Outside, it was time for arithmetic class again. Yin Lan noticed that Da Wa had answered the most questions among all the children. He was a smart and modest child who gave the opportunity to answer to the other children. Only when everyone else was unable to answer did Da Wa stand up and give the correct answer.
Then he received a round of applause. Da Wa pursed his lips, lowered his head, and sat down without any expression.
Yin Lan found it amusing. This kid! She clearly saw the slight upturn of his lips when he lowered his head, yet he was still pretending, not daring to express his happiness directly. He was so awkward. Sooner or later, she would change his mind and make him openly express his happiness. Wouldn't that be much better?
After the eldest child sat down, the teacher announced another matter: the academy in the county town wanted to have a competition with the children here. The prizes for the winners were: one tael of silver for the first place, six qian of silver for the second place, four qian for the third place, and a set of writing implements for all the top ten.
When all the kids heard about the prize, their eyes widened, their eyes practically screaming, "I want it!"
When all the kids heard about the prize, their eyes widened, their eyes practically screaming, "I want it!"
But Master Liu poured cold water on everyone's enthusiasm.
“The kids in the county may not be older than you, but they spend several times more time studying than you do. Don’t focus all your attention on those swindled prizes.”
Master Liu was afraid that everyone would end up with nothing and be heartbroken.
"The purpose of our participation is mainly to realize how amazing others are, so that we can work twice as hard to learn from them when we get back, understand?"
The kids quieted down again, but everyone was very happy to be able to go to the county town. However, not everyone could go; only the top five kids could go.
Upon hearing this, everyone became eager to compete. Although the first place was definitely going to be Da Wa's, everyone could fight for the remaining spots.
Upon hearing this news, Yin Lan went out and announced, "She will give each of the children who make it into the top five a calligraphy brush, and each of the children who make it into the top ten a pork pie."
Upon hearing this, everyone erupted in cheers and excitement.
Especially pork patties; you can do without the calligraphy brush, but you can't do without the food.
Especially in the county town, it's normal to lose a competition, but in the village, everyone's skill level is about the same.
All the children looked at each other, eager to try.
The older child pursed his lips, his little face serious.
Erwa looked left and right, not paying much attention. With so many delicious foods at home, a pork pie could no longer attract his attention.
The other lakes, however, were eager to possess them and determined to get them.
Yin Lan stopped paying attention to the children; she had to think about how to arrange things at home. Just then, it was recess time for the children, and Teacher Liu came over and told Yin Lan that the teacher from the former county town knew him before and roughly knew his identity. He used to be famous for his talent, but now he had returned penniless. People with outstanding talent and aloofness are most likely to attract trouble, so the teacher who couldn't compete with him in the past was now trying to regain face by taking advantage of his students before he had even taught for very long.
"So, we're going to suffer a blow this time, and you really don't need to spend any more money."
He had already noticed that some of the children were starting to get arrogant. They thought they were great just because they were better than others in the village. Little did they know that there were always people better than them and that there was always something beyond their reach. Therefore, Master Liu wanted to send them out to experience some setbacks and lessons.
Yin Lan no longer cared about such small amounts of money; instead, she asked about it.
"Master Liu, how have you felt since you returned from the capital? Do you intend to spend the rest of your life here? Or is your feeling of being unappreciated still there, and perhaps you will have another opportunity to make a name for yourself?"
Master Liu gave Yin Lan a deep look.
"What is the capital like? I'm a countrywoman who has never been there. I wonder if Master Liu could tell me? The children are very curious too."
Master Liu found it rather strange, but there was no harm in talking about these things.
Moreover, from the first day he arrived here, he felt that the village women were very different from others, and her husband, the two of them always gave him a feeling that... they shouldn't belong here.
But getting out of here and venturing out into the world is no easy task. Otherwise, how could he have gotten to where he is today?
However, he still told Yin Lan everything he knew, and Yin Lan gained some understanding of the capital city, which made her even more eager to go to such a prosperous place.
Just imagine, a bustling and vibrant place, brimming with entertainment, and overflowing with fine silks, satins, and jewelry. It's a gathering place for all sorts of outstanding people, with shops lining the streets and so many wealthy individuals. Just thinking about it, Yin Lan could already envision her future of immense wealth and prosperity.
That afternoon, she carefully calculated the family's money. Adding the silver Chen Yourun brought back and the money they had earned over the past few days, the family had a total of more than 2,500 taels of silver!
This amount of money would be an unimaginable fortune in a village, but it wouldn't be considered a lot in a county town, and if it were placed in the capital, it would be utterly insignificant.
This is also why Yin Lan wants to go to bigger places, to broaden her horizons, not only for herself, but more importantly for the children.
Yin Lan spent the entire afternoon planning these things. Later that evening, Chen Yourun returned. In the past, when he returned, Yin Lan would just glance at him and that was it. But today was different. Even though the two of them had not had a pleasant night, Yin Lan still went to greet him.
Noticing his reassuring gaze, and knowing that he wouldn't leave anytime soon, I felt relieved.
When Chen Yourun was greeted for the first time, he recalled that when he first returned, he was faced with a dilapidated house with no one inside. Later, he was turned away countless times. Although the two of them later improved their relationship, she was different from the other women in the village. She was not the kind of woman who revolved around her husband. She often ordered him to do things, and only when he did the things well could he get a smile from her.
Many times, Chen Yourun felt as if he were just a tool or a laborer to her. However, he was still satisfied that he could be of some use to her. He was also confident that when he became more capable and could be of greater use, she would value him more.
Today, seeing her approaching him with such bright, sparkling eyes, Chen Yourun felt incredibly warm inside and couldn't help but reach out to hug her.
The children are all outside, Yin Lan gave them a push.
Chen Yourun, however, refused and pulled the person into his arms.
The child's footsteps were already close at hand, and Yin Lan recalled the fear she had felt by the window last time. The person who started it all was getting more and more excited, making her almost collapse from holding back.
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