Chapter 8: Copying Books

After revealing Wang Qiang's matter, Zhou Qing was in a good mood while cooking.

As for how others felt, she didn't know.

While she was chopping vegetables, Zhou Ping came in.

He pulled up a small stool and sat in front of the stove. "Sis, I'll stoke the fire."

With a fire shovel in hand, he stuck out his butt and peeked at the door to make sure no one was there. Then he tugged at Zhou Qing's pants.

"Sis, did I do well today?"

Zhou Qing...

She looked down at Zhou Ping as she chopped vegetables. Seeing his eager face waiting for praise, Zhou Qing smiled, "You did well."

Zhou Ping then asked, "Sis, could you ask second uncle to teach me how to write too?"

Fearing Zhou Qing might refuse, Zhou Ping continued, lifting his head.

"Sis, don't worry. I won’t use the paper you bought for second uncle. I’ll just use a stick to write on the ground. I won't take up much of his time. Just a few characters a day is enough.

When I become knowledgeable, I can help you if anyone bullies you in the future.

And when you and sis get married, people will look up to you more because your brother is knowledgeable."

Zhou Ping's eyes sparkled like black obsidian.

After laying out his reasoning, he tugged at Zhou Qing's pants and begged.

"Sis, please, you're the best, the kindest, the most beautiful, and the nicest big sister."

Zhou Qing couldn't help but pinch his cheek.

This little guy had helped her with an ulterior motive.

He was quite clever.

Zhou Qing had no objections to Zhou Ping wanting to learn, especially since the second and third branches of the family got along well.

"Do your parents agree?"

Zhou Ping grinned, showing his teeth. "Of course, who wouldn't want their son to be literate?"

"And what about Grandpa and Grandma?"

Zhou Ping laughed, "They didn't even agree with second uncle studying."

Zhou Qing...

Fine!

He had thought of everything before coming.

"Alright, I'll talk to my father."

Zhou Ping was so happy he almost jumped up. "I knew you were the best, Sis. Don't worry, if your future husband bullies you, I'll make sure to beat him up."

Zhou Qing...

Zhou Yao came in with a handful of wild vegetables and glared at Zhou Ping. "Always causing trouble, who are you going to beat? Be careful not to get beaten yourself."

She placed the wild vegetables next to Zhou Qing on the cutting board.

"They're already washed, Sis. Let's make soup."

"Okay."

As Zhou Ping stoked the fire, he suddenly thought of something and looked up at Zhou Qing and Zhou Yao.

"Big Sis, Second Sis, don't they say that women like bad boys? Why doesn't anyone like Wang Qiang? Isn't he bad enough?"

Zhou Yao slapped him on the head.

"You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting all day? Who told you that?"

Zhou Ping said aggrievedly, "The older boys in the village said so."

Zhou Qing laughed, "Maybe some people like bad boys, but no one likes a rotten man. Zhou Ping, you mustn't become rotten."

Zhou Ping rolled his eyes, not sure if he understood, but he focused on stoking the fire quietly.

Zhou Yao sighed irritably, "You need a good beating."

But Zhou Qing’s comment about a rotten man stuck with Zhou Yao.

A rotten man, she thought, wasn't just about Wang Qiang's limp, but also his character.

The three worked together, and dinner was ready in no time.

Zhou Huaihai arrived right on time for the dinner.

Zhou Qing served Zhou Huaishan a solid bowl of food. Although Sun had a dark expression, she said nothing this time.

Not knowing what had happened at home, Zhou Huaihai sat at the table and glanced at Zhou Qing, "I heard you bought a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and the shopkeeper gave you extra paper and an inkstone for free?"

Zhou Qing nearly spit out her soup when she heard this.

That blabbermouth Cheng Wu.

"Yes."

Zhou Qing lowered her head and responded while eating.

Talking about the writing supplies naturally led to Zhou Huaishan's studies.

With a dark expression, Sun spoke harshly, "I almost forgot about that. Take the paper and brush to your first uncle's room for your older brother to use."

Zhou Qing remained silent.

Starting an argument over this wasn't worth it.

"Did you hear me, you stubborn girl?"

Zhou Qing didn't speak, but Sun wouldn't let it go.

"Your father will be resting his leg at home for the next few days. Once it's healed, he'll go back to farming."

Zhou Ping looked at Zhou Qing with wide eyes.

"Grandma, my father won't be farming anymore. Those writing supplies were bought for him. If older cousin wants to use them, I can give him half of the paper for free."

Zhou Qing spoke calmly.

Before Sun could explode, Zhou Qing continued smoothly, "Grandma, I know why you don't want my father to study. You’re afraid that the money for his studies will leave less for older cousin. But don't worry, my father won't take any money from the family."

"Rubbish! If he doesn't take money, how will he study? Reading doesn't come for free!" Sun spat angrily.

"My father can write. He can copy books and sell them to bookstores. It might not be much, but it can earn some money. Once he's saved enough for tuition, he can start studying."

Zhou Qing paused and looked at Old Zhou.

"As for the fields father used to manage, Grandpa, you can hire someone. The money for hiring can come from the money my father earns from copying books. This way, my father can study, and the family won't be affected."

Zhou Qing smiled, "If my father doesn't achieve anything, it won't cost you much. But if he does, won't it bring glory to the family?"

She tried to speak as calmly as possible.

After all, arguing wouldn't solve anything.

Just as Zhou Qing finished speaking, Zhou Huaihai let out a light snort and shook his head with a long sigh.

He had thought the second branch was just making a fuss as usual, but now he realized they were serious.

"Copying books isn't something anyone can just do. If anyone could make money copying books, bookstores would stop doing business and just do charity. Even students from academies can't easily get such opportunities. Your father read a few days of books twenty years ago and now thinks he can do it?"

The implication was clear.

Don’t be delusional!

"First Uncle, although my father has been farming, he practices writing with a stick on the field ridges whenever he has time. His handwriting isn't bad."

As she spoke, Zhou Qing glanced at Old Zhou, then added emotionally, "My father still thinks about studying."

This struck a chord with Old Zhou.

Years ago, the eldest and the second had studied together, and the second wasn't any worse than the eldest.

But the family was poor, and there was no choice.

Thinking about how all these years had passed...

Imagining his second son practicing writing with a stick in the fields and recalling his tearful outburst this morning, Old Zhou felt a pang of sorrow.

Seeing Old Zhou’s pained expression, Sun spat again, "Even students from academies can't get such opportunities. How can your father, with just a stick, manage it? Don't embarrass us."

Zhou Ping blinked and looked at Zhou Huaihai, "First Uncle, did you get rejected by the bookstore?"

Zhou Huaihai...