So, from the moment their child could walk and talk, the family would pay a literate scholar a small fee to teach their child basic reading and writing. These formed the foundation of their academic life.

The most basic entrance exam prior to attending the school in town was a test on writing the names of ones family members, describing ones hobbies and the like.

Ran Er, why do you ask? Ye Ling asked, concerned.

Hed managed to observe discreetly that Liu Ran was not very happy.

Liu Ran fiddled with his fingers, his head lowered. Soon, he said, in a rather depressed mood, I dont have any friends there, and its so far from home.

Suddenly he did not want to stay too far away from home.

When he was studying in the village school, many of his classmates were from the same community.

When Ye Ling heard Liu Rans pleas, he spoke in his casual, gentle voice. Ran Er, you will make new friends in the school in town, and you can always see your parents, isnt that great? And your other brothers-in-law can get you there and bring you home on their bullock-cart. That wont take long. During the break, you can meet up with Yuan Fang. Theres no conflict there.

Liu Ran seemed to experience an epiphany after listening to Ye Lings advice. His parents were not staying in the old house anymore. They found work in town, and they were staying there too.

Right then, he got a lot more excited. Yes, thats right!

Time passed and very soon evening came. The working men returned home.

Ran Er, youre coming with us tomorrow morning to the school in town. After passing the entrance exam, you can start immediately. Ye Liu grinned at him.

He was not worried about the test. He was absolutely confident Liu Ran would pass nicely.

After all he had been studying in school for months now, and he was an extremely diligent student. A simple test was nothing to him.

Liu Ran nodded and said confidently, Yes, Ill pass! I wont disappoint you all.

How could he let the money that they had spent on him go to waste?

Good that you know! If you dont pass, lets see what Ill do to you, Ye Mo said. It would have been fine even if he had no words of encouragement for the boy, but he had to say that to spoil the mood.

Liu Duo instantly rolled her eyes at him.

The fool always said the wrong things at the wrong time! He did not even know the art of conversation!

Liu Ran had long gotten used to Ye Mos character and habits. He knew this brother-in-law might give off the wrong impression and could seem hateful to whoever he targeted, but he was not really like that.

Stepping up the game, Liu Ran hit back at him, Hmmph do you want to bet on it?

Ye Mo raised a hand and swatted toward the boys head. You little brat, where did you learn to gamble? Dont make me strike you.

Mo, if you want to talk, just talk. Can you not fight? Youre so rough. Liu Duo got on Liu Rans defense and balled up her fists.

She knew Ye Mo did not really hit Liu Ran on the head, but she just did not like him forcing his authority on Liu Ran. He was a man in his twenties but he could never see eye to eye with the boy. How childish!

Next to them, Aunt Li smiled. Little Mo, you really ought to change your abrasiveness. Otherwise, when the baby comes, you might crush them.

Ye Liu chimed in on the joke. When Little Duo gives us a baby, obviously we wont let Little Mo carry it. He might beat it senseless.

Pffft, haha

After Ye Liu finished telling his joke, everyone in the yard laughed out loud, apart from Ye Yang, due to his aloofness, and Ye Mo, of course.