Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Qin Fangmei Wants to Go Home? No Door Left!

Shen Ningning was taken aback, then nodded, "Yes, it is."

As the mad scholar turned towards her, the little girl got a clear view of his appearance.

He had a refined, scholarly look, with a well-proportioned face.

Despite his disheveled hair and unkempt clothing.

He exuded the aura of a literati, clear and refined.

Though thin, his posture was as upright as a pine or bamboo.

The mad scholar's gaze dimmed, "I have no silver to give you."

Shen Ningning smiled sincerely, her eyes twinkling like little stars.

"It's okay, I give it to you!" She could always buy another brush.

The mad scholar gazed steadily at her.

The child's smile revealed adorable dimples, her eyes clear, pure, and brightly shining.

His gaze shifted to the open package beside her, spotting the "Thousand Character Classic" and "Three Character Classic."

The mad scholar suddenly reached out and pulled out the two books.

He sat down on the floor, opened the books, and without any preamble, started teaching Shen Ningning.

The little girl was somewhat confused.

Wasn't she here to check on the mad scholar and bring him some food?

How did it turn into a lesson!

The mad scholar taught with great seriousness.

For every sentence he explained, he turned to teach Shen Ningning how to understand the underlying meaning.

He even suddenly quizzed her on words and phrases they had just read.

Making sure she learned them.

The mad scholar's teaching method was very unique, focusing on key points and explaining them in detail.

In just half an hour, he had thoroughly covered both books.

She was very bright and caught on quickly.

Shen Ningning was unexpectedly initiated into learning by him.

As the lesson progressed, the little girl mimicked his posture, sitting cross-legged on the ground.

Eventually, the books were closed.

The mad scholar said, "I've paid for the brush you gave me."

Apparently, this was his way of repaying Shen Ningning for the kindness of giving him a brush.

The little girl stood up and dusted off her skirt.

"Actually, I came to see if you've eaten enough. Uncle Liu and the others are quite concerned about you."

The mad scholar returned to his desk, immersing himself in reading once more.

Speaking of food, he seemed hungry and casually picked up a grass root from the table and put it in his mouth.

"I've eaten, thank you," he said, his eyes completely absorbed in the books.

Shen Ningning's round little face, with her big eyes, was filled with incredulity.

How could someone be so obsessed with reading!

So impressive!

After a moment's thought, she said, "I don't have any more buns today, but when I bring food tomorrow, I'll bring some for you too."

The mad scholar was thoroughly lost in the world of poetry and books, not responding to Shen Ningning's words.

Fortunately, the little girl wasn't one to mind much, and she left his house with her drowsy wolves.

Just as she was stepping out of the door, she heard the mad scholar call out, "Wait."

Shen Ningning turned around, and the mad scholar handed her a bag of rice and flour that Uncle Liu had given him.

"Take this back, return it to him."

"Ah?" The little girl was momentarily stunned.

But the mad scholar had already sat back down to continue reading.

Shen Ningning had no choice; she figured he really didn't have time to cook in his current state.

On her way back with the bag of grains, she encountered Aunt Liu.

With her children well-fed, Aunt Liu's face visibly radiated happiness.

Seeing Shen Ningning, she hurried over.

"Ningning, your Uncle Liu just scolded me. It's my fault, I shouldn't have spoken so recklessly in front of you, even if I was angry."

"I said I would quit, but that was just said in anger. Please don't hold it against me."

Shen Ningning, with her rosy lips and white teeth, smiled, looking even more like a delicate carving.

"I'm not upset. I just visited the mad scholar, and he returned the food," the little girl handed over the bag of rice and flour.

Aunt Liu was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "I told you he's just a bookworm, doesn't even care about food!"

"Let it be, I'll take it back," she took the bag.

Walking forward with her, Shen Ningning couldn't help but ask, "Has he always been this mad?"

Aunt Liu nonchalantly replied, "Yes, he's always been like this, ever since he first came to the village."

"The village chief said that his family used to be a prominent clan in the capital, but they fell into hard times and lost their fortune."

"He originally intended to take the imperial examinations, but failed to pass. Our village being close to the capital, he used the remainder of his money to buy a house here and settled down."

"Ningning, you shouldn't bother about him. He's mad, only cares about reading, not even his own life."

The little girl innocently muttered, "How can I not care about him, he's an amazing teacher."

She understood everything he explained!

Shen Ningning's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Aunt Liu, I'll soon be going to Guangyang County for school and will only be back every two days. The wolves will bring food daily in my place."

"I'll also prepare a portion for the mad scholar. Could you please deliver it to him for me?"

Aunt Liu frowned slightly.

She was not one to meddle in others' affairs.

But she knew gratitude.

Shen Ningning brought so much food, sustaining nearly half the village.

Her family benefited the most.

After some thought, Aunt Liu nodded, "Alright! I can deliver it, but whether he eats or not, I won't be responsible."

Having agreed on this arrangement, Shen Ningning felt relieved.

Before going to school, the little girl worried about her grandma and the wolves going hungry at home.

Therefore, she brought out a lot of fresh meat.

Fearing it would spoil, she salted all of it and stored it in jars in the cellar.

Granny Qin had her ways; recently, by watering decayed wood with spirit spring water, she had grown quite a few wood ear mushrooms.

Seeing Shen Ningning running in and out, she couldn't help feeling pity, "Ningning, take a rest. You've only been gone two days, there should be enough food."

"Grandma, I'm not tired. While I'm away for these two days, you and the wolves must take good care of yourselves."

"As she spoke, the little one pressed her face against the Black Wolf King's head, saying, 'Wolfie, protect grandma for me.'"

"The Black Wolf King nodded repeatedly in response."

"The wolf pack was reluctant to part with Shen Ningning, even for just two days."

"They each came up to vie for her affection, wanting to cuddle with her."

"On the day she had to go to school, Grandma Qin woke up extra early."

"She used the previously grown garlic sprouts, chopped them into pieces, and stir-fried them with golden eggs."

"She also took the wood ear mushrooms she had raised before, sliced them with carrots, stir-fried them, and then cooled them for a salad."

"Grandma Qin also prepared two roast chickens for Shen Ningning, all made by her own hands."

"Holding the heavy food box, Shen Ningning said stickily, 'Grandma, I can’t carry it!'"

"Grandma Qin continued to place freshly washed red berries into the box."

"She smiled and said, 'Once you get to the private school and make new friends, share with everyone. Ningning, remember to be kind to others.'"

"Shen Ningning nodded obediently, taking note of her words."

"The wolf pack escorted her to the foot of the mountain; the sun had just risen not long ago, and it was already unbearably hot."

"The county magistrate's envoy, sent to pick up Shen Ningning, had already arrived with a carriage at the foot of Wolf Mountain."

"The little one bid farewell to the wolf pack, then, with her bag of books on her back, she boarded the carriage and departed."

"Not long after she left,"

"the carriage of Du Yuanwai rumbled into the entrance of Xiangyun Village."

"As the carriage curtain moved, Qin Fangmei, who had recovered from her illness, jumped down from the carriage."

"Previously, she had fallen into a well and gashed her forehead, leaving an ugly scar."

"She had no choice but to let her bangs grow to cover the wound."

"Deep down, she harbored intense hatred for Shen Ningning."

"She blamed this little orphan for always causing trouble!"

"Fortunately, she always had the care of her uncle, Du Yuanwai."

"Now, having recovered, her uncle had arranged for her to return to the village by carriage, which made her feel very smug."

"However, as soon as she entered the village, she was spotted by the village chief's grandson."

"Deng Fugui shouted loudly, 'The Qin family's person is back!'"

"Before Qin Fangmei could react, she was surrounded by the villagers."

"Their gazes were filled with hostility and menace."

"Startled, Qin Fangmei put on airs and shrieked, 'You bunch of paupers, how dare you block my way? What do you want?!'"

"At that moment, the old village chief approached."

"The villagers parted to create a path for him."

"The old village chief looked at Qin Fangmei with disdain and said bluntly, 'Your family no longer has a place in this village. We don't welcome you back. Leave immediately!'"

"The poems of the mad scholar are of my own creation, exhausting all of my literary skills..."

"Considering my dedicated efforts, dear readers, please leave a vote! Oh yes! Today is Father's Day, wishing all your dear fathers a happy, healthy, and long life!"