Making money, taking exams and supporting the family

chapter 63: Dining at the Li Residence

After visiting the courtyard for a while, neither Lin Ze nor Zhang Xiu had planned to stay longer. However, there’s a saying, “It’s hard to decline a sincere invitation.”

With Li Guangcai’s enthusiastic persuasion, almost resorting to acting spoiled and throwing tantrums, the two husbands could not bear this old guy. In the end, they could not resist the warmth and followed him to the Li residence as guests.

Madam Li was very surprised by their arrival. Although her husband had mentioned Lin Ze many times, she was very curious as she had not yet met him in person.

Upon hearing the news from the servant who had returned home earlier, they immediately sent people to prepare food and drinks at home. By the time Lin Ze and Zhang Xiu arrived with Li Guangcai, they could wash up and eat directly.

The servants of the Li residence were also very curious. As a merchant family, the Li household rarely had scholars as guests, and even the tutor previously hired for the young master had never been a formal guest like this.

Moreover, recently, “Scholar Lin” had become quite famous in town. How could everyone not be curious?

The only one who was neither curious nor pleased was Li Sheng. Although Lin Ze seemed somewhat different from ordinary scholars, they had not truly interacted. With his hatred for scholars, it was impossible for Li Sheng to like Lin Ze so quickly.

Especially since Lin Ze had given him such a difficult question. He, along with most of his family, had been unable to solve it for half a month. Li Sheng felt that Lin Ze was deliberately embarrassing him, too cunning and despicable, actually using psychological tactics to make him fall into a trap…

So, when Lin Ze saw Li Sheng, the child’s expression was as sour as it could be.

However, although Li Guangcai spoiled his son, he was not the kind to spoil him without limits. So, despite Li Sheng’s unwillingness, under the authority of his own parents, he had to reluctantly bow to Lin Ze.

The child’s temper needed to be corrected, and Lin Ze naturally would not indulge him, adopting a stern demeanor.

Intentionally emanating an imposing aura, the child felt intimidated, his expression much more honest. This was far more effective than Li Guangcai’s parenting, making Madam Li extremely happy. Finally, there was someone besides her husband who could keep her son in check.

“Master Lin is full of talent, and Mrs. Lin is handsome. They are truly a match made in heaven… Mrs. Lin, I heard from my husband that you have ordered the wedding clothes from our cloth shop. We plan to give you another set at the official wedding banquet. We had felt we lacked it back then when our family was poor. This is truly enviable and rare.”

Madam Li, being a woman, did not feel comfortable talking directly to Lin Ze, so she praised Zhang Xiu instead.

Although she had not interacted with Lin Ze and Zhang Xiu before, Li Guangcai had told her about Lin Ze’s preference for his husband. After a few encounters, Li Guangcai had also learned about Lin Ze’s character and preferences.

In short, no matter how much she praised Lin Ze, it would not be as effective as praising his husband.

Sure enough, Zhang Xiu’s face showed a sweet and shy smile, and Lin Ze’s serious expression softened like melting ice, instantly transforming into a refreshing breeze, which was quite evident.

Li Guangcai and his wife immediately found a way to please Lin Ze, throwing out flattering words,

“Master Lin, your husband really made a name for himself at the Guo residence last time. We didn’t expect the young master to be so outstanding. He outshone those young ladies from wealthy families…”