Do you know: I should be fat and you should be thin!

Nine days have passed in a flash, and the first day off is just around the corner!

"Changbai, do you have any plans for tomorrow? It's getting cold, why don't you come with me and Yuanruo to Madam Wu's polo match?" Gu Tingye asked while sitting in the court.

Sheng Changbai was not good at polo and was not in a good mood. When he turned around, he saw Zhou Ning writing furiously, and the book seemed even more appealing to him, so he declined the offer.

"Pengqi, would you like to come with me tomorrow?" Yuanruo asked, turning around.

Over the course of the days, the male students grew increasingly close.

Although Zhou Ning's family background was far inferior to everyone else's, it was still far inferior to the Sheng family.

But he was incredibly hardworking and talented, and everyone admired him.

Zhou Ning put down his pen, looked up, and said apologetically, "I'm afraid I'll spoil your fun, brother. I still have to work hard to make a living, and it's rare for me to have a day off, so it's really not worth wasting. Besides, I haven't been to my shops for a long time, and they still need some tidying up."

"Pengqi, you're a real man, why are you acting like a girl? How about we settle this with a game of pitch-pot?" Gu Tingye urged.

Zhou Ning politely declined: "That's not appropriate. Everyone in Bianjing knows that Second Brother Gu's polo and pitch-pot skills are unparalleled, and he has few rivals in either. I would gladly admit defeat."

It wasn't that Zhou Ning was being modest. Although he didn't have any cheat codes, the original owner of this body was truly skilled in everything except for his photographic memory, pitch-pot, polo, and other games.

After all, a humble family is merely a family of lower social standing, but it is still a member of the gentry family. Although the Zhou Ning branch has completely declined and has no further branches.

Although Gu Er was dissolute in his early years, often enjoying himself at the Yuntai Pavilion, his knowledge was no longer as good as mine.

But if we compare ourselves to Gu Er in these aspects, then we'd be humiliating ourselves.

"How about this? If you win, I'll clear out all the goods in your shops for you. Even if you lose, it's fine; as your older brother, I'll still guarantee your daily profits. Anyway, it'll be more exciting if everyone goes to the polo match!" Gu Tingye urged again.

Since he inherited his maternal grandfather Bai's estate, his three salt shops alone have been making a fortune every day.

Not to mention the real estate, land deeds, antiques, etc., which even he himself cannot currently calculate exactly how much money he has.

The richest man in Bianjing, he's rolling in money!

Seeing that Gu Tingye had said so, how could Zhou Ning refuse again?

Polo clubs are great opportunities to make friends, and normally I wouldn't even be qualified to go because of my status.

Now that the food is practically being fed, if you stubbornly refuse to eat, you'll be considered ungrateful!

"It would be impolite to refuse. I will gladly accompany you tonight!" Zhou Ning said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Then it's settled! Tonight, I'll treat everyone to Fanlou. Nobody's allowed to run away after class. Changbai, the teapot and arrows are from your family!" Gu Tingye was overjoyed.

When Sheng Changbai heard that Zhou Ning was also going, he felt that it would be too unsociable for him not to go, so he had no choice but to agree.

The female students all listened intently, and with Sheng Changbai present, they dared not interrupt.

After all, Sheng Hong would be furious if anyone tarnished the Sheng family's reputation!

Mo Lan would always steal glances at Qi Heng, her eyes subtly conveying her affection.

Rulan always saw all of this and would complain to her mother, Wang Ruofu, every night. The two of them would then criticize Lin Xige and his wife for their delusions!

Qi Heng would occasionally glance at Minglan. He was attracted by Minglan's appearance and intelligence when they first met, which seemed to bring a ray of light into his repressed life.

Minglan was not completely unaware of Qi Heng's gaze, but she was well aware of the vast difference in their statuses and dared not even think about it. Therefore, she paid more attention to Zhou Ning.

Grandma Sheng once advised her to listen more, observe more, and speak less, and to learn to discern character from details...

Among the female students, Zhou Ning was also interested in Minglan, after all, she was the most beautiful of the several girls.

However, Yu Yanran's appearance and her timely acts of concern made it difficult for him to ignore her. Fortunately, everyone was still young, and he planned to pass the imperial examination first!

End of class today!

Fanlou private room.

The pitch-pot equipment has been set up on the open ground. The pot is 49 centimeters high and 7.25 centimeters in diameter. It is cylindrical with a long neck and has a pair of large vertical handles. Everything was provided by the Sheng family.

Gu Tingye disassembled his belt and placed it on the ground as a marker. He casually picked up a specially made arrow, estimated its weight, and tested its feel, already having a good idea of ​​its position.

"I'm the one who's benefiting anyway, please go first, brother!" Zhou Ning said modestly.

"As the elder brother, I should give way to you. Since you are so modest, let's settle this with three arrows!" Gu Tingye held the arrow in his hand and casually tossed it. The arrow drew an arc and landed straight at the mouth of the pot.

Stone shouted, "Gu Tingye's first arrow has a beginning, ten steps!"

Seeing that Gu Tingye had underestimated his opponent, Zhou Ning was overjoyed. He took a look, and the arrow flew out with a loud thud!

Stone shouted, "Zhou Ning's first arrow has pierced the ear! Twenty points!"

Gu Tingye inwardly cried out that he had underestimated his opponent, knowing that with his skill in pitch-pot, only throwing at Youchu was truly letting the sea go.

Although there's not a 30% chance of getting the dragon's head, there's an 80% chance of getting the pole, and getting the ear pierced is practically guaranteed!

"Fine! I won't give in anymore!" Gu Tingye said seriously.

"call out!"

Shi Tou shouted, "Gu Tingye's second arrow, leaning against the pole! Fifteen points!"

Zhou Ning was helpless. Her best skill was only leaning on the pole, but Gu Tingye could do it with ease!

"call out!"

"Thump!"

Stone shouted, "Zhou Ning has hit the bullseye ten times!"

Seeing this, Gu Tingye smiled, knowing Zhou Ning's skill level was mediocre, and didn't risk throwing the dragon's head. He fired another arrow, hitting the pole repeatedly! Three arrows totaled 40 points!

Zhou Ning praised, "Second Brother Gu is quite skilled. He can even use a pole prop with ease. I admire him!" He aimed the arrow in his hand again and again, but was in no hurry to shoot.

He knew that if he only wanted to pierce the ear, he would have an 80% chance of success, but when he tried to lean on the pole, he would only succeed once or twice out of ten attempts when playing at home.

"Second Brother Gu, I considered this before I came. There are quite a few old items in the shop, which are valuable but difficult to sell. If my arrow manages to hit the pole or the dragon head, I'm afraid you'll have to spend a lot of money!" Zhou Ning reminded him.

Gu Tingye readily agreed, "Just keep throwing. If you're not confident, you can throw again, and we'll end in a draw!"

Zhou Ning wasn't interested in a draw, considering the profit margin was so small. But if he could clear out all his inventory, he'd be set for life, and it would even cover his future dowry!

I'm taking the gamble!

To win or to lose!

"call out!"

No crisp sound was heard!

"Save...save the pole! Zhou Ning's third arrow saves the pole! Total score: 45 points!" Stone shouted.

Sheng Changbai couldn't help but show his joy. He knew Zhou Ning's family situation very well, and he was happy that his good friend would no longer have any worries.

Gu Tingye nodded silently, his opinion of his classmate from the academy now much more impressive. He knew Zhou Ning was gambling, but his courage to seize the opportunity was commendable!

With Yuan Ruo, Chang Bai and others as witnesses, he waved his hand and bought all the antiques and items in Zhou Ning's four shops with land deeds and cash, and settled the bill in a short while!

"Drink! I always thought you were bad, and you were hiding something. We have to drink to our hearts' content tonight!" Gu Tingye started pouring drinks for him.

"Aren't we going horseback riding tomorrow? Wait... *gurgle gurgle*..."

......