TSWRLM -Chapter 24 I Can Teach You

News of both the school and the shop had spread.

Shen Qingyuan was off duty today and came specifically to talk to Chun Xi about these two matters. When he heard that Zhou Qin was about to go to the Cao household to cancel the engagement, he took Chun Xi and Cao Wu home first.

Cao Wu’s large frame made it impossible for him to fit in the carriage, so he had to ride with Qing Shu outside, leaving only Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan inside the carriage.

By the time they arrived, Zhou Qin was already there.

None of Zhou Qin’s uncles or elder cousins supported him canceling the engagement, so they hadn’t come. Only his parents and Matchmaker Zhang were present.

Curious neighbors had heard the commotion and crowded into the courtyard to watch.

On the way, Matchmaker Zhang had tried to persuade Zhou Qin. Seeing that he was determined to break off the engagement, she now spoke on Chun Xi’s behalf.

The Cao family had no intention of keeping the betrothal gifts. Chun Xi simply wanted to clear up the misunderstanding and live her life peacefully. It was Zhou Qin, lost in his own rigidity, who had gotten himself into a mess.

Immediately, the crowd began to murmur, all judging the Zhou family’s actions.

How could they propose an engagement and then cancel it right after?

Zhou Qin, unaccustomed to being publicly criticized, turned sullen. He had originally planned to argue meticulously to salvage his reputation, but then saw Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan enter the courtyard together.

His face went pale.

He had spoken ill of Shen Qingyuan in front of Chun Xi, so of course Shen Qingyuan had come to witness his embarrassment.

Zhou Qin no longer dared to scheme. In front of everyone, he sincerely poured tea for Madam Wang and apologized.

It was his own fickle temperament that caused him to cancel the engagement—it had nothing to do with Chun Xi.

Once Zhou Qin admitted his fault, Chun Xi did not make things difficult. In front of the onlookers, she counted out the betrothal gifts and returned them to the Zhou family.

With that settled, Chun Xi climbed back into the carriage with Shen Qingyuan to visit the shop.

The crowd in the courtyard had not dispersed. Seeing Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan enter and leave together, they curiously tried to probe the relationship between the two. Cao Wu, scowling, barked: “Did my sister eat your food or wear your clothes? If you care so much about her, why don’t you first ask my father whether he’d agree to take a concubine?”

The nosy onlookers were embarrassed and sheepishly left.

Madam Wang, having not spent a single coin yet still receiving apologies from the Zhou family, had initially thought it was all thanks to Cao Wu. She wanted to show off her capable son in front of the neighbors, but Cao Wu’s one sharp remark had sent everyone away.

She muttered to herself, “Aunt Li and the others only care for our family. You’re always at the workshop, so they help out at home. And yes, Chun Xi can be a little tactless, otherwise she wouldn’t have caused the misunderstanding that led Zhou Qin to cancel the engagement.”

“That Zhou man is blind; he doesn’t know how good Chun Xi is.”

Not a single word Madam Wang said pleased Cao Wu. He immediately objected, then added, “Master Shen is a good man. He not only recommended A-Wen to attend Qingfeng Academy, but also helped Chun Xi check out the shops. Mother, like everyone else, misjudged the relationship between him and Chun Xi—it’s disheartening.”

On the way back, Chun Xi kept praising Shen Qingyuan. Though she had only met him once, in Cao Wu’s mind, Shen Qingyuan had become a paragon of virtue.

“Chun Xi really went to see the shop?”

Madam Wang’s attention was fully on Chun Xi buying a shop; she didn’t even notice her son accusing her of being unjust.

Cao Wu nodded. “Of course. If A-Xi likes it, the transfer can be done today.”

“How naughty!”

Madam Wang slapped her thigh in frustration.

This stubborn girl had promised to give A-Wen a gift, but turned around and bought a shop for herself—it was shameless!

Madam Wang fumed at home, but Chun Xi was overjoyed.

Shen Qingyuan had found three shops for Chun Xi to choose from. Each had its pros and cons, but overall they were good quality and reasonably priced—perfect for Chun Xi.

Her eyes sparkled. Seeing this, Shen Qingyuan said, “I can lend you some money so you can buy them all.”

“No, no,” Chun Xi quickly refused. “I’ll just buy the one on Huai Tree Street. I’ve never run a business before, so I don’t know if I have the talent. I can always buy more later after earning some money.”

The shop on Huai Tree Street was only two streets away from the Jingzhao Prefecture. Once business picked up, it would be convenient if Master Shen wanted to come eat.

Having made her decision, Chun Xi immediately took out her silver note and, with the pawnshop as witness, signed the transfer documents.

Holding the deed with her name on it, Chun Xi’s eyes curved into a smile.

Now she wasn’t just free—she had a shop of her own. Once the business was running, people would even call her “Boss Lady.”

Life was looking bright.

In high spirits, Chun Xi didn’t forget Shen Qingyuan. Tilting her head toward him, she said, “Master, when you have time, I’ll invite you for a meal.”

That both the academy and the shop had been settled so quickly showed Shen Qingyuan had put thought and effort into helping.

In recent days, Chun Xi’s gifts had been rather casual; she wanted to formally invite Shen Qingyuan to a meal to thank him properly.

“Next time my day off is the twenty-ninth,” Shen Qingyuan said.

He didn’t decline and directly set the date. Chun Xi immediately said, “I’ll book a private room at a restaurant in a couple of days. Master, any dishes you want?”

“Anything. I’m not picky.”

Though his tone was calm, a faint smile appeared in his eyes when he looked at Chun Xi.

Once Chun Xi carefully put away the deed, Shen Qingyuan asked, “Do you know how to do accounting or keep a ledger?”

Since her business was just starting, Chun Xi didn’t want to hire a professional accountant. She would have to manage the books herself.

She shook her head honestly. “When my father was alive, I studied for a few years and could recognize some characters, but I can’t use an abacus. I can learn from A-Wen, though—he’s learning arithmetic anyway. I can also get some books on calculations.”

After all, the shop was hers. Even if her first calculations were messy, it wouldn’t cause harm.

As soon as she finished, Shen Qingyuan said, “I can teach you.”

“Really? Wouldn’t that trouble you, Master?”

Chun Xi was overjoyed.

Zhou Qin had mentioned that Shen Qingyuan had entered the Jingzhao Prefecture as a top scholar. Learning accounting from a scholar like him could not go wrong.

Shen Qingyuan nodded. “I won’t watch you every day. Once you learn to use the abacus and practice as I instruct, it won’t take long before you can handle simple accounts.”

“If Master is willing to teach me, I will study diligently.”

Chun Xi agreed without hesitation, then suddenly realized, “Then should this meal become a ‘Master-Apprentice Banquet’ instead?”

Chun Xi blushed as she raised the topic.

After all, men and women were different. If she kept giving Master Shen gifts, rumors might spread. But if it was framed as a master-apprentice relationship, it would be proper. And if trouble arose later, she could confidently cite Shen Qingyuan as her support.

Looking at Shen Qingyuan, her face full of hope, she asked.

Shen Qingyuan lightly cleared his throat, looking away. “It’s just a few pointers; there’s no need for a formal master-apprentice ceremony.”

Chun Xi wasn’t disappointed. Cheerfully, she said, “Then I look forward to your guidance, Master.”

“Good.”