Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Kissed with a Puff (3)_1 Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Kissed with a Puff (3)_1 Lin Yuan smiled and nodded her head, and ng Liangdong returned the gesture with a bow, “A pleasure to et you, indeed.”
Once they were both seated, Liuzi attentively poured tea for them.
Taking advantage of this mont, Lin Yuan observed ng Liangdong more closely.
Truthfully speaking, Boss ng really wasn’t cut out for business; even as a teacher, he would be the kind who’s so ticulous that he borders on being pedantic.
He was dressed in a coarse cloth robe, with every button at the collar neatly fastened.
Even the cuffs were folded perfectly straight, without the slightest angle off.
It wasn’t just his attire but also his posture.
Unlike others who would sit fully on a stool, he sat tentatively on just the half of it, his fists half-clenched and resting demurely on his knees.
With his head slightly bowed, his eyes didn’t wander around but instead looked straight ahead.
Only when Liuzi handed him a teacup did he raise his head to accept it with both hands, repeatedly expressing his thanks.
This mannerism of his was genuinely amusing for Lin Yuan.
Frankly speaking, since she had arrived in this era, it was her first ti coming across such a rigorously precise man.
“Why does Boss ng wish to sell his shop?
I’ve heard that it has been in business for over a decade.
Could it be that Boss ng is willing to part with it?” Lin Yuan naturally knew the reason, but she asked the question with a hint of jest.
As expected, ng Liangdong didn’t disappoint her.
Seeing her speak to him, ng Liangdong, who had just raised his teacup to his lips, promptly set the cup back on the table, his hands again half-clenched on his knees.
Even as he spoke to her, his eyes tactfully avoided looking at her.
“Alas, every family has its own difficult scripture to chant.
Since Miss Lin has inquired, I shall speak candidly.
Indeed, this shop was bequeathed to by my father, but unfortunately, I am not skilled in managing it and have failed to et my father’s expectations.
Now, the shop’s revenues cannot cover its expenses.
If I don’t act soon, I fear the savings accumulated over these many years will be squandered by my hands.
I have no choice but to part with it painfully and seek soone destined to take it over.”
Off to the side, Liuzi scratched his head in vexation, his mouth twisting bitterly—he found Boss ng’s way of speaking incredibly tedious and didn’t understand a single sentence.
Lin Yuan, however, did understand, but she was almost dizzy from his incessant use of “I” in such a formal manner.
Her guess was not wrong: ng Liangdong really was the teaching kind, and based on her observation, likely a very learned man at that.
If that was the case, could it be that ng Liangdong was planning to sell the shop and travel to the capital to sit for the exams?
With that thought, Lin Yuan posed the question.
Without asking, things were fine, but her question turned things on their head as the forrly expressionless ng Liangdong suddenly looked disconsolate and heaved sighs.
“Miss Lin truly has a discerning eye and gets to the heart of matters.
I have indeed dabbled in scholarship for a few years and have participated in the provincial examinations several tis.
However, alas, for so reason, every ti full of confidence as I entered the exam hall, my mind would go blank upon seeing the exam papers.
I couldn’t recall anything I had studied.
Only after leaving the examination hall could I write down the content word for word.
I took the triennial provincial exams three tis, with the sa result every ti, until I finally abandoned the idea of pursuing official credentials.”
Lin Yuan had heard of such a condition where one could usually write smoothly but would fail to perform in an exam—simply put, it was a lack of ntal fortitude.
Moreover, from what ng Liangdong implied, he must have spent over a decade attempting to achieve officialdom, which explained why he carried an aura of a defeated man.
In front of this young girl barely in her teens, he hadn’t once raised his head.
Understanding his situation, Lin Yuan felt so sympathy for him.
After all, it was rare for soone to persist with sothing for a decade.
Putting everything else aside, just his perseverance alone was enough to earn Lin Yuan’s admiration.
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