Barely ten days after the ducklings on the farmstead had hatched, the temperature in Anyang Prefecture plummeted.
Song Qiming also began his final sprint of preparations for Anyang Academy's annual year-end examination.
Outside the Inner House lecture hall, Upper House student Wang Xu pulled along He Feixuan, the top student of the Upper House. They used the excuse of visiting Wang Xu's younger brother, but in reality, they were observing Song Qiming's study state.
Seeing the two men's gazes locked onto Song Qiming without a moment's deviation, Wang Rui couldn't help but step forward to block their line of sight.
"If you keep staring, you'll be noticed. Don't worry, Song Qiming is guaranteed to test into the Upper House this time. He's already surpassed Hu Fengye."
Hu Fengye was a mountain who had occupied third place in the Inner House for a full eight months, yet Song Qiming had snatched his position after being here for only three months.
Having one-on-one guidance from a renowned master truly made a difference. His speed of improvement was something others couldn't catch up to even on stilts.
Hearing this, Wang Xu let his gaze fall upon his younger brother, Wang Rui's face. "There's only half a month left until the year-end exam. You must not slack off; there are only three spots to enter the Upper House."
Wang Rui tilted his head and smiled. "Don't worry, Big Brother. Song Qiming won't be able to surpass me for the time being. I will definitely be one of those three."
Passing by, Yan Baoyi heard the trio's conversation and ground his teeth until they audibly clicked.
He returned to his seat in the third-to-last row, his gaze landing on Song Qiming's back as if it had been steeped in poison.
Over three monthly exams, his grades had slipped to thirty-seventh place in the Inner House. Even Song Gaoli had climbed over his head.
When they first entered the academy, he was second and Song Qiming was first. One up and one down—now there was a world of difference between them.
He blamed all of this on Song Qiming. If not for Song Qiming's constant provocation, how could he have focused all his attention on him, resulting in a lack of concentration in class? By not advancing, he had fallen behind.
Now, even Ding Weiyue had taken on a new disciple, acting as if he was ready to give up on him.
Seeing Song Qiming's status in the academy rise higher and higher, on the verge of testing into the Upper House, how could Yan Baoyi possibly be willing to accept it?
Song Gaoli was holding a book and about to approach Song Qiming for a discussion. As he turned his head, he noticed Yan Baoyi's damp, gloomy gaze that resembled a poisonous snake, causing his shoulders to twitch in an involuntary shudder.
He bent down, propped his arms on the desk, and leaned close to Song Qiming's ear to whisper.
"We've been in the academy for so long, why does Yan Baoyi still find you an eyesore? Hasn't he stopped ever since Master Ye came to teach in the Inner House?"
Song Qiming turned his head to look at him. As their eyes met, invisible sparks seemed to fly.
"This person has too strong a sense of jealousy. Now that he has fallen into a slump, he's definitely resentful. No one has bullied you in the dormitory recently, right?"
Song Gaoli clicked his tongue and gave a dismissive smile. "I'm just a small fry. They don't even put me in their eyes."
"By the way, has your older sister confirmed when she's returning to the village this year? Don't forget to take me along when the time comes."
Song Qiming said, "The academy only gives thirty-five days of vacation in total. If the journey goes smoothly, a round trip will eat up half a month. My sister said we'll leave as soon as my break starts. Get your things packed, and I'll come call for you when it's time."
Song Gaoli nodded.
Ten days later at the farmstead, Song Jinzhao stared at the pea and bottle gourd vines beginning to climb up the ropes inside the greenhouse. Her heart surged with emotion, and she could hardly conceal the excitement and thrill on her face.
Winter greenhouse cultivation had finally been accomplished.
Fushun smiled so widely that several wrinkles bunched up at the corners of his eyes. "Eldest Miss, according to the timeline, we can harvest the first batch before the New Year. The other leafy greens have also grown to a thumb's height. If you want to eat them tender, we can pinch them off in ten days."
It had to be said that their young miss was truly capable. As long as they did things according to her requirements, there was nothing that wouldn't succeed.
To be able to grow vegetables in the dead of winter—if word got out, people would think it was immortal magic bestowed by the heavens.
Song Jinzhao shook her head. "Fresh vegetables are scarce in winter. Let them grow a bit bigger before picking them, so they weigh more."
"I've already rented the shop next to the gourmet food store. When the time comes, we'll sell them inside. Have Chunxing take someone to keep an eye on it, and Lanxi will come to the farmstead to help you."
"This is a list of all the restaurants in Anyang Prefecture. Once the vegetable shop opens, they will definitely come to discuss cooperation. The price must be standardized and cannot fall below this number."
Fushun took the list, read it over, and nodded. "I understand."
Anyang Academy's year-end exam would last for two days, and tomorrow was the first day.
After school was dismissed in the evening, Song Qiming carried his book box on his back and headed home. Thinking about the holiday starting in a few days, even someone as diligent and studious as him couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation.
As he quickened his pace and turned a corner, three masked men suddenly rushed at him.
Song Qiming's pupils shrank drastically, and he instinctively spun around, using his book box to ram into them.
The first masked man to charge clutched his aching chest and roared, "Get him! Pin him to the ground and cripple his fingers!"
Song Qiming reached his left hand to his right arm. A short, compact sleeve arrow was gripped in his hand, ready to fire. With a vigilant and stern expression, he demanded, "Who are you?"
The man raised a fist. "I am your absolute master!"
One against three, the four of them engaged in a chaotic brawl.
Song Qiming threw a punch with his left and a kick with his right, aiming entirely at the most vulnerable parts of the human body where the pain would be the most excruciating.
A man who had nearly had his mask ripped off cursed gruffly, "This kid knows martial arts! Grab your weapons!"
Three daggers gleaming with a cold light were drawn from their waists. Seeing this, Song Qiming pressed his thumb against the trigger mechanism. Taking the initiative, he raised his hand and unleashed a volley of iron needles like a celestial maiden scattering blossoms.
To make it more convenient to carry, Song Jinzhao had specially modified the sleeve arrow, replacing the short arrows with iron needles.
Although they couldn't pierce very deeply, the iron needles had been steeped in venom. As long as they pierced the skin, they would take effect within seven seconds.
