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Meng Liangdong was reluctant to go, but he couldn’t resist the crowd, who could carry him off to the tavern even by lifting his arms. The silver from the sale of the shop was squandered by these people in just a few days.

Once they knew Meng Liangdong really had no more silver, they became indifferent to him.

Thus, Meng Liangdong, who had entered the academy with grand aspirations, was ultimately defeated by reality and returned dejectedly, rolling up his bedding.

Perhaps having completely lost heart in pursuing academics, on his way back, he threw all the books he had followed him for years into the Guard City River, swearing he would never read or entertain the notion of teaching again.

Although Lin Yuan did not entirely agree with his extreme actions, she could not think of a way to console and persuade him at the moment. Well, there would still be time in the future, and perhaps with enough time, he would come to terms with it himself.

Lin Yuan was never very optimistic about that academy, and if people like Lin Yongcheng and Lin Yongle could enter, it was no longer a place fit for quiet study.

Thinking of her two younger sisters, Lin Yuan suddenly felt an impulse—why not establish a school herself and hire a teacher for the instruction?

As far as she knew, opening a school was not that difficult; one only needed to register with the Government Office, and there were one or two private tutors in the town. With Xia Zheng’s connections, was there any fear Li Chang wouldn’t give her a permit?

If she truly established a private tutor, she would invite Meng Liangdong to be the teacher.

With his knowledge and temperament, he was certain to teach the students well.

Yet now, having lost all his aspirations, convincing him to regain his confidence would not be an overnight task.

Since running a tutor was no easy feat, Lin Yuan decided not to dwell on it for the moment.

After leading Meng Liangdong to a room specially arranged for him, Lin Yuan had Liuzi take his measurements, planning to make him several new outfits.

Given the small bundle he carried upon his return, it was unlikely he had anything left. Lin Yuan guessed that perhaps he had thrown away his few articles of clothing along with the books.

She had previously asked Mo Sanniang to make two sets of work clothes for everyone in the store. Since Meng Liangdong was Mr. Accountant and rather casual in his dress, and because he himself preferred the simplest changpao, Lin Yuan decided to have all his clothes made into robes.

Seeing Lin Yuan care for an accountant with such attentiveness, Lin Yi, who had been helping move goods, couldn’t help but keep glancing over and decided that he would definitely write a thorough report via Flying Pigeon Letter to the Second Young Master that night.

Clearly already committed to another man, and still, she provided such meticulous care to another man!

Lin Yi’s small scheme did not catch Lin Yuan’s attention, for she had many other things to attend to. The fillings for Rice Flower Fragrance had already begun to be prepared, just waiting to be made into finished products for a big sale on opening day.

Because the spicy strips were also included as a new product for sale on the opening day, Lin Yuan needed to pick up some soybeans from the tofu workshop. Since she also wanted to see how the business was doing, she left Liuzi to mind Rice Flower Fragrance and had Lin Yi drive to the tofu workshop.

No sooner had Lin Yuan left than a young girl arrived at Rice Flower Fragrance.

Liuzi was busy with inventory, counting the stock with an account book, and when he looked up and saw a girl dressed as a maid, he thought she was here to buy pastries for her master.

He greeted her with a smile, "Miss, our Rice Flower Fragrance has not opened yet. If you’d like to buy pastries, please come back when we open in a few days, and there will be discounts then. "

The young girl had a round face and her eyes twinkled, looking exceptionally clever. She glanced around the front hall and quickly realized Liuzi was a steward, and with a smiling bow, she said, "Little brother, I am not here to buy pastries; I am looking for someone."