CHAPTER 73

Originally, everyone had doubts about whether Shen Lin could still study as well as before. After Master Li’s criticism of Shen Lin in the last class and Master Yang’s criticism in this class, especially Master Yang’s criticism, everyone silently believed that Shen Lin would never be able to be the same as before. Alas, if that was the case, it would be a pity.

Shen Lin did not refute Master Yang. Shen Lin always believed that there was no need to bother with such a villain. After all, this was something that could be proved by taking the exam. If he talked too much and did not do well in the exam, he would be laughed at. If he could do well in the exam, such doubts would naturally be self-defeating.

In the past few years, when his family was in decline, Shen Lin had heard a lot of sarcastic remarks and suffered a lot of contempt. Shen Lin was not unbearable to the sarcasm and harshness of Master Yang.

There is no need to waste time arguing with the Master Yang.

Shen Lin had been busy with the matter of buying a house for two days before coming to the academy, and he didn’t even have time to read any books. Even after coming to the academy today, Shen Lin didn’t concentrate on studying but was still thinking about buying and selling the house.

When Master Yang saw Shen Lin remain silent, he felt like he had punched cotton. He did not feel any sense of accomplishment or relief. It seemed that Shen Lin had lost his edge. It was a pity that he had rejected his proposal to giveYunyan to him back then. Now it seemed that he was far fromYunyan.

Thinking of this, Master Yang felt relieved. He took another look at Wang Luosheng and liked him more and more. Wang Luosheng, as a student, had average grades before, but in recent years, his academic performance has improved by leaps and bounds. His performance declined a little some time ago, but it didn’t take long for Wang Luosheng to stand out in the exam and was much better than other students.

Master Yang began to lecture, and during the lecture, he found that Shen Lin was also absent-minded. Master Yang was very proud of himself. Before, if a student offended him, he would scold the student, making the student lose interest in his class. In this way, the student would not be able to make progress in his studies, and his goal would be achieved.

Shen Lin was thinking about the houses near the west end of the north city and South Street, as well as Su Wan’s plan to open a Malatang restaurant. After thinking it over, he knew that he had to take a day off tomorrow, so he would have to use at least two more days to quickly buy those cheap houses near the north city and South Street.

In the next few classes, Shen Lin did not listen to the teacher carefully but wrote something densely on a piece of paper with a pen. The teachers all knew that Shen Lin had a weak foundation and guessed that he was writing down what the teachers taught. This was the dumbest way, and the teachers felt a little sorry for Shen Lin.

The students in the dormitory are still a little confused about the depth of Shen Lin’s academic achievements, but looking at his current appearance, Shen Lin is no longer the same Shen Lin as before. In this case, there is no need for everyone to treat Shen Lin with respect as before.

Several students who were somewhat sycophantic thought that they would have to curry favor with Wang Luosheng in the future. After all, Wang Luosheng was the most promising person in the school, and they would definitely be able to use Wang Luosheng in the future.

During the break, three or four classmates came over to chat with Wang Luosheng.

Among them, there was a man named Wang Heng, who complimented Wang Luosheng: “Everyone was talking about someone who would surpass you, but now it seems that the most capable person in our academy is still you, Luosheng.”

Another scholar said, “Luo Sheng, if you become rich and powerful, please don’t forget me. You are the most promising among us brothers. If you become successful in the future, please help us brothers.”

Wang Luosheng nodded proudly and said, “If I have a future, I will certainly not forget you brothers.”

Duan Jingtian and Li Sheng originally had a good relationship with Shen Lin, but that was three years ago. During these three years, Shen Lin and Duan Jingtian and Li Sheng had little contact, and their friendship faded.

On another level, Duan Jingtian really couldn’t be close friends with Shen Lin anymore.

That day, Duan Jingtian learned that Shen Lin and Su Wan were engaged, and it was like a bolt from the blue.

Duan Jingtian went to find Su Wan and told her that he would study hard, pass the imperial examination, and marry her in a sedan chair carried by eight people. Su Wan should never be so hasty in dealing with her own life event just because of a loan note.

Duan Jingtian thought that Su Wan had no choice but to go to Shen Lin’s house and got engaged to Shen Lin.

In Duan Jingtian’s mind, Shen Lin was taking advantage of someone’s misfortune.

But Su Wan told Duan Jingtian that she wanted to get engaged to Shen Lin voluntarily. Although Su Wan said so, in his mind, Shen Lin was taking advantage of someone’s misfortune, so Duan Jingtian did not speak to Shen Lin.

Li Sheng also had the same grudge in his heart as Duan Jingtian, so when Shen Lin returned to the school, his former classmates had all changed.

Especially Wang Luosheng, who seemed to be deliberately targeting Shen Lin. Shen Lin was a little surprised at his colleague’s reaction at first. Shen Lin went to talk to Wang Heng and Tao Yan, two students who always followed him in the past, but both of them were cold and indifferent. They responded to him with a few words and then went to talk to Wang Luosheng.

Shen Lin generally understood Wang Luosheng’s hostility towards him. In order to curry favor with Wang Luosheng, the top student, other students naturally had to stay away from him, whom Wang Luosheng hated. However, Shen Lin did not quite understand why Li Sheng and Duan Jingtian became like this.

But there is still a long time to go, and the reasons will come to light sooner or later, so there is really no need to rush.

At noon, each student either ate the meals provided by the academy or the meals delivered by servants from their homes. There were many young men from wealthy families in Songshan Academy, and there were many servants who delivered meals.

Shen Lin did not order any food from the academy, so Su Wan told him that she would come and bring him food at noon.

Su Wan didn’t have to worry too much about the Malatang stall these days, so she had some time, so she offered to deliver meals to Shen Lin.

The steward of the academy delivered meals to the students who had been ordered to eat, and servants from young masters like Duan Jingtian also got delivered meals.

Su Wan also came over with a lunch box to deliver food to Shen Lin.

Shen Yaya was at home accompanying Mrs. Shen, and Shen Yaya couldn’t drive the carriage by herself, so the task of delivering meals naturally fell on Su Wan.

Su Wan and several servants who were delivering food entered the school dormitory together.

For a moment, the students all looked towards Su Wan.

Since all the people in the academy were men, although there were a few maids or aunts who came to cook, Su Wan still felt uncomfortable wearing women’s clothes, so Su Wan tied up her hair and came wearing a dark men’s suit.

All the men in the dormitory looked at Su Wan. Although she was wearing men’s clothing, Su Wan was still breathtakingly beautiful. She even stood out because of the men’s clothing.

Su Wan walked to Shen Lin’s table, opened the lunch box swiftly, and took out the food inside for Shen Lin.

In the past, Wang Luosheng had brought meals cooked by Su Wan, and the servants of Duan Jingtian’s family had also delivered meals cooked by Su Wan, but Su Wan had never delivered meals personally.

Su Wan handed the lunch box to Shen Lin and left the dormitory again.

The appearance and departure of Su Wan made everyone feel more and more upset. If it were the previous Shen Lin, he could still be worthy of Su Wan, but now, Su Wan is so beautiful and capable, and she opened her own Malatang stall, while Shen Lin is nothing. How can such a Shen Lin be worthy of Su Wan?

Everyone had seen Su Wan at the banquet at Duan Jingtian’s house and when they were eating at the Malatang stall before, and later they learned that Su Wan and Shen Lin were engaged.

In short, it is inappropriate for Su Wan to marry Shen Lin in every way.

The students in the dormitory also began to whisper.

Wang Heng said to Shen Lin, “Brother Shen, you are studying with the money earned by Su Wan, right?”

Shen Lin remained silent. He had disliked Wang Heng three years ago and felt that Wang Heng was too deliberate in approaching him. Now it seemed that Wang Heng was indeed a sicophant and not worth associating with.

Wang Luosheng also said to Shen Lin, “Brother Shen, you are spending the money earned by women. If you can’t study well, it will be a disgrace to you.”

Shen Lin started eating the food that Su Wan brought without saying much to Wang Luosheng.

These days, Wang Luosheng saw Shen Lin and Su Wan driving a horse-drawn carriage to Qingyun County every day, while he himself had to walk. Wang Luosheng also saw Su Wan’s stall become popular, and all these accumulated in Wang Luosheng’s heart, making Wang Luosheng very angry. Now that everyone did not respect Shen Lin as much as they did three years ago, Wang Luosheng wanted to ridicule Shen Lin a few more times.

Seeing Shen Lin remaining silent and just eating the mouth-watering meal made by Su Wan, Wang Luosheng thought of the past. In the past, he was always the one eating such a meal.

Su Wan used to listen to him and do what he said, but Shen Lin had drugged Su Wan, and it seemed as if she didn’t know him.

Wang Luosheng felt that Shen Lin was his nemesis.

“Brother Shen, if I were you, I would not spend a woman’s money to stay in the academy. In half a month, there will be a big exam in the academy. You haven’t studied for three years. It must be very difficult to study again. The exam will also be very difficult for you.”

Shen Lin picked up the food and went out to eat in the side room next to the classroom.

Wang Luosheng is really annoying.

After Shen Lin went out, two students who were not very close to Shen Lin before followed Shen Lin out.

One of them was called Zhou Yu, and the other was called Wu Wei. They were both diligent students but not outstanding. They took the exam several times but still failed to pass the exam.

Zhou Yu brought the food and sat next to Shen Lin: “Brother Shen, don’t be angry. Although Wang Luosheng always ranks first in the exam, he doesn’t have the demeanor of a top scorer at all.”

Wu Wei said, “This Wang Luosheng not only said sarcastic words to you, but he always ridiculed us for working so hard but still failing to pass the exam. If I didn’t have to maintain some peace between classmates, I would have beaten him up a long time ago.”

Zhou Yu and Wu Wei are both down-to-earth people who never talk much. If they had not been severely ridiculed by Wang Luosheng, they would not have said this.

Zhou Yu added, “Brother Shen, don’t take Wang Luosheng’s words too seriously. Even though he seems to be very proud now, I think his studies are not solid. There have been many times in class when the teacher asked questions and Wang Luosheng couldn’t answer them. Although he still ranked first in every exam, I always feel that there is something strange.”

Wu Wei also said, “Anyway, Wang Luosheng’s current first place doesn’t make us as convinced as when you first took the exam.”

Shen Lin could see Zhou Yu and Wu Wei’s dissatisfaction with Wang Luosheng and said, “We are studying in the academy. If we can meet a few like-minded people, we are lucky. If we meet someone we don’t get along with, we can’t pay too much attention to this person every day and forget the original intention of coming here to study. We should focus more on studying.”

Zhou Yu nodded and then said to Shen Lin, “Brother Shen, you haven’t come to study for three years. It seems that Wang Luosheng is waiting to see you make a fool of yourself. If you don’t know anything, come and discuss it with me. Although I am not talented, I have worked hard in the past three years.”

Wu Wei also said, “You can also come and discuss it with me.”

Shen Lin heard the sincerity in Zhou Yu and Wu Wei’s words and said, “Thank you, brothers.” As he spoke, Shen Lin also invited Zhou Yu and Wu Wei to eat the dishes made by Su Wan.

When Shen Lin was studying in the academy all day, his mind was obviously not on studying. Everyone, including Zhou Yu and Wu Wei, thought that Shen Lin had not studied for too long and could not adapt.

After Wang Luosheng returned home, he told his father and mother about the teacher’s questioning of Shen Lin in the school today, as well as Shen Lin’s inability to concentrate on his studies.

The Mrs. Wang said, “I said that my son is the most promising. In the past, everyone said that Shen Lin was the most promising. Now, who dares to say that Shen Lin is more promising than you?”

Wang’s father took a puff of his pipe, blew out the smoke rings, and said, “Shen Lin is useless. He is useless.”

Shen Lin’s performance today made Wang Luosheng feel inexplicably relaxed. After finishing the chores assigned by the family, Wang Luosheng went into the study and opened a book about a fox demon and a scholar with peace of mind and began to read.

Reading this story, Wang Luosheng thought, If there really was someone who could help him get promoted and make a fortune, even if it was a monster, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Thinking about it carefully,Yunyan could actually be of great help to him.

Before paying the tuition fee, Shen Lin asked for two days’ leave from the teacher. Teacher Li was very disappointed with Shen Lin, shook his head, and still approved the leave. It seemed that Shen Lin was different from three years ago. Perhaps the decision to let him take classes with Wang Luosheng and others was a mistake.

After school, Shen Lin drove a horse-drawn carriage to pick up Su Wan, then went to the brick kiln to pick up a customer who was selling a house, and then returned to the west end of the north city to continue buying houses, buying another eight dilapidated houses.

Not only did Shen Lin pick up the people from North City, he also asked the owner of the dilapidated house near South Street to wait there.

After they had collected the houses in the north city, Shen Lin and Su Wan went to buy the houses near South Street overnight.

Shen Lin only had enough money left to buy four houses, and Su Wan took all the remaining thirteen houses.

Though they said they had taken possession of the house, they had also paid a deposit to the owner. The full amount would not be paid until tomorrow, when the government documents were issued.

Shen Lin and Su Wan were busy until half the night before returning to Qingshi Village. The next day, they went to the Qingyun County government office to discuss paperwork with the house sellers. They worked from early morning until sunset.

Shen Lin and Su Wan did not stop working the whole day until the evening, when they had finished all the work. Su Wan put all the signed documents into a box, and the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Shen Lin said, “Finally, I have finished this matter. I have been thinking about this matter and have no time to study. Master Li must be very disappointed with me today. From tomorrow on, I have to focus on studying.”

Su Wan nodded. “It is true that you can’t do two things at once. Now that you have resolved your worries, you should study hard. I will take care of the family affairs.”

Shen Lin looked at Su Wan gently: “Then I’ll ask you to take good care of me.”

Su Wan nodded. “Although you have to study hard, don’t worry too much. You haven’t studied for three years. You don’t have to study hard for this year’s imperial examination. You can take the imperial examination next autumn or the year after next.”

Shen Lin said, “If possible, I’d better try to pass the spring examination.” If I can pass the examination, I will have time to sell the houses in the north and south of the city for a good price.”

Su Wan said, “Don’t be in a hurry. Others can’t see your plan, but I can guess it. If you buy this house, you will make a lot of money if you just leave it there. I’m afraid that I won’t make as much money as you have made from what you have been doing these days, even though I have put so much effort into opening this Malatang stall.”

Shen Lin looked at Su Wan tenderly and smiled: “You are indeed smart. Although I have an idea of how to deal with it, it is better to wait until after the imperial exam and think about it more carefully. This way, you can earn more.”

Su Wan and Shen Lin chatted and laughed as they returned to Qingshi Village. On the way, Su Wan asked Shen Lin about his situation at the academy.

Shen Lin did not hide anything and told about Wang Luosheng’s mean attitude. Shen Lin was not deliberately saying bad things about Wang Luosheng, but Wang Luosheng’s performance today made Shen Lin feel that Wang Luosheng was not an open-minded gentleman. Shen Lin and Su Wan were already very familiar with each other, so it was okay to say these things.

After listening to what Shen Lin said, Su Wan analyzed why Wang Luosheng behaved like this. It was simply because he had been overshadowed by Shen Lin many times in the past and was always inferior to Shen Lin, so he was now ridiculing Shen Lin.

Su Wan thought about it on the way, and after returning to Qingshi Village, Su Wan asked Shen Lin to accompany her to the Wang family.

Su Wan said that the Malatang stall needed money and was willing to sell the house to the Wang family for twelve and a half taels of silver. If Wang Luosheng had not treated Shen Lin like this, Su Wan would not be keen on negotiating this deal with the Wang family, but since Wang Luosheng was so arrogant, let him stay in the village.

Su Wan knew very well that moving to Qingyun County would be a great help to Wang Luosheng’s studies, but it was obvious that Wang’s father and mother did not have this idea, so Wang Luosheng could not move on his own.

Since he treated Shen Lin like this, Su Wan thought of teaching him a lesson.

When Su Wan explained her purpose to Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Wang smiled proudly: “Why, your Malatang stall is not doing well? I said at the beginning that it is not easy to make money in the county.”

After saying that, Mrs. Wang said to Wang Luosheng, who was standing beside her, “Luosheng, did you hear that? We are not going to move to Qingyun County and suffer that.”

Wang Luosheng was so anxious that he was jumping up and down, but it was obvious that Mrs. Wang was very enthusiastic about buying a house.

Mrs. Wang started bargaining with Su Wan again and finally came to twelve taels.

Su Wan originally wanted twelve taels, and saying twelve and a half taels was just to give Mrs. Wang some room to bargain. Sure enough, everything went according to Su Wan’s idea.

Wang Luosheng remembered that he could not stop Mrs. Wang even though he was jumping up and down. Mrs. Wang felt that she had gotten a great bargain and scolded Wang Luosheng, who was desperately opposing her.

After seeing Mrs. Wang pay Su Wan four taels of silver as a deposit, Wang Luosheng wilted like an eggplant hit by frost.

The plan to move to the county town is becoming increasingly distant.

After collecting the deposit and writing the deposit document to Mrs. Wang, Su Wan said to Mrs. Wang, “Aunt Wang, actually the Malatang stall doesn’t need too much money. I’m in a hurry to sell this house because I want to buy a house in Qingyun County.”

Mrs. Wang said, “Qingyun County is good; it’s better to buy a house in Qingyun County.” But what she was thinking in her heart was that life in Qingyun County would not be so easy.

Su Wan smiled and said, “Qingyun County is good. Brother Shen Lin will start studying again. If we live in Qingyun County, then he doesn’t have to walk such a long way every day. This saves time and energy, which will definitely be more conducive to his studies.”

Wang Luosheng almost vomited blood after hearing what Su Wan said. He wanted the Wang family to move to Qingyun County for this reason. He traveled back and forth between Qingyun County and Qingshi Village every day, and his legs were almost broken, especially in the biting winter wind. Walking back and forth was like torture.

Mrs. Wang was very happy that she had bought the Shen family’s house at a low price, and she also echoed Su Wan’s words: “That’s right, living closer will give him more energy to study.”

Wang Luosheng was so angry that he almost died. It turned out that his mother knew that living close to home would be beneficial for studying. But knowing this, why did she still buy a house in the Shen family’s village?

Su Wan looked at Wang Luosheng: “Brother Luosheng is smarter. Even if he lives far away, it will not affect his studies.”

When Wang Luosheng was mentioned, Mrs. Wang’s pride came up: “That’s right, gold shines wherever it is placed. Even though my Luosheng lives so far away, he can still get the first place in the exam.”

Wang Luosheng felt so angry that his eyes went dark and he passed out.