Blossom in Adversity

C58. Facing Each Other.

Chapter 58: Facing Each Other

The old lady sat on a sedan chair carried by four strong maids, listening to her low cough. Hua Zhi deliberately slowed down her pace so that her grandmother could cough more comfortably.

When the coughing subsided, she approached, "Grandmother, let's go over now, it's time."

Wiping her mouth, the old lady nodded slightly, "Very well."

The sedan chair was carried to the corridor outside the schoolroom, where three chairs had already been set up, with one placed a bit farther away.

Hua Zhi explained softly, "I won't disturb them by going inside. The children will be distracted, and Second Sister and Third Sister will be nervous as well. I have called Mr. Mu to come, as my level is not enough to judge others' abilities."

"You are too modest."

Shooing away the maids, Mr. Mu also emerged from another classroom and bowed to the old lady before taking a seat on the farthest chair.

Because they were close, the voices inside were heard clearly. Regardless of the content, stammering, pauses, repetition, unstable breath, and visible nervousness indicated a lack of confidence. Listening further, it was evident that the recitations were word-for-word, lacking any personal understanding.

Mr. Mu looked at the back of the eldest girl. Without comparison, he had not noticed anything, but with the eldest miss shining brightly, the other two girls from the Hua family paled in comparison.

The old lady's initial hopes turned into disappointment. Seeing her granddaughter's indifferent expression, she couldn't help but think that she was too greedy. Having one outstanding member was not enough; she wanted the other family members to be like her as well. Hua Zhi must have known her thoughts and cooperated without complaints.

However, she couldn't help but feel discontented!

Despite their internal thoughts, the three did not leave early and waited until no more sounds were heard before the two girls rushed out hurriedly.

Seeing the three seated individuals, Hua Ling and Hua Xin blushed deeply. Facing their grandmother's confusion, Hua Zhi's dissatisfaction, and Mr. Mu's embarrassment, they wished for a hole to appear on the ground so they could disappear and never come out.

They didn't understand why they had performed well at home and even trained with the maids. However, the moment they faced a real challenge, everything fell apart. The students below were not much younger than them, so why were they so scared!

The old lady coughed lightly, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. With the help of Suyun Mama, she stood up, and Hua Zhi quickly assisted her on the other side.

"Mr. Mu, I hope you weren't too disappointed."

Mr. Mu quickly bowed, "It is my honor. Not everyone has the courage to stand on the podium."

The old lady felt comforted by his words and, after getting onto the sedan chair, leaned towards Mr. Mu before looking at Hua Zhi. "I will go first."

"I'll follow you. You go and have some rest." Patting her hand, the old lady sighed. Suyun mom caught the eldest miss's eye signal and instructed the strong maids to lift the sedan chair and leave.

Watching them leave the courtyard, Mr. Mu returned to the classroom. Hua Zhi, concerned that the young students might feel anxious, ignored Hua Xin and Hua Ling and entered another room.

The children were clearly not focused on their studies, their spirits low. They quickly straightened up and eagerly watched when they saw her. One brave student couldn't help but ask, "Eldest sister, will Second Sister and Third Sister be our teachers from now on?"

Once someone spoke up, others followed, shouting, "Eldest sister, we all like you. Please continue to be our teacher, as we understand you better than Second Sister and Third Sister."

"Eldest sister, we can understand what you are saying, but it's hard to follow Second Sister and Third Sister's instructions."

“Eldest sister, I will grow up quickly and be able to help you. Don't ignore us.”

“Eldest sister, we'll still call you 'teacher' in the future. Once we call you 'teacher,' you can't run away.”

“Eldest sister…”

Hua Zhi's heart softened greatly. She didn't intend to test the children's affection for her or use them to undermine her younger sisters. But the fact that the children were feeling uneasy was her fault, caused by her lack of careful consideration.

Pressing her hand down, the schoolroom soon quieted down. Hua Zhi softened her tone, saying, “It's eldest sister's fault for not explaining to you beforehand. Second Sister and Third Sister are not here to be your teachers. They are here to see where they need to improve. Now that they know, if they work on their flaws, they may come back. And when they do, you should treat them just as you treat me.”

“Will Second Sister and Third Sister be as good at teaching as eldest sister?”

“Of course, they will be when they come back.”

The children immediately had a look of understanding on their faces and smiles appeared once again.

Hua Zhi knew that they weren't easily fooled, as they only trusted her. The children from the Hua family were very intelligent.

“Eldest sister has something to attend to now. Study and practice writing on your own, but don't disturb the brothers next door, understand?”

“Yes, eldest sister.”

In the corridor, Hua Xin and Hua Ling were still there, and Hua Zhi wasn't surprised to see them.

“Eldest sister.”

“If you're unwilling, there's no need to bow, I don't care about that.” Hua Zhi looked at their surprised faces, as if they didn't expect her to say such words. She didn't want to talk about life and principles with them. Instead, she said directly, “You can go back, I will go see grandmother.”

With that, Hua Zhi walked past them and headed forward. A sharp but restrained voice came from behind, “Eldest sister, you're happy, aren't you? Our stupidity only makes you shine brighter, and grandmother will value you even more in the future!”

Hua Zhi turned around, her expression still calm. “What do I gain from her valuing me? The Hua family? It can only scrape together a bit of money to support hundreds of people. Do you want that for the Hua family? Don't blame others for your own foolishness. This is not something imposed on you by others. You should understand the advantages that come with the Hua surname and the reputation it carries.”

“Even if there are benefits to the surname, it's still based on talent, which you lack!”

“Ah, yes, I lack talent. So what? What are you trying to prove? That you're better than me? That you're more knowledgeable? Fine, but what does that do for the Hua family? Those who praise you, do they say anything caring to you?” Hua Zhi never hesitated to expose those lacking self-awareness and wearing blinders.

“You…” Hua Ling was struck by her words, and tears streamed down her face.

“If you want to retaliate, go read more books. If you can't concentrate, then go do embroidery, consider it as preparing your dowry in advance.”

Hua Ling and Hua Xin watched in disbelief as Hua Zhi walked away. This person, this person was really Hua Zhi?

How could this be possible?!

Inside the room, Mr. Mu couldn't help but find it both amusing and frustrating. If the sisters wanted to argue, they should do it elsewhere. Looking at the kids who were trying to hide their laughter, especially Huo Bailin, what was there to be proud of?!

Huo Bailin was indeed proud. This was his eldest sister, after all!

In the past, everyone had praised Second Sister and Third Sister in the family, saying how talented they were.

But in the end?

Compared to his sister, they were nothing!

They couldn't even win in a battle of words!

To put it in his eldest sister's words: their combat power was too weak!