Chapter 55: The Small Town (Part 1)

  Four young men sat by the window, all with gloomy faces, which was completely out of tune with the atmosphere in the wine house.

  "Is this kid Shen Jing's partner in crime?" a young man with a somewhat long face asked.

  "That's right." A young man with a pockmarked face nodded and smiled: "I often see them going in and out together."

  "Ball, still a pretty face." Another fat guy curled his lips and picked up a piece of juicy meat, chewing loudly. His mouth was still mumbling: "Most annoying is someone more handsome than brother..."

  Before the words were finished, the last sharp-mouthed young man slapped him on the back of his head and scolded in a low voice: "Nonsense, how can that kid compare to Brother?"

  Fatso knew he had misspoken, and stole a glance at the long-faced youth, seeing that his face was even longer now. He quickly shrunk his neck and smiled apologetically: "At first glance, he's quite handsome, but actually, the more you look, the less tolerable he is... who can compare to me?"

  That long-faced young man scowled and narrowed his eyes, saying: "I've heard that he's also going to enter the clan school, Shen Jing that kid has finally found a helper."

  "What are you afraid of?" Ma's face smiled and said: "Lao Si only has one helper, but you have three of us."

  "It's true, three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang." The pointed-mouthed one also laughed and said: "Can that little guy be more powerful than Zhuge Liang?"

  The young man with a long face nodded and said, "Come up with an idea to teach that kid a lesson, let him know the rules, and don't get too close to Lao Si!" The few of them started discussing in hushed tones.

  Left behind a bunch of longans, several red dates, a pair of yams, and a handful of scallions, which was considered to have received the goodwill of the neighbors, only then did he manage to leave.

  Holding these light gifts with deep meaning, he returned to the Shen family's large courtyard, preparing to greet his old father and then visit his eldest son.

  Who would have thought that the courtyard was packed with people, and as soon as he entered, they swarmed around him, laughing and saying: "Our family's talented son has returned."

  Shenmo Xinyue said: "Who are you? How did I become one of your family?" At this time, Qiuniang squeezed beside him and introduced with a smile, this is Seventh Aunt, Eighth Aunt, that is Third Uncle, Second Grandfather, anyway, they are all his relatives, and the kind that can be killed by Manmen Chaojian.

  Listening to the buzzing sound in his ear, Shen suddenly became two big heads, and he quietly asked Qiuniang for help to block it. He then went upstairs with the excuse of "paying respects to his father".

  It turned out that there were also guests upstairs - Old Man Shen had actually come to the small attic of the father and son, sitting on the bed and chatting with Shen He and Yan Yuese.

  Silently and without delay, he first paid his respects to Old Master Shen, then greeted his father, before standing properly at the side, listening to the two elders converse.

  Mr. Shen smiled and looked at him, chuckling to Shen He: "Qingzhi, you've had a good son!"

  Shen He also looked at Shen Mo, with an uncontrollable sense of pride on his face, but still had to say insincerely: "It's just a child's nonsense, and the old master has praised him wrongly." As he asked Shen Mo in a low voice: "What are you holding in your arms?"

  Chen Mo knew that the old man was pretending to be authoritative, and secretly laughed in his heart. On the surface, however, he obediently said: "In response to Father's words, this is what the neighbors gave me when I came back."

  "Hmm?" Shen He puffed out his chest and glared at him: "You dare take other people's things? How did I teach you?"

  "Father, please calm down. As soon as I returned, the neighbors sent me things one after another. I couldn't decline, so I accepted a little of each, just to be polite." He said, holding up what he had in his hands: "Look, it's not even enough for one meal. Clearly, I only accepted them out of kindness, and didn't take advantage of others' things..."

  "Hmph, glib words! Shen He finally let him off and turned to Shen Lao Ye with a sigh: "Look at this kid, he has ten sentences waiting for every one he says, really is very stubborn and cunning. But fortunately... his nature is not too bad."

  Mr. Shen smiled and said, "Brother Qingzhi, it's not that I'm saying you're unaware of your blessings. Haotian is destined for great things in the future, just wait and enjoy the fortune."

  Shen He shook his head and said: "Knowing some crooked ideas doesn't count as a skill, only those who read books well will have a future."

  Old Master Shen burst out laughing: "So, little brother was worried about this," he said, turning to Shen Mo: "Chao Sheng, last time I told you to go to the clan school to study, but then something unexpected came up and I was afraid of distracting you, so I didn't let Shen Jing call you to school. Now that things are clear, do you want to take a couple of days off or report tomorrow?"

  He looked at the old man silently for a moment, then sighed and said, "Let's just go tomorrow."

  "It's good that you know how to make progress." Old Master Shen patted Shen Jing's arm and said, "Our clan school exempts tuition fees and provides meals for the children. Those with excellent grades will also receive subsidies. Moreover, now that Chunfu is teaching, what else do you have to worry about?"

  "Could it be Mr. Qingxia?" Shen He asked in surprise.

  "Who else can it be?" Old Master Shen laughed and said: "Chunfu will teach Chao Sheng well, don't worry."

  "Sir, you're too humble." Shen He recovered from his daze and said seriously: "You should cherish the opportunity to learn from Mr. Qingxia, learning knowledge is important but also learning how to be a good person!" This was already the second time in just a short period that someone had praised Mr. Qingxia so highly, which left Shen Mo's heart quite shocked, thinking to himself: 'It seems that Black-Faced Second Master indeed has some skills.'

  Mr. Shen again had the father and son move down from the attic, smiling: "I've already arranged for someone to sweep out a small courtyard for you two, right next to my residence, so we can chat when we have some free time."

  Shen He was at a loss in the face of such sudden courtesy, not knowing how to decline. Shen Mo put a pair of sweet potato sticks behind his head, looking like a soft towel on the back of an official's hat, and Shen He immediately understood: "The old master's kindness should not be declined, but the student has already accepted the county government's errand, and when he is free, he will go to serve."

  The "Da Ming Lu" has a clear article: 'All officials and officers who do not live in the official residence, but instead live in civilian houses on the streets, shall be punished with 80 lashes.' Mr. Shen was also an official before, so he naturally knew this article, and could only give up saying: "Since it's like that, I shouldn't keep you here any longer." He also instructed Shen He to take good care of his illness, then stood up and said to Shen Mo: "I originally wanted to celebrate your return in a big way, but later remembered that you are still in mourning, so had to give up. It's really an apology to you."

  Shenmo smiled warmly and said, "This time Shenmo was able to avoid defeat entirely thanks to your assistance, sir. I haven't even had a chance to thank you yet. If you say 'sorry' again, I'll truly be too ashamed to show my face."

  "It seems I was being overly sentimental." Old Master Shen laughed and said, "I've already instructed the kitchen to send over a table of fine dishes for you father and son... Without any outsiders making a racket, eating and drinking will be even more enjoyable, this I know well." With that, he stood up and bid farewell.

  Silently he hurriedly sent her out of the door.