Chapter 113: I Will Not Continue My Studies

“Third Brother, what’s wrong?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to discuss something with the family these past few days. It’s just that, well…” Lin Beitao stammered, unable to get to the point.

Lin Sangqian asked with a laugh and a sigh, “What is it, really? What could you possibly not tell the family?”

At that moment, Lin Hongda, Liao Shuxia, and Lin Wenyan also came over.

“Second Brother, what is Third Brother trying to say?” Lin Sangqian asked again.

Lin Yanbei rubbed the bridge of his nose and said, “Better let Beitao tell you himself.”

Lin Beitao drew a deep breath and said, “Father, Mother, Little Sister, Big Brother, I’ve decided. I’m not going to keep studying. I’m coming home to help Little Sister.”

“What did you say?” Liao Shuxia looked rather surprised. “You’ve been studying just fine. Why would you suddenly stop?”

“Are you worried about the family? Things are different now,” Lin Hongda said. “We’re much better off than we used to be. Paying for the two of you to study is no problem at all.”

Lin Wenyan frowned. “Could it be that someone at the academy has been picking on you?”

“No, it’s not that.” Lin Beitao shook his head. “I just feel that I really’m not cut out for books.”

Lin Sangqian had been watching him all along, and she could tell he was not lying.

“Every time I open a book, I get sleepy. The teacher has said it many times,” Lin Beitao said awkwardly. “When I first went to school, I only wanted to learn to recognize a few characters. I know quite a few now, and I really don’t think there’s any need for me to keep going. I’d rather come home and help Little Sister with the business.”

He did seem to have quite an interest in business.

“In that case, let’s respect Third Brother’s decision,” Lin Sangqian said.

No one else objected. Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia had always been fairly open-minded parents.

As for Lin Wenyan, if Lin Beitao came home to help out, he would have more time to practice martial arts.

His skills were getting better and better, and that way he could protect the family more effectively.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Lin Beitao said excitedly. “Then tonight I’ll tell the teacher, pack up my things, and head home tomorrow. I’ll go with Little Sister to the shop.”

“Then from now on, Old Second will be the only one left at the academy,” Liao Shuxia said, patting his head. “Take good care of yourself.”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” Lin Yanbei said.

Right now, he was the only one who had not been able to help support the household.

So he would certainly study hard, earn honors in the future, and never let down the family’s hopes and sacrifices.

After the brothers left, Zhao Lan’er returned from the tavern.

The tavern was now her property, so of course she had to go and check on it every few days.

“Back already?” Lin Sangqian handed her a glass of chilled milk tea. “How’s the tavern doing?”

“Pretty well. Those workers are all quite reliable,” Zhao Lan’er said with a smile. “I feel like I barely need to go over there at all. I can just sit and wait for the money to come in every month.”

“Then you’re already a little rich lady,” Lin Sangqian teased, leaning close with a wicked grin. “How about raising me? I can warm your bed every night~”

“Sure.” Zhao Lan’er lifted her chin. “Little wife, from now on, you’re mine.”

The two of them laughed and tussled together. Lin Wenyan stood by and watched, and even he could not help smiling.

...

The next morning, on his way to the Yu residence, Lin Hongda ran into someone from Twin-Good Village.

From that person, he learned that Madam Lin Zhang had passed away a few days earlier.

Although many people in the village disliked her, under the village head’s leadership they still used the little savings she had left to arrange a simple funeral for her.

After hearing this, Lin Hongda was silent for a long while before saying, “You’ve worked hard.”

After all, in name he was still Lin Zhang’s “son,” so it was only right to offer a word of thanks.

“What’s there to work hard about? And this doesn’t count as you owing us anything,” the villager said. “She was always bad to you. We all saw it... Never mind. Since she’s gone now, there’s no point bringing up the past.”

“Mhm.” Lin Hongda patted his shoulder. “My daughter opened a shop in town. It’s called Crunchy Chicken. If you ever have time, stop by and let her treat you to fried chicken and milk tea.”

“Really? I’d already heard your daughter opened a shop in town. She’s quite something, isn’t she? Nothing like my girl—she only knows how to eat all day!” Though the villager was complaining, the smile on his face showed how fond he was of his daughter.

They chatted a while longer before parting ways.

Just as Lin Hongda arrived at the Yu residence, he heard Steward Yuan say that Yu Jingxiao wanted to see him.

“Guard Lin, you’re here.” Yu Jingxiao saw him and immediately invited him to sit, then had someone pour him tea.

“Sir, is something wrong?” Lin Hongda asked.

“It’s like this: tomorrow I’m going on a long trip to discuss a major deal in another place, so I wanted to let you know. You can also go home today to make your preparations and pack your luggage,” Yu Jingxiao said with a smile.

“All right, I understand.” Lin Hongda nodded.

He was Yu Jingxiao’s personal guard, and traveling far was when danger most often arose, so naturally he had to go along.

Besides, he had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Otherwise, taking so many taels of silver from someone every month would weigh on his conscience.

Still, he really did not want to leave his wife and children.

“Sir, about how long will you be gone this time?”

“At most, no more than a month,” Yu Jingxiao said.

“Understood.”

“Also, tell Miss Lin that if anything happens, she can come to the Yu residence to find Zicheng,” Yu Jingxiao said. “He’ll be staying here until I return. If anything comes up, just go to him.”

Guan Yanqing?

Go to him? Hmph...

For some reason, Lin Hongda felt a sudden twinge of displeasure, though he still nodded. “I understand.”

After all, Yu Jingxiao meant well.

“Then you needn’t remain in the residence today. Go home first and rest well.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Lin Hongda left, Yu Jingxiao found himself idle and decided to go look for Guan Yanqing for a game of chess.

Just as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw Kang Ya approaching with a maid carrying a box of pastries.

His expression immediately turned cold. Facing Kang Ya, he gave the proper salute of a younger junior. “Madam.”

Kang Ya said, “Jingxiao, I made some pastries and wanted to bring them over for you to try.”

“Mm, thank you for your trouble, Madam,” Yu Jingxiao said. “Just put them in my room.”

With that, he prepared to leave.

“Where are you going?” Kang Ya hurriedly asked.

“To find Young Master Guan, of course,” Yu Jingxiao said flatly. “Does Madam need anything else?”

“I heard you’re leaving on a long journey tomorrow...”

“Yes.”

“When will you be back?”

“That is none of Madam’s concern,” Yu Jingxiao said. “Please rest assured. While I’m away, if you need anything, you may speak to Steward Yuan. You will always be the madam of the Yu residence. That was the last request my father made before his death, and I will keep it firmly in mind.”

With that, he swept his sleeves aside and left, ignoring Kang Ya’s pale face.