Chapter 14 will fill in the gaps for you.

Shi Nianzhi raised his eyes and looked at Lu Jiunian with unwavering determination in his eyes.

"The teacher's lessons and assignments are too difficult, I can't learn them. I want to stay here. You may not like it here or even hate it, but I think it's fine."

The determination in his eyes slightly stung Lu Jiunian.

The man stared at Shi Nianzhi for a long time, then suddenly gave a cold laugh, "What a worthless piece of trash."

Shi Nianzhi wanted to retort, "So what if I'm not good enough?"

Before he could say anything, Lu Jiunian had already left.

Shi Nianzhi breathed a sigh of relief.

When he finished dressing and went out, the gate to the courtyard was already open, and the man's tall figure disappeared into the night.

After a while.

Shi Dazhuang and Li Zhi returned, but no one followed them.

Shi Nianzhi was taking a quilt out of the closet, preparing to make the bed and go to sleep.

Hearing the voice, Shi Nianzhi turned around and said, "Dad, Mom."

Shi Dazhuang put the small flashlight into his pocket. "Nianzhi, President Lu is gone."

"Yes, he didn't like it here, so it's normal that he left."

"He didn't look too good when he left. Did you and President Lu have a fight?"

"They don't even want me."

Shi Dazhuang clicked his tongue. "Nonsense. If he really didn't like you, why would he spend so much money to marry you and come all this way to find you? It's just that you're being immature. President Lu has been very good to our family. He saved Dad's life. You should be more tolerant of President Lu. He may seem difficult to get along with, but as long as you treat him well, he will eventually realize how good you are. People are all made of flesh and blood."

Shi Nianzhi spread out the quilt and smoothed out the wrinkles at the edges with his hands.

He only showed his father his back without saying a word.

Shi Dazhuang gave the order, "Go back to President Lu's place tomorrow. I heard from President Lu's assistant that you're attending the best school there and will have a bright future. What can this little mountain village give you? Will you farm the land your whole life like your father and live a life of hardship? Nianzhi, if you become successful, even if your parents don't enjoy the good life with you, you'll still have a good life on your own. Don't you understand that, child?"

Li Zhi pushed Shi Dazhuang out, saying, "The child must have been wronged, otherwise why would he run home? You go out first, I'll talk to him."

"He's just willful. But in my opinion, President Lu is incredibly good to us."

"Alright, that's enough."

Li Zhi pushed Shi Dazhuang out and closed the door.

Shi Nianzhi lay on the bed and said, "Mom, I'm very tired. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"You haven't eaten yet, have you? Mom will cook you a bowl of noodles."

"I'm sleepy."

......

Shi Nianzhi stayed at home for seven days, and Shi Dazhuang scolded him for seven days.

Shi Dazhuang couldn't persuade Shi Nianzhi, so he came up with a tactful idea: "You said President Lu doesn't want you anymore, so be it. But we should be grateful for President Lu's kindness. Send these local specialties to President Lu. If he really doesn't want you anymore, come back. Dad promises not to say another word to you."

Shi Nianzhi's helpless voice said, "Dad, he doesn't need it. He lacks nothing."

"You can send it over; whether he wants it or not is up to him. We've sent it as a token of our appreciation. Besides, how do you know President Lu won't want it? These days, local specialties are so precious that you can't buy them even with money!"

"He doesn't cherish things."

Shi Dazhuang clutched his heart, "I think you're just trying to anger me to death, you unfilial son!"

Shi Dazhuang had just undergone heart bypass surgery, and Shi Nianzhi was afraid that he would get upset and cause some other health problems.

no way.

On the morning of the eighth day, Shi Nianzhi carried two old hens and some local specialties from the mountains out of his house.