You Go Complain First

Lingdang hummed, thinking to herself, "That's because you haven't seen how I look when I kill as a secret guard—nothing cute, soft-hearted, or kind about it!"

Lingdang and Li Yanhao left, while Zhang Zhaocai silently lined up with the group, holding his schoolbag and looking down.

Thanks to Lingdang's reminder, the person in charge of registration didn't give Zhang Zhaocai any trouble. So, Zhang Zhaocai successfully enrolled in school. Since he was a local student, he enjoyed special benefits and was exempted from tuition fees. Plus, Zhang Zhaocai lived at home and didn't eat at school, so he didn't have to pay for meals or accommodation either.

After successfully registering, Zhang Zhaocai breathed a sigh of relief, clutching his schoolbag as he quietly walked home. On the way, he was stopped by a few mischievous kids he used to play with.

"Zhang Zhaocai, why are you signing up for school? What's so great about studying? Reading is so hard—it's way better to play with us!"

"Yeah, Zhang Zhaocai, what's gotten into you? You never come out to play with us, and now you're going to school? Are you crazy?"

"Zhang Zhaocai, we promised to play together. You don't want to hang out with us anymore?"

The mischievous kids jabbered all at once, blocking Zhang Zhaocai from moving forward.

Zhang Zhaocai looked at his former playmates and sighed, "I don't want to mess around anymore. I want to study. I want to make something of myself."

The group of kids were stunned for a moment after hearing Zhang Zhaocai's words, then burst into loud laughter:

"Zhang Zhaocai, with your lousy attitude, you making something of yourself is a joke! Stop studying; you'd be better off playing with us. Let's go to the back mountain to shoot birds! Look, we just made these awesome slingshots!"

"Come on, Zhang Zhaocai, let's go bird hunting. You're the best at climbing trees; you can get the nests!"

The mischievous kids grabbed Zhang Zhaocai’s clothes, trying to pull him along. Zhang Zhaocai struggled a few times and broke free, his face flushed as he firmly said, "I can't play anymore. I have to go home and work."

The kids came over and shoved Zhang Zhaocai a few times, saying, "Hey, when did you become such a filial son, going home to work so seriously?"

Zhang Zhaocai hugged his schoolbag and said, "If I don't work, my dad will beat me."

Upon hearing this, the kids fell silent, exchanging glances and scratching their heads.

"I'm going home. I'll finish my work early today because I have school tomorrow," Zhang Zhaocai said, clutching his schoolbag and walking away silently, leaving behind a few quiet kids.

As he walked, Zhang Zhaocai's steps grew lighter. Thinking about starting school tomorrow lifted his spirits, and he hummed a little tune while carrying his beloved schoolbag home.

At home, Zhang Zhuzi lay on the bed groaning in pain. Qin Sanniang was applying medicinal wine to his wounds while scolding, "That damn Su Li, just because he’s connected to a big official, he thinks he’s so great!"

Zhang Zhuzi cursed, "Exactly! That shameless Su Li, who knows how he managed to get close to that young master! Hey, Sanniang, be gentle, my bones are about to break!"

Qin Sanniang said fiercely, "No way, we can’t just let this go. Tomorrow, you go find your second uncle for help! Your second uncle is a scholarly gentleman who knows many officials. He has to make sure you get the position of village head!"

Zhang Zhuzi hesitated, uncertain: "Sanniang, this matter has already involved the young master. Can my second uncle really handle it?"

Qin Sanniang poked Zhang Zhuzi’s head hard and scolded, "You stubborn blockhead! Don’t worry about whether he can handle it or not. Just go complain first! Let your second uncle smooth things over. If he succeeds, you’re the village head; if he doesn’t, then the loser is your second uncle, not you. What are you afraid of?"