“Yes! Lao Wu, just tell us if you have something to talk about! We’ll solve it for you!” Even though they had grown up, Zhang Er Shao still patted Zhang Wu Shao’s head like he did when they were kids every time he coaxed him.
“Right! Whoever bullies you, we won’t let him off!” Zhang Si Shao showed a fierce expression.
Zhang San Shao’s chubby face looked friendly, but he then pulled a walnut out of his pocket and crushed it with his bare hands. His action was enough to convey his feelings.
Zhang Fang looked at them touched, holding Zhang Da Shao’s hand, and smiled, saying, “I knew my brothers would be great to me! In the past, you took care of me, and now it’s my turn to take care of you!”
These words left Zhang Da Shao and the others stunned.
After spending so many years raising his younger brother, Zhang Da Shao finally felt the joy of giving back. He said with a gratified expression, “Lao Wu has grown up! Big brother didn’t spoil you for nothing all these years!”
After Zhang Mu passed away, even though Zhang Wu Shao had a wet nurse and maid to take care of him, Zhang Da Shao would often come to keep him company. Zhang Lao Ye often traveled for business and was too busy to manage them. As the eldest son, Zhang Da Shao had the responsibility to care for his younger brothers since childhood. Over the years, Zhang Da Shao grew up while watching his four brothers grow as well. However, it was only Zhang Fang who first expressed such sentiments, which naturally moved Zhang Da Shao.
Glancing at the other three younger brothers, Zhang Da Shao’s expression became a bit disdainful. He scoffed, “Look how considerate Lao Wu is! You all should learn from him! Was it easy for me to raise you up one by one? In the future, you all have to take care of me!”
Zhang Er Shao: …
Zhang San Shao: …
Zhang Si Shao: …
Lao Zhao: …
If Zhang Lao Ye were here to hear this, he would certainly roll his eyes and scold them!
Seeing their reactions, Zhang Da Shao frowned in dissatisfaction, saying, “Isn’t that right? After Mother left, I lost the desire to study and focused all my attention on you younger brothers. Father is out making business deals and has no time for us. If it weren’t for me, your big brother, taking care of you, would you have grown this big? You three are older than Lao Wu, yet they’re not as considerate as he is! It truly pains my heart!”
Zhang Er Shao’s eyes darted, and he spoke up, “Fine, fine! From now on, we will definitely take care of big brother in his old age!”
Turning to Zhang Si Shao, Zhang Er Shao patted his shoulder, saying, “Lao Si, I and San Ge have taken care of you over the years too! Look how considerate Lao Wu is! You need to learn from him!”
Zhang San Shao nodded and reached out to pat Zhang Si Shao’s shoulder, smiling as he said, “In the future, if I get so fat that I can’t move, you must take good care of me.”
Zhang Si Shao’s eyes twitched slightly. He said helplessly, “Fine, fine, I will take care of my brothers in their old age!”
Lao Zhao couldn’t stand it any longer and simply closed his eyes, preferring not to see. Fortunately, the master was not home; otherwise, he would be fainting from anger from these sons.
Zhang Fang reached out to hold Zhang Da Shao’s hand, looking at his older brothers with sincere eyes, speaking particularly gently, “Starting tomorrow, I will take care of my brothers!”
Zhang Da Shao immediately shook his head, saying, “The doctor said your health isn’t good. You need to recuperate for a while. It’s our duty as older brothers to take care of you! Er, San, and Si, during this time, you all shouldn’t go out to play. Stay home and accompany Lao Wu! Take care of Lao Wu!”
Even if Zhang Da Shao didn’t say it, Zhang Er Shao and the others also had the same intention.
Watching them treat each other with such brotherly love, Lao Zhao felt a bit comforted. Even though these young masters each had their bad habits, at least they were united as brothers.
Zhang Da Shao and the others stayed at Zhang Fang’s place for dinner until they felt exhausted before leaving.
As the housekeeper, Lao Zhao spent the afternoon accompanying Zhang Fang, which took up a whole afternoon. He could only work overtime to hold a meeting for the household staff, checking the expenses and maintaining the accounts.
Upon learning that Zhang Da Shao spent three hundred taels to bring a beauty home, Lao Zhao sighed helplessly.
When he received the gambling house’s accounts, Lao Zhang was so furious at the numbers that he briefly lost his breath.
He couldn’t understand what Zhang San Shao had been eating; he spent four hundred taels in just three days!
And as for Zhang Si Shao, he recently spent seven hundred taels on alcohol!
Finally, when he calculated Zhang Wu Shao’s recent expenses, Lao Zhao fainted directly.
“Zhao Butler! Fifth Young Master is looking for you!”
Lao Zhao was shaken awake, holding his heart as he slowly got up to find Zhang Fang.
“The night is deep, and Fifth Young Master hasn’t rested yet? The doctor said your body needs proper recovery, so you must avoid any indulgence during this time,” Lao Zhao sincerely persuaded Zhang Fang.
“Uncle Zhao.” Seeing the face that looked exactly like Zhao Yuzhu, Zhang Fang felt affectionate and waved for him to come closer.
Lao Zhao stepped forward, and Zhang Fang signaled him to bend down and bring his ear closer.
When Lao Zhao leaned in, Zhang Fang whispered something to him.
“This…” Lao Zhao’s face showed shock as he looked at Zhang Fang with a strange expression.
“Does Uncle Zhao not want my brothers to improve?” Zhang Fang countered him.
Lao Zhao quickly shook his head, “This old servant naturally hopes for the young masters to turn over a new leaf. But this approach, I’m afraid the eldest young master can’t accept…”
In the past, Zhang Lao Ye had also been hard on trying to correct his sons’ bad habits, but every time had an excuse. The young masters had their ways to deal with it. After several attempts, Zhang Lao Ye became so angry that he felt helpless. Moreover, in recent years, business hadn’t been good, and Zhang Lao Ye spent more time on business, leaving no time to manage his sons, and consequently turning a blind eye to them for a while.
“Uncle Zhao, just listen to me. I’ve already talked to my brothers about this, and they’re all on board!” Zhang Fang patted Lao Zhao’s shoulder.
After hesitating for a moment, Lao Zhao finally nodded in agreement with Zhang Fang, “The old servant understands!”
Once he stood up straight, Lao Zhao stared at Zhang Fang and cautiously asked, “If Fifth Young Master wants to help the eldest young master turn over a new leaf, who will help Fifth Young Master improve?”
“Do I still need to improve?” Zhang Fang responded with a puzzled expression.
Lao Zhao: …
Forget it; let’s just focus on caring for Zhang Da Shao! Managing one is better than none!