am-books Chapter 145
Chapter 145
Xu Wan recalled the last time the little troublemaker had stormed off from the soccer field, so broke that he couldn’t even afford a bowl of pear juice. At the time, even she had considered giving him some money, but when he returned, he never mentioned needing any.
The little troublemaker seemed to live a carefree life of indulgence, but once he settled into a certain lifestyle, he rarely changed it.
She tilted her head and instructed Cui Liu, “Go and find out where they went, who they met, and what they did.”
“Yes,” Cui Liu replied.
After Cui Liu left, Xu Wan’s drowsiness completely vanished.
She began to wonder what the little troublemaker was up to, but without any concrete clues, she couldn’t figure it out. She decided to go discuss the upcoming etiquette lessons with Baili Weihong, which were set to begin the next day.
Meanwhile.
The two brothers headed straight for the slums as soon as they left the house.
Since Zong Wenxiu had said he didn’t want to use money to buy a house, the little troublemaker had given up on asking Xu Wan for the thousand taels of silver. Instead, they now wanted to find the boy who had once begged for coarse rice porridge.
By their calculations, the boy should be around sixteen years old now.
Zong Wenxiu thought it would be difficult to find him, but since his younger brother insisted on searching and wanted to help the boy, he had no choice but to follow along.
The slums were as dark, damp, and filthy as ever, just as they had been for years. The place where the boy had once lived was now a pile of ruins. Zong Wenxiu asked an elderly woman nearby if she knew where the boy had gone.
The old woman’s voice was distant and weary, “Gone mad, left, died... long gone, impossible to find now.”
......
When the little troublemaker returned home, his mood was still heavy. He asked, “Brother, I remember Jingzhe once said that people in the slums rarely live to adulthood. Is it really that harsh?”
Zong Wenxiu was silent for a moment before replying, “Yes, very few make it. Thinking about it, it’s not surprising that the boy didn’t survive.”
“Not surprising?” Zong Jincheng frowned.
What seemed so simple for people outside was so difficult for those in the slums. How could that be?
The little troublemaker asked in confusion, “Why doesn’t the court help those people?”
The books said that officials, who enjoyed the emperor’s favor, should relieve the emperor’s worries and serve the people.
Yet, right under the emperor’s nose, tragedies unfolded daily in the slums. Why was no one stepping forward to help them?
Zong Wenxiu said, “Perhaps no one has noticed them, or maybe there are too many to help, or perhaps no officials are willing to step up.”
Zong Jincheng tilted his head and thought for a moment before declaring, “Then when we become officials, we’ll help them.”
If no one else was doing it, they would.
In front of her, it was as if he were completely exposed, with every action and thought laid bare. It was utterly unreasonable!
“Hmph!”
The little troublemaker let out a loud snort and buried his face in his food, refusing to engage with her any further.
Just you wait, Xu Wan.
Once I eat a lot, grow tall and strong, study hard, and become even more capable...
Then it’ll be my turn to leave you speechless and hopping mad!
Xu Wan rolled her eyes at his fiery expression and muttered, “Little fool.”
When he heard her, he shot her another fierce glare.
Xu Wan: “...”
His ears were really sharp.
The next morning, the tutors returned to work, rejuvenated by the promise of high salaries and ready to face the next phase of challenges.
Xu Wan introduced the newly appointed etiquette tutor, Baili Weihong, to everyone. The little troublemaker led the applause, clearly showing his approval.
As the most challenging student in the advanced class, his endorsement would make the new tutor’s life much easier. The three private tutors quickly joined in the applause, casting envious glances her way.
Baili Xi smiled and nodded at her, stepping aside to let her take the podium.
“Good morning, students. I am Baili Weihong, your new etiquette tutor. From now on, I will be teaching you the fundamentals of proper etiquette.”
As soon as Baili Weihong finished speaking, the little troublemaker started clapping enthusiastically again.
Zong Wenxiu couldn’t help but laugh, nudging his brother’s shoulder as he clapped along, “Alright, alright, tone it down a bit.”
The little troublemaker replied, “I’m just showing my support for Auntie Weihong.”
Zong Wenxiu sighed, “Fine, keep supporting her then.”
The little troublemaker happily continued clapping.
“Even knocking on a door has its etiquette. When you knock, you should tap once, pause, and then tap twice in quick succession. This shows respect and gives the person inside time to prepare themselves,” Baili Weihong added, “Never bang on the door repeatedly, as it can startle people.”
Zong Wenxiu nodded in understanding, and the little troublemaker nodded vigorously as well.
Though it seemed like Auntie Weihong’s example was directed at him...
But it was probably just a coincidence, right?