Chapter 202 Xu Zhoutian's Dilemma
Xu Zhoutian spoke incoherently and nervously, without any trace of the calmness of a lobbyist, only embarrassment on his face.
The yard was quiet for a moment.
Li Bosong's expression remained unchanged, though a hint of sarcasm flashed across his eyes. Before he could speak, Mr. Pan beside him chuckled softly.
The laughter was very light, but it made Xu Zhoutian lower his head even lower.
Mr. Pan's gaze fell gently on Xu Zhoutian, his tone calm but unquestionable, "Go back and tell Mr. Liao that now that Baisong has become my disciple, all the past events are like yesterday's dust, which can be brushed aside. A gentleman does not remember past grudges, nor does he dwell on trivial matters. As for the words of 'villains,'" Mr. Pan paused slightly, his voice adding a hint of meaning, "A gentleman is open and honest, so why bother to identify the shadows in the gutter? Those with evil intentions will eventually reap what they sow. We appreciate Mr. Liao's kindness."
The poor boy from a farming family who was once expelled from the private school by Mr. Liao for having "mediocre qualifications and fear of corrupting the academic atmosphere" suddenly made a great leap forward and his status and position became something that Mr. Liao wanted to emulate.
Mr. Liao has been regretting his decision these days to the point that his intestines are turning green with regret.
Thinking of how I had ruthlessly driven him away that day, my face felt hot.
He wanted to repair the relationship but was too embarrassed to go there in person, so he thought of Xu Zhoutian, who was a classmate of Li Baisong and whose family had business dealings with the Li family.
Xu Zhoutian's face flushed and paled. He licked his dry lips and, following the rehearsed words he had prepared on the way here, forced a stiff smile. "Pan, Mr. Pan is right. Mr. Liao was very pleased to hear that Brother Baisong had found a good teacher. Thinking of the friendship we once shared, he sent me here to say hello. Mr. Liao said that if Brother Baisong has any academic questions, or... or just wants to find a quiet place to exchange ideas with old classmates, the doors of the private school are always open to him."
This is a nice thing to say, but everyone in the courtyard is a wise man. Who doesn't know the mean face of Mr. Liao?
Li Laoer's smile faded, and he snorted inwardly. Now he understood the "teacher-student bond"? What had he been doing before? His son, Bo Song, now had a better teacher to guide him and a promising future. Why would he bother looking back at that snob's face?
He was about to open his mouth to refuse when Li Baisong's calm voice rang out, "Thank you, Mr. Liao and Student Xu, for your kindness. Please ask Student Xu to tell Mr. Liao." Li Baisong's tone was calm, but neither humble nor arrogant. "Bai Song is grateful to my current mentor for taking me under his wing. I have a lot of homework every day and dare not slack off for even a moment, fearing that I will have no time to take care of other things. I will remember all the things we have experienced in the past, and they are all the motivation that motivates me to move forward. I hope you can forgive me for the inconvenience of exchanging ideas for the time being."
Xu Zhoutian was speechless, his courage drained away. He could feel everyone's gaze on him, especially the hostile looks from the other members of the Li family. His face burned like fire, and he just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Seeing this, Xu Da and Xu Er hurriedly tried to smooth things over. They asked people to load the dried meat into the car, exchanged a few more words of greeting, and hurriedly said goodbye with the embarrassed Xu Zhoutian.
The gate of the Li family's courtyard creaked shut, completely isolating the embarrassment and awkwardness outside.
The yard was silent for a moment, and then Li Laoer was the first to burst out laughing, slapping his thigh hard. Even though he was grimacing in pain, he couldn't hide his joy.
"It feels so good! I feel so damn good all over!" He had an undisguised look of pride on his face, and gave Li Baisong a thumbs-up. "Well said, little brother! That's the way to respond to him! Thinking back to that arrogant look on Mr. Liao's face, and then looking at what's happening today, hey, it feels even better than drinking ice water in the dog days of summer!"
Boss Li also grinned. "That's right! Back then, my mother and I took my little brother to his private school. We flattered him like a grandson and paid him a penny less in tuition. But he just said 'mediocre talent' and sent him away, as if he was afraid our little brother would be affected by his divine aura. Now he understands the 'teacher-student relationship'? Pah."
Even the usually composed Li Laosan showed a hint of pride. He looked at Li Baisong with a look of satisfaction. "I've really made it big now. Mr. Pan taught me well, and you've done your best." As he spoke, his brows furrowed slightly. "But... what did Mr. Pan mean by 'the words of a villain'? Could it be that Mr. Liao had something else in mind when he sent me back?"
This immediately aroused everyone's curiosity.
Everyone tried to recall, and all eyes fell on Li Laoer at the same time. Li Laoer froze, but said stubbornly: "Why are you looking at me? It can't be because of me."
Li Yulan said quickly, "If I remember correctly, it was you, my second brother, who took mother and me to the county town and was scammed. That's why I was sent back. Could it be that Mr. Liao was afraid that I would ask him to report the scammer to the authorities?"
Li Laoer jumped up and down, "Who knows! Yulan, stop talking nonsense. It's all in the past. Mom didn't say anything about it. Why are you still talking about it? Besides, I got the money back."
Li Yulan was determined to oppose Li Laoer, making faces at him and saying, "I insist on saying it. If you dare to do it, I dare to say it. I'm just reminding you to prevent you from making mistakes in the future. Don't you agree, mother?"
Li Lao Er couldn't hit Li Yulan, so he had to change the subject and said, "Alright, since you're so capable, why don't you find out who's behind this? If I find out, I'll beat him up!"
Li Baisong's expression remained calm. He rolled his eyes slightly, already forming a guess in his heart. He glanced at his three brothers and said slowly, "The past is over. Sir, you're right. A gentleman doesn't dwell on the past. Whatever the reason, it's no longer important now. What matters is the path ahead."
Seeing him like this, the brothers discussed with great interest the embarrassing state of Mr. Liao's regret, which was like letting out the anger that had been pent up for a long time.
On the other side, a donkey cart slowly drove away from Lijia Village.
Xu Zhoutian sat on the bumpy car floor with his head drooping, like an eggplant wilted by frost. The little bit of luck and courage he had mustered when he arrived had long since vanished, leaving only the fear and shame of mission failure.
He could almost imagine returning to the private school, Mr. Liao's disappointed and sarcastic eyes, and the cold ruler that would make his palms swell.
"If I fail to complete the task assigned by the teacher... I will definitely be scolded again..." He muttered to himself with a tearful voice, his fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of his clothes.
Xu Da, the driver, exchanged a glance with Xu Er, who sat beside him. Seeing their younger brother's distraught appearance, they recalled everything that had just happened in the Li family courtyard, as well as the Li brothers' undisguised contempt. Their hearts felt like they were being choked by something, and they felt suffocated.
Xu Er sighed and rubbed Xu Zhoutian's head vigorously. "Alright, stop being so dejected. Look at what you've accomplished!"
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