Chapter 110 Extra: Trip to the Capital

 

After visiting Elder Brother Huang on the third day, Jing Yi didn’t assist Xiao An, Dongjiang, Dongshan, and the others with the pearl business. Instead, he stuck to the original plan and took Chuxia, Xiao Shu, An An, and Guoguo to explore the capital.

 

A knock on the door echoed.

 

“Come in,” Jing Yi called out.

 

It was Xiao Shu at the door. After opening it, he hesitated a bit before slowly walking in.

 

Jing Yi wasn’t very sensitive to the emotions of Xiao Shu, aside from Chuxia, and he jokingly asked if Xiao Shu was feeling bored.

 

Chuxia, however, noticed Xiao Shu’s uneasiness. Without waiting for Xiao Shu to speak, she asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Xiao Shu? Is there something you want to talk to your brothers about?”

 

Xiao Shu lightly frowned, seemingly unsure how to broach the subject, and shook his head.

 

Seeing this, Jing Yi wondered if Xiao Shu encountered some difficulty.

 

“Xiao Shu, don’t be afraid. If you have something, just tell us. If you’re in trouble, big brother will help you sort it out.” Although Jing Yi had trained Xiao Shu to be independent from a young age, he clearly favored his younger brothers. Besides, the father’s mentality was particularly strong.

 

He didn’t need to ask if Xiao Shu had been bullied. None of his brothers would mistreat him; they all cared for him deeply.

 

Chuxia walked over, pulled Xiao Shu to sit at the table, and Jing Yi sat on the other side. The two surrounded him, watching him with concern.

 

Unlike his usual cheerful and playful self, Xiao Shu appeared a bit shy and embarrassed. He hesitated before saying, “Brother, Chuxia, can I… do something too?”

 

Jing Yi, upon hearing this, felt a subtle sense of self-blame. He often prided himself on being fair, but he had neglected Xiao Shu. However, he was afraid that expressing self-blame would make Xiao Shu feel worse. So, he pretended to smile and said, “Hey! This is a great thing! I was scared someone had provoked our Xiao Shu without using their brain.”

 

“Of course, you can. If Xiao Shu has ambition, we will definitely support him!”

 

Chuxia also smiled gently, touched Xiao Shu’s head as he used to when he was a child, and said, “Xiao Shu, is there something you want to do? Tell us, and we’ll help you plan it.”

 

Chuxia, being perceptive, realized that Xiao Shu probably already had some ideas but hesitated to express them.

 

Hearing the unconditional support from his brothers, Xiao Shu gained the courage to speak, “A few days ago, when we visited Wen Residence, I talked with Master Si Yuan. He first asked about my studies and then shared some information about the capital.”

 

“After Master Si Yuan arrived in the capital, he opened a new academy specifically for teaching gers and girls.”

 

Continuing after a pause, Xiao Shu looked at his big brother and Chuxia, seeing their expressions filled with curiosity and encouragement. He continued, “Brother Si Yun mentioned that although there weren’t many students in the first year, as Master Si Yuan’s talent and reputation spread throughout the capital, more and more people came. I heard that this year, there will be poetry events and competitions for gers and girls in the capital.”

 

Si Yun is the son-in-law of the Wen family and also a student of Master Si Yuan. As the number of students at their academy in the capital increased, Si Yun started teaching under Master Si Yuan’s guidance.

 

“I… I also want to open an academy in Anchang County that welcomes both gers and girls!” Xiao Shu, finally excited, revealed his inner thoughts.

 

Jing Yi and Chuxia exchanged surprised glances. They hadn’t expected Xiao Shu to have such ambitious plans. They assumed he would continue his studies in the prefectural capital or elsewhere.

 

Jing Yi asked, “Is Xiao Shu serious? Do you know that although the world is more tolerant now, many still believe that gers and girls should focus on virtue rather than talent?”

 

Xiao Shu replied, “I’m very serious, big brother. I’ve thought about it for a long time. Since Master Si Yuan left, the gers and girls in our town have had no place to study, which is quite pitiful. Moreover, I don’t believe that lack of talent equals virtue!”

 

“Look at Brother Chuxia, Brother Xiaochen, Aunt Lin, and even Sister-in-law. I don’t think I’m inferior to the boys. Even when I was studying, my grades were better than Second Brother and Dongshan!”

 

After speaking, perhaps feeling a bit too proud of himself, Xiao Shu looked a bit embarrassed. Seeing his big brother and Chuxia looking at him teasingly, he smiled shyly.

 

Chuxia was the first to voice support, “I think it’s a good idea. Since your big brother is investing in the businesses of Second Brother, Dongjiang, and Dongshan, I will financially support Xiao Shu’s venture!”

 

After saying this, he gave a look to Jing Yi that said, “It’s up to you to decide.”

 

Jing Yi immediately responded, “If you contribute financially, then I will contribute in terms of effort. When the time comes, we’ll go together to seek advice from Master Si Yuan. When we return home, we can start planning together!”

 

Xiao Shu, who already knew that his brothers would surely support him, couldn’t help but be moved to tears. Overwhelmed with emotion, he choked up a bit and said, “But… I’m afraid Master Si Yuan will think my knowledge is insufficient to open a school, and it will become a joke.”

 

Seeing Xiao Shu getting tangled up in his thoughts, Jing Yi said, “In our town, people don’t have much education, and you could say they have none. Big brother believes that starting a basic class for literacy and arithmetic is more important than those elegant classes teaching poetry and chess.”

 

Xiao Shu suddenly realized and laughed, “Right! Big brother is right! In that case, I can also ask my friends for help!”

 

Jing Yi teased him, “Crying and laughing! Little crybaby!”

 

With Xiao Shu’s concerns resolved, the three of them continued to chat and joke. After An An and Guoguo fell asleep, Xiao Shu returned to his room. He didn’t want to disturb his big brother’s rare time alone with Chuxia; as a considerate little brother, he knew when to give them space.

 

In his room just next to his big brother’s, Xiao Shu went out into the courtyard and saw Dongjiang leaning against the closed door, looking a bit lonely. Concerned, Xiao Shu walked over and grabbed Dongjiang’s arm, asking with a hint of urgency, “What’s wrong? Did things not go well when you went to the shop today?”

 

Pausing for a moment and realizing something, he felt a bit guilty. He glanced at Dongjiang and said, “How long have you been here? Did you hear everything?”

 

Dongjiang had been silently watching him, nodded, pursed his lips, as if wanting to say something but ultimately lowered his head without uttering a word.

 

Xiao Shu grew a bit anxious, pulled at Dongjiang’s sleeve, and said in a slightly stern tone, “Come inside with me!”

 

After saying that, he dragged Dongjiang into his room.

 

“Ah Yi, they’ve entered the room,” Chuxia, observing Jing Yi clinging to the door like a gecko to eavesdrop on the courtyard, couldn’t bear it any longer and reminded him aloud.

 

“No, if Dongjiang doesn’t come out within an incense stick’s time, I’ll go in!” Jing Yi like a worried father expressed concern.

 

“Alright, alright,” Chuxia said with a smile, trying to ease his anxiety.

 

In Xiao Shu’s room:

 

Dongjiang broke the silence, speaking with a low voice, “Xiao Shu, is it because I didn’t do well enough and wasn’t reliable enough?”

 

It turned out Xiao Shu had been feeling low these days, and Dongjiang had noticed it. Although he had asked Xiao Shu several times, he always claimed that nothing was wrong. This left Dongjiang feeling helpless and anxious, unable to break through Xiao Shu’s emotional barriers.

 

Xiao Shu, seeing this, felt a bit rushed but didn’t know how to explain. Afraid of disappointing Dongjiang, his eyes turned slightly red. “It’s not that you’re not good. It’s my own issue.”

 

“But I can’t make you trust me. Whenever you have something on your mind or need help, the first person you think of is always Brother Chuxia or Brother Yi.”

 

“It’s not true. I wanted to tell you, but I felt that this matter was absurd. Most people don’t like their husband being in the public eye after marriage, and I…”

 

“I like it! I like you doing what you love! I like to see you happy! Rely on me and trust me!”

 

Xiao Shu’s face instantly turned red, his eyes still somewhat teary but this time from shyness. Unexpectedly, Dongjiang, upon seeing this, became even more emotional. Rather than calming him down, Xiao Shu’s heartfelt confession seemed to ignite a deeper, more sincere one from Dongjiang.

 

“I want to be the first in your heart. I want to be the first you turn to with a smile or tears. Even if you have something on your mind, let me be the first person you talk to. Even if, even if I can’t solve it immediately, please let me accompany you to seek help. Can you do that?”

 

“Then, can you do it too?”

 

“Of course!” Dongjiang replied decisively.

 

“Alright, then I can too!” Xiao Shu, not wanting to show weakness, declared.

 

“Since you heard that, after we return home, you’re not allowed to be lazy, and don’t complain about me always bossing you around!”

 

“Definitely not.”

 

“… Fool, with the atmosphere set like this, don’t you know you should hug me?”

 

“Hug, hug you?” Dongjiang was shocked. Could things really go like this?

 

“Yes! Since we’re together, hugging me to comfort me is quite normal!”

 

“Together?!!” Dongjiang, rarely showing such inner excitement, couldn’t believe such a good thing was happening.

 

Xiao Shu, with a proud toss of his head, thought it was too troublesome. Everything had to be said by him, such a blockhead!

 

Before he could take a step, a warm and broad chest pressed against his back, and two strong arms tightly embraced him, as if afraid he might escape.

 

“Yes, we’re together now. You can’t run away. When we get home, I’ll have my dad and the others go ask for your hand!” Dongjiang said excitedly. His calm and collected demeanor from the past twenty years seemed to have disappeared tonight.

 

Xiao Shu retorted, “It’s you who can’t run away now.”