I Can Replicate Martial Arts-Chapter 40 - 33: Someone Else’s Child (2)

"Let’s get this lesson started. My school year is about to begin."

Zhao Rui ignored her and pulled his old notebooks out of his backpack, preparing to start the lesson.

"Huh? You got your acceptance letter? When does school start?"

"I did. It starts on September first, so less than two weeks from now."

"Oh!"

Hearing this, the young girl pouted, her rosy lips pushing out and revealing two faint dimples at the corners of her fair mouth.

"What’s wrong? Can’t bear to see me go?"

Zhao Rui smiled faintly.

"Brother Rui, you’re so thick-skinned! I was just thinking that when you start school, I have to start school too! Hmph!"

Tian Yaru shot Zhao Rui a sideways glance and grumbled, clearly displeased with his wishful thinking.

"Haha! Alright, let’s get back to the lesson."

Zhao Rui guided her to the seat at the desk and began the lesson in a serious, methodical manner.

An hour passed without them noticing.

Just as the two were engrossed in their studies, a knock came at the study door.

Tian Yaru called out in her clear voice, "Who is it?"

"Yaru, it’s me, Yi Yan!"

A girl’s voice, slightly husky and languid, drifted in from outside—like the tartness of an unripe plum.

"What do you want? I’m studying!"

Upon hearing that voice, Tian Yaru immediately pouted, her cute little nose wrinkling in displeasure.

She was acting just like a little girl who hadn’t grown up.

"Auntie said you two should take a break and come out for some fruit!"

"Got it!"

Tian Yaru replied tepidly, with no intention of opening the door.

The person outside probably knew her temperament, as she turned and went back to the living room after speaking.

A moment later, Aunt Song knocked and came in, carrying a platter of cut fruit.

Following behind her was a languid-looking teenage girl with a smile in her eyes.

It was presumably the girl Tian Yaru had been talking to.

"My, so serious today. Even if you don’t eat, Zhao Rui has to!"

Aunt Song smiled, placing the fruit platter on a corner of the desk as she spoke softly.

As she spoke, the girl behind her fixed her bright eyes on Tian Yaru, a half-smile playing on her pretty face.

Tian Yaru let out a cold snort, not bothering to look at her.

"Study for a little longer, then come out for lunch. Zhao Rui, you should join us too!"

After putting down the platter, Aunt Song smiled and said to the two of them.

"It’s okay, Auntie..."

Zhao Rui quickly declined. He was fine with spending more time on the lesson, but having a meal was unnecessary.

But before he could finish, Tian Yaru jabbed him hard with her elbow and cut in, "Mom, Brother Zhao is staying for lunch. You guys can go out first!"

After speaking, she turned her head and shot Zhao Rui a meaningful look.

Her gaze was practically speaking, alternating between threats and pleas.

"Then I’ll be troubling you, Auntie!"

Seeing this, Zhao Rui stopped refusing and accepted with a smile.

"Don’t be a stranger!"

"I’ll leave you young people to chat!"

With that, Aunt Song turned and left the study. However, the girl who had followed her in didn’t leave, instead leisurely examining the textbooks on the desk.

"What are you still doing here? I need to study!"

Tian Yaru flipped her books over on the desk, shielding them protectively as she grumbled.

"No matter what, you still have to call me ’older sister’!"

The girl spoke slowly, then placed a hand on the desk. Tian Yaru was instantly jolted as if struck by lightning, her body trembling as she shot back from the desk.

"You!"

"As if I care what you’re studying. Just remember to call me ’older sister’ at lunch, okay?"

The corners of the girl’s mouth curved into a smirk, and she sauntered out of the study.

"Hmph, I’m so mad! All she knows is how to use her Martial Arts to bully me!"

As Tian Yaru spoke, her eyes began to redden. Pools of clear water gathered at the bottom of her eyes, and glistening teardrops looked about to fall.

"Alright, stop pretending. Even if you keep faking it, I’m not going to step in and help you."

Zhao Rui reached out, flipped the textbook back over on the desk, and said irritably.

"Hmph, you’re so mean!"

Tian Yaru instantly dropped her pitiful expression and sighed. "She’s a Fifth-level Martial Artist. You might not be able to beat her."

Zhao Rui turned a deaf ear, picked up the textbook, and continued explaining problems to Tian Yaru.

"You’re no fun at all!"

Seeing that Zhao Rui was unmoved, Tian Yaru had no choice but to start listening to the lesson seriously.

Time flew, and soon it was past twelve. Aunt Song knocked on the study door and told the two to come to the dining room for lunch.

Only then did Tian Yaru reluctantly leave the study with Zhao Rui and head to the dining room.

The dining room was spacious, with a huge rectangular table in the center laden with numerous dishes.

There were dishes from the land and the sea, all exquisitely prepared. Zhao Rui had never even seen many of them before.

At this time, Tian Muqiang and his wife were already seated at the table with their guests.

"Come, come! Xiaozhao, don’t be a stranger here at Auntie’s house!"

Seeing her daughter and Zhao Rui approach, Aunt Song immediately stood up and warmly invited Zhao Rui to take a seat. After all, he wasn’t just her daughter’s tutor, but also the junior apprentice brother of a good friend.

By all accounts, it was only right for him to stay for a simple home-cooked meal.

Zhao Rui wasn’t coy about it. Since he had decided to stay, he would eat without pretense.

After saying his thanks, he sat down.

"I’m sitting next to Brother Zhao!"

Seeing Zhao Rui take his seat, Tian Yaru immediately followed suit, sitting down next to him.

"This child!"

Tian Muqiang smiled dotingly, then gestured for everyone to help themselves and eat as they pleased.

The two families seemed to be very familiar with each other. There wasn’t much ceremony as they ate and chatted idly.

Before long, the conversation turned to the girl who was visiting.

It turned out the girl had also taken the college entrance exams this year, but she had applied to Dongqi Martial Arts Normal College.

"Brother Zhao got into Dongqi University, though!"

Hearing the parents once again praising this "older sister," Tian Yaru couldn’t help but say this sarcastically.

"Dongqi University?"

The girl named Yi Yan couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Rui, a surprised expression on her face.

"Of course I know your Brother Zhao is a good student, why else would I have him tutor you! You need to learn from him!"

Hearing her daughter’s words, Aunt Song knew she was throwing another tantrum and couldn’t help but warn her.

Tian Yaru pressed her lips together and didn’t interrupt again. Instead, she lowered her head resentfully and picked at the food in her bowl.

Seemingly sensing his daughter’s displeasure, Tian Mufang dropped the topic of studying and instead began to tell some interesting stories from the world of business.

Zhao Rui listened intently, expanding his knowledge, while also seriously enjoying the meal.

’After all, these dishes aren’t cheap, and they taste damn good. Who knows when I’ll get to eat a feast like this again. There’s no way I’d ever pay for something like this myself.’

No one was drinking, so the meal ended quickly. Soon, everyone left the table and moved to the living room to drink tea again.

Zhao Rui sat for a short while before getting up to take his leave.

Unexpectedly, the girl named Yi Yan actually took out her phone and asked to add him on WeChat.

She said that since they would be attending university in the same city, they might as well get to know each other.

"Brother Zhao is very busy! He doesn’t have time to deal with you!"

Tian Yaru quickly grabbed Zhao Rui’s arm and started dragging him outside.

Zhao Rui gave Yi Yan an apologetic smile and let Tian Yaru drag him away.

Once they were outside the villa’s courtyard, Tian Yaru let go of Zhao Rui’s arm and said, "Brother Zhao, that girl is bad news. Don’t add her!"

Zhao Rui swung his leg over his bicycle, looked at Tian Yaru, and said with a smile, "It’s not like we’ll have anything to do with her, so it doesn’t matter if I add her or not. I’m leaving. You stay home and study hard."

With that, he got on his bike and rode out of the residential complex.

「Five days later」

The celebratory banquet for Zhao Rui’s college entrance exam results finally began.

Relatives from both sides of Zhao Rui’s family had pretty much all rushed to Lin City.

Since Zhao Rui had done so well on his exams, Zhao Jincheng’s reputation was glowing. Steeling himself, he had booked a local five-star hotel for the party.

The cost was high, but the service was truly excellent!

The hotel took care of many things in advance, so there was practically nothing for him to do.