Liu Huan and Xiao Shi have made up again.
On the way to dig for earthworms, she kept thinking about studying. She wondered if the writing system in Zhou State was the same as Classical Chinese. If it wasn't, she would have to learn it all over again.
Then I thought about how Shitou started school at the age of eight. I wondered how Shitou could have the opportunity to study when his family was so poor.
Xiao Shi was clearly excited too, and couldn't help but ask her, "Huanhuan, do you think I can go to school in the future?"
Liu Huan turned to look at him, recalling how thin and weak Xiao Shi was in her memory, always sickly and unable to do anything. But looking at his strong body, it couldn't be that he was born with it.
Something must have happened the day after tomorrow, so she must be careful to prevent the tragedy from repeating itself.
Seeing that she didn't answer for a long time and looked very serious, Xiao Shi asked nervously, "Huanhuan, can't I really go to school?"
Liu Huan then came to her senses and said decisively, "How could that be? You can definitely study, it's just that you're too young now. You'll have to be at least as old as Shi Tou."
Hearing this, Xiao Shi felt relieved. He really wanted to study, and his older cousin said that studying was a lot of fun.
Little Shi, please don't slap me in the face again.
After the family finished dinner that evening, Su's mother brought up the matter, and Su's father remained silent for a long time, his pipe still in his mouth.
Stone clenched his fists, lowered his head, revealing the reaction expected of someone his age, making no attempt to conceal his desire for something.
Liu Huan sat down next to him, took his hand and patted it, then gave him a big smile, easing Shi Tou's tension.
Finally, Su's father spoke up: "Then let's go, Da Shi and Shi Tou."
Daishi was surprised; he thought only his second brother would go, not him. Touched, he still spoke his mind:
"Dad, I won't go. Stone is smarter than me, so he can go."
Father Su shook his head: "You are the eldest son, and the family owes you the most. Although you are a bit old, your aunt said that as long as you go there, you can learn. We don't expect you to be a great student. We just hope that you can have what your younger brother has, and that even if you have to work in the future, it will be easier for you."
There are jobs at the town's dock where you can carry sandbags for 15 coins a day, excluding food and lodging. The village is far from the town, so it's inconvenient to travel back and forth.
Su's father had worked there for a few days before, but he couldn't bear to spend the money, so he slept on the roadside. Not long after, he fell ill and spent all the money he had earned, so he stopped going.
He didn't want his son to do this kind of work in the future; it was exhausting and lacked dignity.
After hearing what Su's father said, Da Shi didn't refuse anymore. He was the eldest son, and he should listen to his parents in everything.
Liu Huan clapped her hands happily, "Wow, that's great! When my two older brothers go to school, they can teach my sister, my younger brother, and me when they come back. Then, two of us in the family will go to school and five of us will be able to read. What a win!"
Cao'er blushed and stammered, "I...I'll pass, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it."
Liu Huan hugged her neck and said, "Sister, don't be afraid. Let's learn together. We'll have Shi Tou teach us, and then we'll become demure young ladies too."
Su's mother scolded, "You little rascal, stop bothering your sister, go wash up and go to bed."
Lying in bed that night, Liu Huan kept rolling around excitedly, but Shi Tou pressed her head down, saying, "Stop rolling around, go to sleep."
Liu Huan rolled over to Shi Tou's side and whispered, "Shi Tou is going to study now. He'll definitely be able to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar in the future."
Stone's heart pounded when he heard this. He covered her mouth awkwardly and said, "You're dreaming. Go to sleep. If you make any more noise, I'll beat you up."
Liu Huan didn't believe he would actually beat her up. He started talking about how he would protect her when he became a high-ranking official. She finally couldn't stay awake any longer and went to sleep.
That night, Shi Tou had a dream in which he actually became the top scholar in the imperial examination, but why did he kill Liu Huan after becoming the top scholar?
When he woke up and saw Liu Huan sleeping soundly with her legs spread wide, he breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Thank goodness it was just a dream."
It was just getting light outside, so he put on his clothes, grabbed his basket, and prepared to go out.
Big Stone came out just then. "Stone, are you planning to dig up an earth dragon?"
Stone nodded.
"Let's go together."
The two brothers knew that going to school would cost a lot of money, and the family's income depended on their chicks, so they were very sensible and did what they could to help.
Five days later, Su's mother was so anxious that blisters appeared on her lips when Su Ming finally returned, and only then did she feel relieved.
Because teaching is also a contribution, the village chief discussed with everyone and decided to give up the side courtyard next to the ancestral hall to be used as a school. The men in the village worked together to make tables and benches, and the school was thus completed.
"Oh, I see. My son Su Ming said that since everyone helped with all of this, the tuition for school this year will be halved, to fifty coins per person."
"If you're willing, you can go to town in advance to buy books and pens. You only need to buy the Thousand Character Classic. If several people in a family are learning, you can buy one book."
Everyone was very excited. Being able to read is such a great skill! Many families have already started making plans to go to the market.
"It's market day tomorrow, let's all go together."
There are more than twenty children in the village. Except for the Zhang widow's family at the end of the village, all the other families are preparing to send their children here.
When Su's father returned home, he told Su's mother about it. She nodded, saying that she could accept the tuition fee of one hundred coins this year, but she didn't know how much it would cost to buy books.
She took out all the money in the house and handed it to Su's father. "Take this money with you. I don't know how much the book will cost. If it's not enough, you can borrow some from your eldest brother. As Huanhuan said, the chickens at home can be sold when they grow up. Spend the money you need to spend."
Mr. Su replied, touching the copper coin, "I know. I'll take care of it when I get there tomorrow."
When Shi Tou heard outside that buying books would use up all of the family's savings, he felt suffocated.
Liu Huan noticed his guilt and comforted him by holding his hand: "Shitou, money can be earned back. Don't worry, I'll earn money when I grow up so I can support your studies."
This brainwashing started from childhood; I don't believe the male lead doesn't remember the good things he did for her.
Stone looked at the little figure holding his hand, so cute and kind. How could it be the wicked person in his dream? Dreams are always the opposite of reality.
She nodded gently: "Okay~"
Liu Huan has been here for three years and has never even seen what the town looks like. She is thinking about whether she can seize the opportunity tomorrow to go to the town and see what it's like outside so that she can make a move.
So she started to have wicked ideas, and pulled Stone in a coquettish tone: "Stone, what do you think town is like?"
Stone looked confused. "I don't know either."
She continued to tempt her: "I want to go and see, do you want to go?"
Stone looked at her, puzzled. She continued, "I've never left Thatched Village in my entire life."
Stone gently reminds you: "You're only three years old..."
Liu Huan replied matter-of-factly, "I know, I just want to go and see, please..."
Stone couldn't bear to see her pitiful eyes, yet he felt helpless: "Why is it me again..."
When Su's father heard Shi Tou say he wanted to go to town, he was equally puzzled: "What are you going there for? The road is so far and it's not easy to travel."
Shi Tou forced himself to say that he wanted to go to town to see it, and then study hard so that he could also take his family out with him.
These words struck a chord with Su's mother, so she added, "Father, what Shi Tou said makes sense."
Just as Shi Tou agreed, he added, "I want to take Huan Huan with me."
Alright, now the two of them know. This must have been Huanhuan's idea. That girl is quick-witted and full of clever ideas.
Su's father thought it was fine to go, since it wouldn't cost a penny, and once they went, they wouldn't have to rush again: "Okay, but you have to walk yourself. I won't carry you if you get tired."
Stone smiled happily: "Okay, I'll go talk to her."
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