Why Doesn't Simon Evans Go to School

Zhang Zhaocai was beaten black and blue by Zhang Zhuzi, yet he still begged them desperately to allow him to go to school to study.

Qin Sanniang rolled her eyes in disgust at Zhang Zhaocai and said, "Fine, fine, we'll let you go to school. Now get out and work, don't just stand there in the way!"

Zhang Zhaocai thought he must have misheard, so thrilled that he quickly thanked Qin Sanniang repeatedly and rushed out to work.

Qin Sanniang looked at Zhang Zhaocai's happy face and spat, "Just like his dumb mother, pfft! Still wants to study? That Haizi school will never open."

Zhang Zhuzi put his arm around Qin Sanniang and immediately put on a smile, "Exactly, anyway the school won't open."

Zhang Zhaocai, battered and limping, went to feed the pigs, but in his heart, he felt sweeter than honey.

He hummed a little tune while feeding the pigs, then finished all the chores inside and outside the house, served Zhang Zhuzi and Qin Sanniang their meals, and only got a few leftovers for himself.

Then Zhang Zhaocai quietly slipped out of the house to the place where Lingdang hid food for him.

Every time he went to get food, it was Zhang Zhaocai's happiest moment. The food Lingdang gave him was always good, far better than what he ate at home, but to avoid arousing suspicion from his parents, he still ate all the rotten leftovers at home.

"Hehe, let's see what tasty food Lingdang gave me today!" Zhang Zhaocai cautiously crawled into the bushes to get the jar, but just a few moves in, he sensed someone nearby and immediately retreated, turning around to see Zhao Shi staring at him with a dazed expression.

"Shimao..." Zhao Shi muttered, staring at Zhang Zhaocai while sucking on her dirty finger.

"I'm not your son Su Shimao," Zhang Zhaocai said, sitting on the ground looking at Zhao Shi.

Everyone in the village hated the crazy Zhao Shi, but for some reason, Zhang Zhaocai didn't dislike her because she always reminded him of his mother, Tang Shi.

"Shimao, why don't you go to school? The village is opening a school, and I'll go study," Zhao Shi pounced and hugged Zhang Zhaocai.

A strong foul smell hit Zhang Zhaocai's nose. He struggled to get out of Zhao Shi's arms, but she held him tightly, clasping his head, and said, "Shimao, study hard, your mother is waiting for you to become the top scholar..."

Zhao Shi recited the words and then loosened her grip. Zhang Zhaocai quickly broke free, took several steps back, leaned against a big tree, and watched Zhao Shi warily.

"Shimao, why don't you go to school?" Zhao Shi smiled foolishly at Zhang Zhaocai, tilting her head, "Oh, I know, I don't have a schoolbag... I'll sew one for you, so you can carry it to school..."

Zhao Shi said this, then wobbled awkwardly to her feet and staggered away.

Zhang Zhaocai watched Zhao Shi's back until she disappeared from sight, then he crawled back into the bushes to retrieve the jar.

"Big meat bun!" Zhang Zhaocai opened the jar excitedly, grabbing a bun and stuffing it into his mouth.

But because he had been beaten by Zhang Zhuzi, his mouth was injured and it hurt so much he gasped for air. Just as he swallowed the last bite, a clear female voice rang out behind him: "Yo, Zhang Zhaocai, what's wrong with your face? Did your dad beat you again?"

Zhang Zhaocai's body tensed up instantly, wishing he could hide his face. He turned his stiff neck to see Lingdang standing behind him with a big smile, scrutinizing him.

Zhang Zhaocai immediately blushed to the roots of his ears, lowered his head, and nodded softly in response.

Anyway, it was no secret that his dad beat him; everyone in the village knew.

Lingdang looked at the bruised Zhang Zhaocai and sighed, "Big meat bun, is it tasty?"

Zhang Zhaocai quickly nodded but embarrassedly buried his head even deeper.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhaocai's hands were empty as Lingdang took the jar away and slipped a simple rough porcelain bottle into his hand. "Give me the jar. This medicinal wine is for you. Take it home and rub your wounds. Alright, I'm off. Tomorrow there's steamed pork with rice flour; I'll save some for you."