Chapter 6

Standing in the spacious study, Jinfu looked at the neatly stacked books on the shelves and the paper and pen on the square desk, feeling extremely excited. He swallowed hard and stammered, "Father, can I really...?"

"Of course, I keep my word," Wang Fulin patted the thick stack of paper, seeing the little boy's joy, and then put on a serious face, saying, "Don't be too happy yet. First, write a character for me to see."

As Jinfu took a deep breath to calm himself, he approached, ground the ink, dipped the brush, and carefully wrote the character 'Wang' on a piece of paper. Wang Fulin glanced at it and said, "You used to learn by copying discarded papers and practicing with twigs on the ground, so you have some bad habits that need to be corrected. Therefore, I've organized the calligraphy models I used to practice with. You'll start by tracing Ouyang Xun's calligraphy."

Seeing the little boy nodding gratefully without saying anything else, Wang Fulin smiled and said, "Write ten pages of tracing every day. In the remaining time, I'll read the Four Books to you again."

This would also serve as a review for him, in preparation for the upcoming visit of the Chief Examiner from Ningguo Prefecture. Although he didn't want to continue taking exams, he still had to pass this hurdle.

Jinfu was almost ecstatic. The sudden happiness that descended upon him made him feel like he was in a dream. Having been beaten and cursed by his brother since he was old enough to understand, and never having a good day, he pinched his arm hard, winced, and let out a soft hiss, finally confirming that everything was real!

"Work hard!"

Hearing this simple encouragement, Jinfu couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He fell to his knees, bowed twice, and sobbed, "Thank you, Father! Thank you, Father!"

Seeing that Jinfu couldn't say anything else, Wang Fulin squatted down in front of him, looking at the little boy whose fate would soon change dramatically. He wasn't a pushover and wouldn't accept everything the previous Wang Fulin did, like the unwanted Qiu Feng, whom he firmly rejected. However, he wouldn't neglect those who could help him live a peaceful and comfortable life, like this diligent little boy. He touched Jinfu's forehead, where the bruises had faded, and smiled.

"It's because you were diligent and persistent when you secretly listened to the lessons that you have this opportunity today. You don't need to thank me. From now on, after our morning jog, you'll come back and practice calligraphy first, don't waste time."

Jinfu nodded vigorously. Seeing Wang Fulin sit down at the desk to write something, he quickly picked up the feather duster and diligently cleaned the study. Wang Fulin didn't pay attention to him, wrote a letter, sealed it, and put it together with the document he had obtained from the clan leader. Then he got up and left.

In the courtyard, Wang Erniang and Wang Xiaomei were playing cat's cradle with great interest. The sisters, who had enjoyed Song Bo's candied haws again today, were clearly in high spirits, their smiles bright and free from the usual gloom. He didn't disturb them and quietly went to the front, calling the only male servant in the house, Wang Qi, who was in his early forties, and instructed him to deliver the letter to his uncle Wu Tianbao's home in the south of Yan Town.

In the following days, Wang Fulin continued his daily morning exercises as usual, while Jinfu, after jogging with him for half an hour, would return to practice calligraphy, leaving Wang Fulin to continue his exercises under the locust tree at the village entrance. After more than half a month, with a diet of fresh, natural, and pollution-free vegetables, eggs, and meat, he could clearly feel his body recovering rapidly. He had gained a couple of pounds and his stamina had significantly improved. After finishing his exercises and wiping the sweat from his forehead with a soft towel, he suddenly noticed someone by the Fengle River. He felt a sense of curiosity and walked over.

Although only a river separated them, Wang Fulin had never been to Xixi South Village since he woke up. On the few occasions he had ventured out of the village and looked across the river, he had noticed that Xixi South Village was more prosperous than Songming Mountain Village, evident from the larger and more numerous private gardens. Of course, where there were rich people, there were also poor people, and the low, old, and dilapidated houses were more numerous.

At the end of the stone path at the entrance of Songming Mountain Village stood a wooden pavilion, which seemed to be only a few decades old, old but sturdy, and appeared to have been built around the same time as the stone walls and gatehouse surrounding the village. Beyond that was the stone bridge leading directly to Xixi South Village. At that moment, a tall man was standing by the river, about ten steps away from the stone bridge, seemingly lost in thought. In an instant, he quickly took off his clothes and shoes, placed them neatly on a rock, and plunged into the water with a splash.

Seeing this, Wang Fulin was startled. He quickly walked a few steps forward, glanced at the neatly folded clothes on the round rock, and then looked at the river. In a moment, the person had disappeared, as if he had sunk to the bottom. He suppressed his unease and waited patiently. Soon, he heard a splash, and a head emerged from the water, followed by the person swimming to the other side.

He thought to himself, who jumps into the river to commit suicide and still takes the time to neatly fold their clothes and shoes? Clearly, this was just swimming! However, from the clothes, it was evident that the swimmer was a scholar from a well-off family. It was rare for scholars to have such a hobby in this era.

Looking at the clear river, Wang Fulin felt a bit itchy. But considering the weather wasn't yet the hottest, and he was on the path to recovery, he had to resist the temptation. Since the person who swam to the other side hadn't returned and there was no one else around, he decided to do some more exercises as a precaution, just in case.

Wang Fulin had just finished his exercises when the man who had jumped into the river returned. Seeing him safely ashore and dressing himself by the round rock without coming over to greet him, Wang Fulin didn't make a fuss and turned to go home. He thought it was just a chance encounter, but for the next three mornings, he encountered the same person swimming in the same Fengle River. Such behavior, which would be common in the future, was quite rare in this era. After all, ordinary people went to the river either to cool off or to catch fish; who had the leisure to swim for fun in the early morning?

Ordinary people had the least leisure time in this era!

Although the man clearly had excellent swimming skills, Wang Fulin still acted as a volunteer lifeguard for three days. On the fourth day, after waiting for the man to come ashore and turn to leave, he heard a voice behind him, "Hey, I'm talking to you."

Wang Fulin stopped and turned around, finally getting a close look at the early morning swimmer. The man was about twenty-five or twenty-six, with clear features, but when he spoke, he was straightforward, "You've been watching me swim for three days. Do you think I'm being wild and unrestrained?"

Is there really someone who flatters themselves like this? Swimming in the river is considered wild and unrestrained?

Wang Fulin's lips twitched, and he said seriously, "I'm just being cautious. As the saying goes, those who are good at swimming often drown. If you had come with a group, it would be fine, but coming alone to swim in the Fengle River so early in the morning, I had to waste some time watching for three days. Even in the summer, you can get cramps, let alone in this weather when the water is colder."

The young man raised an eyebrow and said more directly, "So you're afraid I'll drown?"

"If that's what you think, then I can only say, better safe than sorry. That's my principle. Goodbye."

Wang Fulin bowed and turned to leave. But after a few steps, he heard the man speak again.

"You have so many troubles yourself, yet you still have time to worry about such trivial matters?"

Clearly, the man knew who he was, but he didn't recognize him!

Wang Fulin was helpless. He only had the fragmented memories of the original owner about the Four Books, Five Classics, and the eight-part essay. Even if he had merged with other memories, he couldn't recognize this person, given his lack of social skills. So, he stood still and said lightly, "If I sigh and worry all day, it would only make those with ulterior motives happy. Life is for living, and I want to be happy."

After saying this, he walked away without looking back. But the self-proclaimed wild and unrestrained man followed him like a piece of gum.

"Since this village is mostly surnamed Wang, why don't you go and see the elders and let them help you?"

Wang Fulin finally turned to look at the man, stopped, and bowed. "I used to be isolated, so I'm not familiar with many of the elders and younger generations in the clan. I don't want to impose on them. If I'm really pushed to the brink, I'll have to seek the clan's help."

"So you're not at that point yet, and you're confident about the future?"

This guy is really persistent!

Wang Fulin smiled and said ambiguously, "I learned a lesson from my injury—don't have people around when you need them and no one when you don't. First, rely on yourself, then on others. Goodbye."

Actually, he didn't recognize who this person was and didn't want to reveal any gaps, so it was best to say a few nice words and leave quickly!

Seeing Wang Fulin walk away, the young man with wet hair and water droplets on his head couldn't help but smile.

"The little guy who used to have his eyes on the top of his head and was only interested in the Four Books and Five Classics has become so interesting!"

As he said this, the young man rubbed his chin with interest, his expression changing.

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