Chapter 132: Don't You Dare Cry If You Get Bullied

The truth is, Datou is a truly righteous boy. Tie-niu is a bit older than him and grew up playing with Wen-ying, yet he never looked down on Datou for being small, nor did he ever join in the teasing when Datou was a "little mute" before he learned to speak.

Datou remembers Tie-niu’s kindness. Ever since the Wen family’s circumstances improved, he has always thought of Tie-niu whenever he has toys or snacks. They couldn’t afford to send Tie-niu to school, so whenever Datou was home, he would teach Tie-niu how to read.

Now, Tie-niu can not only write his own name but also the names of his parents.

Therefore, when Tie-niu’s mother praises Datou, it comes from the bottom of her heart.

Mrs. Luo smiled happily and picked up on her words: "Indeed, school has only just begun, yet the teacher has already praised Datou several times, calling him a clever boy. And he is, isn't he? He suffered so much when he was little, it seems the heavens are finally taking pity on the child. By the way, I hear Datou is teaching Tie-niu to read? You must make sure Tie-niu studies hard; there really is a difference between knowing how to read and not."

Mrs. Luo said that last sentence with a proud, uplifted tone.

Tie-niu’s mother nodded repeatedly: "Certainly, Sister-in-law. I won't stand on ceremony with you then; I’ll be sure to let Tie-niu come over to play with Datou often."

"Oh, it's not like Tie-niu doesn't run over to my place often enough as it is," Mrs. Luo chuckled.

The other families with children present immediately grew anxious. What was this? Could Tie-niu really learn to read from Datou? They couldn't let their own children fall behind.

In an instant, everyone was clamoring, showering Mrs. Luo with so much flattery it was almost overwhelming.

Before they knew it, those who had been making sarcastic remarks earlier were completely shut out. Left with no choice, they awkwardly fell silent and wandered off to find somewhere else to go.

Mrs. Luo wasn't naive. Hearing them all clamor for Datou to teach their children, she merely offered vague, polite responses. With so many people, could her Datou really manage to teach them all? She didn't want to tire him out.

Only Tie-niu’s mother remained, her smile never fading from start to finish.

As noon approached, Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu arrived with Jin Xiuyi. Liu-zi and Carpenter Zhang also brought their gifts. Relatives and friends of the Wen family, led by the younger Mrs. Luo, arrived with their families.

Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu were old friends of the house and didn't stand on ceremony, settling in comfortably as soon as they arrived. Jin Xiuyi had been pushed hard by Dr. Jin to study lately, and upon arriving at Gutong Village, he was finally free to let loose. As soon as he hopped off the carriage, he ran off to join Datou’s group of children.

Carpenter Zhang didn't sit idle for a moment; with his tools in hand, he roamed the house, inspecting the doors, windows, and furniture to ensure everything was properly finished.

Liu-zi had undergone a massive transformation. The boy who used to hawk goods at the docks with them was gone, replaced by a refined and gentle young man. He stood with Wen-jun, looking quite bashful as they chatted.

Wen-yao walked over with Wen-di and, seeing his attire, raised an eyebrow: "Brother Liu-zi, have you given up your stall?"

Today, Liu-zi was wearing a long gown, and standing next to Wen-jun, he truly carried the air of a young scholar.

Teased by Wen-yao, Liu-zi blushed deeply: "Sister Yao-yao, I’ve stopped. My third uncle’s leg has healed, and since we couldn't take back your family's old spot, I’m just tending our original stall. My father is now making curved-beam plows for people and has saved quite a bit of money. He said since Uncle Wen mentioned I have the potential for school, he’d let me study properly. He found a village school, and since I knew you were moving today, I specifically asked the teacher for leave to come."

Wen-yao’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Carpenter Zhang to actually let Liu-zi go to school. Even a village school had proper teachers, and with his younger siblings still small and Liu-zi already older, she had assumed Carpenter Zhang would prioritize his younger son.

Still, this was Liu-zi’s chance. At fifteen or sixteen, he was at the prime age for study. If there was a chance, why not take it? But in this day and age, the only path was the imperial examination. Was Liu-zi planning to take it?

"Then congratulations, Brother Liu-zi! When you succeed in your exams in the future, don't forget us little partners who used to hawk goods together, haha!" Wen-yao laughed, showing none of the bashfulness expected of a young girl.

Liu-zi, however, turned bright red. He stammered, "I... I haven't thought that far ahead. If I could become a child scholar or a budding scholar, I’d be beyond grateful. But since I’m a bit older, I just want to study for a couple of years and see. If I pass the initial exams, I’ll keep going; if not, at least being literate is a good thing—it’ll help me find work as a shop manager later."

Wen-yao smiled: "Then you must work hard. Becoming a budding scholar would be wonderful. Look at my father—he’s a budding scholar."

Liu-zi looked toward Wen Xiuyi, who was greeting guests, his eyes filled with admiration. He nodded as if to encourage himself: "Yes, I want to become as impressive as Uncle Wen."

Wen-yao and Wen-jun exchanged a smile. Becoming someone like Professor Wen might be a bit of a tall order.

The three of them chatted and laughed, while Wen-di stood by, anxious but unable to leave—after all, Liu-zi was a man from outside the family. Even with Wen-jun present, she couldn't leave Wen-yao alone, so she could only tug at Wen-yao’s sleeve in frustration.

Wen-yao finally realized, "Oh, right, someone else is here."

"Brother Liu-zi, this is my sister, Wen-di. Di, this is Brother Liu-zi," Wen-yao quickly introduced them.

Wen-di wished she could throttle the little girl, but she still managed a stiff greeting: "Brother Liu-zi." What a strange name.

Liu-zi seemed to notice her hesitation and scratched his head sheepishly: "Zhang Wang. When I started school, the teacher said 'Liu-zi' wasn't a proper name, so he gave me a formal name: Zhang Wang, as in 'hope'."

"That’s a good name," Wen-yao said.

No sooner had she spoken than someone called out to her from the gate.

"Yao-yao, someone is here to see you! They came in a carriage."

Wen-yao brightened: "Oh, it must be Sister Qiu!" She grabbed Wen-di and ran toward the gate.

Wen-jun laughed helplessly: "Don't mind her; Yao-yao doesn't treat you like an outsider, so she’s not standing on ceremony. Come, let me show you around."

Zhang Wang waved his hands quickly: "No, no, that’s quite alright, I’ll trouble you, Brother Wen."

Wen-yao and Wen-di hurried to the gate just in time to see Qiu Rongrong stepping down from the carriage with Qiaoyan’s help, followed by a little tyke—none other than Xie Anyi.

"Sister Qiu!" Wen-yao ran over happily.

Qiu Rongrong stood steady, laughing as she saw the girl's flushed face from the run: "You’re a young lady; you really should pay more attention to your image."

"Oh, it doesn't matter! Sister Qiu, why are you here? I thought you..."

Qiu Rongrong winked playfully: "Thought I wouldn't be able to get out?"

Wen-yao raised an eyebrow.

Qiu Rongrong gestured to the side: "I told them that since your family is moving today, Mr. Qiu would surely be here, so they let me come. Not only that, they even made me bring gifts."

Wen-yao glanced at Xie Anyi and understood instantly—Xie Yushan still hadn't given up.

She reached out and pinched Xie Anyi’s cheek: "Go play! Datou and Xiuyi are over there. But be warned—no crying if you get bullied!"

Xie Anyi’s eyes had lit up at the mention of Datou, but at the second half of her sentence, his face crumpled. He dodged her hand and pouted: "I won't cry!"

The comment made Wen-yao burst into laughter. Ever since Xie Yushan learned that Datou and Jin Xiuyi were both enrolled in Qingfeng Academy, he had wasted no time in shoving Xie Anyi into the same school, reportedly donating quite a lot of money to Dean Wu.

Although the money came from Sister Qiu, Xie Anyi had managed to get in and was even placed in the same class as Datou and Jin Xiuyi.

Because he refused to admit defeat, he was often teased by Datou. Once, he even ran home crying, which infuriated Xie Yushan, though he couldn't do anything about Datou.

Because, after Datou teased Xie Anyi to tears, he would compensate by taking Xie Anyi to listen to half an hour of lessons at Shopkeeper Qiu’s place every evening after school.