Chapter 956: Calculating Scholar 11

Ye Qingtong nodded as if nothing was amiss and said to Aunt Zhou, “Really? Then it seems this girl is quite popular.” After speaking, he glanced at the setting sun and added, “It’s getting late. Aunt Zhou, you should head home for dinner. I’ll be going too.”

“Alright, take care on your way,” Aunt Zhou replied.

“Mm, I’m off then.” With that, Ye Qingtong led the buffalo away.

The next day, not long after Tang Wan got up, she heard a knock at the door.

“Wan Wan, are you up yet?” Li Fuze’s voice came from outside. He was holding fresh fruits in his hands, his clothes still damp with morning dew, as if he had just come back from working in the fields.

Now that Li Fuze had passed the examination and become a xiucai, he was considered a respectable figure in Tangjia Village. Yet, for the sake of maintaining his good reputation, he still made a show of helping his family with farm work, presenting himself as a dutiful and filial son.

In reality, however, having done plenty of farm work in his previous life, he despised it. Though he appeared to work alongside his family, he barely lifted a finger. The Li family, having finally gained a son after so many daughters, couldn’t bear to let him toil, so they often sent him back shortly after he arrived at the fields.

Even so, Li Fuze was skilled at maintaining appearances. Every time he returned, he made sure to look as though he had worked hard. To outsiders, it seemed as though he was diligently helping his family.

Hearing his voice, Tang Wan narrowed her eyes slightly, then slowly moved toward the door while absentmindedly stroking the dog’s fur. “Brother Afu, wait a moment. My feet aren’t very convenient—I’ll open the door right away.”

It took her nearly a full minute to reach the door and lift the latch. When she finally opened it, she said apologetically, “Brother Afu, sorry to keep you waiting.”

She did not miss the fleeting trace of impatience that crossed Li Fuze’s face just before the door opened. But the moment he saw her, he immediately smoothed his expression, replacing it with one of gentle concern.

“It’s alright, I haven’t been waiting long,” he said softly. “How are your feet? Do they still hurt? I brought some ointment—shall I help you apply it?”

This was precisely where Li Fuze excelled. When he pursued a woman, he didn’t rely on sweet words alone—his actions matched his words.

Under such circumstances, most women would quickly come to see him as gentle, attentive, and considerate, and their feelings for him would deepen rapidly. If he encountered someone more strong-willed, he would instead reveal a firm, commanding side, making them feel conquered.

One of the heroines—the princess—had been drawn to him for this very reason. Unlike the men who merely flattered her, Li Fuze seemed different, and she took notice of him.

As for the original Tang Wan, she had lost her parents at a young age and was sensitive by nature. So in front of her, Li Fuze had always maintained a calm, tolerant, and gentle demeanor, giving her a strong sense of security and making her trust him completely.

Looking at the fruits and ointment in his hands, Tang Wan shook her head slightly. “Thank you, Brother Afu, but I’ve already treated my feet. I just need to rest for a couple of days.”

“Really? Let me take a look to be sure,” Li Fuze said, his tone still full of concern.