He had an inexplicable feeling that he had been seen through completely.
Chen Zhou simply ignored him. After giving Xie Xie a gentle pat, he turned and went straight back into the classroom.
He could see the old steward's thoughts clearly.
If the person standing here had been a naive, sweet-natured child, or just an ordinary six-year-old, he probably would have agreed.
After all, being able to save someone's life with your own abilities was something to be happy about.
But Chen Zhou didn't see it that way.
They were clearly treating him like a fool, hoping to get the Water of Life from his Primordial Sea for free.
Though the Water of Life was nearly limitless, Chen Zhou was certain that there was no one else in this world who could produce it—
apart from him, there should only be the Holy Spirit Douluo and the Golden Ancient Tree.
The Xie Family of Eastsea City couldn't get in touch with either of those beings.
So they wanted to get his Water of Life for free without offering anything in return? What made them think they could get away with that?
Chen Zhou sat there, idly twirling his pen.
A rare smile touched his eyes as he waited to see whether the Xie Family knew how to behave.
If they didn't, and tried to harm him or threaten the people backing him, they'd be in for a world of pain.
The Xie Family might be one of Eastsea City's rare great clans, a local power to be reckoned with, but they couldn't hold a candle to the Spirit Pagoda.
If the Xie Family really entertained other ideas and tried to target him, he wouldn't just abandon Xie Xie. He'd immediately start crushing the Xie Family, and wouldn't stop until they were ground into dust.
While Chen Zhou considered his options,
Na'er watched her older brother with a bewildered expression.
Seeing him sit there with his expression shifting between light and shadow, Na'er reached out and poked him.
"Big brudder, what are you thinking about? Did something happen?"
As she spoke, Na'er looked at Chen Zhou, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Looking at the adorable little girl, Chen Zhou reached out and pinched her cheek.
"Nothing serious. How about I take Na'er shopping tomorrow? I'll buy you some pretty clothes."
"Okay, okay! Thank you, big brother!"
Na'er's face lit up with excitement.
It wasn't that she particularly wanted pretty clothes. She knew that if she went out with Chen Zhou, he'd definitely take her to eat something delicious.
All kinds of tasty things she'd never tried before could go right into her belly.
At the thought, Na'er gently patted her little stomach, then stood up and gave Chen Zhou a sudden kiss on the cheek.
The kiss came so unexpectedly that Chen Zhou and Teacher Yue, who had just come in, both froze for a moment.
But neither of them thought much of it.
Chen Zhou simply assumed his little sister was so happy that she'd kissed him.
The childcare teacher, meanwhile, thought they were siblings and said nothing.
Only Na'er gazed steadily at Chen Zhou with those beautiful, wide eyes, as if he were the only person in the world.
The day's lessons passed quickly.
As soon as class ended, the other students shot out like cannonballs. Chen Zhou spotted Xie Xie waiting at the door.
Xie Xie was clearly there from another class.
His face was damp with sweat. He wiped it away, then cautiously stepped into the classroom.
There was no one else inside. Chen Zhou looked at Xie Xie in puzzlement, unsure why he seemed so nervous.
"Brother Chen Zhou, my father agreed to your conditions."
"The doctors think it'll take another six or seven treatments to fully ease my mother's injuries."
"So my father will bring over the seven thousand-year-old spirit herbs by the end of this week at the latest."
As he spoke, Xie Xie rubbed his hands together, clearly hoping Chen Zhou would go with him right away.
Seeing the awkward look on Xie Xie's face, Chen Zhou simply nodded, then began gathering his things and stood up.
The two of them walked out of the school building together.
Seeing that no Spirit Pagoda vehicle was waiting outside, Chen Zhou understood that the Xie Family had probably looked into his background.
But it was obvious they'd hit a brick wall.
In Eastsea City, investigating the Spirit Pagoda's background wasn't something to take lightly. The Spirit Pagoda would find out in no time.
Since no Spirit Pagoda vehicle had come, the two families must have reached an agreement.
In fact, the moment the Xie Family started investigating his background, it showed they had other ideas about him.
At that point, Chen Zhou had already started to lose the desire to save her.
But seeing Xie Xie's hopeful expression, Chen Zhou sighed again.
Adults' affairs had nothing to do with children, in the end.
Many adults, frustrated by all kinds of troubles in their lives and at work, took out their anger on their children.
What they didn't understand was just how deeply that hurt the children.
To Xie Xie's father, he was the head of the Xie Family.
Though he wanted to save his wife, seven thousand-year-old spirit herbs were already a fortune.
Even if he wanted to hand them over, it would take a great deal of effort. So he wanted to see if there was another way to deal with Chen Zhou.
But to Xie Xie, his mother was everything. She was his mother, the person closest to him in the whole world.
He didn't care what he might lose.
Even if it meant losing everything he had, Xie Xie would be willing, as long as he could save his mother.
At the entrance, Xie Xie glanced around and quickly spotted his family's vehicle.
He was just about to call Chen Zhou over when Chen Zhou caught him by the backpack strap.
Xie Xie froze, looking at Chen Zhou in confusion. The boy, whose eyes had been so calm before, was now looking right at him with grave seriousness.
"You may not understand this now. After your father tells you some things, you might even hate me."
"But I need to make this clear: my saving your mother has nothing to do with the Xie Family."
"I'm saving your mother first because she's a poor woman, and second because you truly love her."
"When you saw me for the first time, you went straight to your knees and begged me to save her. That alone was enough to make me willing to do it."
Chen Zhou spoke calmly.
After he finished, he took Na'er's hand and walked ahead, leaving Xie Xie standing where he was.
Xie Xie's expression was complicated, though mostly bewildered.
He didn't really understand what Chen Zhou meant.
But just as Chen Zhou had expected, the middle-aged steward had indeed told him a few things.
So Xie Xie remained where he was for a moment.
Confusion showed on his face, but when he thought of his seriously injured mother, he didn't dwell on it. He hurried after Chen Zhou.
The Soul Guidance Car was parked there, and the middle-aged steward and a bodyguard were still waiting beside it.
This time, though, they looked at Chen Zhou with nothing but respect and warmth.
"Young Master Chen Zhou, please come with me. I'll take the two of you back to the Xie Family first."
"My family's matriarch is resting at home. She's gravely ill and not in a condition to receive you, young master Chen Zhou."
"The family head is out right now and may need some time before he can return and meet with you."