Chapter 44: Fall

"Actually, the lessons are almost over, and the exam is just a few days away. I was thinking that starting today, Master should do two practice tests every day."

Zhou Huaishan snorted but said nothing.

Zhou Qing glanced at the tests, and Shen Li handed them to her.

"The first five sets are actual exam papers from the past five years in Qinghe County. The rest are practice tests I created based on the real exams to help Master get some practice."

Although Zhou Huaishan has a poor foundation and is unwilling to work hard, he has a sharp mind and good memory, capable of understanding by analogy.

Reviewing these tests will be very helpful for him.

Zhou Qing...

Five years of exams and three years of mock tests?

Wow!

Zhou Qing looked up, her eyes filled with admiration and amazement as she gazed at Shen Li.

A top student is a top student, no matter the era, they always leave people in awe.

Meeting Zhou Qing’s gaze, Shen Li... "What's wrong, Miss Qing? Is there something unsuitable?"

Zhou Qing slapped her hand on the tests. "Let's do it as you suggested!"

Shen Li's lips curled into a smile.

Zhou Huaishan, still sitting on the ground, said in a sarcastic tone, "Whoever wants to do it can do it. I'm taking a break today!"

Zhou Qing looked down at him. "You can take a break, but later I'm going into town to buy a copper pot and some mutton. Tonight, we’ll have hot pot and barbecue, and you can just watch."

Zhou Huaishan immediately jumped up. "Hot pot tonight?"

He spoke while swallowing his saliva.

Zhou Qing raised her chin. "Yes, hot pot. If there's lamb spine, I'll buy some too."

Zhou Huaishan grabbed the tests. "Studying makes me happy."

He strode back to the house.

Zhao...

Zhou Huailin...

The couple looked at Zhou Huaishan heading inside and then exchanged glances.

Is this really their stubborn second brother?

It felt like ever since their second brother started studying, he had changed into a different person.

Both husband and wife twitched their eyes simultaneously. Zhou Huailin looked at Shen Li, "Well, senior brother..."

Shen Li...

"Third Uncle, what's the matter?"

Zhou Huailin rubbed his hands, a bit embarrassed as he smiled, "I wanted to discuss something with you. Is this house available for rent?"

Shen Li was stunned, quickly understanding Zhou Huailin's meaning, and felt elated inside.

He had been wondering how to keep them around longer.

"Third Uncle, with our relationship, do you think I'd charge rent if you stayed here? I’m the senior brother of Ping after all."

"But if we stay here for a long time, we can't..."

Shen Li waved his hand, interrupting Zhou Huailin, "Third Uncle, once a teacher, always a father. My house is Master's house. It doesn’t make sense to charge Master's family rent. Saying that makes me feel like an outsider.

Besides, I live alone, and it's rather lonely. If you're willing to stay with me, lively and bustling, I couldn't be happier."

When Zhou Huailin spoke earlier, Zhou Ping understood his father's intention and had been looking at Shen Li eagerly. Hearing this, he jumped up and hugged Shen Li tightly.

"Senior Brother, you really are my dear senior brother!"

Shen Li patted Zhou Ping’s head. "My house is your house, stay as long as you like."

Zhou Ping raised his little head, nodded, then looked at Zhou Qing with shining eyes, "Big Sister, I'm not taking the exam this year. I don’t need to do the tests. Can I go to town with you?"

Before Zhou Qing could answer, Shen Li said, "No, starting today, you need to practice your writing."

Zhou Ping immediately looked at Shen Li with a face of despair, "Ah? Can't I start tomorrow? Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival!"

Shen Li's attitude was firm, "Learning knows no time, students must study day and night, never slacking."

Of course, it could wait a day, but Zhou Qing was going to town later, and he just wanted to go with her alone.

Zhou Huailin gave Zhou Ping a firm smack on the head, "Go practice writing."

Then he smiled at Shen Li, "Alright, it's settled. We'll stay here for now. We won't pay rent, but we will cover the daily expenses."

Shen Li agreed happily.

With the accommodation settled, Zhao Shi felt at ease and went to make breakfast.

Yesterday, they brought over the chickens belonging to the second and third branches from the Zhou family. There was no chicken coop in Shen Li's courtyard, so after breakfast, Zhou Huailin got busy making one.

Zhou Huaishan worked on the practice tests while Zhou Ping practiced writing.

Zhao and Zhou Yao were busy preparing the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion meal.

Zhou Qing and Shen Li set off with the mule cart.

Driving the cart, Shen Li felt the autumn wind on his face, bringing a smile to his lips that he couldn’t suppress.

Zhou Qing sat on one side, looking at Shen Li suspiciously, "What are you smiling about?"

Shen Li turned his head, his gaze soft and tender, "I'm happy."

Zhou Qing immediately smiled as well, "You’re really interesting. Since we met, it seems like we’ve been taking advantage of you, yet you’re this happy."

Zhou Qing wasn’t one for pretense, but at this moment, she felt genuinely grateful to Shen Li.

Grateful for his repeated help, and for searching for them in the rain last night.

"Of course I'm happy. Every day since meeting you... Ah!"

Before Shen Li could finish his sentimental words, he felt a sudden pain in his eye, as if something had gotten into it.

Instinctively, he covered his eye. Zhou Qing quickly leaned over, grabbing his hand, "What's wrong? Something in your eye? Don't rub it."

With her hand holding his, Shen Li felt his heart pounding, about to leap out of his chest, though his face showed pain, "It hurts, it's uncomfortable."

"Don't move, it might be some dust. Let me blow it out."

Shen Li...

Ah~

Blow it out!

"Okay."

Zhou Qing knelt on the mule cart, one hand holding Shen Li’s head, the other opening his eyelid gently, and blew lightly.

Shen Li felt like he was about to have a nosebleed.

After a few light blows, Zhou Qing looked at Shen Li's eye, "Is it better now?"

Shen Li, holding back his surging emotions, managed to put on an uncomfortable expression, "It's still a bit scratchy."

"Let me blow again."

"Okay."

Zhou Qing blew lightly. At that moment, the cart, which had been moving leisurely, suddenly tilted heavily.

Due to the rain yesterday, one of the cart's wheels had gotten stuck in a muddy pit.

Zhou Qing lost her balance and fell onto Shen Li.

"Ah~~~"

Zhou Qing let out a panicked scream.

Ah~~~

Shen Li’s heart echoed with a joyous cry.

Shen Li tightly held Zhou Qing as they both rolled off the cart.

Thud!

Shen Li hit the ground hard on his back.

Zhou Qing was held tightly to his chest.

"Are you okay?"

Zhou Qing quickly got up from Shen Li.

"I'm fine, but you must be hurt from the fall. Get up slowly."

Zhou Qing helped Shen Li up, who grimaced in pain, "My back hurts. I think I hit a stone."

"Ah?" Zhou Qing crouched down, "Let me help you up, and tell me if it hurts."

"Okay."

Zhou Qing slipped her arm under Shen Li’s neck and carefully helped him sit up.

As soon as Shen Li sat up, Zhou Qing saw a stone under him, the size of an egg.

Her mouth twitched, and Zhou Qing picked up the stone to show Shen Li, "There really was a stone."

Luckily, the stone wasn’t sharp, otherwise, this fall might have caused a serious injury.