215 It’s as if the World is in His Hands
Tao Yinzhen led Little Cat to Qinghe Academy. Looking at the brand new and elegant academy, an indescribable reverence rose from the bottom of her heart.
Tao Yinzhen reminded her son, “You must study hard and become an outstanding man in the future, understand?”
Even if Little Cat could not become an official, with the ability to read and calculate, he could still be a accountant in town. It was much better than being a country bumpkin in the fields.
Little Cat nodded firmly. “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely make a name for myself and become a big official so that Mother can live a good life!”
Tao Yinzhen nodded in relief. “Alright, Mother will wait.”
They entered Qinghe Academy, where the elegant Mr. Liu received them gently.
Tao Yinzhen was very satisfied with the environment here and the teachers of the academy. They did not look down on them because of their simple clothes.
Tao Yinzhen paid two taels of tuition fees. After Mr. Liu registered Little Cat, he brought them to the academy to receive the learning materials for free.
There were a total of two sets of well-made student clothes. The material was smooth, gentle, and the style was novel and convenient. If they were bought in a shop, it would cost a few taels of silver.
Mr. Liu had also prepared a copy of the basic books for the students.
In addition, Mr. Liu gave him a bag with the logo of Qinghe Academy.
The school bag that Bai Wutong made for Chu Tianbao was sought after by everyone. Therefore, Qinghe Academy specially found the women in the village to customize a batch of school bags and specially distributed them to everyone.
Now, the school bag had become a standard accessory for the students of Qinghe Academy.
When Little Cat went to cut the pig grass, he stood on the top of the mountain and saw everyone carrying their school bags and wearing their student uniforms to school. No one knew how envious he was.
Unexpectedly, he had one now.
And it was free!
Little Cat looked at Tao Yinzhen excitedly, his face filled with joy.
Tao Yinzhen said to Mr. Liu, “Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much!”
The total value of these things must be more than two taels of silver.
It was completely worth it for Little Cat to go to school here.
Tao Yinzhen was overjoyed. Sending Little Cat to school here must have been the wisest decision she had made.
However, even if there were many things for the new students, Qinghe Academy did not make a loss.
That was because Sheng Huaixuan had bought these learning materials in large quantities, from the fabric of the student uniform to the brush, paper, and ink. In fact, they had made earnings.
After receiving the items, Mr. Liu gave Little Cat a list and introduced it to him. “As long as you study well from now on, after a month of studying, if you are able to enter Class A and score A for your results and morals at the end of the month, you don’t have to pay your tuition for the next semester.”
As long as he studied hard, he did not have to pay tuition fees. Tao Yinzhen was dumbfounded by this.
After a long time, she said excitedly to Little Cat, “You have to enter Class A and score A, got it?!”
Little Cat nodded in high hopes. “I’ll definitely enter Class A and score A.” This way, Mother could knit less cloth and not be so tired.
On the first day of registration, there was no need to go for lessons.
Mr. Liu brought Little Cat to familiarize himself with the academy, with Tao Yinzhen by his side.
When they passed by the Chess Academy, Little Cat suddenly said excitedly to Tao Yinzhen, “Mother, look, Master Chu is also there!”
Tao Yinzhen looked in the direction Little Cat was pointing. Among the many students, she immediately saw Chu Tianbao, who was playing chess with Sheng Huaixuan.
Chu Tianbao lowered his eyes. His cold side profile was like a god, and his cold aura was completely different from his gentle appearance beside Bai Wutong.
His powerful aura made it seem as if the entire world was in his hands.
In an instant, Tao Yinzhen’s heart beat violently.
She did not blink at all. Chu Tianbao, who had just placed a piece down, sensed that someone was looking at him and glanced at her coldly.
His sharp gaze stabbed into her eyes like a sword.
The air seemed to freeze.
Tao Yinzhen hurriedly retracted her gaze, not daring to look at Chu Tianbao again.
However, her mind was filled with Chu Tianbao’s cold face.
She gripped the corner of her dress and bit her red lips, which had been specially smeared with lip colour. Her heart beat uncontrollably.
Without receiving a response from Chu Tianbao, Little Cat asked Mr. Liu, “What are they doing?”
Old Master Chu’s focused look seemed so amazing and dazzling.
Mr. Liu smiled and said, “They’re playing chess. You can learn from them in the future.”
When Little Cat saw the chess pieces in their hands, he asked worriedly, “Do I have to buy the small stone in Old Master Chu’s hand too?”
If it was expensive, Little Cat planned to think of a way to save money now.
Mr. Liu said, “You don’t have to buy it. As long as you’re a student of Qinghe Academy, you can use the chessboard in the Chess Academy.”
Little Cat widened his eyes. “The academy is too good! Qinghe Academy must be the best academy!”
Mr. Liu smiled mysteriously. Qinghe Academy was indeed the best academy in the past. Presumably, it would be in the future.
Little Cat and the distracted Tao Yinzhen left the academy. As soon as they came out, they met Bai Wutong, who had come to fetch Chu Tianbao from school.
The autumn rain was endless and the weather was humid.
It was just a little rain, but the countryside people were not particular.
Bai Wutong was wearing a light blue dress and a furry cape. She was holding a floral oil paper umbrella.
Her every move, every frown, and every smile was like a beauty who had walked out of a painting.
Before Little Cat could walk forward and greet Bai Wutong, Chu Tianbao, who had won the game against Sheng Huaixuan, flew out and passed everyone like a gust of wind. He steadily hugged Bai Wutong.
The two of them were like a perfect couple, and even the sunlight had become unnecessary.
Tao Yinzhen hid the loneliness in her eyes and walked forward with Little Cat. “Hello Madam Bai and Master Chu.”
Chu Tianbao was full of smiles, completely different from the cold expression they had seen in the academy.
All the gentleness and emotions on him were for Bai Wutong alone.
Bai Wutong smiled at Little Cat. “Did Madam Tao bring Little Cat to register at the academy?”
Tao Yinzhen nodded and looked at her. She sounded proud. “Yes, from tomorrow onwards, Little Cat will be able to go to school with Master Chu.”
In the future, she would be able to wait here for Little Cat to end classes like Bai Wutong.
Bai Wutong took a few candy bars out of her bag and put them in Little Cat’s hand. “Congratulations on going to school.”
Little Cat looked at Tao Yinzhen with anticipation in his eyes, but he didn’t dare to take it. Tao Yinzhen forced a smile. “Thank you, Madam Bai.”
Little Cat happily took the candy from her. “Thank you, Madam Bai.”
Bai Wutong stroked his head. “You’re welcome.”
Tao Yinzhen’s gaze landed on the white jade-like hand of Bai Wutong. She glanced at her calloused hand and quietly hid it in her sleeve, thinking that no one was paying attention.
Bai Wutong acutely sensed that Tao Yinzhen was feeling a little uncomfortable. She bade them farewell and left with Chu Tianbao.
On the way home, Little Cat happily raised the candy and brought it to Tao Yinzhen. “Mother, Madam Bai’s candy is delicious.”
Little Cat’s gaze of cherishing the candy was like a needle stabbing into Tao Yinzhen’s eyes.
Recalling Chu Tianbao’s tall backview as he left with the umbrella covering Bai Wutong, Tao Yinzhen suddenly felt a wave of resentment.
They were both women, so why was her life so bitter?