"Hahaha...cough cough, um, shall we still go buy fishing gear?"

Ye Caiping stopped laughing as she received his murderous glare, and awkwardly twirled her fingers.

"Hmm, let's go!" He turned and left, flicking his sleeve lightly, his blue robes billowing, once again revealing the noble and aloof Young Master Shen.

The two left the study one after the other.

Two small heads peeked out from behind a large rock not far away.

Shen Manman: "Look, they've gotten together on their own without me even trying to set them up. Luckily, I didn't go in."

Xiao Qiu smiled and said, "Miss is intelligent!"

...

Ye Caiping and Shen Zhiyan went out the door.

I strolled leisurely down the street.

Ye Caiping felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so she changed the subject: "The county and prefectural examinations are on April 15th and 17th. Does Xuan'er have a chance?"

Shen Zhiyan said, "Yes."

Ye Caiping was overjoyed: "What about the provincial examination?"

Shen Zhiyan raised an eyebrow: "Have you thought about him?"

"Isn't this normal?"

Shen Zhiyan nodded: "Then let him pass."

Ye Caiping said, "What, you don't want him to pass the provincial examination?"

"No. It's just that his foundation is weak, and I think he should consolidate it and try again next year. If he wants to pass this year, it's a bit difficult for him given his level. But I can tailor his study to the local examiners' preferences and have him focus on studying the questions in that direction."

Ye Caiping understood: "But answering questions based on the instructors' preferences is something all test takers would do, right?"

Shen Zhiyan nodded: "That's right. But from the end of October last year until now, he has only been seriously studying for half a year, and he has only spent two months with me. Even if the college entrance examination is held in August, it will only be a little over a year. I'm afraid that if he passes, he will become complacent and it will affect his character."

“You’re right. Let’s lay the foundation first and let things take their natural course.”

Shen Zhiyan said, "Fine, I think you really need his title of Xiucai, so let him pass."

Ye Caiping was taken aback. "You... seem to know quite a bit about my family affairs."

Shen Zhiyan said, "Manman keeps talking about you during meals."

Ye Caiping choked for a moment, her little mouth chattering away at Chen Manman!

But regardless of how they heard it, at least they know now.

But she... didn't even know his name. Feeling a little guilty, she asked sincerely and frankly:

“Master Shen is truly meticulous. To my shame, I still do not know Master Shen’s name.”

Shen Zhiyan suddenly stopped, looking at her in shock: "You didn't know?"

Ye Caiping wanted to slap herself across the face. Ugh, what sincerity and frankness? This stupid thing shouldn't even exist! She should have asked Manman behind her back!

However, having already been so sincere and frank, she could only continue to smile sincerely and frankly and say, "Yes!"

Shen Zhiyan stared at her forced smile with displeasure, then turned his head away and said, "Then you can continue not knowing."

After saying that, he strode forward.

Ye Caiping: Haha, I feel like such an idiot! Is he angry? He seems really angry.

Ye Caiping, wearing a mask of pain, followed behind him.

The two arrived at the fishing tackle shop.

The waiter greeted Shen Zhiyan with a smile: "Young Master Shen, are you here to buy fishing gear again? Oh, you brought your wife along today?"

Shen Zhiyan nodded: "Um...no, that's my student's aunt."

The waiter gave the two of them an even more ambiguous look.

Ye Caiping felt uncomfortable being scrutinized, while Shen Zhiyan remained calm and eventually chose the fishing gear he usually used.

Ye Caiping insisted on paying: "I'll pay."

The waiter smiled and said, "This is five taels and seven mace."

Ye Caiping suppressed a laugh; such expensive equipment was actually dragged away by a fish...

She only spent a few dozen coins, yet she returned home laden with goods every day.

She paid readily and said with a smile, "Let's go!"

Shen Zhiyan turned and left, looking like she didn't want to talk to her.

Ye Caiping had no choice but to hurry up and catch up with him.

The waiter sighed as he watched the two figures walk away, "Being handsome really makes a difference; even when you're living off a woman, you can still be so confident."

...

The two arrived at the riverbank, where Shen Zhiyan sat in their usual spot.

Ye Caiping was less than half a zhang away from him. In order to make this man happy, Ye Caiping didn't even put in any bait and just cast the fishing hook out.

Fortunately, fate was on her side. Half an hour later, Shen Zhiyan caught a yellow catfish weighing two ounces.

Shen Zhiyan was in a better mood, and Ye Caiping was in an even better mood.

Re-bait and continue fishing.

Ye Caiping said, "This is a great start!"

Shen Zhiyan replied calmly, "Mm."

Ye Caiping sat down next to him and, taking advantage of his good mood, quickly explained, "The reason I don't know Mr. Shen's name is because I respect him and dare not ask."

Shen Zhiyan looked at the river: "I remember you said you felt ashamed."

Ye Caiping: "..."

Shen Zhiyan caught a glimpse of her regretful expression and couldn't help but smile: "Shen Zhiyan."

Ye Caiping was taken aback, then exclaimed happily, "Shen Zhiyan, that sounds beautiful."

"Zhiyan."

"Just a swallow?"

"Zhiyan."

"Zhi Yan?!"

"Zhiyan."

"bronchitis?"

Shen Zhiyan was annoyed. He threw down his fishing rod, grabbed her hand, and wrote "Zhiyan" stroke by stroke on her palm.

Ye Caiping: "Oh! It's Zhiyan, that sounds even better."

Shen Zhiyan looked up and met her smiling eyes. He belatedly realized that he was holding her hand and quickly let go.

He turned around nonchalantly, picked up his fishing rod, and continued fishing in one smooth motion.

Ye Caiping found it amusing: "How do you know I didn't pronounce it correctly? Aren't they all the same sound?"

"I feel like you've never pronounced it correctly, and it's getting more and more outrageous."

"Really?" Ye Caiping was in a great mood. "Then I'll tell you too, my name is Ye..."

“Picking apples”.

Ye Caiping was taken aback and looked at him: "How did you know?"

Shen Zhiyan turned his head away: "Manman said it."

"Oh, I forgot." Ye Caiping pouted and leaned against the green bamboo behind her.

Shen Zhiyan silently continued fishing.

The spring breeze in April was warm and comfortable, and the water murmured. Ye Caiping leaned against the bamboo behind her and sat quietly.

No one spoke, yet the atmosphere was not awkward; instead, it had a sense of tranquility and serenity that made one feel light and relaxed.

After a long silence, Shen Zhiyan Qingqian's voice slowly rang out:

"We gather water lilies by the southern stream." This is from the poem "Gathering Water Lilies" in the Book of Songs, which is quite interesting.

Ye Caiping was taken aback: "No, that's not it. The meaning of my name is that my parents hoped it would bring me peace and safety."

Shen Zhiyan glanced at her, then smiled and said, "That makes it even more interesting. Collecting peace, very good."

Ye Caiping smiled, but didn't say anything.