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Wang Peifang was frantic, as Chu Qingzhi pretended not to recognize her. Desperate to prove their connection, she claimed, “There’s a begonia-shaped birthmark on your forearm…”

Calmly, Chu Qingzhi rolled up her sleeve to reveal a smooth, unblemished arm, questioning, “Ma’am, could you be mistaking me for someone else?”

Wang Peifang reached out, trying to grasp Chu Qingzhi’s arm for a closer look, but Chu Qingzhi swiftly withdrew, leaving Wang grasping at thin air, “Impossible, how could it not be there? I remember it clearly, how could it…” I ve really learned something today. I’ve seen so many scams, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a scam.”

“That’s right. She’s too shameless. It’s fine if she extorts others, but she even brought her son along. Poor kid.”

“Better leave before we take action. We won’t be responsible for what happens next.”

Without Chu Qingzhi needing to say a word, the villagers rallied to her defense, ushering Wang Peifang out of the village amidst jeers and taunts.

Seeing Wang Peifang reluctant to leave, the villagers went as far as to summon guard dogs to prevent her re-entry into the village.

Defeated and bitter, Wang Peifang spat in disdain, her dreams of affluence shattered. Reluctantly, she took her son to seek refuge with Chu Zhongyuan’s parents.

However, she was really not used to living in poverty. In a few days, she abandoned her son and ran away. Later, someone said that they had seen her among the beggars in the county. At that time, she was already delirious.

Chu Zhongyuan’s parents, already struggling, found their burdens compounded with another mouth to feed. Their health declined, and they passed away over the years.

Chu Yanwen, left to fend for himself, eventually fell into bad company and met a tragic end at the hands of local thugs.

Yunfei School.

Next to the school stood a unique stationery shop run by a woman in her mid -twenties named Qiu Meiyun.

Left alone after the deaths of her husband and in-laws three years prior, she managed the shop by herself.

A maid emerged, handing Qiu Meiyun a lunchbox, “Madam, the soup is ready.” “I’ll be back soon. Watch the shop for me,” Qiu Meiyun said, leaving with the lunchbox. She entered Yunfei School through the back, heading straight for Yan Yixian’s quarters.

The school’s back entrance was loosely monitored, resembling a residential area. People often delivered things through the backdoor, but there was a door at the front from the back door. Outsiders were not allowed to step through this door.

When she reached the entrance of the courtyard, Qiu Meiyun stopped in her tracks and secretly encouraged herself. Then, she walked into the courtyard.

Yan Yixian was lying on the bed. The effects of the anesthetic were gradually fading. He did not dare to move at all.

He lived alone. Thinking that there was no one to take care of him after the surgery, he bought an honest young man to take care of his food and daily life during this period of time.

The youth was making tonic soup when he heard footsteps and came out to see, “Who are you?”

Startled, Qiu Meiyun asked, “And you are?”

” I was bought by the master to help out. Do you need something?” the youth replied timidly.

Glancing towards Yan Yixian’s room, Qiu Meiyun handed over the lunchbox, “I made this soup. Give it to your master.” She then hurriedly left.

The youth, carrying the lunchbox, relayed Qiu Meiyun’s visit to Yan Yixian.

Yan Yixian knew Qiu Meiyun as he often bought stationery supplies from her. It could be said that the two of them were very familiar with each other.

They were all people who had experienced relationships. This small action was enough for him to understand Qiu Meiyun’s thoughts.

“Give me a bowl of soup. I’m hungry.”

“Yes, Master.”

In the Chu Village.

With dinner still a while away, Chu Qingzhi headed to Chu Qingning’s room to

mix “softener,” “conditioner,” and “toughener.”

Chu Qingning assisted her.

Chu Xuyao knocked and entered, “Fourth sister, fifth sister.”

Chu Qingning turned around, “What brings you here?”

“I wanted to thank fifth sister,” Chu Xuyao looked at Chu Qingzhi with admiration and respect, “Fifth sister, thank you for treating Teacher Yan’s leg.”

Chu Qingzhi continued her work while talking, “Have you seen him?”

Chu Xuyao came closer, watching her mix the medicines, “Yes, I visited him.

He’s bedridden, says his leg hurts a bit and he’s scared to move.”

Chu Qingzhi reassured, “He needs to rest for a while, he’ll be fine.”

Chu Xuyao nodded, happily saying, “Fifth sister, once he recovers, he’ll start teaching us.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at him, “He doesn’t teach you?”

Chu Xuyao shook his head, “He only teaches advanced students. We’re not even considered formal students yet, but he promised me, once his leg heals, he will teach us.”

Chu Qingzhi was surprised at Yan Yixian’s prestige, “Then make sure you listen carefully. Is the student examination coming up?”

Chu Xuyao gestured three fingers, “In three days.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Are you confident?”

Chu Xuyao nodded firmly, “Yes, I’ll pass the student exam, then aim for the scholar exam. Once my brother and I become scholars, our family will be exempt from taxes.”

Avery practical goal. Chu Qingzhi asked further, “Where’s the exam held?”

Chu Xuyao’s eyes shone with hope, “There’s a special examination hall in the county office. That’s where everyone goes.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “I’ll take you and Xuyuan there.”

“Ok.”

Wu Yaqing entered Chu Qingzhi’s room, spreading a simple map she had drawn on the table, “Qingzhi, look, I’ve marked the vacant shops in the county city.” Chu Qingzhi examined the map, which highlighted ten locations, including central, mid, and peripheral areas of the county city.

“Which location do you prefer?”

Wu Yaqing pointed to a shop at a crossroads, “Here, it’s bustling. If we open our shop here, the business will surely thrive.”

Chu Qingzhi, however, was skeptical about Wu Yaqing’s chosen location. Despite its prime location in the heart of the county city, surrounded by luxury stores, a bookstore might not fare well among them.

She shared her thoughts in detail with Wu Yaqing.

When Wu Yaqing heard this, she thought about it carefully. Yes, she was most familiar with such streets, but she had never seen any bookstore on such streets.

“Qingzhi, where do you think would be suitable, then?”

Chu Qingzhi pointed to the map, “Here.”

She indicated a location near the back gate of Yunfei School, surrounded by food streets frequented by the school’s students for meals.