Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Chapter 653: Chapter 339: Did You Miss Me?

Little Shitou asked loudly, "Hey! I noticed you didn’t say a single word, but you’re awfully quick to apologize. Don’t tell me you were the one who told them to say all that?"

Ma Liang waved his hand to stop his companions from losing their tempers. He looked at Little Shitou and said solemnly, "You jest, Brother Zhao. I may not be much, but I would never resort to such underhanded tricks. While I did not join in just now, I saw Brother Liu and Brother Wei being insolent and failed to stop them. Instead, I stood by, waiting for a show. That truly betrays my mentors’ teachings, so it is only right that I apologize to you all. Or perhaps Brother Zhao feels my apology is improper?"

Zhao Yun laughed. "Proper! Exceedingly proper! Brother Ma, you truly possess great wisdom. You know when to press on and when to let go. Your future is surely limitless! You are a model for our generation of scholars, a paragon of youthful talent! Your conduct is neither arrogant nor impatient, your attitude is neither servile nor overbearing, and your expression is perfectly temperate. Truly, an extraordinary man!"

Zhang Huai, Liu Sanshun, and Liu Sishun couldn’t help but snicker upon hearing this.

Seeing his young son joking and bantering, completely unafraid of those scions of prestigious families, Zhao San was torn. He felt proud, but also worried his son would offend someone, leaving him deeply unsettled.

Zhang Yang found it hilarious as well, shooting a sidelong glance at the boy as he clowned around.

Ma Liang’s head was spinning from the torrent of praise, yet he couldn’t lash out. It was incredibly frustrating. He was a perceptive man himself and thought, ’It wouldn’t do to offend them, so I might as well try to win them over—getting on their good side certainly won’t be a disadvantage. Scholars value moral integrity above all else. These fellows have integrity, yet they’re also flexible and clever. Their futures are inestimable. It’s better to have another friend than another enemy. Besides, they’re Ding Xuezheng’s disciples. Befriending them is like helping my father build a connection with Ding Xuezheng.’

With that thought, he smiled. "If we’re talking about extraordinary people, Brother Zhang and Brother Zhao are the truly extraordinary ones. Brother Zhang is one thing, but for Brother Zhao to possess such talent at his age—can’t you forgive us for being a little envious? Brother Liu and Brother Wei were just speaking out of anger. After all, whose fault is it that you did so well on the exam? It’s bound to make one feel indignant. They say some friendships start with a fight, so why don’t we take this opportunity? Let’s have Brother Liu and Brother Wei treat everyone to a meal as an apology, and we can all become friends. How about it? Of course, if you country folk look down on us sour scholars, then we can just forget the whole thing!"

He grinned, having turned the tables on them, and watched for their reaction.

Zhang Yang and Liu Sishun were taken aback, but Little Shitou exclaimed with delighted surprise, "Become friends? Do you really mean it? Ha! I knew it! With your distinguished and impressive bearing, I could tell you weren’t ordinary people. Those two senior students earlier must have just been trying to strike up a conversation, wanting to get to know us poor but talented scholars from the countryside, am I right? Geez, you should have been a bit gentler, though! You caused a misunderstanding. In any case, we’ve just eaten, and we have to see my dad off right now. Let’s save that meal for tonight. That’ll save us the cost of dinner! Brother Yangzi, Brother Sishun, what do you say?"

Ma Liang’s brow twitched uncontrollably at his words, while the students, Liu and Wei, were utterly mortified. The onlookers found it hilarious, suddenly thinking the boy was actually quite endearing. Despite his sharp tongue, it was hard to dislike him.

Zhang Yang and Liu Sishun smiled and nodded. And so, in a newfound spirit of harmony, everyone exchanged pleasantries and jokes, agreeing on a time and place to meet that evening before finally taking their leave.

Zhao San, Liu Sanshun, and Zhang Huai gaped at the scene in astonishment. One moment, they were facing off with hostile expressions; the next, they had buried the hatchet and were shaking hands, chatting joyfully as if they were long-lost friends. They couldn’t help but sigh to themselves. ’This business of being an official is truly a tough way to make a living—it’s not a job for a normal person at all! Farming is so much more satisfying!’

Li Changfeng and the others escorted Zhao San, Zhang Huai, and Liu Sanshun to the docks to catch a boat home.

Right before boarding the boat, Zhao San, a gruff man by nature, was suddenly overcome with reluctance to leave. He gazed at Little Shitou, wanting to offer some fatherly advice, but the words wouldn’t come. He wanted to say something heartfelt, but his pride held him back. After fumbling with his clothes for a long moment, he finally pulled a cloth pouch from his tunic, counted out several dozen copper coins, and handed them to Little Shitou. "Make sure you eat your fill while you’re away," he said. "Don’t skimp on food money."

Little Shitou’s eyes welled with tears. He didn’t try to refuse but took the money with both hands. "I know, Dad," he said.

Zhao San scoffed. "Then again, it’s a waste of breath telling you. You’ve never been one to shortchange yourself; you’d never let yourself go hungry. Alright now, study hard and stay out of trouble. If you do get into a fight, don’t expect your dad to come bail you out."

Any trace of sorrow Little Shitou had been feeling instantly vanished. His face darkened. "Dad, am I really that much of a troublemaker? When have I ever needed you to help me in a fight?"