A Top Scholar From A Humble Background.

Summary

The passage narrates the tensions within the Shen family regarding the management of their tea house business. The matriarch, Li Shi, insists on bringing in her other sons to run the tea house, dismissing the current manager, Shen Ming Jun, and his wife Zhou Shi's objections. Her priorities lie in ensuring the academic success of her eldest son, Shen Ming Wen, as the hope for the family's revival. Despite Shen Ming Jun and Zhou Shi's efforts in establishing the tea house, Li Shi's authoritative stance leaves them powerless. The passage highlights the strict familial hierarchy and societal norms of the time, where filial piety and parental authority were paramount. Shen Xi, the narrator, recognizes the need to explore other business ventures as the tea house's future seems bleak under Li Shi's control.

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