I Want to Study

The villagers were very enthusiastic about the scholarship, so the village chief simply called his son over to stand on a high platform and repeatedly explain the scholarship rules to everyone.

As soon as everyone heard it was Su Li's idea, and that the scholarship money came out of Su Li's own pocket, they all praised Su Li as a great benefactor.

Sister Zhu patted her son's head and said, "Did you hear that? Your sister A'li is offering scholarships. You better work hard and get good grades to earn those scholarships for your mother!"

Nearby, Mrs. Wang came with her son Li Caogen. When she learned that studying could actually earn money, she was tempted and said to Li Gouzi, "Gouzi, let's send our son to school too! Maybe he can earn some money as well!"

Li Gouzi looked at his son and said, "Alright, since he has to eat anyway, if he can really earn a scholarship that includes room and board, then we won't have to spend our own money to support him."

Zhang Zhaocai was hiding behind a big tree far away, watching the village chief's son loudly talk about the scholarship on the platform. He also wanted to study, but not for the scholarship.

He wanted to have a bright future, pass the imperial exams to become a high official, find his birth mother, and marry Lingdang.

After listening to the scholarship talk for a while, Zhang Zhaocai gathered his courage and went home to find his father, Zhang Zhuzi.

"Dad, I just heard the village chief's son say that Su Li funded a scholarship for Haizi School. If you study well, you get free room and board, plus money. I, I want to go to school, is that okay?" Zhang Zhaocai asked cautiously.

"What?" Zhang Zhuzi was stunned for a moment, looked Zhang Zhaocai up and down, then spat and laughed loudly, "You little brat, with your character, you want to study? Oh, I'm your father, I know your worth. You're just a dumb donkey head, just like your useless mother!"

"Dad, I really want to study. I promise I'll study hard. Please let me go!" Zhang Zhaocai pleaded humbly.

Without a second thought, Zhang Zhuzi immediately refused, "Little brat, don't even think about it! If you go to school, who will do the housework? Who will cook?"

Zhang Zhaocai quickly said, "Dad, I promise I can study and do chores at the same time, okay? I'm begging you!"

Zhang Zhuzi snorted and laughed weirdly, "Zhaocai, forget about studying. Su Li's ideas are too beautiful, even setting up a scholarship. Tsk, who knows if this school will even open!"

Zhang Zhaocai felt a chill in his heart. What did that mean?

Qin Sanniang entered the house, saw Zhang Zhaocai, frowned and scolded, "You filthy brat, who told you to come inside? Go to your wood shed!"

Zhang Zhaocai gritted his teeth, fell to his knees, and said, "Dad, Mom, please fulfill my wish and let me go to school! I promise I won't neglect the chores or spend a single penny from the family!"

"No, no, go away! Little brat thinks he has wings and can fly now!" Zhang Zhuzi grew impatient and slapped Zhang Zhaocai on the forehead. "What studying? Get out!"

Qin Sanniang rolled her eyes and said, "Exactly! Look at yourself, thinking you can become the top scholar. Go on, the pigs at home haven't been fed yet. Don't slack off, go feed them!"

"I'm begging you, Dad!" Zhang Zhaocai knelt without moving, prostrating himself and kowtowing heavily to Zhang Zhuzi, crying as he did so.

"Ah, you brat, your brain must be flooded today, why are you so disobedient!" Zhang Zhuzi kicked Zhang Zhaocai to the ground and pulled out a broom to beat him fiercely.