Zhou Tianyou shook his head slightly. "It hasn't passed. The authorities are still investigating."
Xia Xiaodie did not suspect anything; she simply found it hard to accept.
"How could this be?"
The Zhou family had fallen, and Master Zhou had even been thrown into prison. What was she supposed to do?
Could she never become an Official's Wife again?
No, even if Master Zhou had been arrested, Brother Zhou was still there. As long as he worked hard at the imperial examinations, he would surely become an official in the future.
Xia Xiaodie clasped his hand worriedly, a glimmer of expectation in her eyes. "Brother Zhou, is there still room to turn things around?"
It was naturally best if the Zhou family could avoid collapsing.
"Room to turn things around..."
Zhou Tianyou paused, then said bitterly, "Perhaps there's still room to turn things around, but it would require a large sum of money. I don't have anything on me now. I can't even afford to attend school anymore. Where would I get the money?"
"Xiao Die, your family... could you come up with some money?" Zhou Tianyou gazed at Xia Xiaodie expectantly.
He did not truly hope that she would hand over any silver. He only wanted to see her attitude.
He wanted to let his mother see clearly just how good the girl he loved truly was.
To ensure that the person he loved would have no worries, Zhou Tianyou hurriedly added, "Don't worry. Once my father is released, I'll definitely find a way to repay you, principal and interest."
"This...?" Xia Xiaodie had not expected him to ask her to lend him money, and she was at a loss for a moment.
Of course, it was impossible for her to lend him money.
Even if her family had