CHAPTER 72

After finishing these things, it was already very late, and Su Wan and Shen Lin drove the carriage back to Qingshi Village.

Fortunately, they had a horse carriage; otherwise, Su Wan and Shen Lin would have spent a lot of time traveling back and forth between Qingshi Village and Qingyun County every day.

The moonlight was hazy, and the winter night was very cold. Shen Lin asked Su Wan to sit in the carriage while he drove the carriage outside.

Su Wan chattered to Shen Lin about the business of the two Malatang stalls these days. The one on the snack street was better than that on South Street. Logically speaking, there were the same number of people on the snack street and on South Street. The reason why the snack street had better business than the South Street was probably because the food on the snack street tasted spicier.

Shen Lin felt that this was the reason. He and Su Wan had been to South Street many times. The Yang brothers were very dedicated. Firstly, they were reliable, and secondly, they would get a share of the profits from South Street, so the problem did not lie with them. Su Wan said that if they opened another branch in the future or asked others to join, they would have to use the recipe of the snack street.

Shen Lin was sitting outside the cart and could hear Su Wan’s words clearly. Shen Lin said, “I think there is no need for us to expand our business to other counties. It will be most beneficial for us in the future if we first establish a solid business in Qingyun County.”

Su Wan agreed.

Shen Lin added: “For Qingyun County, if we open three such stalls, it will be almost impossible for others to do this business. However, as for the next one, I think it is best not to open such a stall but to open a store. Ordinary civilians in Qingyun County will come to South Street or the snack street to taste our spicy hot pot, but those who are richer may feel curious, but when they think that the people eating at our stalls are ordinary people, they will not come to our stall to eat.”

Su Wan knew that this was indeed the case. There were not many respectable people coming to the stall to eat spicy hot pot these days.

If Yang Yunyan hadn’t come to cause trouble that day, a respectable person like Yang Yunyan would not come to eat at the stall on normal days.

Although there are more poor people than rich people in Qingyun County, the market of rich people is also very large. Shen Lin’s idea is to enter both the mid-end market and the low-end market.

Shen Lin spoke again: “Our previous stalls mainly served ordinary people as customers. It would be best if we could open a store next time and serve the wealthy families in Qingyun County. In this way, we can do business with everyone in Qingyun County.”

Su Wan still agreed and said that after Shen Lin finished buying the house, they could start preparing for the new store.

In recent days, the stalls in South Street and Snack Street have earned a total of dozens of taels of silver, which is enough to open a store.

The day after tomorrow is the day when Shen Lin goes to school. Shen Lin wants to make good use of tomorrow’s time to collect a few more houses, so he went to bed as soon as he got home and got up early the next day.

Shen Lin first went to the government office to sign documents with the families that had been chosen yesterday, and then he acquired three large courtyards in the west end of the north city.

Naturally, Su Wan had always been with Shen Lin. After taking over the three large courtyards, Shen Lin had no more money.

Su Wan took out another twenty taels, saying that it was a loan to Shen Lin. Shen Lin did not refuse and rode as fast as he could to the government office to get the documents for the newly acquired house.

Because he was too tired on the day of collecting the house, when he first reported to the school on the second day, Shen Lin was still a little tired and looked a little haggard.

The first class was taught by Master Li, who had admired Shen Lin very much. Master Li wanted to understand Shen Lin’s current academic level, so he called Shen Lin up and asked him a few questions.

A few days ago, when Shen Lin went to visit these teachers, Master Li had already given the textbooks to Shen Lin, so that he could read the books in advance and catch up in time.

Master Li deliberately asked very simple questions, which can be answered as long as you read the book.

Shen Lin called out, and after hearing the question raised by Master Li, he shook his head frankly: “Sir, I don’t know the answer to this question.”

Master Li looked a little disappointed. Shen Lin had once been his most promising student. After Shen Lin said that he wanted to return to the academy to study again, Master Yang, Master Sun, and others suggested that Shen Lin study with students who were a few years younger. But Master Li believed that Shen Lin was smart,, and with some effort, he might be able to catch up with his former classmates. But it was obvious that Shen Lin’s current performance disappointed Master Li.

Shen Lin originally fell short of three years of courses and could only catch up through diligence. But now it seems that Shen Lin had never read those books before coming to study, so he couldn’t answer anything now.

Master Li tried to hold back, but couldn’t hold back anymore, and said sternly, “Shen Lin, you haven’t been here to study for three years, and you couldn’t keep up with your classmates. But you said you wanted to give it a try, and I believed you were a hard-working student, so I allowed you to come to this academy. But you, you really disappoint me.”

Shen Lin felt a little guilty towards Master Li. Master Li had always valued him and believed in him, but he had disappointed Master Li. However, only the courses in this academy could enable him to cope with the special examination in March next year. If he left this academy, it would be greatly detrimental to his studies. Moreover, Master Li was the headmaster of Songshan Academy. He had many things to do on weekdays, so he only taught Shen Lin and Wang Luosheng in this academy.

The reason why Shen Lin was invited to this school was because he felt that Shen Lin was a promising talent and he wanted to teach Shen Lin personally.

Shen Lin apologized to Master Li: “Master Li, I will study hard.”

“Brother Shen, you haven’t studied for such a long time; you can’t catch up just by working hard. I suggest that you go to the next-door school. The students in the next-door school are only two or three years younger than us, and the age difference between them and us is not too big. Brother Shen just missed three years of courses, so it is most suitable for you.” It was Wang Luosheng who spoke.

All the students in the dormitory turned their eyes to Shen Lin. When they were studying before, everyone admired Shen Lin very much because Shen Lin was gifted and dozens of times smarter than ordinary people. However, he had missed three years of courses, and it was not something that could be caught up overnight.

So the classmates looked at Shen Lin with doubt.

During the years when Shen Lin dropped out of school, Wang Luosheng had become the most prestigious student in the entire Songshan Academy. Now, whatever Wang Luosheng says will undoubtedly have an influence among the students.

Shen Lin still looked at Master Li: “Master Li, let me try again.”

Master Li did not comment: “Let’s start class first.”

Obviously, Master Li also had doubts in his heart.

The second class was taught by Master Yang, who was also Yang Yunyan’s father. As soon as he entered the school, Master Yang glanced at Shen Lin coldly.

Master Yang and Master Li have always been sworn enemies, so Master Yang really can’t like Shen Lin, a student who is very much loved by Master Li.

Master Yang didn’t like Shen Lin. Besides Master Li’s reasons, there was another important reason. Everyone could see that Shen Lin had a promising future. Master Yang privately asked Shen Lin if he was interested in his daughter Yang Yunyan, but Shen Lin politely refused. Master Yang felt humiliated and began to make things difficult for Shen Lin from then on until Shen Lin’s father died and left the academy. But in Master Yang’s heart, even though Wang Luosheng and his daughter are now a couple, he still can’t get over this.

Master Yang looked at Shen Lin and asked, “Can you keep up with the curriculum of this school?”

Shen Lin replied: “Master Yang, I will work hard.”

Master Yang smiled contemptuously: “This is not a problem that can be solved by studying hard. You are overestimating your abilities by coming to this school.”

Shen Lin did not answer. Master Yang was obviously trying to make things difficult for him. No matter what Shen Lin said, it would only provoke him to say something else unpleasant.

Shen Lin just wanted to calm down and study hard and didn’t want to conflict with insignificant people over these insignificant things.

Master Yang said, “You haven’t been to school for three years. Let me ask you a question to see what your current level is.” After Master Yang finished speaking, he asked Shen Lin an extremely difficult question.

Even among the students who have been studying for a long time, few can answer this question, let alone Shen Lin.

Shen Lin said truthfully, “Master Yang, I don’t know the answer to this question.”

Master Yang shook his head and said, “A rotten tree cannot be carved, and a child cannot be taught. Sit down.” After that, Master Yang looked at Wang Luosheng gently and said, “Luosheng, you answer it.”

Wang Luosheng was startled, stood up, and answered slowly, stammeringly.

However, once Wang Luosheng encountered a problem, Master Yang would give Wang Luosheng a hint so that he could continue answering.

After Wang Luosheng finished his stuttering answer, Master Yang nodded and said, “This question is so difficult; Luosheng can answer it to such an extent, which shows that he has a solid academic record. As for Shen Lin, you can’t answer a single word, which is too bad.”

Shen Lin remained silent. Three years ago, when he was in the academy, he had been troubled by Master Yang. However, Shen Lin was not afraid of Master Yang. He just didn’t want to get entangled with such a villain.

Master Yang saw Shen Lin was silent, and he became more excited: “Although you were smart and did well in school before, but missing three years of classes is like a wasted life. I think you can’t get up again. Master Li is too stubborn and wants you to come to this school. Isn’t this a waste of other students’ time?”

Shen Lin: “…” Just listen to a fool.

Master Yang said, “I have also heard about your family’s situation. You are in such a state now; why bother coming to the academy? Go and earn some money as a peddler, marry a girl who butchers pigs and sells vegetables, and earn money to support your family.”

Shen Lin said sternly, “Master Yang, I have paid the tuition fee. If there is anything wrong, Master Li will drive me away.”

Master Yang smiled and said, “Don’t daydream in this academy. You won’t pass the exam.”