Although Guan Tongshi understood that her husband was right, she still felt uncomfortable. In her heart, her son was the best, and it was he who had the right to look down on others. When had it ever been the case that others looked down on him?
However, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything and followed along in silence.
Yang Ruxin slightly raised her eyebrows as she looked at the tense-faced young man before her, and with a faint smile said, "Want to say thank you? I accept."
"Thank you is too trivial," Guan Qingshu lowered his eyelids slightly.
"Then what do you propose? To give me gold and silver treasures? Isn’t your family’s entire worth less than mine now?" Yang Ruxin laughed a bit, "So..."
"Me," Qingshu suddenly looked up, "I will definitely succeed in the imperial examinations in the future. I will repay you with my own achievements..."
"No need." Before Yang Ruxin could even speak, a voice came from behind, and then Gu Yao appeared, pushing Gu Qingheng over. Perhaps because he had just woken up, Gu Qingheng’s face had a hint of a pink glow, which made people want to pinch it on impulse.
Yang Ruxin, however, resisted the urge, after all, this was... a public place.
Guan Qingshu’s expression soured slightly as he glanced at Gu Qingheng: "I don’t like owing people favors."
"But you owe Yang Dani a life," Gu Qingheng’s lips curled up slightly.
Guan Qingshu’s face instantly turned pale.
"Guan Qingshu, if you really feel that you owe me, then wait until you succeed in the imperial examinations. Then we can talk about the matter of favors," Yang Ruxin said as she took hold of Gu Qingheng’s hand, "It’s so cold and you’re not wearing enough? Your hands are cold; let’s go back quickly." Then she pushed the wheelchair without giving Guan Qingshu another look, hurrying away.
Gu Qingheng didn’t say anything more, letting Yang Ruxin push him. He had been sleeping before, but when he woke up, he hadn’t felt Xinxin’s presence, which was unusual as she usually would come over and watch him for a while after his acupuncture sessions. But not today, which could only mean she was busy with something else.
Thankfully, he had asked Gu Yao to find him, otherwise... No, he needed to quickly secure Xinxin’s position. Once her status as Gu Qingheng’s wife was set, he could rightfully reprimand anyone who dared to confess to her. But for now...
Once he entertained this thought, Gu Qingheng found he couldn’t suppress it any longer. All his previous intentions and deadlines were thrown to the back of his mind.
Guan Qingshu watched the fading figures, appearing somewhat dazed, yet he also knew that he couldn’t change the situation. His heart filled with bitterness, he finally headed home, his steps uneven.
Guan Qingyue was recovering well because she took Yang Ruxin’s words to heart and saw reason in them. Why couldn’t she also make a stand for herself? With her emotional knots untangled and new hope in mind, her physical condition improved rapidly, to the point where she could even get off the kang-bed.
Guan Danian and his wife didn’t speak of what happened outside upon their return, and she didn’t ask. What was most important now was for her to recover quickly.
But soon, Guan Qingshu returned, and after coming back, he didn’t say a word, heading directly to his room. However, he soon came out again, carrying his bookcase on his back.
"Qingshu, what are you doing?" Guan Tongshi startled at the sight.
"Father, Mother, Sister has figured things out, and it’s time for me to return to my studies," Guan Qingshu said calmly with a small smile, "I’ve already wasted so many days; I can’t afford to lose any more time, or the Master will also have his opinions." He had to strive harder; if he couldn’t pass the examination to become a tribute student, he felt he wouldn’t have the face to see Xinxin again.