Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ning Dalang combed his hair very gently. âThe academyâs exam is about the accumulation over the years. I donât expect a mere 10 days to change anything. Recently, Iâve only been revising and consolidating my reading. Thereâs no need to stay in the house all the time. Thereâs no need to read those books day and night.â
Initially, he had even fewer books. It was Ah Yan, who was next door, who was kind enough to lend him some. These few days, he had been reading and copying at the same time. Not only did it save the money to buy books, but it also consolidated his knowledge. If he encountered anything he did not know, he would chat with All Yan during dinner and basically understand it clearly.
âI wonder how powerful a teacher Ah Yanâs family hired. Heâs clearly a few months younger than me, but his knowledge is far beyond my reach.â
He was convinced when he said this and did not sound forced at all. Instead, he flicked Xiaoxiaoâs head. âWhy are you looking at me like that?â
Xiaoxiao rested her chin on her hand. âIâm thinking that the people in the world who can admit their shortcomings as honestly as Brother are really amazing.â
Ning Dalang smiled and tied her hair behind her head. He tidied it up into a comfortable and convenient for sleeping style. âYouâre so sweet. Are you worried that Brother will blame you for buying so many things?â
Xiaoxiao stuck out her tongue playfully. âAiya, Second Brother has already come to complain?â
No matter if the family split up or not, her parents would always have endless things to do. Hence, Xiaoxiao could be said to have been raised by her eldest brother. She could make jokes in front of her parents to divert their attention, but she was mostly quite obedient and honest when facing her eldest brother. She thought that she would have to suffer a scolding quietly, but what her eldest brother said was
âBuy whatever you want. Donât worry about anything.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Big Brother said, âYou worked hard to earn money to begin with. Be it Big Brother or Father or Mother, they wonât say anything about you. Your Second Brother only feels sorry on the surface. In fact, he always says that he wants to buy you new clothes.â
Xiaoxiao smiled until her eyes curved. She reached out to hug her brotherâs waist. âBrother is so good. Father, Mother, Second Brother are also so good. Iâm so lucky.â
Ning Dalang pressed her little head against his. âWeâre so lucky⦠but Xiaoxiao has grown up. You canât let men get close to you easily, understand? Not even Brother.â
Xiaoxiao pouted and reluctantly retracted her arms.
âWhatâs wrong with hugging Brother? No matter how old I am, Iâm still Brotherâs sister.â
Big Brother smiled and didnât say anything. He carried the water out and poured it away for her. Xiaoxiao blushed. âSince Big Brother said that Iâve grown up, why did you do such a thing for me? I can do it myself.â
Ning Dalang carried the wooden basin with one hand and closed the door with the other. His smiling voice came from outside the door. âItâs different.â
1 let you keep a distance from men to protect you. Iâm the one whoâs willing to help you do this.
After much consideration, in order not to let her family worry, Xiaoxiao decided to hide the conflict she had with that person during the day. Anyway, she would not have the chance to meet that person again. After putting on her coat, she ran to her motherâs room and admired the screen embroidery that had just been completed.
Madam Song was a little nervous. âI wonder if Shopkeeper Liu will be satisfied.â
Xiaoxiao reached out to touch it in satisfaction. âMother, donât worry. Itâs exactly what she wants.â
With a bang, Madam Song slapped her hand away. âDonât dirty it!â
{So love will go away, will it?}
On the second day of the month, in order to avoid the white-robed young master who caused trouble, Xiaoxiao did not go to the county with Second Brother. Madam Song had personally sent the screen embroidery. This way, if there was anything that needed to be modified, it could be adjusted in time.
Xiaoxiao told her father about the bamboo basket she would use tomorrow. After Ning Fengnian understood, she wanted to run out again. Just as she pushed open the door, she saw Rong Yan raising his hand to knock on the door..