Juhua was holding a sickle, trimming the taller branches of the mujin bush to encourage it to grow wider. Hearing their voices, she turned her head in pleasant surprise. The moment she saw them, her face lit up in a smile. One look at their expressions told her they had passed the county examination.
Seeing Little Shitou grinning from ear to ear, she asked tentatively, "Shi Tou, you... you passed the county examination too?"
Hearing this, Little Shitou pouted. "Sister Juhua, what do you mean, 'passed too'? Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't pass?"
Zhang Yang also burst out laughing.
Only then did Juhua realize her question had been improper. 'Of course I thought Shi Tou wouldn't pass. No matter how smart he is, he's still too young.'
She explained sheepishly, "That's not it. I always thought you could pass, but then I thought, for someone your age to actually pass is so incredible that I couldn't quite believe it. So I just wanted to confirm with you."
