Chapter 7: Students

The sound made the three young men look flustered, naturally stopping their actions and turning around with forced smiles.

A young man in a plain robe of the same age stood not far away, tall and scholarly, with a slight frown on his face as he looked over.

In her "previous life," Gu Shiba Niang's activities in Xianren County were limited to the street near her home, and she rarely came to the school. Therefore, she had no memory of this young man and naturally did not recognize who he was.

However, the three young men recognized him. Seeing him, they couldn't help but feel uneasy, but they dared not show it on their faces.

His name was Cai Wen, and he came from Lin County, a privileged young man in a way. He lived at the school, which was not something an ordinary person could afford. On the other hand, which family would be willing to let their child live at the school all year round? It was either because the parents were heartless or the child was not favored at home.

Regardless of whether he was a true privileged young man, he was indeed the teacher's favorite disciple, a genuine privileged person in this school.

One of the privileged young men somehow offended him and said a few words in front of the teacher. As a result, the teacher expelled the young man from the school, refusing to listen to any pleas.

Being expelled from the school was a disaster for a student. If a teacher despised a student, it was almost impossible for the student to find another teacher to study under. Which teacher wouldn't question your character? Who would dare to accept you?

Such a thing was something only enemies would do, but the fact proved that Cai Wen was indeed fair and just. There was no previous conflict between the two, and there was no evidence to report.

Moreover, he was not someone who had nothing better to do.

Seeing Cai Wen remain silent and showing no intention of leaving, the three young men felt a little uneasy.

"It's nothing, Brother Cai... We... we... this young lady is here to deliver food, and we are helping her..." the small-eyed young man explained hastily, while giving a threatening look to Gu Shiba Niang.

But in their hearts, they were uneasy. If this young lady really reported them, and they were punished by the teacher, even if they scolded her afterwards, it would not be worth it.

Cai Wen glanced at the three of them indifferently, with a hint of disdain in his eyes. He had long heard about the deeds of these three, but no one had reported them with evidence.

Besides, he had better things to do.

Seeing Cai Wen's silence and lack of intention to leave, the three young men felt a little uneasy.

"Young lady, is that true?" the chubby young man called out to Gu Shiba Niang.

"Yes," Gu Shiba Niang replied calmly.

Upon hearing this, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this young lady had good judgment.

"To whom? You should tell us quickly, we'll take it over. It's almost mealtime, and the teacher doesn't allow eating indoors," the small-eyed young man said, pretending to be helpful.

"Gu Hai," Gu Shiba Niang said, but she didn't hand over the basket. "Please call him out."

"Gu Hai?" the three of them exclaimed, looking somewhat strange.

"Yes, Gu Hai, from Changle Lane," Gu Shiba Niang said, somewhat surprised, thinking that these three were up to something. She looked at Cai Wen, who also raised an eyebrow.

"In that case, you don't need to deliver it..." the chubby young man said with a smug smile.

"Why?" Gu Shiba Niang's heart skipped a beat, her voice rising, "What's wrong with him?"

"Oh, him? He angered the teacher and is being punished by copying books..." the small-eyed young man said with a smirk, "He has to copy eight hundred pages of texts before the end of the day, and if he doesn't, the teacher will expel him from the school... Eight hundred pages! Even if he writes until dark, he won't finish. And he's been beaten on the hands... You'd better take the food back home and wait for him to eat there..."

Eight hundred pages? That was truly an impossible task... It was clearly meant to expel him from the school!

Gu Shiba Niang's mind went blank, her face turning pale.

"No..." she murmured.

No, if he was expelled from the school, where would her brother go? Their father was gone, and he couldn't study at home. Moreover, if he was expelled from the school, he would likely be disqualified from taking the county exam on the grounds of moral misconduct. That would mean the end of their lives in Xianren County, and their mother would have to take them back to their relatives.

How could this happen? She remembered that in her previous life, her brother had chosen to give up studying. How could he be expelled now?

She had just convinced her mother not to sell the house, persuaded her brother and herself not to rely on their relatives, and it seemed that there was an invisible hand pushing them, forcing them to follow a predetermined path.