi has been very good to you and Xiao Long, I can see that. However, Sixteen, you must also have your own boundaries."

  In his opinion, Xia Zhi and Li Xia's way of getting along today is too familiar and disrespectful.

  "Big brother, you're well-read and think a lot. Li Xia isn't that kind of person, we get along great with Li Xia, we're good friends, good brothers!" Little Black Fish puffed out his chest and said to Xia Xiuren in a very heroic tone.

  Xia Xiuzai could only sigh, his eyes falling on Xia Zhi's face. Xia Zhi knew he was waiting for her to respond. She lowered her head and thought for a moment, not refuting Xia Xiuzai's words, but instead obediently said: "Dad, I remember."

  She remembered Xia Xiuzai's words, but whether or not to follow them was another matter.

  Xia Xiuzai didn't know Xia Zhi's thoughts, he thought Xia Zhi's attitude was okay, so he nodded in relief. Then, he continued to instruct Xia Zhi, telling her to be mindful at all times and not to affect the Xia Dagu family.

  This time, Xia Zhi nodded in agreement very succinctly.

  Xia Xiuzai again exhorted Xia Zhi for a long time, and finally he asked Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, I think your zongzi sold very well today... I estimate how much money can be earned?"

  As he spoke, Xia Xiuzai's eyes glanced at the purse in Xia Zhi's hand.

  The purse in Xia Zhi's hand was full and heavy.

  "It's not much of an income." Xia Zhi deliberately lowered his voice, "It's just a meager living, being able to afford two decent pieces of clothing is already quite good."

  Xia Xiuzai naturally didn't believe Xia Zhi's words. He stood in front of Xia Zhi's stall for a long time, and based on what he saw, Xia Zhi had made quite a bit of money.

  Xia Zhi knew that Xia Xiuzai didn't believe her, so she explained it to him. The capital invested by Li Xiazhi would naturally be given to Li Xialing. Although the zongzi sold well, after deducting various costs, there wasn't much left over.

  "At sixteen, I know it's hard-earned money." Xia Xiuzai's face flashed a hint of difficulty, but he still said slowly, "Outside the academy, there are many people doing food business. They all work very hard, but after working hard, they don't earn that little money."

  The snack business looks unremarkable, but the money earned from it is quite considerable.

  It turns out that Xia Xiuzai wasn't completely oblivious to outside matters after all; he actually knew about this!

  (。)