Little Shitou confidently dipped a fingertip into some water and wrote his name in large, broad strokes on the wooden table—Yu Fan.  

Yuan Sinian ate his braised food with obvious pleasure as he intently watched the little fellow write. When he saw that the boy’s handwriting had character and style, he smiled, “Not bad, that child did a good job in teaching! Yu Fan, do you want to come with me to Rongxuan Academy to study?”

Shopkeeper Jin was listening to their conversation at the side and his heart filled with envy and jealousy. This little fellow was quite fortunate. He had an older sister who was talented at cooking. Despite the fact that the boy only knew how to write his own name, Great Scholar Yuan had personally recruited him into the academy. His son, on the other hand, wasn’t the most talented person but he had relied on his own abilities to test into the school. It was only because of him…So many regrets, ah, he regretted his previous actions so much! 

Little Shitou blinked a couple of times and then beamed a smile, “Old mister, thank you for your good intentions. However, we don’t have enough money saved up to pay for my tuition. After we have enough money, then I’ll go into town to find you…”

Shopkeeper Jin hurriedly reminded them, “Teacher Yuan is a famous scholar in our times. The Rongxuan Academy that he established is one of the best schools in our whole Great Ming Dynasty. There are...