Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Are you his younger brother or my older brother! Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Are you his younger brother or my older brother! “Brother Molian.”
“Brother Molian, what brings you here?” She asked with a huge grin plastered on her face.
“I ran out of some stuff at home, so I came to buy it from the county. By any chance, did Sang use up all of Changfeng’s paper and ink?” Ya Molian asked.
Big brother, even if you knew the answer, did you really have to voice it out loud?
Moreover, I have money now. Why should I be worried about using a bit of paper and ink? Should I buy ten or eight sets of it for reserve later?
She smiled mechanically, baring her teeth and nodding.
“Since we’ve met each other here in the county, let’s go together. To be honest, I am a simple man. I’ve never set foot in these refined bookstores.” Ya Molian said, laughing at the two of them.
There should be limits to people’s lies. You being a simple man, might fool my Brother Changfeng, but keep in mind that I’m well aware.
“Sure thing, Brother Molian. Let’s go in together.”
Before she was able to voice her refusal, Lin Caisang could hear her cousin’s cheerful voice in her ears. She quietly turned to look at Lin Changfeng.
She really wanted to ask: Are you his little brother or my big brother!
But what could she do? Turn Ya Molian away? That was impossible! What if he suddenly revealed the truth about her? She’d better stay calm.
Thus, the three casually strolled into the Literati Pavilion.
“Oh! It’s Changfeng. Good to see you.” The owner of the Literati Pavilion wasn’t exactly old, probably around his late thirties or early forties. Upon seeing Lin Changfeng, he quickly came over.
“I heard you went home for a couple of days. I thought you wouldn’t be returning so soon. Have you finished copying all those books?”
“Yes, I have finished. They’re all here.”
Lin Changfeng placed the bamboo basket he was carrying on his back down, handed a large packet of things wrapped in grey cloth to the shopkeeper.
“Shopkeeper, I’ve copied all these books, and there’s some extra paper which I have kept.”
“Why are you keeping the extra paper? It is quite heavy. You can use it for copying later.” The shopkeeper opened the package, looked at a few pages, and nodded in satisfaction.
“Actually, the autumn imperial examination is about to start, and my family want me to put aside the task of copying books and focus on preparing for it. I’m afraid I won’t be able to copy any books for you for now.”
Lin Changfeng felt a bit embarrassed as he spoke to the shopkeeper.
“I see, that’s okay. Changfeng, you are destined for great things and you should get ready for it.” The shopowner considered for a while, but didn’t object.
Young people like Lin Changfeng were rare these days. Even a primary scholar wouldn’t want to copy books, they feared it would taint their status. Simply put, they were just finding excuses for their own laziness.
Hardworking people like Lin Changfeng were truly rare.
“I’ll pay you for your work in a bit.”
“Thank you, shopkeeper.” Lin Changfeng expressed his thanks.
“Brother Changfeng, aren’t we supposed to buy some paper and ink too?” Lin Caisang reminded him.
“Right, right. We need to get some paper and ink.”
Upon her reminder, Lin Changfeng finally remembered what he needed to do. The ink at home was good to use and would last for a while, but they were truly out of paper and needed to buy some.
“Shopkeeper, I need to buy some bamboo paper and…”
He glanced at his sister, wanting to ask her what kind of paper she needed. He still remembered the look of disgust she gave when he handed her the white hemp paper for the first time.