"So, is Ayin going home to wait for her acceptance letter?" Chen Wang asked, staring intently at Qingyin.
The young master's thoughts were so simple and obvious that it was hard for Qingyin to pretend not to understand.
"I'll probably stay in Huailin, wait for the admission results, and make some money along the way."
"Ah, Ayin, you're going to stay here?" Chen Wang's puppy-dog eyes drooped. He still wanted to take Ayin home to meet his parents. If Ayin stayed here, wouldn't he be separated from her?
Chen Wang was feeling somewhat down.
He didn't notice Qingyin giving him a funny look.
Seeing Chen Wang's head drooping because of her words, Qingyin's eyes flashed with a smile. How could he be like a little puppy, abandoned by its owner, keeping quiet and grieving in a corner?
"Brother Chen, are you going home?" Qingyin asked Chen Wang with a smile.
Chen Wang's eyes lit up again. That's right, he could stay in Huailin. He didn't have to go back. He could stay here and wait for the results of the autumn examination.
Chen Wang was thinking happily, his mind so preoccupied that he was momentarily stunned outside.
Qingyin asked in confusion, "Hmm?"
Chen Wang quickly said, "I'm not going back. I think—cough—I also plan to see the results here in Huailin as soon as possible."
Chen Wang, who almost blurted out "I want to be with you," blushed and shyly glanced at Qing Yin's face.
Seeing that Qingyin's expression was normal, Chen Wang felt both relieved and disappointed.
Chen Wang attributed these complex feelings to his overwhelming affection for A Yin.
Looking at the boy whose expression kept changing from happy to sad, Qingyin was really curious about what Chen Wang was thinking.
However, since Chen Wang has chosen to stay, there are some things that need to be made clear.
"Brother Chen."
"Hey, hey!" The silly young master realized what was happening and looked at Qingyin in confusion.
"Brother Chen has been paying for my stay at the inn, and I am already very grateful. As for staying in Huailin, I cannot take advantage of Brother Chen for the remaining money. Besides, the day the results are announced is still far away, so I plan to rent a courtyard at a lower price. Brother Chen, why don't we part ways here at the inn?"
"Huh?" Chen Wang's eyes widened. It wasn't that this little bit of money was expensive; the money he spent at the inn these past few days wasn't even as much as his monthly allowance. A Yin was spending his money, and he was happy about that, so why would he feel like A Yin was taking advantage of him? Besides, he stayed because he wanted to be with A Yin. If they were separated, he might as well go home.
Chen Wang wanted to explain, but he stopped when he saw the seriousness in Qingyin's eyes.
These days, he has come to realize that Ayin comes from a poor background and is not considered wealthy. Ayin is not ashamed because of this, but he will never accept money from others out of pity.
The young master, whose mind was racing, paused for a moment and said, "Hmm, I also think the inn is too expensive. If we stay in Huailin, why don't we rent a room together, Ayin? That way we can save some money."
Young Master Chen, having racked his brains to come up with a solution, stared at Qingyin with bright eyes.
He was hoping Qingyin could give him an answer.
Qingyin: "If Brother Chen doesn't mind..."
"Of course I don't mind!" Chen Wang replied eagerly. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and he had achieved his goal.
The young master felt a sense of triumph as he thought about spending the next few months with Ayin.
Haha, as expected of him, the exceptionally intelligent young master of the Chen family.
Seeing Chen Wang's eyebrows twitching with joy, Qingyin concealed the smile in her eyes.
"In that case, let's pack our luggage first, and then gather at the gate to look at the yard after we're all done."
"Okay." Chen Wang was always the kind of silly guy who would obediently agree to anything Qingyin arranged.
...
Courtyards in Huailin were not hard to find, especially after young master Chen Wang was tempted by money. The innkeeper, a local, found them a courtyard they liked.
The courtyard wasn't particularly large or small, but it had everything you needed. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen, a well for drawing water, and a tall walnut tree with some wild walnuts still clinging to it.
Chen Wang was very satisfied with the courtyard, which was several times smaller than his own residence. The bedroom was close by, which was nice. The well was good, and the tree even had fruit on it. He could pick some to try with A Yin later.
The woman introducing the courtyard noticed that the rather robust young master looking at the house was gazing at the walnut tree. Thinking it was Chen Wang who was interested in the tree, she became even more enthusiastic in her introduction:
"Young masters, the walnut tree in this yard is a seedling that my husband picked up in the mountains when he was a child. Now it has grown up and bears fruit every year. Putting aside everything else, the taste of this mountain walnut is really better than other walnuts. My children love to eat it every year. It's just that the walnuts are small, and my husband is too lazy to pick them. Otherwise, even if we move away, we would still have to take it over."
The woman, wearing a thick coat, made her recommendation with a smile. She glanced at Chen Wang a few times, then turned her gaze to the rather thin young man in front of her.
Tsk tsk, Lin Aihua had seen countless young men, but the young master surnamed Xie in front of her was truly extraordinary. Although the clothes and fabric of this young master were not as fine as those of the young master behind him, she could tell from this young master's opinion that he was the one who would make the decision regarding the courtyard. Moreover, his overall demeanor and those eyes were simply stunning. Lin Aihua was certain that this young master would be an extraordinary person in the future.
Ah, it's rare to see such a handsome young man. Lin Aihua softened her heart and lowered the rent.
Actually, her courtyard is in a good location, and it could be worth twice the market price.
"Well, if you two gentlemen are really interested in renting it, then give me 500 coins per month."
Seeing the woman's softened expression, Qingyin knew that she had lowered the price for him.
He smiled gently, “Madam Lin’s courtyard is very nice, we are very satisfied, but we can’t let you suffer too much loss at this price. Please accept this thousand coins, Madam. How can a scholar take advantage of a lady?”
"Well... alright." Lin Aihua felt extremely relieved. This young master Xie was truly a rare good person. She really hoped that this young master would be successful in his examinations and achieve fame. If the officials above were like young master Xie, their lives would be much better.
Chen Wang did not interrupt Qingyin and Madam Lin's conversation.
But the heat in his eyes was fixed on Qingyin as she moved around.
A gentleman is like jade; Ayin is truly a rare gentleman in this world.
As Chen Wang thought about it, looking at Qingyin's gentle attitude towards the peasant woman, he suddenly felt a little ashamed.
Previously, as the young master of the Chen family, although he didn't bully students from poor families like those rich young masters, he was still arrogant and looked down on them. But with Ayin...
Chen Wang could see that A Yin was someone who genuinely treated everyone as an equal in their interactions.
I guess no one could dislike someone like him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com