Chapter 30

Upon hearing the question, the young man’s face turned red again. He lowered his eyes, too embarrassed to look at anyone, and slowly said, “Before the New Year, my older brother, seeing me repeatedly fail, persuaded me to follow the family’s wishes and enroll in Qingzhu Academy. We had a few arguments at that time, and I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed home. A couple of days ago, my brother took me to participate in the academy’s spring recruitment… Anyway, I didn’t get in, but later I heard that Master had already accepted students and moved out of his residence. So I had no choice but to wait at the tavern where Master often goes.”

Lao Buyu slapped his thigh and said, “Then why didn’t you approach me when you saw me? Why just follow behind? I even thought you… saw some little thief!”

Feeling too embarrassed to say he thought he had seen a ghost, Lao Buyu changed his wording on the spot.

The young man’s face grew even redder, and his voice lowered as he said, “I bothered Master for so long, showcasing all my knowledge of poetry, essays, and the six arts, but Master still didn’t take a liking to me. I think it’s because of my lack of knowledge and dull aptitude. Since Master has already found satisfactory students, I didn’t want to bother him further. So I didn’t dare approach Master to talk, I just wanted to follow him and see from afar what kind of extraordinary talents his students were, so that I could understand my own shortcomings and be content… I just didn’t expect there to be a pit under the tree. I couldn’t see well at night, and I fell into it and passed out…”

In fact, there was nothing lacking in him. It was just that Lao Buyu had behaved improperly earlier. Any normal person who wanted to educate and teach would have cherished such a good seedling like him!

So after he finished speaking, even Lao Buyu blushed and said awkwardly, “So the ‘thud’ wasn’t you hitting a tree, but the sound of you falling into the pit.”

Next to him, Mu Er Pang heard the phrase “extraordinary talent,” and his chubby face also turned red.

The young man’s eloquence was remarkable, and compared to him now, Mu Er Pang was no match. It was all thanks to having a smart mother that she had won such a good teacher!

Shen Cui, on the other hand, wasn’t concerned about blushing. She was extracting key information from the young man’s words.

Wealthy, talented, and learned—these were all known facts about Lao Buyu’s solid supporter. But from his words, Shen Cui also learned something else—his health was not good, and he suffered from night blindness.

Night blindness was a minor issue. Although in this era, it would affect one’s nighttime activities and studying efficiency, it wasn’t a significant hindrance.

However, the issue with his constitution was more concerning. Studying for the imperial examinations was mentally taxing, and people with poor health were prone to premature death.

But the system’s products could improve one’s constitution. However, since Mu Er Pang had excellent physical fitness, Shen Cui hadn’t paid much attention to this aspect.

If this matter could be addressed later, then his training should focus on this aspect.

In terms of temperament, he was shy and afraid of being ugly, introverted, and despite being “exploited” by Lao Buyu for so long, he didn’t resent it at all, thinking it was his own fault. Therefore, he was simple-minded but also stubborn, with considerable determination. Once he set his mind on something, not even eight horses could pull him back.

If not guided properly, he could easily become stubborn.

But overall, he was indeed an excellent candidate for learning!

As they finished speaking, it was time for dinner. Shen Cui called Mu Er Pang back home and left some time and space for the young man and Lao Buyu to freshen up, agreeing to bring them food in a while.

At home, Zhou Shi reheated the mixed soup from noon, steamed some mantou, and stir-fried a cabbage. There were no meat dishes on the table, but Zhou Shi had specially cooked the cabbage with a small piece of lard, making it look and smell delicious.

Mu Er Pang was usually the most agreeable, but today he seemed to have lost his appetite. He picked at the food slowly, looking somewhat listless.

“Is it because the food doesn’t suit your taste? Just eat what you can for now, and I’ll go get some meat tomorrow,” Zhou Shi apologized.

Mu Er Pang quickly shook his head and forced a smile, saying, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, the food is delicious! I’m probably just tired today, so I can’t eat much.”

Zhou Shi nodded understandingly. “Studying is exhausting indeed. Take your time to eat, and I won’t disturb you.”

With that, she got up and went to the kitchen to prepare the food for Lao Buyu.

Once Zhou Shi left, Shen Cui reached out and took the chopsticks from him. “If you’re not hungry, don’t force yourself to eat. Tell me, what’s bothering you?”

There was no need for pretense in front of his own mother. Mu Er Pang sighed heavily and said, “After listening to what the brother just said, I feel guilty. If I were a ‘natural talent’ like him, it wouldn’t be a problem. But I know I’m not. If it weren’t for you finding a way, Master would definitely not have noticed me. I feel like… I feel like I’m taking that brother’s place, and I feel sorry for him.”

“Don’t think like that. If we hadn’t become Master’s disciples, when he fell ill, Master had already left the county, and didn’t he entrust his books to someone else? Perhaps they wouldn’t have seen each other again, let alone today’s reunion.”

There were some things Shen Cui didn’t dare to say. Although the young man was polite and respectful, his adherence to social norms could be a problem when dealing with someone like Lao Buyu, who didn’t play by the rules. If Lao Buyu really wanted to accept him, could he continue exploiting him like a fat sheep? He even remembered “Little Fat Sheep” but not the boy’s name.

But now Lao Buyu was his son’s teacher, so Shen Cui didn’t want to ruin his image. Therefore, she only mentioned the issue of timing.

Shen Cui thought for a moment and added, “Of course, what you said makes sense. He is devoted to his studies, especially admires Master, and has such excellent talent. It’s a pity he couldn’t become Master’s disciple.”

Mu Er Pang heard her words and knew she was thinking of a solution. Then, thinking of what his mother had said about finding him a classmate during the day, his eyes lit up!

The mother and son were becoming increasingly in sync, and many things didn’t need to be explicitly stated.

Moreover, Zhou Shi was still in the kitchen, so it wasn’t convenient for her to know about the young man’s affairs when they hadn’t been settled yet.

Shen Cui didn’t say anything more, put the chopsticks back in his hand, and smiled. “Can you eat now?”

Mu Er Pang nodded with a smile, picked up his chopsticks, and ate the cabbage, drank the soup, and finished two mantou.

Dinner took more than an hour. As usual, Zhou Shi cleaned up the table. Shen Cui ate one less mantou for dinner and put it in the food prepared for Lao Buyu. Then, she took Mu Er Pang out of the house.

Meanwhile, in the old Mu family house, Lao Buyu and the young man had changed their clothes and freshened up.

Especially the young man, after washing his face and changing his clothes, although Lao Buyu’s scholar’s robe was large and old, when worn by him, it exuded a unique charm.

Shen Cui and Mu Er Pang each carried two bowls of dishes, while one carried mantou and chopsticks.

Since the young man had an injured foot, they set the table inside on the kang.

He thanked them warmly and offered to help.

As they arranged the food, Mu Er Pang unavoidably touched some of the dishes. Although he was already considered quite fair for a farmer, compared to the truly noble young man, his chubby hands looked a shade darker.

The young man couldn’t help but glance at them a few more times.

Mu Er Pang quickly said, “My hands are clean. I specifically washed them with soap several times.”

He felt a bit embarrassed, adding, “If I had known earlier, I would have waited for Sister-in-law to wash the bowls before using them.”

“I didn’t mean that,” the young man hurriedly explained. Then, he coughed a couple of times. Shen Cui touched the water jug on the kang and found it icy cold, so instead of pouring water for him, she scooped a bowl of hot soup for him to drink.

After thanking her for the soup, he continued, “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have stared.”

He genuinely wasn’t repelled by Mu Er Pang but found his chubby hands and the way he held the mantou amusing, which led him to take another glance.

The food was warm, not as hot as when it first came off the stove, so Lao Buyu urged the young man to start eating.

Lao Buyu wasn’t particular about food and drink. He had enjoyed the fried mantou slices that Zhou Shi made in the morning, and now, feeling hungry, he dug into the meal eagerly.

On the other hand, the young man ate slowly, taking small sips of soup and small bites of food, which was quite pleasing to watch. Compared to him, Lao Buyu’s eating habits were almost uncouth!

Shen Cui found it strange. What exactly did this elegant young man see in Lao Buyu?

Soon, Lao Buyu finished his two mantou. Since he had to teach later in the night, Zhou Shi had prepared three for him, plus the one Shen Cui had saved, so there was one left on the table.

Lao Buyu, feeling about 70-80% full, put down his chopsticks.

The young man noticed and said, “Master, please have this. I don’t eat much normally.”

Lao Buyu didn’t refuse any further and ate the remaining mantou.

This gesture undoubtedly increased Shen Cui’s favorability towards the young man—despite his affluent background, he wasn’t picky about food, had a small appetite, and was easy to feed!

Shen Cui hadn’t come over to watch them eat. Seeing Lao Buyu finish, she was about to invite him to the main room for a conversation.

Unexpectedly, before she could speak, Lao Buyu stood up from the kang and said, “There’s something I want to discuss with Madam.”

The two of them went to the main room.

Lao Buyu hesitated, stammering several times and failing to articulate a complete sentence, looking very embarrassed.

Shen Cui said, “Master, my family’s Er Pang is your student, and although I’m a bit presumptuous, we can also be considered family. I’m younger than Master, but you treat me as a junior. Feel free to say whatever you want.”

Only then did Lao Buyu say, “Alright, I’ll just say it. Little Fat Sheep has always wanted to be my student, but I only saw him as a source of profit. It’s really not righteous of me. Now that he’s injured, although he says it’s because of his poor night vision, it’s somewhat related to me. I feel uneasy about it…”

Shen Cui understood what he meant. This Lao Buyu wasn’t such a heartless person after all. Seeing the young man’s admiration and him getting hurt because of it must have touched him.

He wanted to make amends and fulfill the young man’s long-cherished wish, and perhaps accept him as a student!

This matter was originally something Shen Cui had requested of Lao Buyu, but she didn’t expect him to have the same idea!

Shen Cui looked at him with pleasant surprise, urging him to continue.

“I want to compensate him, so… Can Madam lend me some silver? I’ll repay him a portion of it.”

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