Chapter 253: Many Variables in the World


    Trantor: Henyee Trantions Editor: Herlyee Trantions


    Shen Yao raised his eyebrows silently, confusion appearing in his eyes.


    ‘Why?”


    Master Song sighed softly and said, “Shen Yao, you’re already full of wisdom. I can’t teach you at all. Your biggest problem is that you have hostility.”


    “Only by getting rid of that hostility can you calm down and study.” Master Song looked at Shen Yao and said earnestly, “l heard that this autumn, the imperial court might reopen the Fall Quarter Examinations. Why don’t you give it a try?”


    “The Fall Quarter Examinations are held once every three years. It was already heldst year.” Shen Yao frowned curiously.


    But Master Song smiled.


    “Shen Yao, there are many variables in the world.” Master Song suddenly patted his shoulder and said with a kind smile.


    When Shen Yao brought Ji Chen back to Hongxing Restaurant, Ji Zhao had not returned yet.


    Shen Yao said a few words to Ji Chen, then turned around and went to the kitchen.


    He thought that Ah Tao should stay at Shen Ji for lunch.


    Just as Shen Yao had expected, Ji Zhao had indeed stayed at Shen Ji for lunch.


    However, at this moment, the atmosphere in Shen Ji was not good.


    Eldest Sister-inw Shen looked at the silent Eldest Brother Shen with a straight face. She was so angry that she could not speak


    “Shen Lei! How can you be so muddle-headed? How can you sign this contract without reading it clearly?’ They had been husband and wife for many years, but this was the first time Eldest Sister-inw Shen had scolded Eldest Brother Shen using his full name!


    “I...” Eldest Brother Shen scratched his ears in frustration. “l don’t know either.. At that time, I drank two sses ofwine with Shopkeeper Zhao, and he lowered the price of the shop by 50 taels. I was really tempted, so I signed this contract and paid a deposit of 100 taels.”


    Eldest Sister-inw Shen was so angry that she could not speak. “Buying a


    shop is such a big deal. Why didn’t you discuss it with me?”


    “Dongmei, don’t be angry,” Eldest Brother Shen coaxed her. “You’re still pregnant. It’s bad for your health to be angry!”


    “Eldest Sister-inw, can you show me the contract?”


    When the atmosphere was less tense, Ji Zhao coughed lightly and asked softly.


    Eldest Sister-inw Shen hurriedly handed the letter to her.


    Ji Zhao looked at it seriously and her gaze fell on thest line of small words.


    Her heart sank. “Eldest Brother, is there a problem with this sentence?”


    Thest line of the contract stated that once the transaction between the buyer and the seller waspleted, the buyer had to bear all the debts of the seller and could not go back on his word. Otherwise, not only would the contract be invalidated, but the buyer would also have topensate the seller five hundred taels?


    “This is apletely unequal overlord treaty!” Ji Zhao hurriedly stood up and asked nervously, “Big Brother, when you signed the contract, did Shopkeeper Zhao act strangely?”


    “Ah Tao, don’t panic first.” Eldest Brother Shen quickly waved at the two of them. “Don’t worry, listen to me first. ‘


    “Thisst contract was added by Shopkeeper Zhao. His goal is very simple. Because he’s in a hurry to sell the shop, he doesn’t want the buyer to go back on his word.” Eldest Brother Shen patted his chest and smiled confidently. “As for the shop’s previous debt, I’ve asked clearly. Brother Zhao only owes the workers’ sries. It’s not much. It’s only 25 taels.”


    “Tomorrow morning, Brother Zhao wille to look for me. At that time, I’ll go to the county office with him to prepare the case,” Eldest Brother Shen said with a smile. “So, wife, Ah Tao, you really don’t have to worry so much.”


    “I’ve already asked around. That shop is worth 300 taels of silver. Now, we’ve only spent half of the price to buy the shop. We didn’t lose out on this business,” Eldest Brother Shen said excitedly when he saw that they had calmed down.


    “I hope so...” Eldest Sister-inw Shen exchanged nces with Ji Zhao and smiled helplessly. “Ah Tao, can you do me a favor?’


    “Brother, what is it?”


    “Can you help mee up with some good ideas? When the new shop opens, can our Shen Ji hold some discount activities? Besides, didn’t you mention something about a membership system earlier? Can you help mee up with a detailed n?’


    “Alright.” Ji Zhao nodded in agreement.


    Halfway through the night, Ji Zhao returned to Hongxing Restaurant.


    At that moment, Ji Chen was standing in front of the desk, drawing seriously and attentively. Shen Yao, who was standing beside him, was seriously adding details.


    “Sister?” Ji Chen quickly looked up when he heard footsteps. He quickly put down the paintbrush in his hand and rushed to Ji Zhao with a smile.


    “Did my Chenchen sessfully be a disciple today?” Ji Zhao, whose eyes were curved into crescents, could not help but rub the little hair on his head and ask with a smile.


    “Yes!’ Ji Chen nodded vigorously, and the smile on his face became even more obedient. “I’ve be disciple, Sister. A feast?’


    “Have you really be a disciple?” Ji Zhao was extremely excited.


    HeShehurriedly looked at Shen Yao and confirmed again, “Ah Yao, is what


    Chenchen said true? Is Master Song really willing to take him as a disciple?”


    “Yes.” Looking at her surprised smile, Shen Yao nodded slightly. The gloominess that lingered in his heart seemed to have dissipated by more than half. ‘Master Song has indeed taken Chenchen as his disciple.”


    “That’s great!” Ji Zhao was extremely excited. She could not help but bend down and kiss Ji Chen’s cheek. “Our Chenchen is really great. Sister is so happy!’


    Ji Chen, who was kissed by her, lowered his head shyly.


    “Tonight, Sister will make a super delicious meal for our Chenchen! Chenchen, please look forward to it!” Ji Zhao wished she could kiss Ji Chen, hug him, and raise him up high.


    Unfortunately, her arms were too slender, so there was no way to express her excitement in this way.


    “Ahem.” Shen Yao suddenly coughed when he saw her looking at Ji Chen lovingly.


    ‘What’s wrong? Is your throat ufortable?” Ji Zhao quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. “Quick, drinka cup of tea to moisten your throat.” “Ah Tao.” Shen Yao suddenly looked up at her, his low voice filled with grievance.


    ‘What’s wrong?” Ji Zhao walked to his side anxiously and tiptoed to touch his forehead. “Shen Yao, don’t scare me. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”


    “Here.” Shen Yao suddenly grabbed her hand and ced it on his left chest. He said aggrievedly, “It’s a little ufortable.”


    ‘What’s wrong?” Ji Zhao sensed his abnormality and asked gently with a frown. “Master Song doesn’t want to take me as his disciple,” Shen Yao looked at her and said pitifully.


    “Huh?”


    When Ji Zhao heard this news, she was really stunned.


    “So, Master Song thinks that Chenchen is very talented in painting, so he took Chenchen as his disciple? But he didn’t take you as his disciple?” Ji Zhao blinked in confusion. “But why didn’t Master Song take you in?”


    Ji Zhao remembered that ording to the plot in the book, the reason why Shen Yao would be the Grand Secretary of the imperial court in the future was because he was talented in literature! Why was Master Song unwilling to take him in as a disciple?