Gu Qingcheng guessed that Huang Wenming must be at the academy and wanted to share the good news with him.
The academy building was already constructed, a large, corridor-style structure capable of accommodating over a hundred students simultaneously.
The primary building materials for the academy were wood, stone, and thatched roofs, so unlike modern constructions, there was no need to worry about toxic gases requiring three months of ventilation before occupancy.
Once the desks and chairs were made and placed in the classrooms, lessons could commence.
Outside the academy, a circle of bamboo fencing enclosed the neatly tidied grounds. In the center of the courtyard, a flower bed made of gravel housed some wildflowers, and Gu Qingcheng immediately recognized Gui Xiang's touch.
With such a romantic woman around, it was no wonder Huang Wenming was infatuated with her.
As she had anticipated, Huang Wenming was indeed there.
Huang Wenming was leaning against a bamboo ladder, whitewashing a wall in the kitchen. It seemed that whitewashing the wall helped alleviate his troubles.
Initially unaware of Gu Qingcheng's arrival, Huang Wenming had been whitewashing the wall for a while, allowing him to fully express himself.
As he whitewashed, he dipped the brush in the lime water and first wrote the character "Gui," then the character "Xiang," before waving his brush and wiping the two characters away.
Gu Qingcheng chuckled.
Huang Wenming, startled by the voice behind him, nearly fell off the ladder.
"Young Master Gu, how long have you been here?"
Huang Wenming asked guiltily.
An old flame reignited, truly beyond control!
Huang Wenming was painting Gui Xiang all over the wall. Would Gui Xiang be moved when she knew?
Gu Qingcheng said with a smile,
"I've been here since you started writing the character 'Gui'."
"Uh..."
Huang Wenming's face turned as red as a pig's liver.
"I just came from Gui Xiang's place. We chatted, and I feel she doesn't have any intention of refusing you. If you plan to propose, you can pick an auspicious day and notify me in advance so I can make time to go with you."
Gu Qingcheng said with a beaming smile, her face appearing harmless, yet inexplicably making one want to hit her.
"Really? You're not lying to me? Swear you're not joking!"
Huang Wenming froze, brush in hand, looking at Gu Qingcheng in disbelief.
"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Find someone who understands the almanac and pick a good day to get it done."
Gu Qingcheng said with a serious expression.
Huang Wenming looked at Gu Qingcheng's face and was convinced she wasn't joking or playing tricks on him. He was overjoyed and forgot all about whitewashing the wall. He took three steps at a time, sliding down the bamboo ladder like a monkey in a way Gu Qingcheng had never imagined.
Although Huang Wenming, being "older," wasn't as agile as a monkey and almost fell, he managed to regain his balance, stood firm, and exclaimed emotionally,
"Young Master Gu, thank you so much! I, Huang Wenming, will never forget your immense kindness for the rest of my life!"
"Mr. Huang, just teach your lessons well. I dare not accept your kindness; you'll be spending the rest of your life with Gui Xiang."
After saying this, Gu Qingcheng patted her buttocks and quickly slipped away.
Huang Wenming was now ecstatic, and she feared that in his excitement, he might pounce on her and hug her, lost in the magic of love.
"Two tigers, two tigers, ran away, ran away, one has no eyes, one has no tails, so funny!"
Gu Qingcheng was very happy. While gaining system points, she inexplicably started singing a children's song.
"Young Master Gu, what song is this? It's so nice, can you teach me?"
At this moment, Gou Sheng also appeared from somewhere, accompanied by his loyal followers, Xiao Jun and Xiao Lian.
"No problem, if you really want to learn, you have to learn it seriously." Gu Qingcheng readily agreed.
In truth, her psychological age was transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood, and she still possessed a childlike innocence. Seeing Gou Sheng wanting to play with her, she naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
Another point was that she knew these children had suffered a lot during their escape from famine. To have endured until now, it was impossible to say they had no psychological scars.
If singing children's songs could make them happier, she felt it was her duty to do so.
Therefore, Gu Qingcheng taught them three songs in one go.
Besides "Two Tigers," there was also "Dropping the Handkerchief," a song that could be played as a game. Gu Qingcheng taught them the rules of the game, and they had a great time.
The third song was "The Magic of Love Circles Around," which, while not a children's song, had a catchy tune and lyrics that children could learn quickly and laugh heartily to.
After teaching them, Gu Qingcheng said,
"If other children like them, teach them too. Singing and playing games will make everyone happy."
"Okay," Gou Sheng nodded seriously. He would listen to Gu Qingcheng.
"I have another important mission for the three of you!"
Gu Qingcheng deliberately piqued their curiosity.
"What mission? We can definitely complete it."
Gou Sheng's eyes lit up at the mention of a mission.
He frequently appeared before Gu Qingcheng to make his presence known, all for the sake of receiving tasks.
If Gu Qingcheng didn't assign him anything to do, he always felt something was missing, a sense of loss.
"From now on, you will mobilize all the children in the village to go to the academy to study. Then, you will record the names of those who don't go and report them to me.
Also, investigate the reasons why they don't attend school. Are they afraid of studying, or do their elders want them to work and not attend school? Do you understand?"
"Okay," Gou Sheng nodded vigorously, but then he immediately added, "Actually, I don't want to go to school either."
"What? Do you want a beating?"
Gu Qingcheng said sternly.
"Young Master Gu, I'm afraid of characters. I can't understand them, and I fall asleep as soon as I start studying.
The academy always teaches 'zhi hu zhe ye' (classical Chinese phrases), and my cousin studied but couldn't learn it, so he was beaten by the teacher.
I heard that if you want to take imperial examinations, you have to be confined in the examination hall for three days and three nights without being allowed to eat. It's too terrifying."
Gou Sheng looked genuinely frightened.
"Sigh, you're spreading rumors. Participating in the imperial examinations doesn't involve being confined for three days without food; you can bring food in.
But don't worry, our academy teaches interesting knowledge, and we won't make you read 'zhi hu zhe ye.' The most important thing is to teach you to read and write.
People who can read and write have a broader perspective, so you must attend school, at least for three years. If you dare not attend school, don't come to see me again."
Gu Qingcheng laid down her bottom line.
Gou Sheng quickly composed himself and said meekly,
"Young Master Gu has spoken, so I will definitely go!"
"What about you two?" Gu Qingcheng asked the other two.
"My mother said I should study hard and become a learned person like my father," Xiao Jun quickly declared.
Xiao Lian timidly asked, "Young Master Gu, do girls also have to go to school?"
"Of course, they do. If you go to school and learn to read and write, you might become a scientist in the future," Gu Qingcheng said seriously.
"Scientist? What kind of 'jia' is that?" Xiao Lian, unfamiliar with the term, asked.