The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 951 - 930 Waiting

Chapter 951: Chapter 930 Waiting

In the afternoon, the master and his three disciples focused on composing poetry. Mr. Zhuang, aside from explaining the excellent poems and essays from recent major examinations that Bai Dalang had collected, also took out a small booklet. This was a collection of poetry that had been quite popular in the capital over the past two years.

Manbao was curious, "Where did this come from?"

Mr. Zhuang smiled and said, "I had Liu Gui buy it. Some major bookstores secretly transcribe and distribute copies. If you find the right people, naturally you can buy them."

Manbao nodded in understanding; since her teacher had been to the capital, he certainly knew many places they did not.

Mr. Zhuang gave them pointers on their poems and essays, and also told them some historical anecdotes. Seeing that it was getting late, he left with his hands clasped behind his back, advising them to continue to quietly contemplate on their own.

Manbao propped her chin with her hand and twirled her pen, staring blankly at her own work.

Having thoroughly pondered his work, Bai Shan looked up and saw her sitting there in a daze, so he set his pen down, moved beside her, and asked, "What’s wrong with you? You seemed distracted during the lesson today."

Manbao came back to her senses and shook her head. She decided not to tell anyone, and for Keke, all she could do was wait.

Bai Shan looked at her, puzzled and worried, but did not press further.

Manbao waited all night and only when she woke up in a daze the next day did she realize she had fallen asleep at some point. She immediately ran into the system and called out, "Keke—"

The system was very quiet, still no one answered her.

Manbao, with her head hanging low, exited and got dressed. Then she grabbed a wooden basin to fetch water for washing.

Bai Shan had already gotten up, and Bai Erlang was washing his face in the courtyard. Turning his head and seeing Manbao with her drooping appearance, he couldn’t help but blink. He looked up to confirm that there were indeed dark circles under Manbao’s eyes, then burst into laughter and cheerfully asked, "Did you go thieving last night?"

Manbao glared at him and silently went to fetch water to wash up.

Bai Shan also glared at him and put down his book to catch up with her.

Bai Erlang pursed his lips, "Hmm, don’t tell me then, who cares to listen anyway."

Bai Shan caught up with Manbao, helping her scoop water from the cistern, and asked, "What’s really going on with you?"

Keke hadn’t come back all night, and Manbao was very worried. She didn’t want to say anything, but seeing the concern in Bai Shan’s eyes, she couldn’t hold back and asked, "If a friend suddenly disappeared without a word, what should I do?"

Bai Shan paused for a moment before asking, "Is it that friend who talked about empathy?"

Manbao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded to Bai Shan.

Bai Shan was silent for a moment, then looked at her with difficulty and said, "If he’s gone, just burn some paper money for him. Don’t worry too much; such matters can only be waited on. If he comes back, everything will be as before. If he doesn’t return, that is also good for him, isn’t it?"

Manbao: "... Burn paper money?"

Bai Shan nodded seriously, "Yes, burn a good amount for him. Oh, could he use what we’ve burned before? Otherwise, we could burn clothes for him, burn all kinds of tasty foods?"

Manbao: ...

Seeing her not speaking, Bai Shan thought she was heartbroken, and patted her shoulder, saying, "Don’t be sad. I understand, actually, you’re luckier than me. I’ve tried to seriously consider it, but my father has never come back to see me."

Manbao vaguely understood something and just looked at Bai Shan in silence.

Bai Shan sighed.

Hearing his sigh, Manbao couldn’t help but recall her own sorrows and sighed as well, deciding to just sit down on the nearby steps.

Bai Shan sat beside her and noticed her eyes were all red. He searched his clothes and found a handkerchief to give her.

Manbao took it and, after wiping away her tears, choked out, "It’s always been by my side..."

Bai Shan was deeply troubled and after a long pause, he said with a heavy heart, "I’ve looked through many books, and they all say that humans and ghosts have different paths. If it’s always with you, it will affect your health. I think this might have been why you were sickly when you were young."

Manbao already knew they weren’t talking about the same person, yet it was the same issue. She looked at Bai Shan for a while before finally drying her tears and saying, "What if I really want it to come back?"

Bai Shan sighed and replied, "Then we can only wait." After all, humans and ghosts are on different paths; besides burning more paper money and clothes for offerings, what else could they do?

Manbao thought it over and felt this was the only solution for now. She sighed, "Then let’s wait."

Seeing her with a face full of sorrow, Bai Shan stood up to help her hold the wooden basin, "Come on, go wash up quickly. You still have morning class soon, and aren’t you supposed to go to the pharmacy today?"

Manbao nodded.

Morning class was actually their self-study and recitation time, where they could ask the teacher about anything they didn’t understand from the previous day’s lesson, typically an activity before breakfast.

After morning class, they would have their breakfast and then go about their respective tasks.

Zhou Wulang only found the chance to speak with Manbao after breakfast, "I came back too late last night and forgot to tell you, we sold all the booklets. Zhou Lichong and the others copied another twelve yesterday, and I sold the rest this morning. Do you think we should have them copy more this morning?"

Manbao thought for a moment and then shook her head, "Let’s not copy anymore. The exams are tomorrow; one morning won’t allow us to copy much, and by the afternoon, I’m afraid no one will buy them. It would be wasted effort."

Zhou Wulang nodded, "I was thinking the same."

Zhou Lichong, Zhou Liwei, and Zhou Lijun all sighed in relief; their hands were nearly falling off from all the copying, they had never worked so hard even when they were studying.

Seeing that Manbao didn’t ask about the money, Zhou Wulang couldn’t help but scratch his head and asked, "What’s the matter with you? We’ve earned so much money and you’re not happy?"

Mr. Zhuang also looked up at his eldest disciple.

Manbao nodded perfunctorily, "I’m happy, yeah. Fifth Brother, keep five taels for me and you guys split the rest."

That was her initial investment.

Upon saying this, Manbao turned to look at Bai Shan and Bai Erlang, "You still owe Senior Brother Bai money, remember to repay it."

Bai Dalang, who had come over from next door to mooch a meal, nearly choked. He waved his hands repeatedly, "No need, no need, why bother over such trivial matters between brothers?"

Manbao said, "Even brothers should settle accounts clearly."

Bai Shan nodded, "I’ll give it to Big Brother soon."

Seeing Bai Erlang burying his head in his food, Manbao kicked him under the table.

Bai Erlang cried out in pain and lifted his head to say, "I know, I’ll give it to Big Brother in a bit."

Bai Dalang glancing at Manbao, and then at his silly brother, acknowledged with a nod of his eyes.

You’re really that stupid, huh? Although she’s your Senior Sister, you’re still blood brothers, aren’t you? What’s wrong with standing up for yourself?

Mr. Zhuang sat at the head of the table quietly finishing his porridge, ignoring the small actions of his disciples. After he finished, he put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and leisurely said, "Come to the garden in a quarter of an hour, we’re going to review everything from the beginning today. I’ve prepared a few questions for you to try."

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang replied in acknowledgment.

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