This humble Taoist priest wants to take the college entrance exam.

Chapter 15 Mengqiu User Manual

"Uncle Lin."

Once outside the school, Chen Shi'an naturally started calling Lin Ming "Uncle Lin".

He held up the boxed lunch in his hand and said, "You probably haven't had dinner yet, right? I just got two takeout meals from the cafeteria. How about we grab something to eat together at your place later?"

"You're so kind, Shi'an." Lin Ming waved his hand with a smile. "But I have dinner with my boss tonight, so I have to go there after showing you the house. Next time you come to my house, I'll cook you a nice meal."

"I never knew Uncle Lin could cook. I must try his cooking."

Lin Ming laughed upon hearing this: "I also come from the countryside. In our generation, what rural kid didn't know how to cook? Whether it tastes good or not is another matter."

The rented house wasn't far from the school, so Lin Ming didn't drive and took Chen Shi'an there on foot, letting him familiarize himself with the surroundings. The two chatted as they walked to the school gate.

"Uncle Lin has rented out the old house, so where do you live now?" Chen Shi'an asked.

“It’s very close to the school.” Lin Ming stood at the school gate, pointed to the left, and said, “I live in that neighborhood over there now.” He then pointed to the right, “This apartment I’m renting out is in that older neighborhood over there.”

Neither place is far from the school; Chen Shi'an estimates it will only take about ten minutes to walk there.

"Is Mengqiu also a day student?"

Lin Ming paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "She lives on campus. I'm busy with work and don't have time to cook for her. Luckily, I was assigned a teacher's dormitory room, so she lives there by herself. If she needs anything, I bring it to her."

He paused, then asked curiously, "Did Mengqiu tell you I'm her father?"

"She didn't say, but I can tell from your appearances."

"Hehe, Shi'an, you're quite good at judging people!"

Since they were talking about Lin Mengqiu, the conversation naturally turned to her, and the two continued walking and talking.

"Shi'an, are you settling in well in class? Has Mengqiu caused you any trouble?" Principal Lin asked.

"It's all pretty good."

Lin Xiao knew exactly what kind of person her daughter was. She had arranged for her to have a deskmate so that Chen Shi'an wouldn't give her a hard time.

“My husband passed away early and was always busy with work. Mengqiu has been independent since she was a child, but she's not very good at interacting with people. She spends her days reading and doing exercises, and has no other hobbies. She doesn't have many friends…”

His tone carried a hint of worry: "I'm not worried about her grades, but I keep wondering whether her current state is a good thing or a bad thing..."

Chen Shi'an listened quietly. He wasn't familiar with Lin Mengqiu and didn't feel comfortable commenting.

After all, everyone's position and perception in the eyes of others are different depending on the reference point.

"Shi'an, what do you think?"

"...My skills are far inferior to my master's, so I'm afraid I can't give Uncle Lin any good advice."

“Shi’an is too modest. Since your master is willing to pass on the entire Taoist temple to you, he must trust your abilities. I would also like to hear your opinions as young people.”

"What Uncle Lin just said was just a series of comparisons and references. Perhaps this is not the real her. I think that whatever kind of person Mengqiu wants to be and what kind of life she wants to live, as long as she is comfortable and has no regrets, that's fine."

Chen Shi'an paused for a moment, "Not every choice has to be the right one. As long as she wants, she can choose what she likes. Besides, life is long, and she is still young. What seems like the 'right' option may not actually be the right one."

After listening to Chen Shi'an's words, Lin Xiao fell into deep thought.

He had heard many people's opinions about his daughter over the years. Some praised her for her good grades, some praised her for not causing her parents any worry, while others said she was too cold-hearted and did not understand social etiquette.

No one has ever said anything like Chen Shi'an, that it's fine as long as she likes it.

The understanding and tolerance shown in their words made Lin Ming, the father, feel somewhat ashamed of himself.

He couldn't help but look at Chen Shi'an with new respect—if the old Taoist priest Chen had said these words, he would have thought it was perfectly reasonable, but the one who expressed such insights was actually a young man about the same age as his daughter.

“Shi An’s words make sense.”

Lin nodded and smiled, "If I didn't know you two only met today, I would have thought you'd known each other for years. It's true that people of the same age can understand each other better."

"Uncle Lin, you flatter me." Chen Shi'an said politely. "These are just some common views. As for my understanding of Mengqiu, it is naturally not as good as yours."

Lin Ming grew increasingly fond of this young man, finding him to be upright, calm, humble, and pleasant to talk to.

“That’s right. As her father, I know my own daughter very well. She may seem cold on the surface, but she’s actually kind-hearted despite her sharp tongue. Shi’an, don’t be afraid of her. If you don’t understand anything in your studies, just ask her. She won’t refuse to tell you.” “I’m just afraid of upsetting Mengqiu and making her want to change my seat,” Chen Shi’an said half-jokingly.

"She wouldn't dare, I'll stand up for you!"

……

While Lin Mengqiu was adding Chen Shi'an to her "Classmate Examination Life and Death List," little did she know that Chen Shi'an had already obtained the "Mengqiu User Manual" from her father.
As the most special classmate relationship on campus, classmates will spend a long time together in their studies. Chen Shi'an values ​​this relationship quite a bit. He doesn't expect them to be very close, as long as they don't part on bad terms.

Of course, if they really break up, it means they weren't compatible and weren't meant to be deskmates. In any case, it won't affect him.

Internal strife was something Chen Shi'an didn't see as a thing.

During their casual conversation, the two arrived at the residential complex where their rented apartment was located.

"This neighborhood is quite old; I bought it when I first started working."

"Back then, the school offered subsidies, so we bought them cheaply. More than 20 years have passed in the blink of an eye, and these buildings are now dilapidated."

Chen Shi'an and the cat in the bag were looking around the neighborhood, while Principal Lin gave a brief introduction.

"Although the building is a bit old, the overall environment of the community is quite good. There are plenty of convenience stores and grocery stores nearby, and there is a farmers' market a few hundred meters to the west. The key is that it is also close to the school. Since Shi'an has decided to commute to school, why not live here? It will be convenient to go to school. The only problem is that there is no elevator, and our building is on the ninth floor, so you will need to climb the stairs more often in the future."

"Uncle Lin, I think it's already pretty good. Climbing stairs is no problem. When I was on the mountain, it took me more than an hour to go down."

Chen Shi'an wasn't just being polite; he genuinely felt that the living conditions here were quite good.

Although the neighborhood is old, it is clean and tidy, and the living facilities are convenient, so climbing stairs is really nothing for him.

Did Uncle Lin used to live here?

"I lived here for a few years, then got married and moved, and this place has been rented out ever since."

The difference in physical strength between the two became apparent when climbing the stairs. Chen Shi'an carried the fat cat and luggage as if walking on flat ground, while Lin Ming, talking as he climbed, soon became breathless.

"Phew, as expected, when you get to middle age, you need to soak goji berries in your thermos..."

"Uncle Lin, you should take better care of yourself."

"Phew, I'm on the top floor, and it's usually cheap to rent here. A three-bedroom apartment costs 1,200 yuan."

"How much are they renting around here?" Chen Shi'an asked curiously.

"Around two thousand, even if it's an old and dilapidated apartment, it's still a school district property, and the transportation and daily life are convenient."

"Uncle Lin, even if this is the top floor, renting it for 1,200 is quite cheap."

"Yeah, I'm not short of money right now and I have no plans to sell. I'll just rent it out. Most of the tenants are recent graduates who don't have much money. I rent to people who seem to have good character, just to lighten the burden on society, haha..."

"Uncle Lin is very righteous." Chen Shi'an bowed in admiration.

"It was within my power, just a small favor."

Lin Xiao waved his hand, but his expression was full of satisfaction.

“Back then, we had a golden age. As long as you were healthy, had some education and brains, and were hardworking, you could always make money. Times have changed now. It’s not easy for young people. We should help them out as much as we can.”

Chen Shi'an had little idea of ​​what Lin Ming was saying. Indeed, living in the mountains for so long and being detached from worldly affairs, this trip down the mountain had truly broadened his horizons.

After finally climbing to the ninth floor, the two stopped in front of a door with the number [901] written on it.

"We're here." Lin Ming wiped his sweat. "I didn't bring a spare key, but the girl who rents this place should be home. She called me when she got off work."

As he spoke, he knocked on the door with his finger: "Xiao Li, is Xiao Li home? I'm your landlord, Uncle Lin!"

"I'm coming."

Hearing the clear reply coming from inside, Chen Shi'an blinked, quickly searching his mind for the image and face of a certain woman.

That voice... it's hers!

(End of this chapter)