After leaving that corner, Shen Jingwen continued walking eastward. After about an incense stick of time, he finally stopped at an alley entrance.
The towering walls on both sides completely block out the sunlight. The alley is bright at the entrance, but it is pitch black at the end, making it impossible to see the whole alley. Only a few houses can be vaguely seen.
"What are you mumbling about? You're such an annoying woman! You won't let me drink in my house..." Her rough voice carried a strong smell of alcohol, and her tone was harsh: "If you won't let me drink, I'll go drink somewhere else. Do you really think you can control me?"
"Damn it, if you dare to go today, don't come back if you have the guts."
"If you don't come back, then don't come back, crazy woman!"
Two vulgar words were heard from the alley entrance, followed by an extremely heavy and dull sound of a door closing, and then the entire alley returned to deathly silence.
After entering the alley, it felt as if I was isolated from the world and locked in a dark prison, with only a glimpse of dim light.
Shen Jingwen had only walked more than ten meters when he collided with the drunkard.
The drunk man seemed to have no bones in his body. He subconsciously grabbed the arm of the person in front of him. Just as he was about to use force, he quickly let go when his hand touched the delicate material.
After losing his support, Zhao Ye stumbled and sat on the ground, making a muffled sound, "hiss-"
Zhao Ye took a breath and rubbed his butt without any image. He caught a glimpse of Shen Jingwen's boots from the corner of his eye and took another breath uncontrollably.
He was almost out of money for drinking. If he tore the man's clothes, how could he afford the compensation?
Thinking of this, he was half sobered up by the shock. He couldn't help but stand up quickly, bowed and apologized: "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't do it on purpose. I just drank too much and didn't see clearly..."
"You've come to the wrong place, haven't you?" Zhao couldn't see Shen Jingwen's face clearly, and thinking of the families living in this alley, he guessed: "Are you here to look for someone? Tell me, I know everyone in this area within dozens of miles."
If he is lucky and finds the person he is looking for, it would be nice to get some money for the trip and have some drinks. If he is unlucky, he will have to make amends himself.
"It's me, Uncle Zhao."
Perhaps it was because Zhao Ye's purpose was too strong, Shen Jingwen no longer concealed it and spoke calmly.
Zhao Ye was slightly startled, then realized that he had bumped into the poor scholar who lived in the corner. After thinking for a while, he suddenly sighed and said with emotion:
"Your luck is incredible, kid."
"You should know that few who enter this alley can walk out with dignity. They spend their entire lives doing nothing, just wasting their energy waiting to die."
"You are different. You saved the daughter of the Ning family and made an engagement with her. You have completely escaped from our lower-class society."
"Your ancestors are so lucky, everything good happens to you."
Zhao Ye said, raised his hand, and was about to pat Shen Jingwen on the shoulder, but after thinking of something, he paused and retracted his hand, pulling his sleeves very stiffly.
Shen Jingwen did not say anything, but just stood quietly by the side, listening attentively, his expression calm as if Zhao was talking about someone else.
Seeing that Shen Jingwen remained silent, Zhao Ye also knew that Shen Jingwen had looked down on him as a drunkard since he was a child.
After reading a bit of books, I feel that everything in this world can be fought for, and even at the end of the road, there is still a glimmer of hope. I look down on his character who doesn't care about his family and follows his own desires without restraint.
He is still young and will not turn back until he hits a wall. If it were not for such a great opportunity this time, in three to five years, he would find out how ridiculous his ideas are.
Although it is said that all things are inferior except reading, how many of those who can really make a name for themselves through studying are from poor families?
Rich families would invite famous teachers in the city, or even bribe high-ranking officials to introduce their children.
As for him, he has no power and influence. Even if he can pass the layers of selection with his real talents and knowledge, he may be secretly replaced by someone else and return home disappointed. He may only be able to be a teacher for the rest of his life.
Zhao also walked out of the alley, thinking that he often went to the tavern on West Street to take care of the business. Maybe he could buy half a pot of wine on credit based on their old friendship to satisfy his craving.
Zhao Ye's figure staggered away, and the extremely unpleasant smell of alcohol still lingered in the small space.
Shen Jingwen did not waste any time, but quickened his pace and rushed home. After a while, he stopped in front of a somewhat dilapidated door.
Shen Jingwen pushed open the wooden door and stepped into the house.
The houses in the alley are very small. Although they look like there are three rooms, they are more like partitions made from one room in an ordinary family. Although it looks crowded, life is still relatively stable.
The room was dark and coughing could be heard faintly. Shen Jingwen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard it, but he couldn't help but walked in quickly with some nervousness.
At this time, Shen's mother was still covering her face and coughing. The embroidered handkerchief in her hand had long been washed white and as thin as a cicada's wing, but now it was stained with horrible blood.
She couldn't help but tremble slightly in her heart, but she was used to it. She crumpled it into a ball and held it tightly in her palm: she was afraid that she would not survive the beginning of winter.
But it's okay. If her illness hadn't been cured and hadn't been dragging Jing'er along, he wouldn't have given up on this college entrance examination and would have waited for another three years.
Thinking of this, Mother Shen sighed again.
If Jing'er knew that she agreed to the marriage with the Ning family, would he be angry with her?
She was so scared that after she left, he would be just a walking corpse, like a body without a soul, and there would be no one in this world who would care about him anymore.
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