Despite being beaten so many times and suffering from aches and limpes, Song Ruier remained determined to go to school, so he gripped Qiao Lian'er's wrist tightly.
He repeatedly begged Old Lady Song that he wanted to go to school, but she never agreed.
He knew very well that if he wanted to truly stand out from the crowd, he had to rely on education.
Qiao Lian'er was a girl and couldn't take the imperial examinations, but she said that she often came here to eavesdrop, so she was able to read and write, and she also designed that bridge and had many ideas for making money.
This incident deeply affected Song Ruier and strengthened his resolve.
Even if you don't pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, studying will make you smarter and greatly benefit your life.
Qiao Lian'er looked at him coldly: "When did I ever say that I would pay your tuition?"
"Sister, you've earned so much money, and you won't even give me two taels? Once I finish my studies and enter officialdom, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits," Song Ruier said pitifully.
"Have you forgotten the disownment agreement? I'm not your sister." Qiao Lian'er said expressionlessly, prying Song Rui'er's fingers apart one by one.
Song Ruier had been beaten several times and hadn't recovered yet, so where was her strength? The last finger loosened, and he staggered.
He wanted to stick to her like a leech, but when he saw the even colder look in Qiao Lian'er's eyes, somewhat like the look she gave him when he killed someone on the mountain, he felt a chill and stopped in his tracks.
"Sister, please, I really want to study. I'm still so young, it's the perfect age for me to study. Are you just going to watch me become a peasant? I can achieve great things in my life. As long as you let me study, I'm confident I can do well. I'm much smarter than those idiots in the classroom."
Hearing this, the schoolteacher frowned. This Song Ruier didn't even have tuition fees, yet she started calling his students idiots.
No matter how smart he is, he doesn't want to accept students with impure intentions.
The teacher snorted and turned to leave for the classroom.
Qiao Lian'er said expressionlessly, "I can't possibly give you even the slightest benefit."
"So what if you're a peasant? Is working in the fields something shameful?"
"If this is the path that God has arranged for you, then accept it."
After saying that, he left.
If Song Ruier hadn't said those harsh and heartless things when she and Qiao Yunni left the Song family that day, he would have chosen to stay in the Song family simply to live a better life for himself.
He still considered Qiao Yunni his mother and her as his sister.
So she's willing to pay the tuition.
However, Song Ruier's heart was already rotten. Now she keeps calling her "sister" but she just wants to use her.
As Song Ruier watched Qiao Lian'er walk away, her small fists clenched. "Qiao Lian'er, you won't let me study, is that it? Do you think you can break my wings like this?"
No, I will risk everything. I will seize any opportunity, no matter how small, and I am determined to make a name for myself.
For some reason, Song Ruier thought of Song Laosan again. If Song Laosan were still alive, he would definitely have let him study.
"Father, where are you? Are you dead or not? Mother and sister are heartless. Rui'er can only rely on you for the rest of her life." Song Rui'er hid outside the back wall of the classroom again, writing on the ground with a twig while sobbing.
He vaguely heard something from Grandma Song, but there has been no news since, and he even doubted whether he had misheard.
Qiao Lian'er lingered at the bridge for a while. When she saw her return, Qiao Yunni said, "Lian'er, why did you only come back now instead of going to take a look?"
Madam Lü said, "Everyone has already eaten breakfast, it's still warm, go and eat."
Qiao Lian'er stretched out his hand, revealing a twenty-tael silver note in his palm, which made everyone's eyes widen in surprise.
"Where did this come from?" Boss Qiao asked.
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