Chapter 77 I Have No Choice

Chapter 77 I Have No Choice

Qiao Fangzhi took in every change on Xianjin's face.

He couldn't help but notice.

After all, this young lady's facial expressions were very expressive, each feature conveying its own emotion clearly.

Qiao Fangzhi was amused by the girl's vibrant energy, his goatee lifting with his smile as he softened his tone, "However, the entire piece is too factual."

Too factual, could that be a problem?

Xianjin was stunned!

In her previous life, when writing academic papers, she would strive to support every sentence with data! Her advisor's constant refrain was, "Where’s the data? Where are the examples? Where are the research findings? Bring them all to me!"

Qiao Fangzhi pulled out a scroll from the side and handed it to Xianjin, smiling, "Take a look at this one. It’s barely passable. For the provincial exams, it might not reach the first class, but it has a chance for the top twenty of the second class."

Top twenty of the second class, barely passable.

Xianjin twitched her lips.

It reminded her of what her high school principal used to say, "If you don’t study hard, you’ll only get into the neighboring university."

But the neighboring university was also a 985.

Neighboring 985: *sob* My reputation is ruined; I’m going to sue.

Xianjin looked down at the article. It seemed to be written by the same person who wrote the previous piece titled "On the Grand Discussion of Commerce." At the end of the last page, she saw the signature "Baoyuan."

Baoyuan, isn't that the headmaster?

Xianjin looked up at Qiao Shanchang, who had his arms crossed, waiting quietly for her to finish reading and give her opinion. She recalled his earlier comments about the article and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly—Baoyuan wasn’t Qiao Shanchang?

Then who was it?

Xianjin read slowly, unlike Qiao Shanchang who could read ten lines at once. She held the scroll carefully, reading line by line.

How should she put it?

The article was still rich in language, precise in its references, and concise in its summaries. Compared to the "Commerce" piece, this one was clearly in the author's more familiar territory. The arguments and evidence were both elevated and grounded, making it an excellent policy essay.

Hmm, if this article could score 90 points, then her previous piece would barely get 60 points—of which 40 points were for effort alone.

Xianjin read the final sentence.

"A scholar stands under the vast sky, gazes upon the starry sea, basks in the blazing sun, feels the cold of the moon, and remains independent and clear."

The words were beautiful.

Xianjin continued reading.

"The word 'learn' contains a fish within it, implying that there should be reform, innovation, removal of old ways, and renewal, to achieve the ultimate goal."

A small fish within it implies the need for reform!

Xianjin blinked, looked up at Qiao Shanchang again, and then lowered her gaze to examine the handwriting once more.

The handwriting was bold and sharp, like a sword.

Baoyuan...

Must be Qiao Hui.

Jinlihua, called Qiao Baozhu, naturally had a flower name, so why wouldn’t he be called Qiao Baoyuan?

Xianjin's throat moved slightly, and she blinked her long lashes.

Her long lashes fluttered like tiny fans, casting a subtle shadow beneath her lower eyelids.

"Written..."

Xianjin's voice was a bit hoarse, so she cleared her throat and spoke more clearly, "Written with reason and evidence, with clear points, measures, and prospects. The language is elegant and beautiful, yet it also conveys a strong attitude."

In contrast to her own work, "Mine is too dry."

Being too factual means there’s no water.

Without water, it lacks fluidity, making it rough and difficult to read.

Xianjin understood the meaning behind Qiao Shanchang's words.

Qiao Shanchang nodded approvingly, pointing to her head, "You have something here."

Then he pointed to her hand, "But not here."

"Go use the thatched hut for reading. Every ten days, submit a reflective essay on what you’ve read."

This was training her with the goal of becoming a literary Jinshi.

Academic trash He Xianjin didn’t know the purpose, but! But! But, getting free private tutoring from a national-level master was a huge opportunity!

To miss such an opportunity would be foolish!

Xianjin chatted a bit more with Qiao Fangzhi about acquiring Song Kee. Qiao Fangzhi didn’t comment much, only remarking on Song Baixi, "…always narrow-minded, lenient with himself but strict with others, indulgent and fearful of hardship, selfish and self-righteous, claiming to be a scholar while disgracing the name of scholars! Losing the family business under his watch is normal."

As Xianjin was about to leave, she remembered her stepfather at home in pain and smiled sweetly, "…you always have many connections. My father is suffering from severe foot pain. Do you know any renowned doctors in the county?"

Qiao Fangzhi pondered and said, "There is a recluse doctor on Shuidong Street. He was originally Dr. Wang from the Imperial Medical Institute in Capital City but resigned and returned home, disheartened by the White Ruin Incident. However, he is quite old now and has become even more reluctant to leave his house these past few years..."

When Qiao Fangzhi looked up, he saw the little girl's bright eyes filled with anticipation. If she had a tail, it would surely be wagging like the wind. He couldn't help but smile and say, "Take your Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard Class B badge to invite him. Tell him it's for my beloved disciple's family matter, and he should give you some face."

Beloved disciple!

Xianjin's eyes sparkled like diamonds.

Even though he scolded her, didn't acknowledge her, and called her a dry academic waste, she was still his beloved disciple!

Qiao Fangzhi took a book and waved it dismissively, "Go, go, go—your writing is terrible, yet you still have the nerve to ask for favors! Truly shameless!"

Immersed in the joy of being a "beloved disciple," Xianjin wagged her imaginary tail and promptly left.

First, borrow books from Cattail Academy, then seek medical help on Shuidong Street, and finally visit New Store to open blind boxes—see what good stuff is left in Song Kee's warehouse.

Xianjin rubbed her hands together, feeling quite satisfied with her time management.

Little did she know that her plan would fall apart before it even began.

As soon as she left Cattail Academy, she encountered a fierce little koi named Fatty Hua.

Qiao Baozhu, the little girl, stood with her hands on her hips, waiting at the fork in the road near Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard. Upon seeing Xianjin, she accused her with the indignation of a jilted lover, "You still remember me!"

It really sounded like a line from *That Scholar Is Truly Handsome*...

"You said you'd come play with me! I waited and waited, but you never showed up! If not for Du Junning telling me you often borrow books from Cattail Academy, I wouldn't have known you came here frequently!"

Du Junning?

Oh.

That little fish.

Xianjin opened her mouth to defend herself, oh no, to explain.

But the koi Fatty Hua continued, "I wanted to find you at your shop, but Father restricted me, saying you're very busy and I shouldn't bother you with trivial matters!"

Xianjin quickly interjected, "I've indeed been very busy lately!"

The koi Fatty Hua grew even more indignant, "Then why do you have time to drink tea with Zuo Niang?!"

It seemed...she had...done so...twice...

Xianjin's tongue tied itself in knots.

The koi Fatty Hua pressed her advantage, "Of course, you prefer women like Zuo Niang—graceful, virtuous, and slender!"

Help, this is getting even more like *That Scholar Is Truly Handsome*.

Xianjin instinctively replied, "I only have an ordinary sisterly relationship with her; I naturally get along better with you!"

Seeing Jinli Huahua still pouting in anger.

Xianjin could only shrug and bring out the ultimate move, "If you really want to think that way, there's nothing I can do about it."

After saying this, she felt a bit relieved.

No wonder men start acting recklessly at the end of an argument, using this line as their banner.