Mr. Feng was no longer calm. The village school was the village's precious child. If someone were to target him, it would be a very serious matter.

But he didn't know martial arts, and just then he saw Zhao Qingyan and Tian Xiaolan coming out of the soap workshop, preparing to go home.

"Second Madam, Third Miss, it's so good to see you both."

My eyesight isn't very good, but look at the people standing at the village entrance, don't you think there's something wrong with them?

I've been watching him standing there staring at the village school for a while now. Could he be a child abductor, plotting to steal a child?

Looking up, it really was true; that direction really did seem to be after the village school. Zhao Qingyan remarked.

"Second Aunt, go home and call a few people out. Sir, please come with me."

I'd like to see who's got the guts to do this.

As Zhao Qingyan approached Mr. Feng, she noticed that he looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place him.

Tu Haoyu felt that the girl's figure was very familiar.

Most importantly, it was her gait. Zhao Qingyan walked with a brisk and powerful stride, showing none of the demeanor of a well-bred young lady.

As he got closer, Tu Haoyu could clearly see the face of the person coming from the other side, and he silently thanked God.

He cautiously stepped forward and said, "Miss, Haoyu has finally found you."

Zhao Qingyan felt a flock of crows fly overhead.

"You came to see me? What do you want? Didn't I tell you, I have absolutely no interest in you or your family background?"

Tu Haoyu bowed deeply.

Haoyu knew he had been abrupt with the young lady several times, but this was not what he wanted; he simply had no choice.

It has been said since ancient times that a gentleman is attracted to a beautiful and virtuous woman. Haoyu is fond of the girl, which is not unreasonable. As for whether the girl accepts his feelings, that is up to her.

Haoyu knew that the girl looked down on him, but he couldn't let her go.

After making numerous inquiries, I finally found the young lady's whereabouts. Please forgive my inconvenience.

Zhao Qingyan could only laugh and say, "You stalker, what face do you have to ask me to forgive you?"

But since they had already found her way to her doorstep, and considering their family background, she suppressed her impatience and said...

"I understand. So, is there anything else?"

Tu Haoyu was speechless for a moment. Indeed, he had come and found the person. What did he want to do?

After hesitating for a few moments, he asked, "May I ask if you are engaged, young lady? Does Haoyu still have a chance?"

Zhao Qingyan almost laughed in anger.

Judging from your age, you should be at least of legal age.

"I'm still young, we're not a good match, and besides, you're not my type. Please leave, sir."

Tu Haoyu was secretly delighted. Since he hadn't been directly rejected, did that mean there was still a chance? He continued...

"Haoyu can wait for the girl to grow up. Whatever type of girl she likes, Haoyu will try his best to change himself."

Zhao Qingyan shook her head.

"I don't like your appearance. You're too delicate and frail. You look like you can't withstand a beating."

What I need is a man who can practice boxing and fighting with me every day, and who is also well-read in literature.

Tu Haoyu was speechless.

"Looks are given by one's parents, and Haoyu can't change them. If the girl likes a strong and muscular build, I can eat more and exercise more."

If all else fails, I'll have my family send Mr. Wu back for me.

As for the girl's liking for boxing and fighting, Haoyu can spar with her, as long as she doesn't kill him.

As for poetry and literature, Haoyu can read more in the future and try to win the girl's favor.

After Tu Haoyu's words, Zhao Qingyan had no choice but to accept it.

She is not afraid of others being unreasonable or domineering.

What I fear most is someone who will do whatever you say, has no temper whatsoever, and leaves me with nowhere to throw a punch.

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, a young man from the village returned from selling his game in town.

This person's name is Xu Dongsheng. He is 15 years old this year. He passed the imperial examination for the first time three years ago. Unfortunately, two years ago, his father encountered a bear while hunting in the mountains.

When he was found, he only had one leg and half an arm left. Before he could be carried down the mountain, he died.

Unable to bear the blow, the mother hanged herself on the very day she learned of her husband's death. Thus, Xu Dongsheng was left all alone in the family.

Overnight, young Xu Dongsheng became an orphan.

The families who had previously been trying to curry favor with Xu Dongsheng and marry their daughters to him have also given up on the idea.

Although Xu Dongsheng was only a student in the preliminary examinations, studying still required money. For an orphan like him to continue his studies and pass the county-level examination was extremely difficult.

Xu Dongsheng was also a proud man and did not accept the villagers' charity or help.

He took off his long robe, put on short clothes, and carried the bow and arrows left by his father up the mountain.

A fair-skinned young boy quickly transformed into a bronze-skinned mountain man.

Fortunately, Old Man Xu hadn't raised his son to be a good-for-nothing who was lazy and ignorant of farming; he was equally skilled in both literary and martial arts.

Once inside the mountains, Xu Dongsheng was quite adept at hunting, but he always remembered his father's lesson and never ventured deep into the mountains.

They simply set traps and dug snares in secluded spots in the mountains.

Occasionally you might catch a pheasant or a rabbit, and if you're lucky, you might catch a wild boar or something similar, but these kinds of things are extremely rare.

He was doing alright in terms of living expenses. Besides hunting, Xu Dongsheng did not give up reading. In order to increase his income, he would also take on some book copying jobs at the bookstore in town.

Actually, copying books doesn't make much money, but the good thing is that you can read books for free while copying them, which is better than buying them yourself, which is ridiculously expensive.

This way, you can satisfy all your needs: reading, earning money, and practicing calligraphy.

Yesterday I got a pheasant and two rabbits, so I went to town early this morning, sold the game to a restaurant, and also took on a job copying books.

As I was rushing home, I passed the village entrance and saw several people standing there in a standoff.

He intended to walk past her, but upon closer inspection, he saw Zhao Qingyan and slowed his pace.

He knew Zhao Qingyan was skilled in martial arts, and thinking that the pretty boy opposite him was probably in trouble.

Just one step too slow, and Zhao Qingyan grabbed his wrist.

Xu Dongsheng instinctively tried to shake off the arm that was being grabbed. Men and women shouldn't touch each other; this girl was too bold.

Unfortunately, Zhao Qingyan was too strong. Not only did he fail to break free from her grasp, but he was also dragged and stumbled.

"See? This is my type."

He is both scholarly and martial, tall and handsome, and most importantly, he has no parents, so he can decide his own marriage.

If I marry him, I won't have to serve my in-laws for the rest of my life, I won't be disliked or criticized, and I can decide how the family's money is spent.

If I were to choose a wealthy and powerful family like yours, I doubt I'd even be able to become a concubine, let alone marry.

Our Zhao family rules forbid Zhao family daughters from becoming concubines, and their husbands are also forbidden from taking concubines.

"Given your family's background, would they allow you to marry only one wife in your entire life, especially one from a lowly family?"