Chapter 114.1
Struggle in Ancient Times
The scholar party was held in a restaurant.
The decoration of this restaurant was very elegant, and there were singing and dancing inside.
Liao Tingyu came alone. The building was already bustling with people. It seemed that it was not too late. Liao Tingyu looked around before finding the right place to go.@@novelbin@@
There was a very serious caste contempt here.
Those in the capital looked down on those from other places, because their parentsâ official positions in the capital were different, and the scope of their activities was also different.
The children of high-ranking officials were chatting freely in the lounge on the second floor. Ordinary people were sitting on the first floor chatting with people who had some connections. They were talking about some policies that had been finalized by the Ministries and the Central Government. Liao Tingyu heard nothing new, it was mostly flattery.
But it was very normal. No one with no power would dare to complain in public.
He found students from the same county as him, listened to those people chatting, drank wine and enjoyed singing and dancing by himself, and said a few innocuous words when others asked him, and the time passed by in such a boring way.
Liao Tingyu felt that instead of wasting time here, it would be better to go home to spend time with Zilan and tease his little nephew.
Returning home with the smell of alcohol, Liao Tingyu felt warm in his heart when he saw that the lights were still on: âZilan, Iâm back. Iâm going to wash up first. Why donât you go to bed first!â
âIâm waiting for you. How much wine did you drink?â Huang Zilan smelled the alcohol all over his body and slapped his nose in discomfort. The smell was too strong.
âI listened to those people chatting. Itâs very boring. Iâm just looking at the scene. Wait for me. Donât get out of bed and be careful of catching a cold.â
âWell, Iâll wait for you in bed. Go wash up quickly. Hot water is ready for you.â Huang Zilan nodded while nestling under the quilt. He would take care of himself and would not cause trouble to Liao Tingyu.
âOkay.â
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The two of them hugged each other while sleeping on the bed, âHow were you today? I feel like you are not energetic when you come back.â
âThere is nothing to say. I think my senior brother asked me to make people look at my face, so as not to be confused when I go out later. Those people are going to go on the flower boat together. I missed you so I came back first.â
Liao Tingyu touched Huang Zilanâs head and said, âGo to sleep, donât think so much, letâs live our lives in a good way.â
âOkay.â
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It was only two before the Jinshi exam, and the weather was getting colder, especially when it rained. It was really cold at night without a charcoal fire.
But this charcoal fire costed a lot of money, and large wood was not allowed to be bought and sold, some firewood couldnât be burned for a whole night.
In the past month, money could only go out, and Mother Deng became a little anxious. She thought about it for a long time before letting Liao Shi start the tofu skin business.
He went out early and came back late every day to sell tofu skin on the side streets, and the business was pretty good.
In fact, Liao Tingyu could get two taels from the government every month, which was enough for his family to live on.
Seeing how hard his eldest brother was working, Liao Tingyu secretly advised Liao Shi: âI think our family is not short of money now, so there is no need to work so hard.â
âItâs okay, you can go about your business!â Liao Shi shook his head, âIâve always been so idle here. Itâs not a big deal, I just want to find something to do. Mother has made some delicious cakes. Go and eat them!â
âAm I a pig? I eat it after sleeping all day. Tell me the truth! Brother, you are literate. There is no need to do all this hard work. If you donât know how to use a brush, just use this time to practice. Donât waste it.â Liao Tingyu saw that out of a hundred people in his village, only two or three could read.
âWhy not put it to good use if you have such ability?â
âThis is not what you think, little brother, I know you are thinking about me, but I really donât like to use brushes. Besides, what others want is someone who looks elegant, so why do you want me, a strong man, to pretend as a scholar! Anyone who looks like me is called a reckless man.â Liao Shi said with a smile.
âButâ¦â Liao Tingyu wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Liao Shi.
âI think Iâm very good now. Apart from recognizing a few words you taught me; I only have this skill. You think this skill is hard work, but in my opinion, this thing can make a living and can be used as a family heirloom, and although this craft is a bit tiring, it is much better than farming.â Liao Shi remembered that before he got married, he had gone to the town to apply for a job.
Within a month, he visited all the places in the town that wanted to hire people, but he always got rejections.
He was stupid and didnât know how to flatter, and he always offends others unknowingly and ignores them, coupled with his big size.
The boss always distrustful. He would rather choose someone smaller than himself.
âBrother, you really have the true legacy of mother. You are so determined. Why didnât I notice it before?â Liao Tingyu looked at the honest eldest brother in front of him with a firm look on his face.
He knew that he couldnât think from other peopleâs perspective, so he simply said nothing.
Everyone thought and experienced things differently. There was no way to truly understand them. Even if they were brothers, it was better to just let nature took its course.
âIâm going back to eat. You can come back early in the afternoon. Next time you go out to the stall, please bring Xiao Qiu with you so that he can earn some pocket money.â
âOkay, this is fine. He sees that I have been doing it for so long. I guess he learned enough. This guy is pretty good. He deserves to help.â
âIt was me who picked him after all.â Liao Tingyu selectively forgot that Xiao Qiu was introduced.