Chapter 24: A Scumbag Who Cheats for Love and Money

The moon rose high in the sky, serene and gentle, casting a quiet glow that made the world seem even more beautiful and peaceful.

After finishing all the books given by the teacher, Shen Xiuyan stretched lazily.

He could finally go to sleep.

Just as he was about to turn off the lights, he glanced at the green robe he’d placed beside the bed and couldn’t help but grin foolishly again.

Then he noticed the books on the table and sighed before collapsing face-first onto the bed with a groan.

Life was just too! Hard! For him!

The next day, Shen Xiuyan wore a brand-new green robe that made Zhou Shi almost not recognize him.

She asked, shivering slightly, “Where did you get these clothes…”

Just one look and she could tell they weren’t cheap. Even if their financial situation had improved slightly, they’d never dare buy something like that.

Shen Xiuyan thought for a moment and answered truthfully, “A gift from someone I like.”

“Oh, someone gave it to you.” Zhou Shi nodded. She thought so—Xiuyan would never be so wasteful.

“WHAT?! Someone you like???” Zhou Shi realized a beat late.

Shen Xiuyan nodded with a bright smile. “Someone I like!”

“No, Xiuyan, who’s the girl you’ve taken a fancy to…” Zhou Shi grew anxious. “We can’t do anything so heartless, alright?”

She knew her son had been popular with girls since he was young because of his good looks.

But he had always been focused on his studies and never seemed close to any girl. (In truth, he held himself in too high regard to look at the muddy-footed village girls.)

So how did someone suddenly appear?

And even buy such expensive clothes!

Could it be that Xiuyan had been seduced by wealth and turned into one of those scumbags the storytellers always talked about—cheating women out of love and money?

Her gaze grew subtle, with a hint of suspicion.

Shen Xiuyan spread his hands helplessly. “Mom, what are you thinking? Am I that kind of person?”

Zhou Shi chuckled awkwardly. “Well, these clothes… you can’t blame me for overthinking…”

Shen Xiuyan was speechless.

Shen Xiuyan said nothing.

Shen Xiuyan stared at his mother until she started looking guilty.

Sure enough, Zhou Shi caved after a moment. “You didn’t cheat her out of love or money?”

Shen Xiuyan: “No.”

Zhou Shi: “Then the girl’s rich?”

“Yes.”

Zhou Shi: “!!!”

Unbelievable! Child’s father up in heaven, did you see this?!

Xiuyan has caught the eye of a rich young lady!!!

And it looks like she likes him back!!!

What kind of blessed incense has the Shen family been burning for this kind of luck? Even the ancestral grave must be smoking!

She grabbed her son’s hand. “Quick, tell Mom which family she’s from. When are you planning to propose? I need to be prepared.”

“If I told you now, wouldn’t that ruin her reputation? I can’t say.” Shen Xiuyan refused righteously.

“Fine, fine, don’t say. But at least tell me when you’re planning to propose.”

Shen Xiuyan: “……”

Ouch. That one hurt.

Thinking about the money pouch from last night, barely filled no matter how he counted it, Shen Xiuyan replied, “Not proposing yet.”

Zhou Shi’s eyes turned fierce. She couldn’t hold it in and shouted, “How did I raise a child like you? And you call yourself a scholar? You might as well have fed those books to a dog! And you say you’re not cheating for love and money!”

Shen Xiuyan sighed helplessly. “I plan to propose after I pass the Xiucai exam. I can’t let her suffer with us in poverty, can I?”

“Yes, yes, Xiuyan is thoughtful. I knew you weren’t that kind of person. Honestly, we’re the ones aiming too high here. It’s only right to gain some standing before we ask for her hand.”

Zhou Shi changed her tune immediately, as if those previous words weren’t hers at all.

She beamed with pride, thinking, As long as my face is thick enough, then I didn’t say anything!

“Alright then, I’m off to the academy.”

“Go, go.” Zhou Shi was all smiles, gentle as a spring breeze.

Shen Xiuyan was speechless.

Does she have to change faces that fast…

Zhou Shi looked at her son’s upright back and sighed. He had his principles, but was the Xiucai exam that easy to pass…

What if the marriage falls through…

Shen Xiuyan arrived at the academy early. Thinking it over, he picked up the books the teacher had lent him and went to return them.

Liu Fuzi was surprised to see him. “What is it?”

Shen Xiuyan placed the books on the table. “Teacher, I’ve finished reading them.”

Liu Fuzi: “……”

It’s only been three days—he finished them already???

He might be bluffing…

But his expression didn’t change. “You’ve mastered everything inside?”

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “Yes. Your annotations are very clear and easy to understand.”

He could’ve finished in two days, but had been delayed by his uncle’s situation.

“I really have mastered it all.”

Liu Fuzi’s expression darkened slightly. His handwriting was excellent, but this kind of study attitude was unacceptable!

“All of it?”

“Yes.”

“Fine, then I’ll test you.”

He proceeded to ask all sorts of difficult questions, unreservedly. But to his shock, Shen Xiuyan answered them all with ease.

By the end, Liu Fuzi’s expression grew numb.

Because he realized Shen Xiuyan didn’t just understand the material—he had an extraordinary ability to memorize. The entire book was locked in his mind, impossible to forget.

Where did this genius come from?!