CHAPTER 696: CHAPTER 692: I DON’T WANT IT EVEN IF IT’S FREE (THIRD UPDATE)

Mu Shuangshuang’s directness was something Chen Sheng hadn’t anticipated.

He initially assumed Mu Shuangshuang would be just another easy-to-fool village woman.

Now, the Chen family’s resources were exhausted; there was no land, no fields, and Chen Sheng couldn’t find any work.

Supporting a family was truly no easy task.

Even if he wanted to attempt the imperial exam, it would still be three years away.

In these three years, he had to ensure he stayed afloat while also saving enough for the expenses of traveling to Qianzhou Prefecture for the exam.

If he could marry a wife, it would be even better.

"So, how much is Miss Shuangshuang offering?" Chen Sheng asked.

"You earn five taels a year in the town; I’ll offer you the same. After all, living in town costs significantly more; in the village, you almost have nothing to spend on.

We’ll increase the dried meat portion to twelve strips, and as long as there are classes, we’ll provide your meals and accommodation!

If you live frugally enough, in three years, saving enough for the exam and marrying a wife won’t be any problem at all."

Mu Shuangshuang was completely confident that the salary offered to Chen Sheng was no less than any academy’s.

Teaching at her school would absolutely be rewarding for Chen Sheng.

"Allow me to think about it!" Chen Sheng did not immediately give Mu Shuangshuang an answer, still hesitating.

After all, no one had ever opened a school in these villages.

The children had always gone to town for schooling, and if this school were to be established, these village children might all return to study here, raising Mu Shuang’s earnings, while he’d lose out significantly.

Mu Shuangshuang noted Chen Sheng’s hesitation, and honestly, she began to question his character.

A scholar, yet to start teaching, already so calculating; could he really guide students well?

Moreover, she hadn’t yet assessed whether his skills matched the five taels annual "gift" he claimed. How dare he speak such bold words?

Ridiculous!

"Since Mr. Chen is unwilling, there’s nothing more to say; I, Shuangshuang, will seek another person," Mu Shuangshuang stated.

Her words seemed to awaken Chen Sheng, who suddenly grinned and said, "Miss Shuangshuang, I still ask for the previous fee, a tael of silver per child.

Apart from me, you won’t find anyone else in these nearby villages. Even if you walk out my door now, in the end, you’ll still have to come to me, and then I might even charge more!"

Chen Sheng brimmed with confidence.

Mu Shuangshuang felt incredibly awkward, not knowing where his confidence came from.

"Mr. Chen, you think too highly of yourself. In this world, there’s never a shortage of people willing to work.

You say no one other than you would come to teach in these villages — well, I, Mu Shuangshuang, refuse to believe it. I will not only find someone, but I’ll find the best!"

With these words, Mu Shuangshuang pulled Liu Zian and walked out of the Chen family home.

Liu Zian attempted to console Mu Shuangshuang.

"Shuangshuang, let me discuss with Chen Sheng again, persuade him. We were classmates; he’ll listen to me."

Earlier, Liu Zian hadn’t spoken because Mu Shuangshuang had told him that apart from introducing them, all discussions about setting up the school were to be handled by her alone.

Liu Zian had long wanted to speak, but having agreed to Shuangshuang, he couldn’t.

"Liu Zian, just forget it! Even if he didn’t charge money, I wouldn’t hire him. As a teacher, character must be upright.

At a time when we need a teacher, he extorts shamelessly, blinded by greed. Today he threatens for money;

in the future, who knows what he might do for money. You should reduce your interactions with him, lest you find yourself being taken advantage of someday."

Mu Shuangshuang spoke not out of anger, but from the impression Chen Sheng left on her.

Once a person’s heart turns bad, no words can help.

Liu Zian reflected on what Mu Shuangshuang said and spoke after a while.

"I understand, thank you, Shuangshuang!"

As soon as Mu Shuangshuang and Liu Zian left the Chen family, the Chen family gathered to discuss what had just happened.

Chen Sheng wore a broad scholar’s robe, the fabric was good, having cost quite a bit at the time.

However, over the years, it had become worn, with some parts frayed.

"Ah Sheng, why didn’t you just accept Miss Shuangshuang’s offer? You could teach at the school first." Mrs. Chen was somewhat sensible.

A job paying five taels a year could not be found even by lantern light; how did her foolish son reject that?

"Mother, don’t worry, that girl won’t find anyone else; in the end, she’ll have to ask me!

And there’s a reason I did this; think about it, if Mu Shuangshuang charges a child and I earn a tael;

if there are a dozen children, wouldn’t I earn more than ten taels a year?

In three years, not only would I have enough for the exam expenses but also enough for marriage and a large house for you!"

Chen Sheng unabashedly revealed his ambitions in front of the Chen family.

The Chen family praised Chen Sheng’s foresight, depending on him for their old age, bringing glory to the family, and more.

Yet none of the Chen family thought that whether Mu Shuangshuang came back or not, they were already struggling to make ends meet.

The rice of recent days was borrowed from neighbors; as long as Mu Shuangshuang didn’t come, they’d have to keep borrowing.

"Mother, now that Ah Sheng has prospects, our Chen family should celebrate, celebrate, kill the old hen in the backyard for Ah Sheng to nourish himself, what do you think?"

Mrs. Chen asked Mrs. Chen Senior.

Listening to the big promises painted by Chen Sheng, Mrs. Chen Senior didn’t hesitate and personally went to the backyard to slaughter the family’s only laying hen.

The old hen squawked mournfully as it was bled, the sound soon fading away!

...

...

Failing to find someone, Mu Shuangshuang could only head back, running into Lu Yuanfeng returning with the cart just as she reached Er Gui Village.

Liu Zian felt it inappropriate to visit Mu Shuangshuang’s grandmother’s house, so he bid farewell at the village entrance and returned alone to Liu Family Village.

Mu Shuangshuang continued her journey with Lu Yuanfeng.

On the way, Mu Shuangshuang recounted everything about her meeting with Chen Sheng to Lu Yuanfeng in detail.

This included Chen Sheng’s attitude and what she had said.

"Shuangshuang did wonderfully. If it were me, I’d have left as well." Lu Yuanfeng smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

Mu Shuangshuang lifted her chin slightly, a faint smile gracing her lips.

"It’s only natural. It’s fortunate I didn’t hit him.

You wouldn’t believe, when I left, that Chen Sheng still looked so sure that I would be back."

Mu Shuangshuang had already saved enough of the gift money for Xiao Han and Yuanbao, and if in the end she couldn’t find a suitable teacher, she, Mu Shuangshuang, would personally buy a carriage and drive the two children to and from school every day.

Meanwhile, she could deal with business in town.

Life never has only one path.

Whatever she, Mu Shuangshuang, wanted to achieve, there would be nothing she couldn’t accomplish.

"Shuangshuang, no matter what decision you make, I’ll support you!"