10: Chapter 10 A Surprise Next to the Trash Can

Zheng Jing gently patted Zheng Xiaoan's hand, soothing her softly: "It's okay, little sister. Auntie has her own difficulties at home, and it's understandable she'd say a few extra things when she's anxious. It's not worth holding a grudge."

Zheng Jing's tone was very calm, without a hint of arrogance or impatience.

That he could be so magnanimous in the face of Chen Lichan's ridicule and scolding didn't mean he didn't take it to heart at all.

Rather, Zheng Jing understood the principle of showing respect for the sake of others.

He always remembered how, growing up, his uncle had doted on the three of them, and how his two older cousins had protected all the younger cousins.

Furthermore, when they lent the family money back then, it was to help them out of a bind, not to create bad blood.

His family really did owe them money!

Therefore, even though Auntie's words were harsh today, he didn't hold a shred of resentment.

After all, she was his uncle's wife, his own aunt.

If you don't like someone, you can see them less, but you must never hold a grudge because of it.

Chen Lichan came to her senses, took Zheng Shunli's phone, and after checking it repeatedly, her face turned pale and then green.

Now that Zheng Jing, a junior, had taken the initiative to pay back the money, she lost her previous overbearing confidence and stood awkwardly to the side, speechless.

Zheng Shunli looked at the mature, steady, and perceptive Zheng Jing, his expression full of guilt.

He stubbed out his cigarette and pulled Zheng Jing to a corner of the courtyard: "Xiao Jing, it's Uncle's fault. Your family has been wronged. Your aunt has a hasty temper and speaks without thinking. Please don't take it to heart, and don't hold a grudge against her."

Zheng Jing looked up, meeting his uncle's eyes, and smiled sincerely: "Uncle, please don't say that. When my dad was in trouble, you were the one who helped him regardless of what others said!

My parents have always taught us to keep that kindness in our hearts.

We are flesh and blood, after all. This is just a small matter, not a question of principle; it's really not worth mentioning. Please don't keep dwelling on it, or it will weigh on your heart."

Zheng Jing's sincere words made warmth surge in Zheng Shunli's heart.

"Good, very good! Knowing you think this way, Uncle is relieved. The next generation of our Zheng family has truly grown up!"

Zheng Jing smiled, gestured for his uncle to relax again, and then said in a natural and enthusiastic tone: "Uncle, Auntie, we've been chatting and it's almost lunchtime. You two shouldn't go back yet.

Why don't you have a simple meal at our place today? Let's all sit down together and have a good talk."

Hearing their son say this, Zheng Shunsheng and Zhang Damei, who were standing nearby, also reacted and quickly stepped forward to politely urge his older brother and sister-in-law to stay for lunch.

The whole family was genuinely and enthusiastically inviting them to stay, but only young Zheng Xiaoan let out a soft huff, her face full of dissatisfaction.

"No, no, I... I have water boiling on the stove at home. I forgot to turn off the fire, and if I don't go back, it'll boil dry... Next time, we'll come next time."

Zheng Shunli naturally saw his wife's awkwardness.

After all, they were husband and wife, so to save her some face, Zheng Shunli took the opportunity to politely decline the invitation and left with Chen Lichan.

Seeing they were determined to leave, Zheng Shunsheng and his wife arranged for Zheng Jing to see them off.

Zheng Xiaoan pretended not to hear her parents, lowered her head, and walked straight back to her room.

Seeing his little sister's temper, Zheng Jing shook his head helplessly and hurried to catch up with his uncle and aunt who had already walked out of the courtyard gate, seeing them all the way to the entrance of the alley.

Watching his uncle and aunt walk away, Zheng Jing finally turned around and walked home along the small path.

This alleyway home was never very wide. It was fine for pedestrians, but as soon as a vehicle entered, it seemed exceptionally cramped.

Just as Zheng Jing reached the middle of the alley, an old-fashioned tricycle slowly drove out from the intersection. The rider was an old man with only two front teeth left, puffing on a hand-rolled cigarette, looking very relaxed and content.

The old man was quite kind. Seeing Zheng Jing walking towards him, he hurriedly tried to put the tricycle in reverse.

But after fiddling with it for a long time, the vehicle didn't move an inch backward...

"Forget it, Grandpa, don't bother reversing. It's easier if I just move to the side."

As Zheng Jing spoke, he dodged to the side of the road. But the alley entrance was already narrow, and to make matters worse, there were two dirty trash cans placed there.

With no other place to avoid it, Zheng Jing had no choice but to helplessly lean against the trash cans, trying his best to shrink his body to make way for the old man.

The moment he got close to the trash cans, the metal detection radar page in his mind, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly lit up with a dazzling golden light.

Zheng Jing's heart skipped a beat, and a flash of surprise instantly crossed his eyes.

He suppressed the excitement in his heart, keeping his expression calm, and stood quietly against the trash can, waiting for the old man to slowly ride the tricycle through the alley.

Until the old man's tricycle was far away, the alley returned to silence.

Zheng Jing looked left and right. There was no one around, so he pretended to tie his shoelaces and moved to the crack between the trash cans and the wall.

Looking down, he saw an old, small black velvet pouch stuck in the gap between two stones at the base of the wall.

And the golden light displayed on the radar in his mind was clearly emanating from this small pouch.

Needless to say, there must be something good inside!

Because even through the velvet fabric, Zheng Jing could feel the solid, heavy outline inside; it was definitely not an ordinary small object.

Zheng Jing calmly took out the small pouch, held it in his hand, and quietly stuffed it into his pocket.

His heart was pounding, but his face remained calm and indifferent as he walked home as if nothing had happened.

Just as he arrived home, before he had time to check what treasures were in the small pouch, he saw his father looking at him meaningfully, sizing him up several times.

"Dad, why are you looking at me like that?"

Being stared at by his old man, Zheng Jing felt a chill run down his spine, losing the composure he had when facing his aunt earlier.