The sun was blazing, and it was the height of summer.

Xu Yan was already feeling quite gloomy.

The reason was simple: it had been almost half an hour since he arrived at the Li residence.

For the past half hour, he had been sitting in the reception hall waiting. Tea and snacks were provided, but he had come today on business. Would it be acceptable if he didn't see the Li family? He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil.

Could it be that the Li family has some kind of problem with me?

The servant wasn't lying; Li Xushi was indeed busy. After hearing about that incident, the three brothers had been spinning like tops. He not only had to arrange for people to go north, but recently he was also helping his eldest brother to take stock of the family's property accounts.

However, he did have time to see Xu Yan, but he deliberately wanted to give this beast some space and calm himself down. Otherwise, he was afraid he would lose control of his emotions and beat him up.

"How's that kid?"

Upon hearing Li Xushi's question, Zhou Changcai, who was standing beside Li Xushi, spoke up: "The son-in-law is very patient and has not lost his composure."

The master wanted to test his future son-in-law, and his subordinates all understood.

"Oh? He's quite nonchalant." Li Xushi was speechless; Xu Yan was really good at pretending. "Master, I'm done with my work. Let's go see him."

"Yes, sir. Young Master Xu is an exceptional man, a match made in heaven with our young lady."

Seeing that his master seemed quite satisfied with Xu Yan's performance, Zhou immediately seized the opportunity to flatter him, unaware that he had flattered the wrong person and ended up hurting him.

"You talk too much, hurry up and move on!"

Zhou Chang scratched his head, wondering why his master had gone mad. He could only chuckle awkwardly and continue walking toward the Youpeng Hall, where the Li family was entertaining guests.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Youpeng Hall, Li Xushi put on a smiling face.

"Hahaha, my dear nephew, have you been waiting long?"

Upon hearing Li Xushi's hearty laughter, Xu Yan quickly stood up and greeted Li Xushi with a respectful gesture of respect.

"Xu Yan greets Uncle."

"Nephew, don't stand on ceremony. You and Qingruo are already engaged, so you're all family now." Li Xushi patted Xu Yan's shoulder hard, looking very pleased.

Xu Yan almost lost his balance when Li Xu slapped him; that slap really hurt! However, he didn't dare to lose his composure, and seeing Uncle Li's smiling face and satisfied expression, the impatience he had felt waiting for half an hour earlier dissipated.

I was wrong before.

Before he could think any further, Li Xushi patted him hard a few more times. He quickly took a few steps back; this Uncle Li was really too enthusiastic.

I was slightly disappointed that Li Xushi didn't get a shot; he hadn't had enough fun yet.

Xu Yan stepped back to where he had been sitting, picked up the dried mushrooms he had brought, and looked embarrassed.

“Uncle, you are very kind. I heard that the old lady of your household was injured a few days ago. I should have come to visit her sooner, but unfortunately I went to a neighboring county with my former classmates and only returned yesterday. These are mountain delicacies that my mother prepared for the old lady. These delicacies were all picked by the elders of the family in the mountains. My family is poor, and these mountain delicacies are precious to us. I hope you will not find them too sparse.”

"You're too kind, in-laws. Please take the weekly allowance."

Li Xushi secretly curled his lip, then solemnly told Zhou Chang to go and get that little bit of dried mushrooms. Who are you trying to embarrass? You've said all the good and bad things, what am I supposed to say?

This kid is so cunning. He called me yesterday and came today. Does he care about your family? He said things like, "My family is poor. These dried mushrooms are very expensive at my house, but I gave them to you." He also mentioned that he picked them by hand to make them seem valuable.

Honestly, he's playing dirty tricks on me. How come I never noticed before that Xu Yan was such a petty person?

Li Xu thought this to himself, but Xu Yan didn't notice anything amiss, and his smile became even more benevolent.

"The Li family always buys fresh delicacies and cooks them, but dried goods are a nice treat to have occasionally. We've accepted them this time. If your family has any more, you can go to the kitchen to purchase them. Given the relationship between our two families, we'll definitely give you a good price, so that your family can at least have a way to make money."

Xu Yan was stunned. How could he dare to let his family sell mountain products at the Li family's place? What would that look like?

Is his family a vegetable vendor family?

Isn't this just the Xu family begging the Li family for food?

He must have lost his mind to make his family do this; he's a scholar!

"Thank you, Uncle, but we don't have any left at home."

Xu Yan refused outright.

"Then forget it. If there is, it's still possible." Li Xushi looked regretful, though he was just talking nonsense.

Xu Yan was once again uncertain about the Li family's attitude towards him, but seeing the sincerity in Li Xu's expression, he managed to suppress his emotions.

"Uncle, is today a convenient day to pay our respects to the old lady?"

What? You disgusted me, and now you want to disgust my mother too?

“My mother is still not well and is resting quietly in the courtyard. I’m afraid it’s not good to disturb her. I will definitely send my regards to her later.”

After being rebuffed again, Xu Yan could barely maintain his smile.

But they had nothing to say, and they couldn't just force their way in.

"Then thank you, Uncle."

The two chatted about other things, but Xu Yan was preoccupied and felt increasingly uncomfortable as they talked. Not wanting to waste any more time, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak.

"Uncle, I have invited you here today because I have another request."

"oh?"

I knew you wouldn't come here unless you had a reason, haha.

"What is the relationship between our two families? Once you and Qingruo get married, you will be considered my son-in-law. Nephew, please speak frankly if you have anything to say."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan immediately felt more confident.

"Yan wanted to enter the county school."

Xu Yan bowed solemnly.

Li Xushi took a sip of tea before slowly speaking.

"Please sit down, my dear nephew. The matter of the county school is of great importance. I naturally hope that you can enter the county school and pass the imperial examination as soon as possible, so as to bring honor to my daughter. However, as you know, only those who are subsidized students can enter the county school. If you want to get in, you will have to do a lot of work."

“Uncle is right.”

Xu Yan's words were actually a plea for the Li family to help him, but he didn't expect Li Xushi to be so blunt. His fair face had already turned bright red.

He desperately suppressed his shame, and the secret excitement in his heart gradually took over. With the Li family's backing, he would definitely be able to enter the county school smoothly, and then he would have achieved his purpose for coming here!

He bowed again.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

"Haha, it's alright, it's alright, we're family. You go back first, I'll go talk to my older brother about this. You just stay home and wait patiently these days, it won't be that quick."

"Uncle Xie, I must take my leave now."

Xu Yan's joy was palpable, and his steps quickened as he left.

Xu Yan, Xu Yan, even if I help you, so what? My Li family can make you rise, and we can make you fall. This time, we will not let you gain glory by stepping on my Li family and my daughter.

Meanwhile, Xu Yan happily left the Li family's gate.

He realized it was almost noon, and he hadn't even had lunch at the Li family's house before leaving!

He only had five copper coins on him, and he had spent one on the oxcart ride here!

Xu Yanli stood awkwardly in front of the Li family's house, unable to bring himself to go back and freeload lunch.

He had no choice but to take the remaining four copper coins and find a street stall to eat noodles before going home.