Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 616

They were talking on the main road when Meng Changqing, who was not far away, happened to see them.

Meng Changqing really enjoyed the excitement. As soon as he saw that it was someone from his own yamen, he stood there eavesdropping.

She had met Zheng Xidong's mother before, but she had long forgotten about it. Only after listening to their conversation did she realize the identities of the two people opposite Zheng Xidong.

She listened attentively and understood Zheng Xidong's feelings at that moment; he must have been extremely frustrated.

Zheng Xidong left his family and lived alone. Although he had a job and friends, the loneliness and pain of not being understood by his family were still hard to dispel.

When the night is quiet and people see others enjoying family time, it's easier to think of one's own family.

Meng Changqing had a very high opinion of Zheng Xidong. Although her academic performance was not as good as Luo Yun's, her courage to leave her family and her determination to endure hardship made it clear that she was a person worth cultivating.

Therefore, after Zheng Xidong bypassed Zhou Erya and the others, Meng Changqing followed them via another route.

If Meng Changqing weren't a woman, her behavior would certainly raise suspicions.

Meng Changqing, who had practiced martial arts for many years, was faster than Zheng Xidong and was already waiting for her at the alley entrance.

Zheng Xidong felt a little guilty when she saw Meng Changqing. This place wasn't far from where she had just spoken, and she hadn't been quiet. She wondered if the adults had heard her.

"Going shopping?" Meng Changqing spoke first.

“Sir.” Zheng Xidong was still rather reserved when facing Meng Changqing. “Yes, I’m going to Xinjie to buy some things.”

Meng Changqing said, "We're going the same way anyway, let's go together."

Zheng Xidong was both happy and troubled, and his expression was rather conflicted. "Sir, I'm afraid outsiders will gossip. You should leave first."

"Are you gossiping about yourself, or about me?" Meng Changqing asked with a smile.

“I have nothing, and I’m not afraid of what others say, but sir…” Meng Changqing continued, “I have nothing to worry about either.”

Let's not spout empty platitudes like "a straight body casts no crooked shadow." Those who want to spread gossip will do so no matter what; you can't avoid it. There's only one thing they won't dare say to your face: that you are more capable than them.

As he spoke, Meng Changqing took a few steps forward, and Zheng Xidong followed without hesitation.

After walking for a while, Meng Changqing asked, "You seem unhappy. Are you not getting along well with your family?"

"Did you hear that, sir?"

"Hey, you don't know me. I just love listening to gossip."

Zheng Xidong was genuinely surprised to hear these words from an official.

“I handled your family division,” Meng Changqing said to her, turning his head slightly. “So I know a little about your family situation.”

Zheng Xidong gave a self-deprecating laugh, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, sir."

“Sigh, family conflicts have existed since ancient times, and every family is different. There’s no such thing as a simple matter of whether you can accept it or not,” Meng Changqing said. “Just now, from what your mother was saying, she wanted you to go home and visit. What do you think?”

Zheng Xidong said without hesitation, "I will not go back."

Meng Changqing smiled and said, "Let me tell you something. I used to know a family like this. They had a son and a daughter, just like your family. The older sister was older. However, this family had some savings, but they were unwilling to use them on their daughter. They often beat and scolded her."

When that family's daughter grew to your age, she took the opportunity to study away from home and left, never to return.

Many years passed, and the parents grew old. Their spoiled son never amounted to anything, and his parents had to work to support him in every way.

One day, the parents learned by chance that their daughter had become quite successful, making a considerable amount of money through business ventures.

At this point, Meng Changqing paused, "Guess what those parents did?"