CHAPTER 686: CHAPTER 682 JEALOUSY (THREE MORE)

"It’s a pity, it’s simply impossible, the only school in the village was demolished years ago, and there’s no teacher to set up a school," Mu Shuangshuang felt a bit lost.

As the elder sister, her biggest worry is naturally the future of her two younger brothers.

Xiao Han likes to study, while Yuanbao’s attitude is unclear, but sending him to school would at least help him recognize some characters and meet some people.

Liu Zian pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Shuangshuang, I know someone who can be your teacher."

"What?" Mu Shuangshuang was incredulous.

"Liu Zian, you’re not planning to teach yourself, are you? That’s impossible. You have to set off for the Capital after the New Year; you can’t afford any delays on the road."

Ancient transportation can’t compare to modern times; to travel far, one either walks or takes a carriage. If anything happens, one has to leave two or three months early.

There’s a main road in Qingshan Town leading to the Capital. By following it continuously, one can reach the Capital in two to three months, or in a month and a half if renting a carriage.

Liu Zian can at most spend a year at home before he has to go quickly to the Capital for exams; he doesn’t have time to be a teacher in Er Gui Village.

More importantly, Liu Zian is now a scholar, with different status and position; it’s impossible for him to stay in a small village to teach.

"Not me!" Liu Zian shook his head, blushing.

He said, "I have a classmate, he’s also from a nearby village. He has taken the exam twice without passing. Before parting, I heard he planned to be a teacher in town, gather enough money for three years, and then try for the scholar exam in Qianzhou Prefecture."

"You mean he can at least be a teacher for three years?" Mu Shuangshuang felt delighted. If this is true, in three years she would definitely have her own house in town.

Sending Xiao Han and Yuanbao to study in town would also be convenient.

"That’s right, but now I need to visit his home first to see if he has already found work in town yet."

"He probably hasn’t, I went to several schools in town a few days ago and asked around; basically, no one is hiring teachers, and even if schools are looking, they prefer experienced scholars who are older."

Mu Shuangshuang was glad she had inquired in advance.

Liu Zian was also happy that he could finally help Shuangshuang.

"That way, your younger brother’s schooling problem will be half solved."

"Yes, Liu Zian, thank you. If it weren’t for your suggestion, I wouldn’t know what to do. When you go to find that scholar, I’ll go with you to see how much he’d charge to give lessons here."

Setting up a village school is not a simple matter; Mu Shuangshuang has to understand all aspects.

However, the easiest part is the Da Ning Dynasty’s school system; there aren’t so many cumbersome procedures.

Just build a hay house and set up some tables and chairs, and it can be sorted.

It shouldn’t cost much.

"Shuangshuang is thinking it through, whereas I’ve been too anxious."

"Shuangshuang, about the matter I mentioned earlier..." Liu Zian was so nervous his heart almost jumped out.

He looked down, not daring to face Shuangshuang.

"I... Shuangshuang, if someone asks you to go to the county town with him, would you...?"

"Wait, Liu Zian, the fire in the stove is falling out." Mu Shuangshuang quickly went to the stove entrance, stuffing firewood deeper.

Her entire attention was focused on the stove, so she didn’t hear Liu Zian’s words at all.

Liu Zian had mustered all his courage to finally voice what was in his heart, yet Shuangshuang hadn’t heard it.

"What did you just say, Liu Zian?" Mu Shuangshuang turned her head to ask Liu Zian.

Liu Zian opened his mouth, about to speak again, when Yuanbao’s shrill voice came from outside.

"Wow, Second Brother, did you hit a spotted deer?"

Mu Shuangshuang’s lips curved up slightly as she stood up, poured a cup of warm water in the kitchen, and took it outside.

In the courtyard, Lu Yuanfeng, covered in sweat, was standing there. The two exchanged looks and burst into laughter.

"I said you would catch a big game today," Mu Shuangshuang said.

"Yes, the weather is getting colder, and animals in the mountain are coming out. I saw several big ones today but unfortunately, my tools weren’t complete, and the cold hasn’t set in long enough, so the game are still agile and fast."

"Then I’ll go with you tomorrow. I haven’t been up the mountain in a while." Mu Shuangshuang said as she handed the water to Lu Yuanfeng.

Lu Yuanfeng looked at Mu Shuangshuang indulgently and chuckled foolishly, handing her a grasshopper he had crafted.

"You taught me this yesterday, I made it while waiting around today. It’s ugly..."

"Not at all, I love it." Mu Shuangshuang took the item from Lu Yuanfeng and tucked it in her pocket like a treasure.

Her cheeks were blushing, as red as the sunset in March.

At the kitchen door, Liu Zian’s heart felt as though someone had sliced it, causing intense pain.

He felt as though the grasshopper Mu Shuangshuang was holding was not just a grasshopper but her whole world.

And this world was given by Lu Yuanfeng, having nothing to do with him, Liu Zian.

"You haven’t told me what you encountered today, was there any danger?" Mu Shuangshuang asked quietly.

Lu Yuanfeng quickly shook his head, but keen-eyed Shuangshuang noticed the red marks on his neck.

"What’s this?" Mu Shuangshuang jumped, reaching out to check, but Lu Yuanfeng hid it with his clothes.

"I’m fine; just slipped," Lu Yuanfeng chuckled quietly.

Being cared for brings comfort to the heart.

Mu Shuangshuang looked more closely at Lu Yuanfeng, noticing that his knee’s clothing was torn, and faint bloodstains could be seen.

Even the elbow was affected.

"You say nothing’s wrong, but you’re bleeding. Come inside to apply medicine." Mu Shuangshuang grabbed Lu Yuanfeng’s hand and also instructed Yuanbao.

"Yuanbao, watch over these game, and take care of your teacher, Mr. Liu. If he’s unhappy, I’ll spank you!"

Although Mu Shuangshuang didn’t forget to instruct Liu Zian, Liu Zian still felt sharp pain in his heart.

He found the hand holding Lu Yuanfeng’s wrist glaringly noticeable.

Life seemed unbearably hard to him.

Lu Yuanfeng glanced toward the kitchen only when he heard Liu Zian’s name.

He saw Liu Zian in a thin cotton coat, standing by the kitchen door; his face showing more weariness, and his eyes somewhat vacant.

Yet from his gaze, Lu Yuanfeng could still detect that he was looking at Shuangshuang holding his hand.

At that moment, Lu Yuanfeng suddenly felt lucky.

Seeking but not attaining is the most painful thing in the world.

Liu Zian likes Shuangshuang, but Shuangshuang likes him.

In fact, Shuangshuang’s future life is all about him, not Liu Zian.

(The few missing updates will be supplemented at fifty past eleven tonight, from tomorrow, updates will resume as usual. Cheers~)