Chapter 34: Addicted to Taking Advantage?

The other party was so infuriated by Fang Ning that they were practically left gasping for air. By then, however, Fang Ning had already strode away with Yu Dong and the others.

"Ningning," Yu Dong asked, "are you truly planning to study and take the imperial examinations to become a scholar?"

Fang Ning nodded. "That's right. After all, education is the best path forward. Isn't our Futian Village bullied and looked down upon by the Xu Family Village simply because they have a scholar and we don't?"

"But Scholar Xu won't take you as a student, and the tutor at the town academy is his classmate. I'm afraid that..."

"I don't intend for them to teach me!"

If people found out that she could read and write without ever having attended a private school, it would surely invite unnecessary trouble. Si Yuheng was different; he knew her origins and would only teach her what she wanted to learn. This way, she could stun everyone at the county examination next year.

"Then are you going to the academy in the county town? That's where Scholar Xu studied."

"No, I’ve already found a tutor."

"Who?"

"The young master, of course!"

Fang Ning pulled the silent Si Yuheng forward. "My father is treating his illness, and in exchange, he is teaching me how to study. That is the agreement between us."

"Then, young master..." Yu Dong looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"I do not take students," Si Yuheng refused flatly.

Teaching Fang Ning was one thing; that was part of their transaction. But he had no connection to the villagers of Futian, and he wasn't generous enough to offer his services to them. Yu Dong could not hide his disappointment.

"Uncle Yu, don't worry," Fang Ning interjected. "Once we make some money, we can build an academy in the village and hire a renowned teacher to teach the children. If we want them to study, we shouldn't waste their time."

"Sigh, it's not that easy, is it?"

"Then let's set a small goal: first, let's get rich."

The villagers were amused by Fang Ning's words. They saw her as a child speaking nonsense and didn't take it seriously. Little did they know, Fang Ning was entirely sincere. The villagers were kind, and she wanted to help them. After all, in her previous life, she had spent a year working as a poverty alleviation official for an assignment. Lifting a village out of poverty was a belief etched into her very bones.

"Ningning, don't worry about being rich or not. It's enough for us that your family doesn't act as unreasonably as before," said Uncle Yu the Fifth.

"Uncle Yu, are you still angry about what we used to do?"

"There's no anger left. Everything is in the past. I'm just happy to see your family turning over a new leaf."

"Really?"

"Of course. Enough, let's not mention the past; let's look to the future." Uncle Yu the Fifth patted Fang Ning on the shoulder.

Fang Ning offered a sincere promise. Although the past had nothing to do with her, she had inherited everything belonging to the original owner, and she would bear the consequences of her actions. She only hoped that if the original owner had an afterlife, she would truly gain some wisdom and stop being such a troublemaker.

Back home, You An had already delivered the iron ore slag requested by Si Yuheng, along with quicklime, clay, and gypsum.

Grandma Fang was puzzled. "Young Master, what do you need these for?"

"Grandma, it’s not the young master who needs them; I asked him to buy them for me. I’m going to make something," Fang Ning said, taking the lead. "Once I’m done, you’ll see how useful it is."

"Really?"

"Grandma, I’ve never lied to you, have I?"

Grandma Fang glared at her. "Haven't you? What about all those times you staged accidents to extort people? Wasn't that all you?"

Fang Ning scratched her head. "That was in the past! I won't do it anymore. Oh, Grandma, don't be angry!" She began to act coy, a skill she had mastered perfectly.

Fang Cinian walked out of the room and guessed, "Making cement?"

"That's right, Father! The young master taught me," Fang Ning winked.

Si Yuheng remained silent, thinking to himself that Fang Ning truly didn't have a single honest word in her mouth.

"Isn't that right, Young Master?"

"Mm," Si Yuheng replied quietly.

Fang Yu and Fang Hong were curious and ran over to take a look, but Fang Ning quickly stopped them. "Don't touch these; I have a use for them."

Although Fang Ling didn't know what cement was, she accurately guessed its purpose. "Ningning, are you making this to build walls?"

A flash of surprise crossed Fang Ning's eyes. Could Fang Ling be a transmigrator like her? She asked, "Are you a descendant of the dragon?"

Fang Ling looked confused. "What is a descendant of the dragon?"

Fang Ning: "..." Never mind, I'm overthinking it. "It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of dragons." She changed the subject and looked at Si Yuheng. "Young Master, it's for building walls, right?"

Si Yuheng raised an eyebrow. Was she addicted to using him as a prop? "Mm," he replied coldly.

Fang Ning was quite satisfied with this "golden thigh" tool she had found. From now on, whenever she came up with something new, she would just say Si Yuheng taught her. That way, he would be seen as a genius in everyone else's eyes. Perfect!

Si Yuheng could see exactly what Fang Ning was planning, but he couldn't refute her and had to swallow it. He only hoped she could produce something truly useful; otherwise, he wouldn't mind adding a few more lives to his hands. Sensing the murderous aura, Fang Ning glanced at him. His dark, deep eyes were brimming with killing intent, and she immediately toned it down.

With Liang Anrong taking care of the bayberry business, Fang Ning focused on her earthen cement. The village brick kiln belonged to Jiang San. When Fang Ning asked to borrow it, he agreed without a second thought. Jiang San’s son, Jiang Xiaoliu, who was fourteen—a year older than Fang Ling—was one of the children who detested Fang Ning the most.

"What are you doing at my house? Get lost!" As soon as Jiang San left, Jiang Xiaoliu began to shove Fang Ning.

Fang Ling immediately pulled Fang Ning behind her and glared at Jiang Xiaoliu. "What are you doing? Jiang Xiaoliu, don't you dare try to bully my brother!"

Jiang Xiaoliu froze, unable to believe that Fang Ling was protecting Fang Ning. "Lingling, didn't you hate Fang Ning too? Why are you helping him?"

"The past is the past. Anyway, you are not allowed to bully my Ningning." Fang Ling was fiercely protective.

Jiang Xiaoliu glared at Fang Ning and said to Fang Ling, "Come over here, or Fang Ning will frame you again later."

"He won't, and I don't want to hear you say that about my brother anymore," Fang Ling said, displeased.

Jiang Xiaoliu pouted and muttered to himself, "Fine, fine, I won't say it. I'll listen to you."

Fang Ning was surprised to notice that both children were blushing.

*Childhood sweethearts,* she thought. As a twenty-seven-year-old single woman, she felt the full force of their malice. If she had known this would happen, she would have dragged Si Yuheng along. At the very least, holding the title of "fiancée" would have allowed her to hold her own against these two kids!

It was as if there was a telepathic connection—speak of the devil, and he appears. However, a shrill, strained voice cut through the air, making Fang Ning feel quite uncomfortable.