The news that Lin Rui was admitted in the top academy such as Xuan spread all over the village in no time. So when Lin Rui left his house to bring Doctor Gu, he encountered several villagers who were bent on congratulating him even though he said that there was no need for them to take such troubles. Lin Rui was only saying it out of politeness because he had once seen these same villagers turning their backs on his family when his father was lost in the sea. And now that they were here, telling him how happy they are with his success, wasn't it because they wanted to curry favour with him in hope that he might take care of them when he becomes an official?
" people will encounter all kinds of difficulties in their lives but those who successfully overcome these difficulties are the ones who are called the real winner. Lin Rui, you really are the winner in your life, to think even after losing your opportunity to become an official as a child you still made it, boy I don't what to say"
Winner in life? Hah was he a winner in life? If not for Su Wan he and his family would have stayed in the same conditions even if his father returned. Because, unlike Su Wan, his father has limited power and talents.
" that's right ain't it? We are all human beings but to be able to face these difficulties and yet able to solve them one by one whilst breaking free of the unfortunate circumstances, is what makes you different from us. I knew you were a smart child ever since I heard your father start sending you to the academy. I knew you would make it big someday! Hahaha !"
' No, you didn't instead you were gloating when I failed to continue with my studies, didn't you ?' muttered Lin Rui inwardly but he still nodded politely and answered with a grin " is that so? Thank you so much, auntie. I will remember your goodwill in the future"
' This is what you wanted to hear right, see I said it now scram !' Lin Rui looked at the greedy expression on the woman's face as he said those words. Once he spoke up like that the crowd of onlookers became even more excited and they started to congratulate him even more, saying how they knew it that he will succeed, that they had faith in him, blah blah blah the obvious nonsense - it was disgusting.
Lin Rui wanted to leave, something like this was making him nauseous but he couldn't because it would be rude. And as a scholar studying in the Xuan academy, he couldn't be rude to the commoners because it might affect his character and image but seriously these people were so annoying, why wouldn't they just leave him alone as they did in the past? Lin Rui didn't want to waste his time but he could no longer shove them aside and walk away, so he smiled as gently as possible and said " I need to go my eldest brother is injured -"
" Lin Rui, once you become an official, don't forget about our little village " joked another village lady without letting Lin Rui finish, making it clear that neither of them was willing to let him leave.
Annoyed, Lin Rui narrowed his eyes but before he could say anything a woman's voice interrupted their hustle-bustle " Aunt Jin, didn't you hear what Brother Rui said just now? He said that he needs to bring Doctor Gu. Aren't you being selfish by stopping him when his elder brother is injured so severely like that ?"
" Miss Luo is joking, when did I stop Lin Rui from going anywhere, right Lin Rui?" seeing Luo Chenxi come, the crowd of women rolled their eyes. They couldn't help but scorn Luo Chenxi who was making herself sound so righteous while carrying a big basket. They could easily smell the delicious scent of snacks coming from it.
The women couldn't help but roll their eyes at Luo Chenxi's antics.. Who was she trying to fool? Did she think they were idiots? It was clear she was here to suck up to Lin Rui as well bug she still made herself sound so holy.
however, since Luo Chenxi has questioned their intentions outright they couldn't stop and continue what they were doing, so even if they were reluctant the crowd of onlookers has to walk away.
Once the people surrounding him were gone, Lin Rui sighed in relief and then turned to look at Luo Chenxi, whose entire face flushed under his gaze, seeing her act like this, Lin Rui was troubled. If anyone saw them like this, they might think something was going on between the two of them, so he hurriedly put some distance between them and bowed politely " thank you for your help, Miss Luo. If not for you I will still be stuck in the crowd " then he nodded and turned around to leave but Luo Chenxi who wanted to stay with him little longer stopped him.
" brother Rui, wait aren't you going to do the Old Lin family to bring Doctor Gu?" said Luo Chenxi as she strode next to him " Doctor Gu is at my house. The old Lin family refused to pay his fees, so he brought the matter to my father, if you want to look for him you should come with me to my house
"
Lin Rui frowned and looked at Luo Chenxi, the latter looked back at him while blinking her eyes innocently. Seeing her act like this Lin Rui couldn't help but question himself- was he being too suspicious of Luo Chenxi, it was true that she once tried to scheme against Su Wan but after that, she hardly made any trouble and what she said makes sense, if it was the Old Lin family, they will definitely do something like she said.
"Alright, let's go to your house" Lin Rui who didn't think too deeply about the matter agreed plainly, not noticing the glint of victory flash in Luo Chenxi's eyes.
Together the two of them set off to Village head's house, though they were walking side by side. Lin Rui still kept his distance from Luo Chenxi making it look like he was following her instead of walking next to her, seeing him act like this Luo Chenxi pursed her lips unhappily. However, she didn't show it on her face, instead, she smiled innocently like she couldn't understand what he was doing and opened the basket she was carrying before offering him a pastry " brother Rui, I haven't congratulated you yet for passing the Xuan academy's entrance exams. Ah, how forgetful of me, I just got these pastries from my uncle who works in town, why don't you eat something sweet at such joyful news? "
Lin Rui looked at the pastry in her hand but made no attempt to take it, noticing this Luo Chenxi gobbled the pastry in her hand and smiled " see? I did nothing to these pastries. You don't have to be so suspicious about it, Brother Rui. Come on, we can still be considered childhood friends right? I have learned my lesson and I don't think you will like me ever, so I decided to give up already "
" alright" when Lin Rui heard her mention their childhood, Lin Rui's heart softened a little. After all Luo Chenxi was indeed like a younger sister to him at one time, so it wasn't too much of trouble to eat a single pastry right? So he took the pastry offered by Luo Chenxi and ate it, making the second biggest mistake of his life.