Chapter 378: Where the Sun Can’t Reach (Part 3)

Through the clear lenses, he clearly saw in the distance, at the edge of the cornfield, that Hua Tianyou, the usually carefree guy, was now gently raising his hand to brush away the cornflower debris from Zhao Ling’er’s hair.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the green leaves, casting dappled shadows over them.

Zhao Ling’er’s cheeks were flushed as she fiddled with the hem of her dress, a shyness Zhao Zun had never seen before.

“That bastard!” Zhao Zun gritted his teeth, “I was only gone for a short while, and he dares to…”

“What’s going on?” Han Lei asked, puzzled. “Let me see.”

Han Lei snatched the binoculars with interest and observed, “Oh! Mr. Hua is dressed quite smartly today, this bamboo green long shirt makes him look quite dashing.”

She deliberately elongated her voice, “It seems Ling’er is quite happy too, such a lovely couple…”

“Nonsense!” Zhao Zun glared at her and snatched back the binoculars.

He saw Hua Tianyou had already picked an ear of corn and was gesturing to Zhao Ling’er, saying something that made Zhao Ling’er cover her mouth and laugh.

The scene made Zhao Zun’s temples throb: “That brat, I brought him here to train the guards, and he’s thinking about my sister. Watch me go and break his legs!”

Zhao Zun shouted for the driver to stop and stood up as if to jump out of the carriage.

Han Lei quickly grabbed his arm: “Hey! What are you doing? They’re both unmarried, why are you meddling?” She blinked, “Besides, Duke Heng’s family is quite a good match with the Zhao family.”

“Tch! That’s not what I meant. Hua Tianyou is just a playboy, always so carefree, he’s not worthy of my sister.” Zhao Zun said, but couldn’t help raising the binoculars again.

This time he saw Zhao Ling’er taking out a handkerchief from her sleeve, wiping Hua Tianyou’s sweat.

Hua Tianyou’s surprised expression almost made him crush the binoculars in his hand.

The carriage continued moving forward, and the sight of the cornfield was gradually obscured by other buildings.

Zhao Zun put down the binoculars with a gloomy face, tapping a restless rhythm on his knee with his fingers.

Han Lei stole a glance at his expression, a sly smile curving on her lips.

“You better not go.” Han Lei pouted, glaring at him like a wife scolding her husband.

“Honestly, I didn’t like Hua Tianyou at first either, thought he was just an idle rich young man. But over time, I’ve found he’s not bad at heart, and although he seems unserious, he gets things done. While we were away, he managed everything here quite neatly…”

“That’s just his duty!” Zhao Zun snorted coldly, “If he wasn’t diligent, I would’ve sent him back to the Capital City long ago.”

“Oh really?” Han Lei smirked, teasing, “I think you’re just too protective of your sister. You probably think no man in the world is worthy of her, right?”

Zhao Zun was taken aback by her words, his tense expression slightly easing.

“You’re not wrong.” Zhao Zun pursed his lips, “That kid used to do nothing but tease cats and dogs, or set up birds. But since he came to the Beiguan Camp, he’s really changed a lot over these months, it’s like he’s suddenly grown up, maybe even his own parents wouldn’t recognize him.”

“See?” Han Lei shrugged, continuing, “Hua Tianyou is your best buddy, you know his character best. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been friends for so many years.”

“Alright,” Zhao Zun rubbed the edge of his cup, his tone finally softening, “Thinking it over, Tianyou, given his family background and character… he’s not an entirely unsuitable match.”

As he said this, his brows were still furrowed, as if he’d swallowed something bitter.

Han Lei couldn’t help but laugh, patting his shoulder: “That’s right. As her brother, you can’t protect your sister all your life, you have to let her find a good match who knows her well. Besides, didn’t you say Hua Tianyou seems to have grown up suddenly? Maybe he just matured a bit later, not as steady as you are.”

Hearing Han Lei praise him as steady, Zhao Zun’s eyes lit up.

“Really? In your heart, I’m really steady?” He looked at Han Lei eagerly, like a child expecting praise from a teacher.

Han Lei smiled without saying a word, lifting the carriage curtain and gazing out the window.

In the distance, the workers’ rhythmic chants could be heard, and the newly paved road glistened with hope in the sunlight.

She suddenly felt that on this land full of hope, perhaps… not just crops were growing.