Lian Manman spoke with a hint of ferocity.

Wu Lang scratched his head, said nothing, while Xiao Qi was genuinely frightened and swiftly hid behind Wu Lang.

Wang Youheng watched from the side, his eyes filled with mirth.

Everyone left the stationery shop, and Wang Youheng invited Lian Manman and the others to sit in his store, wanting to thank them for the pickled vegetables they had given him last time.

"Brother Youheng, no need to be so formal with us," said Lian Manman as she asked Wang Youheng when he had returned and if everything was well at home. Then she told him about their new Pickled Vegetable Workshop.

"Brother Youheng, we’re having guests over this afternoon, and we’d like you to come too. Father and Mother have been wanting to invite you for a meal, but there never seemed to be a good time, and now it’s perfect," said Lian Manman in conclusion.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi also encouraged Wang Youheng to come back to the village with them.

Wang Youheng thought it over and nodded in agreement.

"You go ahead; I still have things to take care of at my pharmacy. I need to go back and give some instructions," Wang Youheng said.

"Okay then, Brother Youheng, make sure to come early."

After parting with Wang Youheng in front of the stationery shop, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi headed back to Thirty Mile Camp.

At home, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lian Zhizhi were busy preparing the chickens, fish, and meat they had bought, and were surprised to see the children returning with so much stationery.

"Father, Mother, we’re back."

The family then went back inside to talk.

"Why did you buy so much stationery? You don’t need that much just to write a debt acknowledgment," Lady Zhang asked looking at Lian Manman.

"Father, Mother, it’s not just for the debt acknowledgment today. We want to learn to write," Lian Manman explained.

"Father, Mother, I wanted to learn to write, so I asked Manman to buy it," Wu Lang interjected quickly.

Wu Lang felt uneasy because they hadn’t told Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang that Lian Manman had spent four hundred Wen Money in one go on ink, paper, and writing brushes. Wu Lang thought to himself that for a girl, reading and writing didn’t have many practical uses, and Lian Manman did this mainly for him and Xiao Qi. So in front of Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, that’s what he said. If they were unhappy and wanted to blame someone, then they could blame him.

"It was both Brother and me; we asked Second Sister to buy them," said Xiao Qi, his big eyes spinning as he caught on to what Wu Lang meant, and hurriedly offered to take the responsibility as well.

"You want to learn to write..." Both Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin shared a glance, expressions filled with sadness and guilt.

Lian Manman could tell.

"Father, Mother, it’s the slow season now, and Grandfather can spare some time every day. We thought, why not ask Grandfather to teach us to read and write... but we had to spend money on this ink, paper, and writing tools," said Lian Manman in a soft voice.

"It’s our fault for not being capable enough as parents," Lady Zhang said as she raised her sleeve to wipe away her tears. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi were both at the age when they should be studying at private schools. She and her husband had delayed their children’s education. Lady Zhang valued scholars, aware of the benefits of being educated. She certainly wished for her children to be successful through education. Now, seeing her children yearning to study and write, yet anxious about spending money, broke her heart like a knife.

"Your mother and I have discussed it; we have land now and some money to spare, so come next spring, we’ll send Wu Lang and Xiao Qi to study in town," Lian Shouxin said, as if making a resolution.

"That’s right. Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, you both should study hard when the time comes, and even if your mother has to eat bran and swallow vegetables, she’ll provide for your education," Lady Zhang said, wiping her tears away with a determined look.

Lian Manman sighed in relief, realizing Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had also been planning to send Wu Lang and Xiao Qi to school.

"Mother, I’m older now. I’ll just learn enough writing from Grandfather. In the future, let’s just support Xiao Qi," Wu Lang said. Being two years older, he was more practical. Although they had some money now, schooling was expensive, and sending two people to school would make home life quite difficult. He didn’t want his family to bear too much burden and preferred to give the opportunity to Xiao Qi. "I’m also older and can do more work and earn more money."

Lady Zhang’s tears had just dried when she couldn’t help but start crying again, pulling Wu Lang into her embrace.

"Wu Lang, my good son, your mother is so sorry," she said.

Lian Shouxin turned his face away, struggling to control his emotions.

Seeing Lady Zhang cry so sadly, Xiao Qi also nestled his round little body close to her. Lady Zhang hugged her elder son with one hand and the younger with the other, crying even harder.

"Mother, let’s not cry now," Lian Manman hurriedly said, "The spring is still several months away. If we work hard and earn more, then both Brother and Xiao Qi will be able to go to school when it comes."