Chapter 59: You’ll Be Scared To Death When You Grow Up
Cao Weida’s “goodwill reminder” was obviously somewhat superfluous, at least for now.
“Woo woo.”
Xinghong held the cup that had been burned to ashes, crying for a full twenty-plus minutes before her tears finally stopped with hiccups. It was unclear whether she had cried herself out or run out of tears.
“Master, rest assured, in this lifetime, Xinghong is yours in life and your ghost in death.” She said it extremely seriously. In Xiaguang Garden, she had seen plenty of false affections, but Cao Weida’s sincerity made her wholeheartedly commit to this man.
Women of this era—not all of them, but at least the vast majority—once they set their hearts on someone, would gladly leap into the abyss.
And Cao Weida’s actions had clearly lodged deep in the softest part of her heart.
After boiling some water and simply washing up, Xinghong pushed open the door and walked straight to the bedside. Her face flushed red as she said in a trembling voice: “Master, it’s late at night, time to rest.”
Cao Weida couldn’t help swallowing, his eyes unwilling to shift even a fraction, staring unblinkingly at Xinghong before him.
Being selected as the next Courtesan meant her appearance and figure were beyond question.
You could disbelieve many things from the old ancestors, but you absolutely could not question the old ancestors’ judgment!
The aesthetics infiltrated by Western culture in later generations were undoubtedly a grave blasphemy against the old ancestors’ judgment!
Think of the stars in the 1980s, then look at the stars later—what demons and ghouls!
At this moment, Xinghong wore only a real silk dudou, stretched taut and round, stirring a desire to explore fully.
Below was a pair of underpants, her two golden lotus feet rubbing uneasily against each other. The girl’s scent wafted over, scratching at Cao Weida’s heart like a cat’s claw.
Already at an age where he wanted to drill a hole in the bed board, how could he withstand such temptation? His breathing immediately quickened.
With one grab of his hand, he pulled the soft, innocent body into his arms.
“Ah~~” Xinghong let out a startled cry.
Cao Weida grinned mischievously, blowing hot breath in her ear: “It’s such a cold night, don’t catch a chill. Master gets cold at night—let’s warm the bed together.”
“Master~~~”
“Hahaha”
Outside, the moon hung in the sky, not a cloud in sight.
Moonlight spilled over the world, the lake surface shimmering with ripples.
Divider ah divider
The next morning, Cao Weida got out of bed feeling refreshed.
Last night, Xinghong had given him a big surprise. Who would have thought that not only was she beautiful as a flower with a delicate and soft body, but she also had an Inner Charm Physique!
Fortunately, he had top-tier physical fitness; an ordinary person truly couldn’t conquer her.
“Master, you’re up?” Though it had only been their first night, Xinghong endured some discomfort and dutifully served Cao Weida as he got up and dressed.
“Mm.”
He didn’t refuse Xinghong’s service, inwardly sighing to himself: this was what life should be. Without the system, without transmigrating, when could he have lived such a fairy-like existence?
Getting out of bed, he pretentiously opened the cabinet, took out a red paper packet of silver dollars, and placed it on the bedside.
“I can’t come back today. Here’s one hundred silver dollars. If you’re bored, go out for a stroll. I’ll tell Xiangzi to follow you. Instruct him to do anything you need.”
Today was the day he was taking Du Shiniang; no one else could be absent, but he certainly couldn’t.
He definitely couldn’t come tonight. There was no reason to take a concubine and then leave her alone in an empty room.
“Mm, Master, rest assured, I’ll take good care of myself.” Having tasted the forbidden fruit, with her body and heart now devoted to Cao Weida, Xinghong was reluctant to part from him and wished she could stay by his side day and night.
But the sensible and obedient her would naturally never make a fuss. She hugged Cao Weida’s broad back from behind, deeply inhaling his scent mixed with her own fragrance, then reluctantly let go.
“Master, Xing’er will wait for you inside the room.”
Who wouldn’t like such an obedient and sensible woman?
Cao Weida turned and embraced her, giving her a French kiss until Xinghong was nearly breathless, then released her with smacking lips.
“Living alone is indeed a bit boring. Wait a bit—Master will marry a few more sisters to keep you company, so you won’t feel lonely.”
If he said that to a woman in modern times, who knows what he’d be cursed as—those female rights activists might even want to crawl through the internet cables to cuss him to death.
But Xinghong showed no resistance at all. Though her heart felt a bit sour, for her who had been sold to Han Family Tan as a child, what was this?
Besides, any man with real ability and means—didn’t they all have groups of concubines?
Those who truly stuck to just one woman were basically the ones with no prospects.
Leaving Xinghong’s place, Cao Weida didn’t head straight back but went to 97 Nanluoguxiang instead.
“Cao Ge, how come you’re here?” Seeing Cao Weida arrive, Tian Zao’s eyes lit up, and she hurried over in a few steps.
“Big Brother Cao, Big Brother Cao.” Several little ones followed behind Tian Zao, calling out. Though young, hardship had taught them the ways of the world early, and they felt genuine gratitude and respect toward Cao Weida.
Children from poor families mature early, let alone these orphans?
No one wants the person they help to be an ingrate, and Cao Weida was no exception.
Seeing these kids so obedient, sensible, and grateful, he felt his kindness hadn’t been wasted.
Now, these few little ones plus Tian Zao had changed quite a bit since he first met them.
They wore clean and neat clothes—not fine fabric, but worlds apart from their initial beggar-like state.
Their complexions had improved greatly too. At first, they all looked wan and sallow with dry, pale lips; now they were much rosier.
Clearly, Tian Zao had taken very good care of them.
Rubbing their heads, he chuckled to Tian Zao: “Today your Cao Ge is taking a concubine—there’s good food. Get tidied up and come with me; I’ll treat you all to a big meal!”
In this era, taking a concubine was something Tian Zao and the others were long used to. What she was curious about was something else.
“Cao Ge, we’ve known each other so long, but we’ve never seen Saozi. When will you bring us to meet her?”
Cao Big Brother had helped them, and Tian Zao was truly grateful from the heart, but they couldn’t forget his wife either—they had to kowtow to her in person and serve tea to express thanks.
Cao Weida grinned, baring his teeth: “Your Cao Ge hasn’t married a wife yet—still a pure young man!”
“.” Tian Zao was speechless. No wife yet, but taking a concubine first?
She glanced at her reflection in the water jar, looking warily at Cao Weida, stammering: “Cao Ge, let me tell you, I’m still little right now, and besides, I definitely won’t be a concubine.”
Oh no, oh no—did Cao Ge take a liking to me?
But I really don’t want to be a concubine!
Unless… unless when I grow up, being his wife would be about right.
But, but what if Cao Ge wants me to be his concubine?
He’s helped me and these siblings so much—how could I refuse?
“.” Now it was Cao Weida’s turn to be speechless. He rubbed her head with a wry smile, pretending to smirk evilly: “Realizing it only now? Too late, I tell you! Once you enter my door, you can’t escape—hee hee hee~~~”
“Eww~~ Cao Ge, your laugh sounds so weird~~” Tian Zao was sharp and saw right through Cao Weida’s act.
Though relieved, her heart felt inexplicably a bit disappointed.
“That fake, huh? Shouldn’t be? Guess I need more practice next time.” Cao Weida touched his face, then playfully tapped her forehead with a laugh-scold.
“What are you thinking in that head of yours all day? Dreaming of being my wife—you think your Cao Ge has such low standards?”
He looked her up and down, pursing his lips disdainfully: “No figure, no nothing. The kids would suffer later—and you’ve got quite the ambition for such small capital.”
Tian Zao clutched her chest, face flushing red—unclear if from shame or anger—as she huffed indignantly: “I’m still small—I’ll grow later! Let me tell you, when I grow up, I’ll scare you to death!”
“Yes, yes, you’re amazing, the most amazing, okay?” Cao Weida rolled his eyes. This little one was quite competitive.
“Hurry up, I’ll get ready and go. I’m pretty busy today—you all come help out.”
Just as he was about to leave, he turned back: “Right, Tian Zao, do you know how to read?”
Tian Zao nodded, then shook her head, leaving Cao Weida baffled.
“I know ‘date’ and can write it!” Tian Zao puffed up proudly with her head held high. In this era, education resources were extremely scarce; those who knew characters were mostly from scholarly or wealthy families.
Ordinary families not only lacked the money for tuition fees but even if they had it, lacked the connections to get in.
Anyone attending school came from at least modestly well-off families.
Thus, China’s illiteracy rate was over 90%, possibly even 95% or more by the lowest standards!
Being able to recognize and write even one character was something to be proud of.
She was proud, but Cao Weida only felt pity.
Thinking of the widespread nine-year compulsory education in later generations, compared to now…
Cao Weida felt a pang of inexplicable heartache.
Rubbing his somewhat itchy shoulder, he forced a smile: “Good, very good. Zao’er, do you want to learn more characters?”
“Yes, of course! But the school won’t take us.” Tian Zao’s eyes brightened, then dimmed with dejection. Early Beiping had a relatively complete primary education system, but after the devils came, it was severely damaged.
Now Beiping City had government-run public primary schools, but educational resources had fallen far behind.
With limited resources, orphans like Tian Zao—not to mention lacking tuition money—even if they had it, wouldn’t be accepted; spots were filled by those with connections.
There were also some church, group, or privately run private primary schools, but those were even more competitive—ordinary people couldn’t get in.
Cao Weida’s heart ached even more. Smiling reassuringly, he said: “No worries, Cao Ge will hire a teacher to come home and teach you all.
