Chapter Three

“Wait a moment.” Fu Weichen stepped forward, circled around to the kitchen door, and quietly entered the courtyard again.

He tiptoed to the right windowsill and carefully placed the pot of meat down.

Xu Duowen watched Fu Weichen sneaking about from behind, finding it somewhat amusing. This boy actually seemed more human like this. Yang Zi had arranged for Qin family’s girl to have a private kitchen, and it was quite right for them to deliver the food secretly.

Whispering to Fu Weichen’s back, he said, “Be careful, let’s not get caught.”

Just then, Qin Xiaoyue opened the door. “Grandma, the Erjingtiao peppers in the yard have ripened again. I’ll pick some for tomorrow’s meal.”

“All right, girl, did you bring the flashlight?” a low, gentle female voice came from inside.

“Yes, Grandma, I have it.”

Qin Xiaoyue turned on the flashlight, and suddenly a man’s figure appeared in the yard, startling her. “Who’s there? Come out! Sneaking into someone’s yard at midnight—aren’t you afraid of losing face?”

She stared at the man at the front, waiting for him to turn around so she could strike first.

Fu Weichen felt helpless and shy; the girl’s sharp tongue was intimidating. He hesitated to turn around.

Looking at the figure, Qin Xiaoyue thought he resembled a teacher she had seen at the village entrance.

“Girl! It’s us! It’s us!” Xu Duowen climbed over the gate, quickly standing beside Fu Weichen.

“It’s like this: Old Yang’s youngest son asked us to secretly bring you some meat, saying to quietly place it by the window. We mean no harm, see?”

Qin Xiaoyue looked in the direction Xu Duowen pointed; indeed, a large porcelain pot sat on the windowsill.

That was exactly how Brother Zi Shou usually left things quietly.

Realizing how harsh she’d been, Qin Xiaoyue’s expression softened, and she smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, sir, I didn’t see clearly and thought you were bad people.”

“Understandable; a strange man entering a girl’s yard calls for extra caution,” Xu Duowen said, patting Fu Weichen’s back and turning him around.

Fu Weichen felt embarrassed—this was the first time in twenty years.

“Are you the two new teachers? Come in and have a seat.” A deep female voice called from inside, and before they could peek, the Qin family grandmother lifted the curtain and came out.

By the candlelight, she wore a kindly, gentle smile. The grandmother and granddaughter stood together, their demeanor remarkably similar.

They now clearly saw the girl’s fresh appearance—smooth, fair skin under the dim light, shiny black eyes, a very delicate nose, and a small pout. Her aura was pure and lovely.

Her tidy double braids, simple floral short blouse, and the two colorful pudding hair ties on her shoulders made her look even smaller, a far cry from the muddy girl seen during the day.

Fu Weichen was stunned; the face’s features resembled his mother, Wei Ting.

“Thank you, brother. No, thank you, sir. Please come in and have a seat,” Qin Xiaoyue recalled the village chief’s recent lesson to always thank teachers.

“Just call me brother, girl. We’re about the same age; that’s fine with us!” Xu Duowen felt a bit awkward hearing that.

“Brother Zi Shou’s cooking skills are excellent. He mentioned bringing you some more. Before we left, he gave us this,” Fu Weichen said calmly and kindly as he picked up the wrapped braised pork and handed it to Qin Xiaoyue.

“Girl, take it quickly. Our task is done. When you see Brother Zi Shou, praise us and ask him to make more for us next time.”

The girl seemed distracted, staring blankly at the food as if admiring it.

Xu Duowen interrupted and stuffed the pot directly into Qin Xiaoyue’s arms.

“Let’s go, Comrade Fu. The girl’s a bit slow, and you’re dawdling too.”

“Wait,” Qin Xiaoyue called out, suddenly inspired. She dashed inside and returned in a blink holding a pound of fresh pork, hurrying up to them.

“Sir! Xiaoyue won’t let you come empty-handed. Consider this meat a token of thanks,” she said joyfully, handing the meat to Fu Weichen.

Xu Duowen examined the pork—it was indeed fresh, wrapped in bright green lotus leaves.

The grandmother advised Qin Xiaoyue, “Though it was brought from town just this morning, the school doesn’t have a chimney, so the teachers won’t need our meat. Save it for Brother Zi Shou next time; you should thank him properly.”

“Yes, Brother Zi Shou has the girl in mind, which is why he sent us. Grandma, sorry to disturb your rest,” Xu Duowen scratched his head.

Encouraged by the grandmother’s words, Qin Xiaoyue quickly dug into her pocket and offered candies to Fu Weichen and Xu Duowen.

“You always need some sweets.”

“This is good. Thanks, girl!” Xu Duowen said, immediately popping one into his mouth.

“It’s late; we won’t keep you. We don’t want to tarnish your reputations,” Fu Weichen finally spoke after a long silence.

“Good, thank you, sir! Xiaoyue, thumbs up for you!” Qin Xiaoyue raised her hand with a big thumbs-up, her lips curling into a beautiful smile.

This made Xu Duowen laugh; he’d never seen such a straightforward compliment.

“All right, all right, we’re heading back.”

“Come visit us when you have time,” the grandmother said with a warm smile, quickly asking her granddaughter to escort the two teachers.

“It’s a pity my granddaughter missed the age to learn from you two teachers; she’ll end up a commoner like her father.”

“It’s never too late to learn,” Fu Weichen replied politely.

“Yes, indeed. No matter age or gender, anyone can learn if they want,” Xu Duowen added, scratching his head.

“Since the teachers brought this up, I’d like Yue’er to learn from you,” the old woman said, bringing out two pounds of precious millet. “This will be the child’s tuition. Though the teachers don’t run a cafeteria, this millet can be exchanged for many things.”

Xu Duowen hurriedly declined, “We can’t accept that. Instead, we’ll leave the remaining study materials for the girl to read and learn at her own pace.”

The usually steady old woman shed tears. “That’s wonderful.”

She recalled earlier talks with Old Yang about the girl’s schooling; Old Yang had repeatedly refused, saying Qin Xiaoyue was no longer young and of marriageable age, advising to find her a good family next year.

The old woman was furious. What good family? In this world, where would a simple-minded girl be safe? Probably just waiting to inherit the twenty acres of cotton fields left by her deceased son.

“Very well, if the silly girl doesn’t learn, others will take everything from her.”

A fool might be pitied, but relying solely on the neighbors to manage the cotton harvest wouldn’t do.

The old woman held the girl’s hand, tears flowing. “Girl, your life is hard, burdened by the sins of the previous generation. Your father failed as a commoner; you cannot be like him. If the teachers lack anything, just tell me, I’ll make it up!”

Seeing her tears, Xu Duowen quickly spoke, “Grandma, dry your tears. We’re men; no lack here. The village chief looks after us well. If you don’t understand anything, just ask us or the girl. Everything can be arranged.”

“What—arranged?” the old woman looked up.

“Girl, do you want to study?”

This question struck Qin Xiaoyue deeply. She had heard from her mother that school was compulsory, especially for girls to learn manners and avoid being taken advantage of. Ignorance was a person’s true downfall.

At this moment, only one thought filled her mind: she wanted to study!

“Yes, Xiaoyue wants to study!” Qin Xiaoyue nodded at Xu Duowen, then glanced at Fu Weichen, her large eyes shining with a clear longing.

Fu Weichen smiled gently, subtly anticipating Xu Duowen’s next words; he hoped this little farce would soon end.

“Good, if you want to study, you’ll have to endure some hardships—hand-copy the textbooks!”

The old woman grasped Xu Duowen’s hand. “You truly are a teacher. Thank you!”

She was about to kneel, but Xu Duowen quickly helped her up. “No, Grandma! We came to sow the seeds of culture and benefit everyone. You’re too kind.”

The old woman kept nodding. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Yue’er make you some potstickers and hot dishes with good meat to bring to the teachers. Please take good care of this girl.”

“Of course,” Xu Duowen replied. “Right, Comrade Weichen?”

“Yes, naturally. It’s our duty,” Fu Weichen nodded.

Whenever either man spoke, Qin Xiaoyue looked up at them with earnest, focused eyes, as if gazing at a captivating scene, her cheeks growing ever redder.

“Grandma, it’s late. We shouldn’t overstay. We’ll leave now. Qin family girl, report to us tomorrow!”

Xu Duowen looked kindly at the girl, feeling she was like a shy, lovable little sister.

“Understand? You little girl.” He gently ruffled her hair.

The old woman observed Xu Duowen, noting his upright features, dignified manners, youth, and insight. Most of all, the genuine kindness in his eyes toward the girl pleased her.

“Yes!” Qin Xiaoyue nodded.

After bidding farewell to the old woman and Qin Xiaoyue, the two men headed upstream.

……

Sunlight poured over Guling Village once more. The villagers rose early, drying grain, picking fruit, fertilizing soil, and tending crops—each busy with their own tasks.

Qin Xiaoyue also rose early and stayed busy in the kitchen all morning without coming out.

The village chief had set rules early on: the teachers’ meals would be prepared by the villagers in turn—today by the Zhang family, tomorrow the Wu family, the day after the Liu family—each contributing from their rations as a kind of tuition.

In the morning, Xu Duowen agreed with Village Chief Yang that today’s lunch would be at Qin Xiaoyue’s home, the teachers’ first meal there.

Qin Xiaoyue prepared everything meticulously.

Besides this, there was another reason: Fu Weichen. All night, Qin Xiaoyue couldn’t shake the image of this man from her mind. Watching the firewood, she found herself thinking more and more about him, looking forward to seeing Mr. Fu soon, her face flushing again.

“Girl, still busy? Hurry and finish up to study well with the teachers.”

“Mm, almost done.”

Qin Xiaoyue opened the hot pot; steam enveloped her. She scooped rice into a bowl and added plenty of meat from the pot. The old woman couldn’t see clearly but watched the girl’s busy figure with unstoppable joy.

Worried the bowl wasn’t full enough, Qin Xiaoyue carefully added two pieces of baked bread, a rare treat.

She wrapped the meal in the prettiest floral cloth at home, layer upon layer, tying a neat bow, afraid the warmth of her heart would cool.

After finishing, Qin Xiaoyue washed her hands, went inside briefly, then changed into a bright yellow blouse, slicked her hair with oil, and looked very charming.

Adjusting the pouch at her waist and full of spirit, she picked up the meals for the two teachers and stepped out. “Grandma, I’m going out!”

“All right, come back early.” The old woman was surprised; the silly girl now cared about her appearance, whereas usually she was covered in ashes.

On the path, Qin Xiaoyue trotted happily in soft cloth shoes, arms carrying the meals.

“Xiaoyue!” A familiar voice called from behind.

Jiang Datong, the third child of the Jiang family, stood at a distance herding cattle. Seeing Qin Xiaoyue running over surprised him; she looked especially pretty today.

“Qin Xiaomei, you look really good today! Even the cloth you wrapped the bowl in is prettier than usual.”

“Mm, yes. I’m going to school now.” Qin Xiaoyue replied but quickened her pace. This Jiang kid always stared at her intently, which made her uncomfortable; she had never liked playing with him.

“What? You’re going to school too?” Jiang blocked her way, shocked.

“Yes, the teacher promised Grandma to teach me some reading.”

“Then teach me too!” Jiang insisted.

“Teach yourself, go find the teacher on your own. Don’t block me; I’ll be late, and the teachers might go hungry.”

“I’ll tell my mom then!” Jiang happily ran home, leaving her behind.

Foolish giant, even dumber than himself.

The sun climbed higher, filling the school with warm light.

On the table lay various meats, eggs, scallions, and even lively free-range chickens—all early morning gifts from the villagers to show their gratitude.

Xu Duowen stretched. “Ah, after a morning’s work, I think we’ve got a handle on these kids. Time to eat; that girl should be here soon, and my stomach’s growling.”

“No rush,” Fu Weichen said, bent over the new textbooks.

“You’re not in a hurry? What would make you hurry? I still remember last night, sneaking up someone’s window like a clown.”

“Stop! Don’t bring that up,” Fu Weichen frowned, a trace of displeasure in his eyes.

“Still, mentioning that brought some expression to your face. By the way, we agreed—you teach about agriculture and science, and I’ll handle the cultural subjects.”

Xu Duowen leaned back leisurely, ready for a nap, when suddenly someone rushed in.

“Teachers! I’m here! I brought you lunch!” Before finishing, two large bowls of wrapped food were slammed onto the table.

Xu Duowen was startled and lost balance, falling backward with a thud.

At that moment, a hen in the corner flapped wildly, its leg rope snapping.

The hen flapped its wings and flew nearly three meters high. Fu Weichen jumped up in alarm. “How—how can a chicken fly?”