Chapter 32: Tong Shuangling

Tong Chuxue had no intention of belittling Yao Tianyuan; she simply held him in low regard. However, her words carried a different weight in Yao Tianyuan’s ears.

Since birth, Yao Tianyuan had been pampered by the Yao family. He possessed the talent to justify such treatment—naturally bright and quick to learn—which led the family to scrape together every penny to support his education. In the academy, he had always been the most outstanding among his peers. Consequently, he was full of confidence, and being unexpectedly mocked by Tong Chuxue left him fuming.

"It seems Brother Yao is feeling rather indignant?" Luo Huian remarked, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Yao Tianyuan squinted. He barely knew Luo Huian. "Do you mean to suggest that you would be happy to be spoken of in such a way?"

"I cannot control the opinions of others. Moreover, I possess self-awareness; even if I were displeased, I would not easily show it." Luo Huian rose from his seat and stood before Yao Tianyuan.

The implication was clear: Yao Tianyuan lacked self-awareness and was far too full of himself.

"I have heard that your studies are progressing well, Brother Yao. Being a *tongsheng* marks you as a scholar with a bright future. It is just a pity that you are perhaps not equally distinguished in other respects." Luo Huian was slightly taller than Yao Tianyuan, and his presence felt subtly oppressive.

Humiliated repeatedly, Yao Tianyuan could no longer restrain himself. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"You and Miss Tong are fellow villagers, yet you chose to hound her in front of everyone over a casual remark. Is that the conduct of a gentleman?" Luo Huian’s words were forceful, pushing Yao Tianyuan to take an involuntary step back.

Watching the interrogation, Tong Yu’er grew incensed. "Luo Huian, you are only pushing him because you are jealous! Don't think I don't know that you’ve been a sickly weakling since you were a child, and you’re just green with envy because others are better at their studies!"

Luo Huian raised an eyebrow, cast a cold glance at Tong Yu’er, and replied in a chilly tone, "Jealous?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Tong Yu’er laughed triumphantly. "Everyone in Qingshan Village knows how brilliant Yao Tianyuan is at his studies. In the neighboring village, there’s a man who has been trying to pass the *tongsheng* exam for decades, his hair turned white without success, yet Yao Tianyuan passed on his first attempt. The Yao family has already said that once he passes the provincial exams next year, he will be a *xiucai*! We haven't had a *xiucai* in Qingshan Village for over a decade. To achieve that title at his age is a rarity, even in the county."

As soon as these words left her lips, the expressions of Yao Tianyuan’s fellow students turned subtle. Earning a degree was notoriously difficult; every student who sat for the exams had studied for years, and even then, none would dare guarantee their own success.

Tong Yu’er, however, was bold enough to speak with such certainty about Yao Tianyuan’s future success, making his peers look like "good-for-nothings" by comparison.

Yao Tianyuan’s face shifted. Just as he was about to offer an explanation, a classmate chimed in with a sarcastic tone: "Brother Yao, you are the only hope of our academy. You must study hard; we wouldn't want the teacher to be disappointed."

"I have studied for years just like everyone else; how could I possibly claim to be certain of success?" Yao Tianyuan hurriedly tried to backtrack.

Observing the changing colors on everyone’s faces, Tong Chuxue added a small push. "Don't be so modest, Yao Tianyuan. Your talent is plain for all to see. I am sure your classmates know best. The future of Qingshan Village rests on your shoulders, future Scholar Yao!"

With that, Tong Chuxue turned to Tong Yu’er and asked, "Sister Yu’er, do you think what I said makes sense?"

Tong Yu’er, determined to defend Yao Tianyuan, responded faster than anyone else. "Of course it does."

At this point, Yao Tianyuan could no longer endure it. He gathered his classmates and hurried out of the Dongfeng Restaurant.

To Tong Chuxue, it looked like a desperate flight. Yao Tianyuan was truly fragile; she had only said one thing, yet he was so thin-skinned that he had to confront her. In the end, he hadn't caused her any trouble but had instead been sabotaged by his own fiancée.

Seeing Yao Tianyuan leave, Tong Yu’er lost interest in staring down Tong Chuxue. After throwing a sharp, hateful glare at her, she followed him out.

The minor interlude came to an end. Since everyone’s appetite had been spoiled, they finished their meal, paid, and left. Knowing the two children had been upset, Tong Chuxue took them for a playful romp around the town, which finally brought smiles back to their faces.

Before long, the sun’s intensity began to fade, signaling it was time to return to the village. When they reached the intersection at the edge of town where Tong Shan’s ox cart was parked, there were few spots left, as many villagers had bought goods after exchanging their money.

It didn't matter; Luo Huian sat with Luo Huifeng on his lap to save space. Tong Shan looked around, and seeing that most people had arrived, prepared to hitch the ropes. "Looks like that's everyone. Let's head back."

"Uncle Lizheng, wait! Don't forget me!" Tong Shuangling waved from a distance, running over in fear of being left behind.

Tong Shan chuckled and patted his own head. "Look at my memory, I nearly forgot you, Ling-ya."

"It's no matter, I could have just walked back. Please don't hit your head again; if you break it, where would our village find such a good leader?" Tong Shuangling joked. The people on the cart burst into laughter.

"You girl!" Tong Shan’s tone was exasperated but not truly angry.

When Tong Shuangling climbed onto the cart, there was almost no room left, yet she didn't seem worried. She simply took a basket of vegetables from beside Luo Huian into her own lap and sat down right next to him.

Tong Chuxue was slightly surprised; it was rare to see such a bold girl in Qingshan Village. Luo Huian was stunned for a moment, but since everyone around them was a neighbor, he couldn't say much. He only tightened his hold on Luo Huifeng, who, poor little thing, assumed he had made his brother angry again and kept his head down, not daring to utter a word the entire way.

An hour and a half later, they reached the village. Tong Chuxue felt lighthearted, having bought nothing else that day.

As soon as they disembarked, Luo Huian led his younger siblings toward home, with Tong Shuangling walking openly right behind them. Luo Huiqing was the first to notice and whispered, "Big Brother, that sister is still following us."

Luo Huian ignored her, but after walking a distance, he realized Tong Shuangling was still there. He stopped pretending not to notice and told his siblings to go home first.

"Does this young lady have something to say?" Luo Huian asked.

Tong Shuangling was bold, seemingly unaware of what shyness meant. "I just wanted to ask, what are your thoughts on your own marriage?"