Ch 83: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Jing Li was so angry that he wanted to throw the little thing out.

He silently reminded himself multiple times that this was his child, the one he brought into this world, and only then did he suppress the anger in his heart.

Qin Zhao sighed, half-amused and half-exasperated, and stood up to gather the little fish fry into his palm. “Little fool, don’t you feel uncomfortable without water?”

Judging by the little fish fry’s appearance, he clearly didn’t feel any discomfort and even happily nuzzled against Qin Zhao’s palm.

Suppressing his laughter, Qin Zhao turned his head to Jing Li and said, “He really does resemble you.”

Jing Li pursed his lips in displeasure and didn’t respond.

How was he anything like him? He wasn’t so reckless as a child.

Qin Zhao stood up and placed the little fish fry back into the fish tank. The fry flicked its tail anxiously, still wanting to jump out again.

“No, stay in the water properly.” Qin Zhao pressed him back and reasoned with him, “Do you know what you’re interrupting?”

The little fish fry wagged its tail in the water.

Qin Zhao measured the size of the fish tank with his hand and threatened, “If you jump out again, I’ll make a lid and lock you inside, and you won’t come out anymore.”

The little fish fry understood his words, its fins trembled, and it lightly settled down on the small bamboo leaf bed.

“Good, now go to sleep.” Qin Zhao patted its head before turning back to the bedside.

Jing Li curiously asked, “How do you know how to deal with him?”

“Because…”

Because that was exactly how he dealt with this little one’s father back then.

But the little koi back then was not so obedient, and it took him quite some effort to stop that little thing from jumping out every night and drying out from lack of water.

Qin Zhao didn’t continue, lowering his head to kiss Jing Li’s cheek. “Sleep.”

“S-sleep now?”

Qin Zhao glanced back at the little fish fry’s direction. The little thing wasn’t trying to escape again and was instead aimlessly swimming among the water plants. “Your son is still awake, and you’re still in the mood?”

“You’re clearly also still…” Jing Li didn’t finish his sentence, propping himself up to lower the bed curtain. “This… this is fine…”

The little husband had obediently bathed tonight, lit incense, and now even pulled down the curtain himself. How could Qin Zhao refuse?

“It would be impolite to decline.” Qin Zhao gently pulled open Jing Li’s sash and whispered, “I’ll be gentle.”

Qin Zhao did keep his movements gentle, and only the bed occasionally creaked.

Even though they were at home, it felt as if they were stealing a moment. Jing Li trembled all over, quickly overwhelmed by the gentle movements, unable to hold back a soft whimper, which Qin Zhao silenced with a kiss.

The little fish fry in the water curiously raised its head. Seeing nothing of interest, it went back to nibbling at the water plants.

The two of them fooled around for most of the night, and the next day, even Qin Zhao uncharacteristically woke up after daylight had fully broken.

Jing Li was curled up in Qin Zhao’s arms. When he felt the person beside him move, he frowned impatiently, “Don’t make noise…”

“Alright, I won’t,” Qin Zhao reassured him, gently ruffling Jing Li’s hair, then added, “But if I don’t get up now, your son will starve to death.”

Jing Li: “…”

Jing Li didn’t move, but Qin Zhao knew he was probably inwardly grumbling about their child again.

After a while, Jing Li finally let go, rolled over, and wrapped himself in the blanket.

All that was left for Qin Zhao to see was the fluffy back of his head.

Qin Zhao chuckled softly and got up to prepare food for the little fish fry.

Another half-hour passed before Jing Li finally had enough sleep. He transformed back into the playful father who enjoyed spending time with his son.

In the afternoon, Qin Zhao prepared to go out.

According to Madam Gu, Gu Heng couldn’t get up in the morning, so his tutors were instructed to arrive in the afternoon, with Qin Zhao needing to reach the Gu residence by the fourth quarter of the afternoon.

Qin Zhao stayed home until the second quarter of the afternoon before gently disentangling the drowsy little husband from his embrace.

“Is it time?” Jing Li, still sleepy from last night’s antics, could barely open his eyes.

“Yes, I’m heading out now,” Qin Zhao replied.

Jing Li rubbed his eyes and whispered, “When will you be back…”

Qin Zhao thought for a moment and said, “At the latest, before nightfall. If you’re hungry, have dinner without waiting for me.”

“Alright,” Jing Li responded softly. He reached out, fumbling to pull Qin Zhao’s collar and tilted his head up to plant a kiss on his lips. “I wish you luck from me and the fish cub. May everything go smoothly today.”

Qin Zhao smiled and returned the kiss. “It will.”

By the fourth quarter of the afternoon, Qin Zhao arrived punctually at the Gu residence.

Madam Gu had already informed all the servants, so when the gate boy saw him, he immediately led him into the residence.

This time, they did not use the small side gate from the day before but entered through the main gate.

The Gu family servant guided Qin Zhao to an elegantly decorated courtyard and opened the door to a room. “This is our young master’s study. Please wait here for a moment.”

Qin Zhao thanked him, and the servant served him tea before leaving the room.

It was evident that the room was rarely used. Although there was no dust, neither the paper and brushes on the desk nor the row of books on the shelves showed any signs of use or being read.

This suddenly reminded Qin Zhao of the county magistrate’s study in the county town.

Perfectly good books, merely used as decoration.

Qin Zhao sighed silently and then noticed something else.

On the opposite wall of the study hung a piece of calligraphy.

The ink had aged, but it was meticulously preserved. The bold, striking characters maintained their grace and strength.

It bore four large characters:

——“Duxing Zhiyuan” (Persevere and Reach Far).

Qin Zhao’s gaze lingered on the calligraphy for a moment before he looked away, turned, and walked over to the bookshelf. He casually pulled out a book and sat down at the desk, reading it as if it were his own.

After he had read more than ten pages, footsteps finally echoed from outside the door.

Then, a young voice sounded, “Why are you touching my things?”

Qin Zhao paused in his reading and looked up.

A young boy in luxurious clothing stood at the doorway, frowning at him. The displeasure was evident on his handsome, boyish face.

Qin Zhao calmly closed the book and said in an even tone, “You’re late.”

Gu Heng snorted and stepped into the study. “So you’re the new tutor my mother mentioned. They said you were this year’s dual top scorer?”

Qin Zhao replied, “I am.”

Gu Heng added, “What’s so impressive about that? Even scholars have come to teach me, and none succeeded. Do you think you can?”

“We can try.”

Qin Zhao’s indifferent attitude made Gu Heng even more annoyed, prompting him to challenge, “Alright then, let’s see what you’re capable of.”

Qin Zhao gestured to the chair by the desk. “Sit.”

Gu Heng stared at him for a moment before walking over and sitting down.

Qin Zhao said, “Madam Gu mentioned that you have already studied The Analects?”

Gu Heng propped his chin up, impatiently replying, “Yes.”

“The Analects of Confucius, On Virtue, seventh line. Recite it.”

Gu Heng: “…”

“Confucius said…” Gu Heng stuttered, unable to continue past those two words. Frustrated, he said, “I don’t remember.”

“‘A man’s faults are observed in the context of his associations. By examining his faults, one can know whether he possesses virtue.’” Qin Zhao explained, “It means that by observing the mistakes a person makes, one can discern if they have a virtuous heart.”

Gu Heng gave a begrudging “Oh” and, after a moment, realized what had been implied. He angrily snapped, “Are you insulting me?!”

Qin Zhao withdrew his gaze. “You need to relearn The Analects. Open the book.”

Gu Heng didn’t even touch the Analects that had been placed on the desk earlier. He stood up and walked toward the door.

As he reached the doorway, he paused. “Aren’t you going to stop me?”

Qin Zhao had already reopened the book in front of him and, with a calm voice, said, “If you don’t want to learn, what’s the use of keeping you here?”

Gu Heng frowned. “But my mother hired you to teach me.”

“Indeed, and Madam has agreed that unless I request to stop teaching, I won’t be dismissed.” Qin Zhao glanced at him with an indifferent tone. “If you choose not to learn, so be it. I’ll still get paid for doing nothing, which suits me just fine.”

“You don’t act like a proper scholar at all!” Gu Heng’s ears flushed with anger as he shouted, “I’ll go tell my mother right now!”

He stepped out of the room but paused once more.

Of course, he could run to his mother and complain. She always indulged him, and if he insisted on not wanting this tutor, her verbal agreement wouldn’t hold him back.

But doing so… would be too humiliating.

It would make him look scared of the man.

Moreover, if this man were to spread any rumors outside, how would the Gu family maintain its reputation?

Gu Heng turned his head. The man was still seated behind the desk, his posture relaxed and composed.

Unless he himself chose not to teach anymore, the Gu family would not dismiss him—this agreement was clearly a provocation.

He was provoking Gu Heng, implying that he couldn’t drive him away.

Realizing this, Gu Heng suddenly smiled and stepped back into the room. “Please don’t blame me, sir. I acted impulsively earlier, but I’ve thought it through.”

Qin Zhao didn’t even lift his head. “Then open the book.”

“No rush.” Gu Heng walked up to Qin Zhao and took the book from his hands. “Before we begin, I’d like to take you somewhere.”

Qin Zhao asked, “Where?”

Gu Heng replied, “Follow me, and you’ll find out.”

“Why should I agree?”

“If you come with me, I promise to behave and study diligently afterward,” Gu Heng said. “Even though my mother promised not to dismiss you, if I continue opposing you, your time in this household won’t be pleasant.”

Qin Zhao laughed. “So, if I go with you, you’ll study properly.”

“Yes.”

Qin Zhao said, “Lead the way.”

The carriage stopped by the roadside. Qin Zhao lifted the curtain and glanced outside, frowning. “A gambling den?”

“Exactly.” Gu Heng, assisted by a servant, jumped down from the carriage and glanced back at him with a grin. “What are you waiting for? Get down and come in with me.”

The gambling den Gu Heng brought Qin Zhao to was the largest in Jiangling. Most gambling dens opened only during the night market, but this one never closed, day or night.

Qin Zhao watched Gu Heng’s back, refused the servant’s assistance, and stepped down on his own.

Inside the den, smoke filled the air, and the lighting was dim.

The main hall was packed with people, and rows of gambling tables were set up, each surrounded by a crowd.

The air was thick with smoke and mixed with a variety of unknown odors. Qin Zhao frowned as a staff member approached them. “Ah, Young Master Gu, what brings you here today?”

Gu Heng, slightly repelled by the smell, pulled out a silver note from his sleeve. “Brought a friend to have some fun. The usual arrangement.”

“Got it!” The staff member took the note and walked away happily.

Gu Heng turned back with a smug look, only to see Qin Zhao’s displeased expression. He asked, “What’s wrong? Scared, sir?”

Qin Zhao replied, “You shouldn’t be in places like this.”

“Typical words from a bookworm,” Gu Heng said disdainfully. “Are you going to tell me next that indulgence leads to ruin and is unworthy of a gentleman?”

Qin Zhao shook his head. “This place is full of shady characters. You’re too young to be frequenting such places.”

Gu Heng’s expression shifted.

Gu Heng averted his gaze. “What do you know? All wealthy families in the city play like this. Oh, I nearly forgot—you come from some backwater place, so of course, you wouldn’t understand.”

The attendant quickly returned with the exchanged chips, and Gu Heng didn’t bother to count them. He turned to Qin Zhao and asked, “Do you want to play, sir? I can lend you some money.”

Qin Zhao asked, “Is this why you brought me here?”

“If you were a rigid scholar who couldn’t tolerate a speck of dust, you’d think I was beyond help and give up on teaching me. If you were just an empty name, even better—you’d borrow money from me for fun and lose everything. By then, not only would you be too ashamed to stay in the Gu residence, but you’d also owe me a significant debt.”

Qin Zhao said, “Is that how you drove away the previous tutors as well?”

Gu Heng tossed the chips to the attendant beside him and frowned. “What does it matter to you? Are you playing or not?”

“I’ll play,” Qin Zhao said, “but just you and me.”

Gu Heng asked, “What do you mean?”

Qin Zhao explained, “We’ll bet one round. If I win, you have to listen to me from now on and study properly at home.”

Gu Heng smirked. “And if you lose?”

“I’ll leave the Gu residence.”

“Deal!”

A table was cleared in the gambling hall, and Qin Zhao and Gu Heng sat across from each other, each with a dice cup in front of them.

Gu Heng tossed in ten taels’ worth of chips and looked at Qin Zhao with a smile. “We’re playing high or low; you know the rules, don’t you, sir?”

He placed extra emphasis on the word “sir.”

Qin Zhao slowly pushed forward the only chip in front of him.

—He hadn’t brought much silver when he left home today, and this chip was borrowed from Gu Heng.

“Who’s Young Master Gu playing with this time?”

“Why’s he only betting so little? That’s not like Young Master Gu. Hey, Young Master Gu, play with me next; let’s bet big!”

Gu Heng was quite famous in the casino, not because of his skill but because of his lavish spending.

Most gambling depended on luck. The amount one could win in a day might not compare to what they could win in a single round with Gu Heng. Naturally, everyone wanted to play against him.

“Quiet!” Gu Heng shouted. “Let’s begin, Mr. Qin.”

Both raised their dice cups simultaneously.

Gu Heng initially assumed that a scholar like Qin Zhao, who had just come from a mountain village, wouldn’t know how to play such games. But to his surprise, Qin Zhao’s movements were smooth and deliberate as he shook the dice cup, clearly experienced.

Gu Heng’s eyes darkened as a sense of foreboding crept over him.

The dice cups were lifted—twelve versus fifteen. Qin Zhao won.

“Is that enough?” Qin Zhao pushed the dice cup forward and said calmly, “Come back with me and study.”

Gu Heng didn’t move. “One more round.”

“You promised…”

Gu Heng interrupted, “One last round. If you win, I’ll return and listen to you from now on.”

Qin Zhao sighed softly.

Gu Heng threw out another ten taels’ worth of chips.

But the outcome of the second round was the same.

Unconvinced, Gu Heng insisted on playing a third round.

The third round, the fourth, the fifth…

A crowd began to gather around the table, and with each round, Qin Zhao emerged victorious. Gu Heng’s pile of chips soon dwindled to nothing.

Gu Heng’s expression as he looked at Qin Zhao gradually changed.

“Go exchange another fifty taels for me—” Gu Heng reached into his robe, but his hand froze.

It was empty.

“That’s enough for today.” Qin Zhao stood up in front of the mountain of chips. “You’ve lost at least two hundred taels to me. Don’t continue.”

Gu Heng stood up too. “You’re not allowed to leave. I still have money at home; wait for me to get it—”

Qin Zhao glanced at the sky outside. “It’s getting dark. I promised my husband I’d be home before nightfall.”

Gu Heng paused, unwilling to concede. “It’s not even the hour of the dog yet. So, Mr. Qin, you’re afraid of your wife?”

Qin Zhao shook his head. “No, it’s just that I made a promise, and I must keep it. Besides…”

If he returned too late, the little one would be scared.

Qin Zhao didn’t explain further. He pushed the chips in front of him forward and said in a calm voice, “Take this money back. Starting tomorrow, lessons begin at the hour of the dragon. No lateness or leaving early.”

With that, Qin Zhao turned and left the gambling den.

Before the last glimmer of light faded from the sky, Qin Zhao saw from afar his half-open front gate and the little husband sitting on the doorstep with a bucket in his arms.

When Jing Li saw him, his eyes lit up, and he stood up, running toward Qin Zhao. “You’re back!”

“Wait, I’m covered in smoke.” Qin Zhao dodged slightly and asked, “Why are you out here? How long have you been waiting?”

“Not long,” Jing Li said. “I thought you might be coming back soon, so I came out to check.”

Qin Zhao glanced at the little fish cub sleeping soundly in the bucket and felt that things were not as simple as Jing Li made them seem.

He didn’t press further, took the bucket from Jing Li, and, with his free hand, held Jing Li’s as they walked back inside. “Have you eaten dinner?”

Jing Li replied guiltily, “No…”

“I figured.” Qin Zhao chuckled and said warmly, “Let me change clothes, and I’ll make you dinner.”

Jing Li beamed. “Okay!”