Meng Liangdong was reluctant to go, but he couldn't resist the crowd, who could carry him off to the tavern even by lifting his arms. The silver from the sale of the shop was squandered by these people in just a few days. Once they knew Meng Liangdong really had no more silver, they became indifferent to him.
Thus, Meng Liangdong, who had entered the academy with grand aspirations, was ultimately defeated by reality and returned dejectedly, rolling up his bedding. Perhaps having completely lost heart in pursuing academics, on his way back, he threw all the books he had followed him for years into the Guard City River, swearing he would never read or entertain the notion of teaching again.
Although Lin Yuan did not entirely agree with his extreme actions, she could not think of a way to console and persuade him at the moment. Well, there would still be time in the future, and perhaps with enough time, he would come to terms with it himself.
