âAfter you done, come to the teacherâs room and discuss the exam situation.â
âYes, teacher.â
This was the benefit of having a teacher; even for the rich students, the school wonât let them went home. Because as soon as you done resting and washed up, the teacher would call you to ask about the exam and calculated the result based on their answers.
Basically, the teacherâs calculation never went wrong, which was something not many people could afford. This meeting was good opportunity for students to expand their knowledge and friendship with each other.
Once the exam result was out, some people would leave their hometown to study abroad. Some would stay in the school and continued their study to find other opportunity. The time they spent together was getting shorter and shorter. They were classmates for ten years but they had their own dreams. Every township examination was a farewell event for the students.
An hour later, more than a dozen students was sitting in a small private room. Huang Hao quietly took a bit of a fruit and the teacher glared at him.
âNow, tell me what was the examâs question about?â
âThe main question was about the strategy to control the flood for the first half a year.â Zhang Yue was the first to answer.
âThen let discuss how you answered the question. Letâs talk about your thoughts.â
âTeacher, we discussed this question before and we selected some answers according to everyone opinions. Presumably, our answers all have the same direction.â
âYes.â A student echoed, âAlthough it was simple question. But it was hard for us to expand our answers.â
.
.
The discussion in the private room was in full swing and quarrels arouse when there were different opinions.
Liao Tingyu lived in the inn for half a month. During this period of time, he wanted to go back but mother Deng and Liao Ming personally ran over to bring him money and clothes.
âSon, why donât you tell mother anything?â mother Deng said with tears in her eyes.
At first, they didnât plan to come, they were busy taking care the fields. But the village chiefâs son came back and asked them how much the entrance exam fee. Only then, they knew there was fee to pay.
Mother Deng thought about her youngest son left without taking anything, he even put the money given by villagers in a box. Before they came here, she was worried her son would live in the street. So, they rushed over quickly, but it seemed he was fine and a bit fatter.
She was relieved to see he was doing well but mother Deng still complained to her son,
âHow could you be like this? If you need money for the exam then you tell us. Your father and mother didnât know anything, it was that Lin-shizi (child/son) who told us. I just knew there was money to pay.â She looked at her reliable and mature son, mother Deng felt distressed.
âI was wrong, mother. I didnât want you to worry about it and I have money on me.â Liao Tingyu saw mother Dengâs watery eyes and quickly admitted his mistake.
âItâs good if you know it. When your mother heard about the fee, she was worried you didnât have enough money. She couldnât sleep well.â Liao Ming said,
âEr-ye, you have been persistent and smart since you were a child. But you can also rely to your family, donât worry about us. Even if we couldnât help much but we could share the burden.â
âIt was because I didnât think much about this matter and made both of you worry.â Liao Tingyu accepted his fatherâs scolding modestly. He didnât mean anything at all, he just didnât want to trouble his family.
The key was mother Dengâs temper who loved money like it was her life. If she knew there was a fee to enter, she would give him more money and the life at home wouldnât be easy. Liao Tingyu was moved by them driving all the way here. But he wouldnât accept the money mother Deng gave him, it was fine if he didnât have it but he actually still had it.
âFather, mother, you should take the money back. I still have some money.â Liao Tingyu put the money back into mother Dengâs hands.
âAlright, then we will go back first. You take care of yourself.â Liao Ming looked at Liao Tingyu calm expression, he knew there was nothing he could do.
To be honest, he was a little confused with his youngest. He was very filial and understood the family condition, he also often helped them. But there was a feeling like this son was a stranger separated by a river. Liao Ming didnât know when, but this son never intimated with them anymore. He couldnât see what was in the youngest mind.
Mother Deng also felt this way, she felt that er-ye was getting farther away from them. The relationship wasnât as close as back then. Since when did it change? The two of them asked in their hearts. Er-ye was so unfamiliar but good to them.
Note
Okayyy everyone, here a new update. Thanks for reading and the comments, for real I appreciate your comments. I love you all. Sorry I didnât reply, um I upload this using phone. Itâs a bit hectic.
Um wait, everyone knew that yamen means police, right? I didnât explain that lol, forgot.