Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket-Chapter 401 - 374: No Reverse Thinking

Sun Manyu and Li Wenyuan arrived at Xiangyang Lane, carrying large and small gift packages.

When Yu Xiaolian returned, Sun Manyu was having a lively chat with Mrs. Sun in the living room while Li Wenyuan sat expressionlessly to the side.

Originally, Mrs. Sun had asked Mancang to fetch her. She wasn’t keen to return as she didn’t like Sun Manyu. In fact, she disliked her intensely, so anyone who wished to entertain Sun Manyu could do so; she certainly had no intention of acting out any sisterly affection in front of Li Wenyuan.

However, Mrs. Sun knew why Sun Manyu had come. On the surface, it was to see her as her aunt, but in reality, it was because Li Wenyuan was about to take the Autumn Examination and they were hoping Yu Xiaolian might have some insights on the upcoming exam topics.

Yu Xiaolian had been called back after much urging from Mrs. Sun.

As soon as Yu Xiaolian entered, she looked Sun Manyu up and down. Sun Manyu appeared haggard, with heavy dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept well for a long time. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

In contrast, Li Wenyuan appeared energetic and healthy, with a rosy complexion.

Sun Manyu was Mrs. Sun’s cousin, and Yu Xiaolian didn’t want things to become awkward right at the start. After all, it had been nearly three years since she last saw Sun Manyu.

"Sister Manyu, brother-in-law!" Yu Xiaolian stepped forward and greeted them politely.

As soon as Sun Manyu saw Yu Xiaolian, she was immediately captivated by Yu Xiaolian’s unconventional attire, continuously appraising her and praising how good the clothes looked.

Yu Xiaolian was simply dressed today in casual wear: a white embroidered top with frog buttons and black floor-length pants with a great drape.

In Luocheng, thanks to a trendsetter like Yu Xiaolian, women’s summer fashion was becoming increasingly modern. Recently, Yu Xiaolian had worn a black strappy slip dress, overlaid with a black tulle puffy-sleeved dress, causing quite a stir. Many secretly ordered similar dresses from Zhenpin Pavilion. Nevertheless, none of these ladies dared to wear them boldly outside like Yu Xiaolian did; they wore them secretly at home, admiring themselves or showing them off to their husbands.

Of course, Yu Xiaolian’s unique style of dressing had its admirers and critics.

Some thought her clothes were too revealing, not appropriate for someone with a Teacher’s image.

Yu Xiaolian automatically ignored such opinions. She dressed conservatively for classes at the academy, wearing the Teacher attire issued to her. Shouldn’t she be able to dress more casually at home?

In this sweltering summer, she had already been restrained enough not to wear tank tops and shorts. That black tulle dress, with its long sleeves reaching her ankles, was conservative enough. But from a distance, the tulle appeared sheer, leading some to say the clothes were frivolous and not suitable for a respectable woman.

Although Yu Xiaolian seemed unaffected by such comments, she rarely wore sheer fabrics outside, living in a conservative ancient time made it too unorthodox.

The clothes Yu Xiaolian wore today, however, were very conservative; they covered everything, even if the style differed from traditional attire!

This style was now popular on the streets because it was less cumbersome than traditional garments, which involved multiple layers. The top’s frog buttons didn’t need to be fully undone; just undo the top two and slip it on. The floor-length pants were even easier with elastic bands, making them easy to put on and take off.

Sun Manyu kept complimenting the clothes and even reached out to feel the fabric, but Yu Xiaolian subtly avoided her touch.

"Since sister Manyu got married, it seems like it’s been three years since we sisterly saw each other. Why the sudden visit today?" Yu Xiaolian said as she sat on the mahogany chair behind her and casually grabbed some sunflower seeds from the side table to eat.

Sun Manyu tried to feel Yu Xiaolian’s clothes but was rebuffed, her face showing a hint of embarrassment.

Li Wenyuan noticed everything without a word, further increasing his disdain for Sun Manyu.

If it weren’t for this moment, why would he tolerate this vulgar woman as his wife for three years?

It’s just that he had been too obedient to his mother three years ago. Enticed by Sun Manyu’s good looks, he had agreed to marry her without much thought. After three years of acquaintance, he deeply regretted it.

If Yu the Teacher could help him this time, he would treat Sun Manyu better in the future; if not, he intended to divorce her.

"Xiaolian, listen to how you’re talking, as if I haven’t visited my aunt in three years! Actually, I often see her, but you’re too busy, always missing the chance to meet you."

Sun Manyu left Li Wenyuan’s side, ran to sit beside Yu Xiaolian, and, imitating her actions, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds to eat.

Seeing Sun Manyu act this way, Yu Xiaolian suddenly lost her appetite and threw the sunflower seeds back onto the plate. "I am busy. My mother had to send for me several times before I was finally forced to come back. Whatever it is, just say it. I’m in a hurry!"

In the past, Sun Manyu would have gotten angry at Yu Xiaolian’s attitude, but now she wouldn’t. Over three years in the Li family, her mother-in-law had ’taught’ her many things, and she’d learned to have rain in her heart but a smile on her face.

Sun Manyu got up, walked over to Li Wenyuan, and took a stack of test papers from his hands.

"Xiaolian, your brother-in-law has taken the local examinations twice, and each time he’s stumped by the last two difficult math problems. These are all the problems he’s done over the past three years. Please take a look and give your brother-in-law some guidance.

If your brother-in-law can overcome his weak spot in math problems and passes the Autumn Examination this year, it would be a tremendous blessing for our family. As a Scholar, he could become an official..."

"Ahem..." Li Wenyuan coughed twice in dissatisfaction.

Sun Manyu glanced at Li Wenyuan, knowing he found her too verbose and annoying, gave an embarrassed smile, and handed the thick stack of papers to Yu Xiaolian.

Yu Xiaolian reluctantly glanced through the test papers and found that all the answers on Li Wenyuan’s papers were correct. They seemed to have already been revised and corrected.

She didn’t understand the purpose of Li Wenyuan showing these problems to her.

Yu Xiaolian looked at Li Wenyuan, who timely spoke up, "Last year, after Manyu got the questions from you and I completed them, she was supposed to bring them back to you. But she couldn’t find the opportunity. You later left a message saying I lacked reverse thinking. So, for the past year, I’ve been doing similar problems, and now I’ve learned what you mean by applying one example to others.

I wonder if Sister Xiaolian could perhaps give me a test on the spot?"