Chapter 958: Calculating Scholar 13

Li Fuze hadn’t expected that Tang Wan—who had always encouraged him to study diligently—would say something like this now.

Of course, he knew very well that his parents were getting older, and it wasn’t easy for them to continue supporting his studies. If it had been easy, would he have needed to set his sights on her?

Taking a quiet breath, Li Fuze suppressed his irritation and instead put on a disappointed expression. “You’re right. I’ve been unfilial—letting my parents worry about me at their age and still asking them to support my studies.”

But as soon as he finished speaking, he saw Tang Wan nodding earnestly, her face full of agreement.

“Brother Afu, it’s good that you realize your mistake,” she said sincerely. “Auntie works from dawn till dusk just to earn a bit of money—it’s really not easy. I feel distressed just watching her. I even told her not to tire herself out so much, but she said you need a lot of money for your studies. If you stop now, it’ll actually be a good thing for Uncle and Auntie.”

Li Fuze fell silent.

What kind of response was this?

Why wasn’t she following the script at all?

Seeing the stiffness in his expression, Tang Wan felt extremely pleased.

Go on, keep acting. If I fall for it, I lose.

Since Tang Wan showed no intention of helping him raise money—and didn’t even support him continuing his studies—Li Fuze had no choice but to temporarily abandon his original plan.

He forced a nod. “I understand. I’ll think about it when I get back. These are some fruits I picked for you—they’re quite sweet. You should try them.”

With that, he handed them over, no longer in the mood to linger.

Tang Wan didn’t refuse. After taking the fruit, she smiled politely. “Thank you, Brother Afu. You should head back now.”

“Mm.” Li Fuze nodded, then turned and walked away, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.

As soon as he left, Tang Wan let out a cold snort, turned around, and casually tossed the fruit aside.

Who would care about something he brought?

Meanwhile, Ye Qingtong had spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to get Tang Wan out of his mind. Early the next morning, he picked up his bow and quiver, preparing to head into the mountains again.

Seeing this, his mother immediately asked, “Qingtong, didn’t you just go up the mountain yesterday? Why are you going again today?”

“Mother, I forgot to check one of the traps I set. If someone steps on it, that would be bad. I’ll go take a look,” Ye Qingtong replied, making up an excuse.

“Alright then, be careful on the road.”

“I know.”

With that, he quickly headed toward Red Mountain.

When he reached the area where he had met Tang Wan the previous day, he soon found the large rock. From there, he walked down the slope where he had kicked away her shoe.

Half an hour later, at the base of a large tree, he spotted the embroidered shoe, damp with morning dew.

His eyes lit up instantly.

He hurried over, picked it up as if it were a treasure, and tucked it carefully into his chest.

If I can’t hold her for now… holding her shoe isn’t bad either.

When Ye Qingtong returned home, he found a matchmaker from a neighboring village sitting inside, while his mother looked at her with clear delight.

The moment she saw him, the matchmaker’s eyes brightened. “Is this your son? What a tall and sturdy young man! No wonder the tofu beauty asked me to come propose on her behalf.”

Hearing this, the smile on Ye Qingtong’s mother’s face grew even wider.

He was already seventeen and still refused to marry—she hadn’t slept well for days because of it. She also knew the tofu seller from town. While the girl wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, she was hardworking and capable.

And her son, Qingtong, was steady and reliable by nature. If the two of them got married, their life together would surely be a good one.