Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 251 - 250: Really About to Go Crazy

After Liu Ji finished using the restroom, the group returned to the inn.

Qin Yao ordered a few dishes and invited Liu Li and Da Zhuang to join them. The two families prepared to dine in the inn’s main hall.

By this time, most of the examinees had already come out. They gathered in small groups, drinking tea and discussing the exam questions, comparing answers and estimating their results.

The entire hall was as noisy as a bustling market. Qin Yao frowned and asked the waiter to find her a quieter spot.

Unfortunately, there were no free tables left in the hall, but the waiter helpfully moved the food to a stone table in the backyard courtyard.

Here, there was no one around, making it relatively quiet, although there were quite a few mosquitoes.

But it didn’t matter, as they lit a pot of mugwort incense. When Qin Yao called out to start the meal, Liu Ji, who was already starving, immediately buried his head in the food.

To avoid affecting the examination, the candidates practically avoided eating anything to prevent restroom breaks from delaying their time, enduring the entire day. Liu Ji felt like he could eat half a cow at this point.

Liu Li was also hungry but couldn’t bring himself to be as shameless as Liu Ji. However, his movement at picking up the food was several times faster than usual.

Soon, the table was filled with the sounds of chewing. Qin Yao, initially without much appetite, couldn’t help but eat two extra bowls of rice.

Having almost finished eating, Liu Ji finally explained why he took so long to leave the exam room.

"My luck, it’s truly unmatched. Originally, I had finished writing my paper long ago. Seeing Qi Xian handing in his paper, someone taking the first place, I thought I’d follow him out quietly without drawing attention..."

Little did I expect, that damned book box ruined everything!

That invigilator, who knows what they were thinking, suddenly took an interest in my book box.

Just as I was preparing to put down my pen and submit my paper, the invigilator appeared before me, giving me such a fright that I froze like a wooden chicken, not daring to move, thinking something was wrong with me.

As it turned out, the invigilator was merely curious about my book box, pacing back and forth observing it in front of me.

With the invigilator right there, I truly lacked the courage to hand in my paper.

Thus, I picked up my pen again, feigning to continue answering.

Initially, I thought to hold out until the invigilator left and then leave, but the worst was yet to come.

Earlier, I was inwardly criticizing, saying Qi Xian was indeed a prodigy, able to continue writing with the invigilator’s eyes on him. But for me, I would go crazy.

Just then... I really almost went crazy!

"That invigilator, with those big, bright bull-like eyes staring at me, my goodness, what virtue or ability do I possess to receive the same treatment as a prodigy? I didn’t dare even to breathe too heavily. My mind was in disarray, flipping through everything I’ve read, writing down everything I could."

I couldn’t stop my pen!

"Once I paused my pen, the invigilator’s breathing would grow heavier, making my heart clench... Too terrifying, that was the authoritative stare of the chief examiner, I’m just an ordinary scholar, how could I bear it!"

Thinking about it now, Liu Ji patted his chest, a lingering fear remaining.

Da Lang poured a cup of tea for his father, and Liu Ji gratefully smiled at his son, raising the cup and drinking it in one go, his excited state slightly calmed.

Second Lang hadn’t had enough of the story, curiously asking, "Dad, so how did you finally manage to leave? Did the invigilator leave?"

Liu Ji waved his hand, "No, no, no, it was your father who really couldn’t hold it in any longer, so I closed my eyes and submitted the paper first."

Strangely enough, he said, the paper he racked his brains over, which was like garbage, the invigilator seemed rather engrossed in reading it, occasionally lifting the corners of their lips, letting out an inexplicable soft chuckle.

If possible, Liu Ji really wanted to ask: Can you report invigilators who intentionally laugh and affect examinees during exams?

Qin Yao teased him, "Probably, they found you amusing, invigilation can be dull, and you’re quite entertaining for them, just teasing you."

Liu Ji’s mouth twitched suddenly, feeling proud, "To be entertained by a senior, it means I’m impressive, others simply don’t have this talent!"

Liu Li wiped the sweat from his forehead, giving Liu Ji a look of admiration.

He just tried putting himself in Liu Ji’s shoes, imagining himself being stared at by the invigilator and already felt suffocated. Kudos to Liu Ji for holding on for so long, that level of composure is indeed rare.

"It’s getting late; you’ve spent your energy on the exams today and must be tired, rest early." Qin Yao stood up and smiled at Liu Li.

Liu Li thanked Qin Yao for hosting them tonight, and with Da Zhuang, returned to their rooms to rest.

Having completed the exam, feeling light and unburdened, tonight they could enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Returning to his room, Liu Ji continued to share with his children the details of his battle of wits with the invigilator that day, basking in their amazement, feeling quite grand and inflated.

He had forgotten the urgency to find a toilet upon leaving the exam hall though.

Qin Yao poured out the dirty wash water, closed the door, set the heavy wooden basin on a corner shelf, wiped her hands dry, and came to the bed.

Sanlang and Si Niang were to sleep on the bed with her, but at the moment, they were surrounding Liu Ji on the floor bed.

Taking a rare quiet moment, Qin Yao took out the 500 taels of silver she exchanged in the morning, carefully counting it.

Fifty taels per ingot, ten large silver ingots in all, wrapped in a cloth towel, they didn’t form a large bundle.

Jiang Wen had given her some contacts in the timber business, intending to take her to meet them in the morning. If the deal goes through, this silver would soon be spent.

Qin Yao toyed with the silver ingot in her hand, its petite form lying in her palm, quite adorable.

"Darling, let me touch it." A voice came from the five men squatting before her.

Qin Yao thought it a good opportunity for the children to get familiar with money, and readily handed over the silver ingot, "Keep it quiet."

With her prior instruction, father and sons, who’d never seen so much silver, kept their mouths shut tightly.

Qin Yao found it amusing, then took out a silver note, laying it on the floor, teaching Da Lang and his siblings how to identify and exchange silver notes.

She had gone through the steps that morning at the Money Shop, explaining it all in detail.

It wasn’t just the four children who were clueless, Liu Ji was as well — the five of them listened intently.

"Alright, hand over the money, time to sleep, I have things to do in the morning." Qin Yao reached out, signaling them to return the silver note and ingots.

Sanlang and Si Niang, already yawning, climbed onto the bed, laying in their designated inner spots, falling asleep within three seconds.

Liu Ji handed the money back to Qin Yao, eagerly asking, "Darling, the remaining sessions being re-examinations, I needn’t attend. Could I accompany you out and lend a hand?"

Qin Yao declined, "No need, stay at the inn and teach the children their lessons. The clan school classes mustn’t be neglected. If you have free time at noon, take the kids to visit the Dragon King Temple and Slope Pond in town."

While talking, she recalled not knowing the situation outside the city currently, advising, "Notify me first if going out of the city."

With that, she waved her hand, sending a gust of wind to extinguish the candle flame, plunging the room into darkness.

"Sleep!"

Liu Ji felt the cold gust remaining on his cheek, secretly swallowing, promptly responding, "Yes, ma’am!"