Are There Really Still Illiterates These Days?

When Jiang Ling opened his eyes, a young Taoist boy from nearby had just dug him out of the ground. He'd lost all his memories, knew nothing about modern life, and could barely recognize a few characters.

Forced to take over a Taoist temple with no worshippers, he pointed at the dilapidated signboard and asked the child, "What does that say?"

With no education, no money, and no culture, he began living a life of studying characters with the child at night and doing construction work during the day to support them both.

Then one day, a famous local family of mystics held a competition with a generous prize. Jiang Ling saw that second place paid twenty million and went alone. First place had to be worth even more.

The competitors, all trained by renowned masters, and the spectators watching for fun were stunned. "What? This competition accepts pretty faces?"

Jiang Ling heard them and looked around in confusion, but didn't see anyone. "Can a vase become a spirit too?"

Then Jiang Ling put on an astonishing display with a tree branch for a sword, leaving everyone amazed and attracting the attention of a certain green tea.

Mu Chaoci: "You're so amazing, Brother. Could you take me under your wing?"

Jiang Ling: "Fifty a day. No haggling."

Mu Chaoci: "Only fifty?"

The first-place prize in the competition was a marriage contract. Mu Chaoci entered his own matchmaking competition, certain that victory was in the bag. He had his eye on Jiang Ling, who was likely to place in the top three, and planned to play dumb and catch him off guard. But one misstep later, someone tossed him into the water.

His newly minted fiancee then declared with righteous indignation, "Second prize is already a lot of money. First prize costs extra."

Mu Chaoci laughed in exasperation. "Fine. Don't regret it."

Since he liked him so much, Mu Chaoci couldn't very well refuse.

Increasingly aware of how terrifying it was to be illiterate, Jiang Ling read books day and night, while earning a little extra on the side.

A big shot from the business world, whose problem even numerous Taoist priests had failed to solve, said, "Only fifty?" Later, that same big shot said, "Thanks, boss."

Using the same methods, Jiang Ling went on to help countless others with their troubles. They admired him, believing that charging only fifty showed how principled and noble he was.

Until one day, the Mystic Arts Industry Standards Bureau came knocking and accused him of unfair competition.

Jiang Ling: "Thanks for asking. I only learned what the going rate was later."

To keep an eye on him and make sure he turned over a new leaf, Mu Chaoci showed up at the door of his shabby temple with all his luggage.

Jiang Ling tried to shut the door.

Mu Chaoci: "Rent is fifty a day."

Jiang Ling: "Five hundred a day."

"Deal!"

Little did Jiang Ling know, this young master usually stayed in luxury hotels that cost five thousand a night.

Jiang Ling felt that things had been much quieter lately. No one came to bother him. Then one day, he found Mu Chaoci smiling as he blocked the people who'd come to see him at the foot of the mountain. "You want to give him money? I'll provide for my own fiancee."

"What, you want to help repair his temple?"

"There's no need for you to concern yourself with our Taoist affairs. Jiang Ling is my fiancee."

Everyone: "All right, all right! Stop emphasizing that he's your fiancee. The whole world knows already!"

An innocent, gullible but powerful bottom x an unpredictable, versatile top who can be sweet or aloof

Theme: Study hard. Knowledge matters.