In comparison, the gap between the two families was widening, and the more they competed, the angrier they became.

The angrier he got, the more he compared.

There was no hope for the grandchildren. As soon as the two grandsons got married, Old Master Su got Madam Sun to urge them to have children. He wanted the two granddaughters-in-law who had just married into the family to give birth to big fat grandsons as soon as possible.

Madam Li and Madam Zhou had finally become mothers-in-law and could finally relax a little.

—-

As May passed, June followed.

Madam Qian was nine months pregnant and had successfully given birth to a baby boy on the first day of June. She put down her work and went through confinement in peace.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Su Hua and Zhou Heng were fine, but Su Chong was directly tanned. Because he often practiced martial arts under the sun, he also shed a layer of skin.

The academy examination was on the 25th of June.

On June 24th, they packed their bags and entered the town to meet Lin Pingsheng. The number of people participating in the academy examination this time was reduced by half.

Some of them did not pass the prefecture examination, and some of them were ranked too low. There was no point in going. They might as well not go this time and study hard before participating next time.

Therefore, there were only about twenty people on this trip.

Su Xiaolu still followed them. She decided that she would follow her brothers to every exam.

The exam wasn’t easy. She was the young divine doctor. It was safer with her around.

It was almost time to leave, but Liu Zijin had not arrived yet.

Some students could not wait any longer and urged the teacher to leave the city quickly.

“Teacher, let’s hurry up. Liu Zijin might be delayed by something. He can find the way by himself. He’s late. We can’t wait for him forever.”

They had agreed on a time to leave. If Liu Zijin still didn’t come after this hour, everyone would inevitably complain.

The teachers discussed it and decided to wait another quarter of an hour. If he didn’t come, they would leave.

Fifteen minutes later, when Liu Zijin still did not come, the teachers brought the students out of the city.

Seeing that Su Chong and the others were still not leaving, Lin Pingsheng came over and asked, “What’s going on?”

Su Chong said truthfully, “Teacher, we have a good relationship with Liu Zijin. He hasn’t arrived yet and we’re worried that something has happened to him. Liu Zijin is very concerned about this exam. He shouldn’t be late.”

Su Chong and the others knew very well how much Liu Zijin cared about this exam.

Liu Zijin shouldn’t have been late, but he was.

Lin Pingsheng said calmly, “He might have been delayed by something and might not be able to go this time. If you’re worried, I’ll find out where he lives. You can visit him after the exam.”

Su Chong frowned. He looked at Lin Pingsheng and said firmly, “Teacher, you guys go first. I’m healthy and fast. I’ll wait for him for another two hours.”

Seeing Su Chong’s stubborn look, Lin Pingsheng knew that he could not persuade him, so he agreed. “Alright, Su Hua, Zhou Heng, and Xiaolu. Let’s go first.”

A few hours’ journey was not easy for the scholar.

Su Hua and Zhou Heng did not have internal force, so they went first.

Su Xiaolu was with them. She was not worried since Su Chong knew martial arts.

After the others left, Su Chong waited at the entrance of the town.

He waited for three hours, and it was already noon. He was about to leave when he saw Liu Zijin arrive late.

He was wounded and limped when he walked. He had no intention of going into town. Instead, he went straight to Anping County.

Su Chong hurriedly stopped him. “Brother Zijin.”

Liu Zijin paused. He turned around with a limp and looked at Su Chong in disbelief. “Su Chong, why are you still here?”

An answer popped up in his mind. He just couldn’t believe it.

Su Chong looked at Liu Zijin and sighed. “You haven’t come yet. I was waiting for you, afraid that something had happened to you and you would be delayed. I thought that I would wait and see. If you come, I’ll go with you so that you can have a companion.”

Liu Zijin lowered her eyes and swallowed. “Su Chong, thank you.”

Su Chong pulled Liu Zijin to the side and sat down. “You seem to have injured your foot. Let me take a look at it. We’ll have to travel for a few hours later. It won’t be easy for you to walk.”

Liu Zijin almost cried. He hurriedly said, “Su Chong, no, no…”

“I’m not helping you for free. Just pay me back when you make your fortune. A hundred copper coins.”

Su Chong squeezed and knew that his bones were swollen.

Liu Zijin must have spent a lot of effort on this journey here.

Su Chong injected internal force into Liu Zijin’s ankle to help him recuperate.

Su Chong did not ask what was going on and left with Liu Zijin on his back.

Liu Zijin exclaimed, “Su Chong, put me down. How can this be?”

No matter what, he was still dozens of kilograms. How could he let Su Chong carry him?

Su Chong’s footsteps were steady. He said, “Zijin, I don’t know what happened. We’re friends. Between friends, it’s only right for us to help each other. Aren’t we studying for the scholarly examinations? You’re so hardworking and talented. I know you’ll definitely come. Unless you have no choice.”

“I practice martial arts. Master usually asks me to wear iron on me. He knows that I’m going for the exam, so he’s kind enough not to ask me to wear it. You’re not that heavy, not even as heavy as the iron I wear. Don’t say anything. Your foot is seriously injured. You have to recuperate well. Otherwise, it won’t be good if you fall ill in the future.”

Su Chong had practiced martial arts for more than three years. He could tell at a glance that the injury on Liu Zijin’s leg was very serious. If he did not recuperate well, he would become a cripple in the future.

He treated Liu Zijin as a friend and waited here for almost four hours. He knew that Liu Zijin was in trouble, so he naturally had to help.

Liu Zijin choked. Tears dripped onto Su Chong’s clothes. He seemed to be trying his best to suppress them.

“Su Chong, there’s no way to repay your kindness. One day, I will definitely risk my life to save you in the future.”

Liu Zijin endured the pain in his heart and said firmly to Su Chong.

Su Chong smiled and agreed. “Okay.”

Now that he was here, he was far, far away. Along the way, his heart was filled with hatred. He let it all go at this moment.

Su Chong didn’t ask anything, but Liu Zijin told him everything on the way.

Liu Zijin’s house was very far away. His father had already passed away, and his mother had raised him. His house was six hours from the town, and he had scored very well in the exams.

In that small village, the leader of the same clan was also the village chief. His grandson, Liu Zijian, wanted to replace him, so for more than a month, the mother and son were controlled.

In order to survive, Liu Zijin had no choice but to tell Liu Zijian his answers to prepare for the academy examination. In the past two days, they had even injured his feet.

In the middle of the night, it was his mother who let him go secretly. Liu Zijin had to participate in the academy examination, so he still came.

He didn’t have a penny on him. How hard would it be to walk to Anping County on his injured feet?

He was indignant. Even if he died, he would die on the way there.

Fortunately, the heavens allowed him to meet Su Chong.

Liu Zijin’s voice was a little hoarse. He smiled self-deprecatingly and said, “Su Chong, meeting you is my greatest fortune.”

If he missed this opportunity, he would never have a chance to make something of himself. Liu Zijian would replace him in participating in the examinations. The real Liu Zijin could only be trapped behind his back and become Liu Zijian’s think tank!