Xing Dong's home is in a small mountain village, which is adjacent to the capital city, but unlike the prosperous capital city, there are dilapidated wooden houses everywhere. Occasionally someone walks by, and unlike the bright and colorful clothes worn by people in the capital city, it can be seen that the people here are generally poor.

The conditions here are similar to those of modern urban villages. Luo Xuening had heard a long time ago that Xing Dong's family was poor. She originally thought that he could study in the most famous Mishan Academy in Beijing. No matter how poor Xing Dong's family was, it would be like that.

However, when Luo Xuening and Fang Jinyu finally found Xing Dong's home, they couldn't help but be surprised. "Pure and bare" was the most appropriate way to describe Xing Dong's home.

The dilapidated house is only the size of two rooms of an ordinary family. Xing Dong and his mother live here. The house is very small, but there is almost no furniture, only a tattered wooden table with a piece of paper on it.

The paper was filled with words, but I couldn't bear to throw it away.

There were two cups, both of which were broken, with half a cup of tea left in them, and an old wooden bed, on which Xing Dong's mother was lying. When she saw someone coming in, shock flashed in her eyes, and she struggled to get up from the bed.

But when she stood up, Luo Xuening could still hear the creaking sound of the bed. It seemed that the bed was too old and was about to stop working.

“You are…?”

Xing Dong's mother did not have the depression of a sick person. Although she was seriously ill in bed, her eyes were gentle. She looked at Luo Xuening and Fang Jinyu without any displeasure at their sudden visit, and of course she was not embarrassed by her family's situation.

"Madam, we are classmates of Xing Dong and we wanted to visit him to reminisce about the past."

The imperial examination was approaching, and the academy had already given students a holiday to study scriptures at home. When Xing's mother heard this, she did not doubt it, but just said: "Donger has gone out to collect pig grass, and he should be back soon. Please take a seat."

Luo Xuening and Fang Jinyu looked at each other and sat down. Their expressions were indifferent and they did not look down on the Xing family at all. This made Xing's mother very happy and she exchanged a few words with the two of them.

"Our Dong'er is a loner by nature and doesn't like to talk. He doesn't have many acquaintances in the academy. I was really worried that he would be alone. Fortunately, you guys are here to take care of him."

"Ma'am, you don't have to be so polite. We are classmates and we should take care of each other."

Fang Jinyu had a gentle look on her face. She sat on the worn-out chair and started chatting with Xing's mother.

"Madam, please forgive me for being frank. Your family is not well off. Why do you insist on sending Xing Dong to Mishan Academy?"

Mishan Academy was the best academy in the capital. Most of the students there were children of wealthy and powerful families. The examinations at Mishan Academy were also very strict. Many people, even if they were extremely wealthy, could not enter the academy to study if they failed to pass the examinations.

The fact that Xing Dong was able to enter Mishan Academy on his own can only prove that Xing Dong is truly talented. No wonder his classmates all said that Xing Dong had talent but was too aloof and had no friends in the academy except Wang Chun.

Xing's mother blinked, revealing a rare hint of embarrassment in her eyes. This question was a bit sore, so Fang Jinyu hurriedly explained.

"Madam, please don't misunderstand me. I just think that in Nanshao, the poorer the people are, the less they learn. I heard Xing Dong say that you strongly support him to study in the academy. I thought you were a very far-sighted person at that time, so I wanted to come and visit you and get to know you."

"oh."

Mother Xing smiled faintly, and after listening to Fang Jinyu's explanation, she relaxed a little. She lowered her eyes, her tone still indifferent.

"I have loved reading poetry since I was a child, but unfortunately, as a girl, I was not destined to study. Later, I had Dong'er. Although our family is poor, he is extremely talented. I don't want to ruin his talent. Since he loves to study, I will send him to study even if I have to sell my pot and iron. In the future, if he can really achieve success in his studies, it will be a great blessing for our Xing family."

"It's a pity that my body has become a burden to Dong'er..."

Just as Xing's mother was sighing inwardly, she heard footsteps outside the house, and then Xing Dong walked in. He looked at Luo Xuening and Fang Jinyu who had come uninvited, and his deep eyes narrowed.

"Dong'er, you're back. These two said they are your classmates. Come and greet them."

Xing's mother had just been having a pleasant chat with Fang Jinyu, and now she was also very enthusiastic. Xing Dong couldn't bear to disappoint his mother, so he had to step forward and pretend to say hello to Luo Xuening and Fang Jinyu.

Xing Dong has a handsome appearance and a square face. His facial features are very similar to those of Xing's mother. However, Xing's mother's gentle appearance, when put on Xing Dong's face, not only does it not have Xing's mother's gentle qualities, but instead has a bit more gloom.

He was wearing a ragged linen shirt, which was bleached from washing and had several patches on it. He had come back from cutting grass for pigs, and his shoes were already covered in mud, but his shirt was still clean. It was obvious that he was a very particular person.

When he looked at Fang Jinyu, there was surprise in his eyes and his eyebrows wrinkled. It can be seen that he was disgusted with Fang Jinyu's arrival, but Xing Dong obviously knew Fang Jinyu's identity, so he did not make it clear.

As for Luo Xue Ning, Xing Dong hadn't even looked at her since he entered the door, and completely ignored Luo Xue Ning.

Luo Xuening really wanted to say, Xing Dong, are you blind? I'm such a big person sitting here, can you pretend not to see me?

However, it can also be seen that the students' description of Xing Dong is basically true. He is very conceited and at the same time very inferior. His conceit and aloofness are just a cover-up for his inferiority.

Xing's mother was also a smart person. Although the three of them tried their best to appear friendly in front of Xing's mother, they still could not escape Xing's mother's eyes.

"Donger, take your classmates outside to talk. Mother is tired. She will take a short rest first and come back to accompany you later."

"Madam, please have a good rest. We will not disturb you."