Chapter 163

Chapter 163

The chemistry between Han Qinnian and Shao Langzhou was way too obvious.

Even Han Zhang noticed it, and Shen Qinglan definitely picked up on it too. He couldn't help but smile, his lips curving in amusement, and quietly nudged Han Zhang with his elbow, his eyes sparkling with playful mischief as if to say, "Hubby, look at that!"

Han Zhang smiled and squeezed his hand, signaling him to just sit back and enjoy the show.

If they called it out now, the two young ones would get all shy and scurry off.

While they were talking, the big group of people behind them caught up. The curtain of the lead carriage was lifted, revealing Grandfather and Grandmother Han, along with Han's parents, their faces lit up with excitement and joy.

"Big Brother, Lan Geer!"

"Grandpa, Grandma, Father, Mother!"

"Big Brother, Big Brother..."

The carriages behind also had their curtains pulled back, and soon the aunties from the second and third branches of the Han family, along with the younger cousins from each household, came running over, all excited.

Han Dong ran at the front, barreling straight into Han Zhang's arms: "Big Brother, I missed you so much..."

As the original body's biological younger brother—and an omega at that—he'd been the one the original body doted on most.

After Han Zhang transmigrated, he not only inherited the original body's memories but also his emotions. He was just as fond of this omega brother, and Han Dong was super attached to his big brother.

Back in the capital, even though Han Zhang lived in the city, he'd still head back to the village a few times a month.

Now that he'd been posted to Yunyang Prefecture, he hadn't seen his big brother in months. He missed him so much!

"You're a grown-up now, still acting all spoiled with your big brother. Aren't you embarrassed?" Han Zhang said, though he didn't push the boy away. He smiled and ruffled his brother's hair, asking worriedly, "How was the journey? Are you tired?"

"Not tired at all. I listened to you, Big Brother, and practiced martial arts with Second Brother every day. I'm really sturdy now. Not just traveling—I could climb mountains and cross ridges without even breaking a sweat!"

Han Dong said proudly, holding up his little arm and flexing.

He might look delicate, but he's got real strength and skill in those limbs.

The younger cousins from the second and third branches also hopped around, looking for praise: "We also listened to Big Brother! We studied hard, trained hard, and worked to improve every day!"

Everyone was chattering away, and it was a lively scene.

It was obvious how much they trusted and looked up to Han Zhang as their big brother.

Han's mother watched these kids—all in their teens but still acting like little kids—and found it both funny and exasperating. She helped Grandmother Han step forward to remind them:

"Okay, okay, you little monkeys, cut the noise! This isn't the place for chatting. Your brother-in-law's pregnant—he can't just stand here entertaining you all day."

Grandmother Han nodded repeatedly, gazing at Shen Qinglan's round belly with deep affection:

"Big Brother, let's hurry back and get settled. Lan Geer can't afford to get tired out now!"

Shen Qinglan smiled: "Grandmother, I'm in good shape, it's fine. Dong Geer and the others haven't seen their brother in ages—it's only natural they're excited."

—He really was fine. With Han Zhang secretly using his power to keep him healthy, this pregnancy had only given him a bigger belly and a bigger appetite. No discomfort at all.

Still, the city gate really wasn't the place for conversation.

Han Zhang nodded: "Grandpa, Grandma, I've already arranged places for everyone to stay in the city. Let's rest and freshen up here first."

"Tomorrow, I'll take everyone to see the village I've picked out for settling. See if you like it? If not, I'll find another place for the clan to settle."

On the surface, he didn't have much real power in the prefectural government, but as the public-facing Lord Prefect, picking a village with fertile farmland to settle his clan was still a piece of cake.

That was the nature of power—even a little bit of it was like an insurmountable wall to ordinary people.

"Good, good, good. Big Brother always thinks of everything..."

Clan Chief Han grinned so wide you could see his gums.

The trip had been rough, but knowing they could return to Yanzhou and have Han Zhang looking after them, the Han clan wouldn't have to walk on eggshells like they did in the capital. That thought alone filled him with relief and renewed energy.

The whole group chatted and laughed warmly as they headed to the inns Han Zhang had booked in advance—all right next to each other for convenience.

When they arrived, the innkeepers and staff bustled around attentively. After the Han family settled in, washed up, and rested, they enjoyed a lively welcome feast that evening.

Only then did Grandfather and Grandmother Han's immediate family follow the couple back to the Han Residence.

Two months had been plenty of time to finish the renovations on the big Han estate. They'd already moved in, so Grandfather and Grandmother Han and the others could just move right in.

...

Grandfather and Grandmother Han and the others had just arrived that day, worn out from the trip.

After a flurry of unpacking and settling in, no one had the energy for small talk, and they all turned in early.

Only Han Qinnian was still full of energy, running to the main courtyard to bang on the door.

"Big Brother, Big Brother, don't sleep yet! I need to talk to you!"

"What can't wait until tomorrow? Why do you have to come bothering me and your brother-in-law in the middle of the night?"

Han Zhang said that, but he'd actually expected this visit—his clothes were still fully on.

When the door opened, Han Qinnian slipped in like a fish. The composed front he'd put on during the day had long since flown out the window, replaced by urgency, excitement, and a bashfulness he couldn't hide.

"Big Brother, I..." He rubbed his hands together, the words dying in his throat. Glancing at Shen Qinglan, he stammered, looking awkward: "Um... Brother-in-law, could I speak with Big Brother alone?"

"Oh? What is it I can't hear?"

Shen Qinglan had a pretty good idea why he was there, but pretended not to, smiling teasingly.

Han Qinnian turned bright red in a panic: "Ah... Brother-in-law!"

Seeing this, Han Zhang smiled and patted Shen Qinglan's hand, teasing: "Alright, stop teasing him. Look at him, all worked up—it can't be anything good."

He stood up and gestured: "Come on, let's go talk in the study."

Han Qinnian, relieved, hurried after him.

Once in the study, Han Zhang settled into the big armchair, leisurely pouring himself a cup of warm tea and smiling: "Go on, what's so urgent? And why so sneaky about it?"

But when it came time to actually speak, Han Qinnian got shy again.

He hemmed and hawed for a long while before finally blurting out, his face bright red: "Big Brother, it's... it's about that Master Shao I met during the day... He... he..."

"Oh, you mean Zhou Geer?" Han Zhang took a slow sip of his tea, glancing at him and saying, "He's someone I specially brought in to temporarily protect your brother-in-law and your future nephew. He's the legitimate grandson of the Weiyuan Marquis, from a military family, highly skilled in martial arts, and has a straightforward personality."

He paused, then deliberately asked: "What, do you have some thoughts about him? Do you think it's improper for an omega to wield swords and practice martial arts?"

"No, no, that's not it at all!" Han Qinnian shook his head like a bobblehead, afraid Han Zhang might misunderstand, and hastily explained, "I think Young Master Shao—no, Zhou Geer—he's... wonderful! Perfectly wonderful! Everyone in our family, girls and boys alike, knows kung fu, and Zhou Geer's skills are amazing!"

He was tripping over his tongue, his ears burning by the end, before he finally mustered the courage to stammer, "Big bro, I just wanted to ask—do you know if he, he... is Zhou Geer engaged?"

"Oh—so you've got a crush on that young lad, huh?"

Han Zhang finally caught on and teased.

Now that the cat was out of the bag, Han Qinnian decided to just say it, blushing as he admitted sheepishly, "Zhou Geer's good-looking, and his voice is nice to listen to. I... I like guys like him."

Han Zhang nodded with a smile. "You've got good eyes. Zhou Geer is indeed outstanding—great family, great personality, great temperament—top shelf all around. And as far as I know, he's not engaged yet..."

Han Qinnian's eyes lit up at that.

But then Han Zhang changed his tune: "However—"

"But what?" Han Qinnian's heart tightened, and he pressed urgently.

"However, Zhou Geer is the eldest legitimate grandson of the Weiyuan Marquis's family, from a line that's been noble for generations. Our Han family just got a leg up, but we're still not out of the poorhouse. You're still a nobody with no exam scores or military record to your name. Wanting to marry a marquis's son—that's not going to be easy."

Not just hard—it was way out of his league!

Han Qinnian grew anxious. "Then what am I supposed to do? Big bro, I can hit the books for the imperial exams or join the army to make a name for myself! But... that stuff takes time—it's not gonna happen overnight. Zhou Geer's at that age—he's not gonna wait around for me that long. Big bro, can you think of a way for me?"

"What way? You can't just talk your way across that kind of class gap. Besides, you've taken a liking to him, but has he ever said he likes you or is willing to wait?"

Han Zhang didn't hesitate to rain on his parade.

Dejected, Han Qinnian said, "...Big bro, can't you say something nice for once?"

He'd already picked out baby names for him and Zhou Geer's future kids!

Seeing his younger brother as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof, Han Zhang finally stopped teasing and set down his teacup.

"My words may be harsh, but they're the reality. Besides, you've only just met him for the first time, and you're already talking about liking him and wanting to marry him—you're dreaming too big."

"Zhou Geer not only comes from a good family, but he's also your brother-in-law's close friend. If you're just infatuated with his looks, I'd advise you to drop the idea and not go ruining a decent young lad's life."

"Otherwise, if you ever wrong him and break his heart, how would I answer to your brother-in-law? And how would I face Old General Shao, who personally escorted me here?"

"..."

Han Qinnian was momentarily speechless, nearly jumping up in frustration, wanting to argue that he would never betray Zhou Geer—that he truly liked him, had liked him from the very first sight!

But the words caught in his throat and he swallowed them back.

After all, if it had been before, he wouldn't have believed that someone could fall in love at first sight and be willing to commit for life.

"But big bro, I really, really like Zhou Geer now. What do I do?"

Han Qinnian hung his head like a wilted eggplant.

Han Zhang chuckled. "If you like him, then go show it. Even birds know to spread their wings and show off their feathers when courting. What advice can I give you?"

"In matters of the heart, it's just sincerity exchanged for sincerity. If you can make Zhou Geer like you too, then I'll swallow my pride and go propose on your behalf."

His second brother was too young—no matter how clever he was, he lacked the polished acting skills Han Zhang had honed in his past life.

To win over a young lad like that, mere tricks wouldn't work; it had to come from genuine feeling.

If he, as an outsider, offered too much advice, it might backfire.

Sincere authenticity from the heart was the ultimate winning move.