The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 703 - 702

Chapter 703: 702

Wang Yongzhu was pushed into the room by Old Granny Zhang to rest, and she was told not to come out.

Only after seeing Old Granny Zhang bustling off to the kitchen did Wang Yongzhu reveal an indescribable smile.

The ways of the world are truly unpredictable; initially, Old Granny Zhang looked down on Song Chongjin, disdainful and skeptical, yet in less than a year’s time, Old Granny Zhang began coaxing her on behalf of Song Chongjin.

Did Scholar Gu think he could hide his shyness or gynophobia from her?

Having lived in an age of information overload, who hadn’t read a couple of overbearing CEO romance novels? Who hadn’t flipped through a few adult comics? Who hadn’t heard a few risqué jokes?

At the very least, she had followed various dramas, had been pursued by others before, and one could always tell whether someone harbored affection for them, as long as they weren’t feigning ignorance.

Not to boast, but she was, after all, a delicate beauty now, and attracting the opposite sex was only natural, wasn’t it?

Who would have thought that Song Chongjin would turn out to be such a scheming BOY, his jealousy manifesting in such a unique way.

He casually dismissed Scholar Gu’s budding feelings of attraction and shyness as gynophobia.

If she truly believed that, wouldn’t she end up keeping her distance from Scholar Gu from now on?

Thinking about this, Wang Yongzhu felt both amused and annoyed, shaking her head with the air of a domineering CEO. What could she do about her own man?

She would indulge him, of course! She couldn’t possibly hurt his feelings for the sake of an irrelevant outsider, right?

In that short time, Song Chongjin had already returned with steaming hot sesame flatbreads and other snacks, glancing at the closed door before entering the kitchen, his hand touching his nose.

Seeing Old Granny Zhang busy at the stove, Song Chongjin wisely set down the food and dutifully went to add wood to the fire.

The flames danced, and the kitchen was quite warm; the pot of assorted mushroom soup began to boil, filling the space with a savory aroma that enveloped the room with a homey feel.

In this homely atmosphere, Song Chongjin’s usually tense body relaxed, and his usually sharp features softened considerably.

Watching Song Chongjin, a grown man, obediently sitting on a small stool in front of the stove, feeding firewood into the flames...

...made Old Granny Zhang’s slight feelings of discomfort dissipate.

After some thought, she decided to speak up, "What’s the deal with that Scholar Gu?"

Song Chongjin confessed honestly, "That Scholar Gu’s name is Gu Zikai; he’s from the Capital City and his family likely holds some status. He came to study at Changqing Academy because his mentor is retiring to his hometown. Moreover, his ancestral home is in Qingzhou Prefecture, so he came with him and will also take the provincial examinations in Qingzhou Prefecture this year."

Old Granny Zhang, disappointed in his lack of ambition, glared at him, "Look at what little success you have achieved. Don’t you know Yongzhu? If she took interest in Scholar Gu, that little chick-like youngster, what would it have to do with you? I know my own daughter; if you treat her well, she will reciprocate. If you harbor any fickle intentions, it won’t just be Yongzhu—Old Granny here will be the first to deal with you!"

Song Chongjin’s eyelid twitched, and he hastily stood up respectfully, "Mother, rest assured, my heart for Yongzhu is witnessed by heaven and earth! In this lifetime, I am committed to Yongzhu and will never let go! If she lives, I live; if she dies, I die!"

Old Granny Zhang raised her spatula threateningly, seeming ready to smack Song Chongjin, "Ptui! Ptui! Ptui! What nonsense are you spouting? All this talk of life and death – if you have the energy to drone on about bewitching soups, better save it for Yongzhu! Off you go, off you go, what’s a grown man doing in the kitchen? If you’ve got time, go read a few more pages of that book, or go and have a chat with Yongzhu—"

Song Chongjin knew he’d passed his mother-in-law’s test and hurriedly replied, "Got it! I’m off to chat with Yongzhu right now! Just call me when dinner’s ready, and I’ll come carry it out. Thanks for all your hard work, mom!"

He was ushered out of the kitchen with a fan of Old Granny Zhang’s hand.

Touching his nose, Song Chongjin swallowed, cautiously opened the door, and found Wang Yongzhu sitting on the heated brick bed, searching for something.

Song Chongjin moved closer and wrapped his arms around Wang Yongzhu from behind, asking, "What are you looking for?"

Wang Yongzhu turned around, giving Song Chongjin a look that was both smiling and not, which made Song Chongjin’s heart flutter nervously, "Why... why are you looking at me like that?"

Wang Yongzhu turned back with a beaming smile, "I’m just looking at my ’Official,’ who’s particularly adorable today, with an aura that feels eight feet tall!"

Though Song Chongjin didn’t understand what ’particularly adorable’ or ’eight feet tall’ meant, he was smart enough to sense that those phrases probably weren’t complimentary.

Looking at Wang Yongzhu’s smile again, he felt his calves cramping up inexplicably.

"Um... Yongzhu... I..." Song Chongjin, after an intense inner struggle, ventured to speak.

"Dinner’s ready—" Before he could finish, Old Granny Zhang’s voice rang out from outside.

Song Chongjin let out a sigh of relief and dashed out as if he were fleeing, "I’m going to help mom—"

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but burst into giggles, Song Chongjin’s demeanor just now was really quite timid.

Well, in light of how eager to please he was, she decided not to tease him anymore.

True to her word, Wang Yongzhu reverted to her usual self at dinner, which finally allowed Song Chongjin to relax.

They had only just started discussing the Academy when he explained that the procedures had all been settled; he would attend classes every morning, have lunch at school, and could also have his meals delivered, returning home in the evening. There would be a day off every ten days and a monthly assessment. New students would be given a three-month adjustment period, after which, if they still couldn’t pass the assessment, they would be encouraged to withdraw.

The monthly tuition fee was ten taels of silver, and other expenses for stationery and books were extra.

No sooner had Song Chongjin finished speaking than Old Granny Zhang clicked her tongue in wonder, "My goodness, they charge so much money, that Academy must be making a fortune. Ten taels a month per student, which must come to at least one hundred taels in a year. With at least a few hundred students at the Academy, no wonder there are not many other kinds of shops in this county town, but lots of Academies – it’s all about the money!"

"Then there are the pens, ink, paper, and books – I’ve heard they cost quite a lot too. That whole street is mostly either selling stationery or books every few shops, they must be raking it in too. Zhuzhu, what did you think of that shop today? If not good, how about we sell pens, ink, and paper too?"

Wang Yongzhu pondered for a moment, and before she could respond, Song Chongjin eagerly agreed, "Mom’s absolutely right. If our family opened a pen, ink stone and ink slab shop, my expenses would be reduced, and once I’m familiar with the Academy, I could even recommend others to our shop, offering them a slight discount. I think the business could do well."

Upon hearing this, Old Granny Zhang, pleased that her son-in-law endorsed her casual suggestion so earnestly, immediately served Song Chongjin a pancake, saying fondly, "Eat it while it’s hot. This mushroom soup I’ve cooked for a while today is the best tonic."