Chapter 56: Young Boys Playing Marbles
Before coming today, Datuo had already mentally prepared himself, so he showed no resistance at all—instead, he obediently gave Doctor Jin another bow, looking as well-behaved as could be.
Doctor Jin was quite fond of Datuo. He patted his big head and said, “Datuo and Yi’er are about the same age. You two should play together often.”
Jin Xiuyi stood nearby, curiously eyeing Datuo, and Datuo tilted his head to look back at him with equal curiosity.
“Grandfather, I’ll take little brother to play,” Jin Xiuyi said sensibly. He understood that Datuo couldn’t speak, so he took the initiative to offer to accompany him.
Doctor Jin was very pleased and nodded. “Then take good care of your little brother.”
“Mm, I will.” After speaking, Jin Xiuyi walked over to Datuo and reached out his hand. “Little brother, I’ll take you to play, okay?”
Datuo hesitated, looking at him, then at the nine-ring puzzle in his hand that still hadn’t been solved. But under the encouraging gazes of his father, brother, and sister, he finally nodded and placed his small hand in Jin Xiuyi’s.
It was Jin Xiuyi’s first time meeting a child younger than himself, and he was delighted. He held Datuo’s hand and began excitedly introducing his home to him as they walked.
Datuo simply followed quietly and obediently, occasionally nodding in response.
The maid who looked after Jin Xiuyi followed behind, and with that, Doctor Jin could rest easy.
Wen Yao looked at the two boys and spoke up, “Why don’t you all keep chatting, and I’ll go take a look at the kitchen?”
Doctor Jin was actually a little embarrassed. After all, the Wen family were guests, and here he was having a guest cook for them.
But in this residence, it was just him and his grandson, with only three servants: one cook, one errand boy, and one maid who looked after Jin Xiuyi.
As for the cook’s skills… well, it was edible, but not exactly delicious. Ever since he’d tasted Wen Yao’s cooking, Doctor Jin was more than happy to eat what she made.
Since they were now considered family, that thought eased his conscience a little.
“Awang, take Miss Wen to the kitchen and have Aunt Gui follow her instructions. Do whatever she asks.”
“Yes, Old Master.” Awang bowed respectfully. “Miss Wen, please follow me.”
“Then I’ll head over now. Dad, big brother, you stay and accompany Doctor Jin and Uncle Qiu.” Wen Yao greeted everyone before following Awang to the kitchen.
Aunt Gui was already waiting in the kitchen. Seeing Wen Yao arrive, she quickly bowed. “Good day, Miss. The Old Master instructed me yesterday to prepare ingredients. Please take a look and see if they’re suitable.”
Wen Yao was still a little unaccustomed to this kind of address but nodded politely and thanked her before checking what Aunt Gui had bought.
There was fish, pork, chicken, and duck, as well as vegetables, tofu, and a full array of spices—everything had been prepared thoroughly.
“Wow, Aunt Gui, you’re so well-prepared,” Wen Yao couldn’t help but praise her thoughtfulness.
Aunt Gui was a little embarrassed. She brushed aside the hair near her ear and said shyly, “I wasn’t sure what Miss would need, so I bought a bit of everything. Just let me know what you want to make—I’ll help however I can.”
Wen Yao rolled up her sleeves. “Then let’s get started. Aunt Gui, please handle the fish and poultry first. Also, is there any wine in the house? Bring some if you have it.”
“There is, there is! I’ll go fetch it right away,” Awang said, hurrying off to get the wine.
———
In the kitchen, Wen Yao, Aunt Gui, and Awang were busily preparing food. Later, even Hong Hai came to help.
Since Wen Jun had now officially become a disciple, it was understood that the Wen family was now part of theirs. Doctor Jin, Wen Xiuyi, and Shopkeeper Qiu remained in the study chatting while casually admiring the two glass cups.
Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu had initially assumed the Wen family were just farmers. But after chatting with Wen Xiuyi, they realized that his knowledge, demeanor, and conversation skills were on par with any noble son from the capital. After a round of pleasant discussion, their impression of him improved dramatically. The three were nearly ready to swear brotherhood.
As for Jin Xiuyi and Datuo, Jin Xiuyi had been struggling for a long time with the nine-ring puzzle, and after many attempts, he finally solved it.
But being a child, this made him competitive—he handed it to Datuo to try as well.
Only for Datuo to solve it effortlessly in just a few moves. He then looked up at Jin Xiuyi with innocent confusion, his eyes seeming to say, “Wasn’t that easy?”
Jin Xiuyi was crushed. If not for his grandfather’s strict teaching never to cry when facing setbacks, he might have already burst into tears.
Fortunately, Datuo was a thoughtful child. He noticed that Jin Xiuyi seemed down and, after thinking for a moment, went “da-da-da” running off to find Wen Jun.
Datuo tugged on Wen Jun’s sleeve and then sneakily opened his pouch to show him what was inside, then pointed toward Jin Xiuyi.
Wen Jun peeked into the pouch and twitched the corner of his mouth—it was filled with marbles.
Wen Yao had bought them at a rate of one achievement point for five marbles just to cheer him up, and Datuo had treated them like treasure ever since, bringing them everywhere—even to the Jin household.
“Datuo, you want to play with Jin Xiuyi?” Wen Jun asked.
Datuo nodded, eyes full of inquiry. After all, when Wen Yao had given him the marbles, she’d warned him: he could play with them himself, but he wasn’t allowed to show anyone else, or they might get stolen.
But seeing how upset Jin Xiuyi had gotten because of him, Datuo felt responsible and wanted to cheer him up.
Wen Jun thought to himself—after giving away glass cups, what’s a few marbles? They were already in too deep to worry about small things now.
“Go on, then.” Wen Jun patted his head in approval.
Datuo immediately ran back to Jin Xiuyi and made several animated gestures.
Jin Xiuyi had been feeling down but was now distracted by Datuo’s flurry of hand motions. Though he didn’t understand at first, after a few attempts he finally got the message.
“I’m okay, don’t worry about it,” Jin Xiuyi said. He could tell Datuo was trying to apologize, feeling like it was his cleverness that had hurt him.
But… he really was a little hurt. Datuo was younger than him, after all.
Datuo then gave him a mysterious look and beckoned him over to look at his pouch.
Jin Xiuyi didn’t know what to expect, but when he leaned over and saw the shiny marbles inside, his eyes lit up.
“Wow!!!” That little bit of discouragement vanished instantly, cured by the glittering marbles.
Datuo was pleased by his reaction and proudly shook the pouch.
My big sister gave them to me.
Jin Xiuyi looked at him with hope. “Can we play together?”
Datuo nodded and poured the marbles out of his pouch. The two boys squatted in the garden and began playing on the ground, Datuo gesturing animatedly to teach him how to play.
From afar, all one could see were two small heads close together, fiddling with something on the ground.
