After a short while, seeing that Chen Kai and Xiao Tian didn't seem to want to leave, the teacher asked two students in the back row to carry them out. Seeing that the teacher didn't criticize them for being distracted in class, the two students quickly carried them out.
After Li Xia and the other girl carried Chen Kai and Xiao Tian out, the teacher continued the lesson.
Seeing Li Xia and Xiao Tian enter the classroom, Chen Kai and Xiao Tian found two rocks and leaned against the windowsill to continue listening to the teacher's lecture. Inside the classroom, Li Xia was listening to the teacher absentmindedly when she turned her head and suddenly saw Chen Kai and Xiao Tian by the window.
Chen Kai also saw Li Xia and immediately gestured for him not to expose them. Li Xia nodded, thinking to himself, "Where did these kids come from? They're so cute. If they're still here after class, I'll go find them and play."
After the teacher announced the end of get out of class, Chen Kai and Xiao Tian slipped away before the teacher noticed them.
After the two left the academy, Chen Kai asked, "Xiao Tian, what do you think about me taking the imperial examination and becoming an official?"
Xiao Tian said, "My opinion is not important; it mainly depends on what you want to do in the future."
Chen Kai thought for a while and said, "Then let's forget it. I still prefer farming. It's more free. In the officialdom, you have to be on your guard every day. It's not suitable for me. Besides, we have a powerful backer now. As long as we don't make any big mistakes, someone will protect us."
Xiao Tian said, "You can decide for yourself."
Chen Kai said with a smile, "If I asked my dad to support both of us to study for a year so we could learn more words, do you think he would agree?"
“I’ll definitely agree, but what if Grandpa makes us study for a few more years to take the exam? What will we do then?” Xiao Tian replied.
Chen Kai frowned and said, "Then let's forget about it. After we finish eating, let's take a stroll around the academy and see if there's any opportunity to learn to read."
As Chen Kai and Xiao Tian were talking, they returned to their stall. It was almost noon, so Chen Lao Si told the children to go to the stall next door and buy a few bowls of wontons, and to soak the steamed buns they had brought in the morning in the bowls.
After finishing their meal, Chen Kai and Xiao Tian went for a stroll again. They came to a small alley next to the private school, where Li Xia and her friends were playing. Seeing them, Li Xia waved and called out, "Hey you two kids over there, want to come play with us?"
Chen Kai thought, since he couldn't go in and learn from them, he would just fool these kids! "We're coming right now!" Chen Kai said, and pulled Xiao Tian along as they ran over.
After Chen Kai and Xiao Tian left, Li Xia said, "Do you remember me? This morning, another classmate and I carried you out. What are you doing here again?"
Chen Kai said with a smile, "Brother, I remember you. We came to ask if you need someone to help you copy your homework?"
Hearing that someone could help them copy their homework, the kids were very excited. Li Xia, the worst student, even grabbed Chen Kai's hand and asked, "You guys can really help me copy my homework!"
Chen Kai said, "Of course, but you have to teach us to read first before we'll help you copy your homework."
Upon hearing Chen Kai's words, the children immediately ran back to get their books, excitedly saying, "It's a deal then! Wait a moment, we'll go back and get the books and come back to teach you right away."
The children thought to themselves that the teacher had assigned a lot of copying homework today, which they didn't want to do, so they were happy to have someone help them. Although they didn't study much normally, teaching two children was definitely more than enough for them.
A little while later, several children ran out with their schoolbags and placed pens, ink, paper, and inkstones in front of the two children. Li Xia picked up a book and began to teach them. Chen Kai and Xiao Tian picked up other people's books and started to learn characters by reading along with Li Xia. When Li Xia encountered a character she didn't know, she would discuss it with the others next to her to determine how to pronounce it.
When Chen Kai and Xiao Tian had almost finished learning, the two called a halt. Li Xia, who was really into teaching, was a little disappointed when the two called her to stop, as it was her first time teaching others to read.
Chen Kai said, "Alright, that's enough for today! Now we'll start helping you copy your homework."
When the group heard Chen Kai say he would help them copy their homework, they immediately pointed out the parts of the book that they needed to copy.
The group watched Chen Kai and Xiao Tian copy for a while, thinking to themselves, "We thought the two kids couldn't write, but their writing is similar to ours. That way, the teacher won't find out that they didn't do the homework themselves."
Chen Kai and Xiao Tian copied for a while, finishing copying all the other kids' homework. The kids had to go back to class, and before leaving, they asked them if they would come back tomorrow.
Chen Kai said with a smile, "We may not be able to come back to town again, but if we do, we will definitely come to find you again."
At this moment, Chen Laowu, who had come out to find Chen Kai and Xiao Tian, came over and said, "Little brother, Xiao Tian, if you want to study, go back and tell your parents. Our family is rich now and can afford to support your education."
On his way to find the two men, Chen Laowu heard that two children had been expelled from the private school that morning.
Xiao Tian said, "Fifth Uncle, we just want to learn more words. It would be fine if we had a few children to teach us."
On the way back to the stall, as they passed a bookstore, Chen Laowu said, "I have some money now, let's go in and buy you a book!"
As Chen Laowu spoke, he led the two inside, where many people were reading books.
Chen Laowu's momentum immediately weakened, and he stammered without uttering a single word.
Xiao Tian said, "Boss, we want to buy a copy of the Three Character Classic."
The shopkeeper took out a copy of the Three Character Classic and said, "One copy of the Three Character Classic costs one tael of silver."
Just as Chen Kai was thinking about how expensive the book was, Chen Laowu had already counted out the money and handed it to the shopkeeper.
After the group left the bookstore, Chen Kai was still a little dazed. How could they have bought a book so quickly? Fifth Brother hadn't even hesitated for a moment.
Chen Kai said, "Fifth Brother, Xiao Tian and I already know quite a few characters. When we get home, shall we teach everyone to read?" Chen Kai didn't expect his family to know many characters, just common ones so they wouldn't be fooled.
"Alright, I'll wait for my little brother to teach me to read," Chen Laowu said happily.
When Chen Kai and his group returned to their stall, they had almost sold out of the dried flowers they brought, and there were no more flower baskets left.
When Chen Laosi saw Chen Kai and the others return, he said, "It's getting late, everyone hurry up and pack your things, let's get ready to go home!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com