Zong Zhao replied, "Indeed, he didn’t know what a rare edition was. When he saw how upset I was, he even offered to compensate me with another copy."
"What happened then?"
Zong Zhao sighed, "The author had already passed away. How could he possibly replace it?"
Xu Wan scratched her head and said, "That’s true. Anyone would be furious. An original manuscript is hard enough to come by, let alone a rare edition."
Zong Zhao gave a quiet hum of agreement, regret coloring his voice. "I was too young back then, placing far too much importance on that rare manuscript. I was so angry with him that I didn’t eat the fish he grilled for me and ignored him for days."
Now, there would never be another chance.
Suddenly, Xu Wan understood why he had brought the book here to grill fish—he was missing Zong Yan. Sёarᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The fire crackled to life, pages of the book burning one by one in the flames. Short sticks were propped over the burning pages, gradually catching fire as well. The flickering light illuminated the dim surroundings by the pond.
Xu Wan held a skewered fish over the fire and asked, "Is this height alright?"
Zong Zhao glanced at it. "A bit low. Raise it a little higher."
Xu Wan obediently lifted it further.
After observing him quietly for a moment, she ventured, "Have you… made any progress recently?" She was referring to Zong Yan’s case.
Zong Zhao replied calmly, "I’ve always known who was responsible. It’s just that too much time has passed, and gathering evidence is difficult."
Xu Wan couldn’t hide her surprise. "Who… was it?"
Though she wasn’t sure if she should even ask, the words tumbled out before she could stop herself.
Zong Zhao kept his head lowered as he answered, "Some of my father’s closest uncles."
"Oh heavens…" The truth came too quickly, and Xu Wan clapped a hand over her mouth, afraid her voice might startle others nearby. "Then… does Father-in-law know?"
Zong Zhao shook his head. "I haven’t figured out how to tell him yet. After all… back then, he was the one who personally entrusted us to those uncles."
He had handed his own two sons over to men with ill intentions, resulting in one dead and one wounded—a pain that had never truly healed over the years.
Zong Zhao would settle this score with them.
But the Old Marquis might collapse from the guilt. So until the truth came to light, he didn’t want them to know.
Xu Wan’s voice trembled. "Father-in-law would be devastated."
Zong Yan’s death was irreversible, and learning this truth would only add insult to injury, another heavy blow.
"Yeah," Zong Zhao acknowledged. "We’ll see. Maybe the truth will never be revealed. Maybe he’ll never find out."
Xu Wan fell silent.
It was true. After so many years, evidence wouldn’t be easy to find. Accusing them without proof wouldn’t bring justice—it might only backfire.
Noticing her hand drooping, the fish nearly charring, Zong Zhao reached over and took it from her. "Let me handle it. The fish is too big; holding it too long will make your arms sore."
"Ah…" Only then did Xu Wan notice one side had already blackened. She quickly handed both skewers over to him.
She mentally berated herself: Proof that exam-oriented education ruins practical skills.
Zong Zhao focused on grilling the fish, occasionally murmuring, "It’s too hot by the fire. You can sit further back."
Even on a cool summer night, the heat from the flames had them both sweating. Xu Wan obediently scooted back until the fish were done, and Zong Zhao handed her the better one.
Xu Wan hesitated. "After messing up, do I still get to eat someone else’s work?"
Zong Zhao chuckled. "I can’t speak for others, but mine, yes. Here." He extended the skewer again.
Xu Wan tentatively reached out, confirming he wasn’t going to take it back before accepting it. She inhaled the delicate aroma of the freshly grilled fish.
Zong Zhao said, "There’s no seasoning. If you’d like some, I can go get it."
Xu Wan shook her head with a smile. "Every meal is seasoned these days. It’s rare to taste the food itself. This is nice—a new experience."
Zong Zhao gazed at her, eyes warm. "Mm. Good."
He flipped his own charred fish to eat the untouched side, while Xu Wan nibbled at hers, savoring the fruits of her labor—if "gathering firewood" counted as labor.
Xu Wan’s eyes sparkled as she praised, "It’s delicious! So fresh. Mother-in-law really knows how to pick fish. She’s the most perfect mother and mother-in-law I’ve ever met."
Zong Zhao nodded in agreement, then added softly, "If… someday… you’ll be the same. Even better than her."
It took Xu Wan several seconds to realize what he meant—the unspoken words were "mother" and "mother-in-law," roles that would only apply if she and he had a child together.
The fire hadn’t fully died yet, and once again, Xu Wan saw Zong Zhao’s ears turn red. She could swear her own ears were heating up too.
Oh no. Shyness must be contagious.
She turned her head away, blinking rapidly as she stared at the pond.
Zong Zhao asked beside her, "Do you want to go into the pond?"
Xu Wan paused, then turned to him with an amused look. "If I said yes, would you really take me in?"
"Why not?" he countered.
Xu Wan studied him quietly. "It’s improper. A breach of feminine virtue."
Zong Zhao replied, "I’ve cleared the area. No one will see."
Xu Wan twisted her sleeve, murmuring, "I can’t let go. These restraints have been with me for so long, they’ve almost fused with my flesh. Pulling at them feels unnatural now."
"It’s not that serious. There’s only one lock, but you’ve added more yourself, afraid of making mistakes." Zong Zhao spoke gently. "If you want to play, then play. I’ll take you."
With that, he took the half-eaten fish from her hand, tossed it aside, and plunged into the pond with a splash. He reached up toward Xu Wan on the bank.
She was stunned by his impulsiveness. "You move way too fast! I haven’t even decided yet."
Zong Zhao, clearly embracing recklessness now, said, "Well, I’m already in. Aren’t you coming?"
Xu Wan made one last attempt to resist. "The pond’s full of mud. If we go back soaking wet, everyone will know what we did."
"Cui Liu doesn’t talk much. She’s keeping watch outside and will make sure we don’t run into anyone on the way back—including Cui Zhi."
"But our clothes… they’ll have mud on them too."
"Cui Liu will wash them."
Xu Wan: "..."
You really know how to pick your targets, don’t you? Harassing the same person over and over.
Still, she had to admit—Zong Zhao’s choices were reliable. Cui Liu was simply too capable.
After a brief hesitation, she finally placed her hand in his and let him guide her into the pond.
The moment her legs touched the water, a refreshing coolness rushed up from below, quickly spreading through her limbs. Xu Wan instantly perked up, laughing in delight. "It really is wonderful! Mr. Su wasn’t lying."
The firelight danced on the bank, illuminating her exhilarated face. And as Zong Zhao watched, knowing he was the one who had brought her this joy and freedom, he felt his chest tighten with emotion once more.