He explained everything to Xie Yan in detail. Doing business was not just about talking—it required real action.
The study had changed its management style, and its success or failure wasn’t yet known.
This part of the business needed his careful attention and timely adjustments, leaving little mental space for other matters in the short term.
Once the study was stable, and he had some idle silver in hand, he could start looking into other workshops.
After accumulating more funds, they could follow their original plan—buying good farmland and a house.
But the main focus of their enterprise remained the trading company.
The study needed to generate a steady, long-term flow, and his primary way of saving money would be through dividends from the trading company.
Only with silver in hand could the subsequent matters be arranged.
For the trading company to succeed, aside from management, confidence and resources were necessary.
Lu Yang spoke at length, eventually leading to what he really wanted to say.
“Ah Yan, don’t worry about me. Just think whether you are ready to take the exam next year.”
Seeing Xie Yan’s expression, he smiled again. “This year I’m expecting, and it’s what I want. When we first came to the provincial capital, I already said we could have a child. Did I not know your exam dates then? I knew for the next year or two, my focus would be on the study and the trading company. Li Feng is managing the company, my godfather and two brothers manage the study. I don’t need to worry much. While saving money, we can have the child. Whether this year or next, it’s the same for me.”
Xie Yan calmed down, speaking softly, almost like a child.
“I’ve long wanted you to teach me to make plans, but you said it wasn’t necessary, that it wasn’t suitable for me. Now I just want to know: taking the exam next year or waiting three more years—is it the same?”
Lu Yang said, “For you, it’s the same. Your dedication to study won’t change.”
Xie Yan smiled at that. “And for you, is it the same?”
Lu Yang nodded. “The same. When I give birth, you’ll be there beside me.”
Xie Yan asked again, “And for our family, is it the same?”
Lu Yang nodded once more. “Yes. Your mother knows your efforts. You’ve loved reading since you were little—sweating in summer, freezing hands in winter, never putting down your brush. As long as you never abandon this pursuit, for her, the timing of the exam doesn’t matter. Neither she nor I are in a hurry.”
Xie Yan was silent for a moment, then softly asked, “I wonder what my father thinks.”
From Xie Yan’s mother and son, Lu Yang had learned much about the father-in-law. He inferred from past events and told Xie Yan, “He’ll let you give the exam a try.”
Xie Yan laughed. “Yes, he’s that kind of person.”
Xie Yan then recounted a memory from his childhood.
Not long after he had learned to write essays, there was a period when he resisted picking up the brush, unsure how to write. It was somewhat like how he felt under Old Master Cui’s guidance—always sensing something was missing.
As a child, he thought he hadn’t read enough, hadn’t prepared enough. Not wanting to produce a bad essay, he simply didn’t write.
As he grew, he wanted a clear path, avoiding wasted time, so he stopped writing altogether.
As an adult, Lu Yang guided him, showing that the path is made by walking it. The more he feared, the more stuck he became. Using his clumsy methods, he transformed himself.
As a child, his father’s lessons taught him that writing was done through action, not just preparation. From then on, he developed the habit of putting every thought to paper.
Now, two paths lay before him—face the challenge directly or prepare thoroughly before advancing.
Xie Yan was self-aware. When discussing his future teaching plans with Second Brother Cui, he admitted his shortcomings. He was not the type for pure hands-on work.
But he knew that enduring was part of the process. If he had to build a future in the capital, then he would endure there.
Xie Yan made his decision.
“Jingzhi, I’ll go to the capital next year for the exam. I’ll bring you little illustrated books and show you the city.”
Lu Yang teased, “Wow, just books?”
Xie Yan leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll also show you the capital in person.”
“How ambitious!” Lu Yang exclaimed loudly, exaggerating the intimacy of the kiss.
The matter of the exam was only discussed privately between the couple. Once outside, Xie Yan never mentioned it again. The plan was settled.
Li Feng was busy but suddenly felt his back stiffen.
He told Lu Liu, “If only I had studied, I’d know how good it feels now.”
The couple chatted for a while, then both instinctively looked at Zhuang Zhuang.
The little boy seemed to sense it, shivering slightly, turning to look at the two fathers with wide eyes full of trust, calling out “Daddy” repeatedly.
Lu Liu and Li Feng softened, crouching down to meet his gaze, coaxing him with overlapping voices: “Zhuang Zhuang, do you want to study? Do you like reading? Are you a good little reader?”
Poor Zhuang Zhuang could barely speak, but his “ya ya” sounded like agreement.
Without hesitation, the couple brought over a book and began reading aloud to him.
The Three Character Classic was unsuitable—both little ones got sleepy immediately. Lu Liu then tried the Thousand Character Classic, but it still didn’t hold their attention, so they switched to another book.
They really didn’t understand. The adults read until their mouths were dry, while the children giggled and played, paying no real attention!
The children were too young, so the adults amused themselves, then set aside the book and discussed other matters.
Lu Liu found two deer tendon slingshots, intending to gift one to his brother in advance.
Besides the slingshots, they planned to buy a few other items.
Lu Liu was pregnant at the time; her brother and brother-in-law had traveled a long way to visit, bringing a cart full of goods. Now, since her brother was expecting and they were in the provincial capital, shopping was convenient. This time, they didn’t need to overdo it, just pick the necessary items.
They needed nourishing foods, plus some plums and chili for the taste of the expectant husband. They also bought more fabric for the little one’s clothes, shoes, and socks, as well as a small quilt.
Lu Liu could make tiger-head shoes; she knew the needed materials. She would also buy some bells.
Needlework strained the eyes and couldn’t be done constantly. Her brother was restless by nature; during the early months of pregnancy, rest was necessary. After three months, winter would arrive with snow, making travel inconvenient. Later, with a larger belly, going out would also be difficult.
Lu Liu also wanted to browse for small amusements, buying a few items to lift her brother’s spirits.
The couple planned for the next day to shop according to this schedule.
After completing the purchases, they wandered around, looking for small entertainments.
They picked out a few opera scripts, miscellaneous storybooks, then a Luban lock puzzle and the Nine Linked Rings. Since Lu Yang’s family already had a Go set, they didn’t buy another, opting for a chess set instead.
The season wasn’t right for planting seeds; otherwise, Lu Liu would have bought some to see the seedlings sprout at home—relaxing and pleasant in their own courtyard.
That day’s shopping filled their baskets. Li Feng carried big and small packages, while Lu Liu held several pieces of fabric.
The couple paused at the door, went inside to pick up the slingshots, and then brought them next door as gifts.
Xie Yan stayed home, accompanying Lu Yang. Seeing them arrive with so many things, Lu Yang scolded them gently, smiling.
“What’s all this for? We don’t need it here. You’ve gone to so much trouble!”
Xie Yan didn’t hold back, praising Li Feng for being capable.
Lu Liu went inside with her brother, put down the items, and let her brother-in-law greet Li Feng. Then she told her brother: “When I picked books today, I saw a calligraphy copybook. I was going to buy two for you to practice, but Da Feng said you should copy your brother-in-law’s writing. I thought he was right, so I didn’t buy them.”
Lu Yang smiled. “Exactly. Don’t buy copybooks. Just take your brother-in-law’s writing home to practice!”
Lu Liu had no intention of buying a copybook anyway; she was practicing by copying directly from books.
