Shen Yun's eyes were exceptionally beautiful, much like a male actor she admired in her modern life.
The distinct double eyelids slanted slightly upwards, framing long lashes that veiled an unfathomable, hazy depth.
Sometimes, gazing into them, she would unconsciously get lost.
Shen Yun's brow curved into a smile as he playfully nudged her chin, saying with mock helplessness, "You say it yourself, you're such a little muddlehead. What am I to do with you?"
Su Xiaoqi's heart thumped wildly at his gaze. She thought she had seen doting affection in his eyes just now. She was sure she hadn't misread it, yet she couldn't bring herself to believe it. How could Shen Yun look at her like that? She was merely a cannon fodder supporting character, with nothing to do with him, the male protagonist, apart from the past grudges they held.
Moreover, Su Xiaoqi harbored a growing sense of unease. The matter of Zhao Liushun attempting suicide by hanging had not occurred in the original novel. It was precisely her intervention, her insistence on treating his leg, that had altered his course of action and nearly led to his early demise. This made Su Xiaoqi realize a crucial point. Even though she was here now, she might not be able to interfere too much with the protagonists' life paths, as it could drastically change their destinies. She could only participate, as if she were merely an observer.
Thinking of this, Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Would she and Shen Yun ultimately part ways and become enemies according to the plot's development? If so, why should she allow herself to open her heart?
In sum, while today's events were frightening, they had fortunately ended without disaster. Zhao Liushun's leg was now healed, a great joy amidst the twists and turns. However, even though Zhao Liushun had been pushed to such a desperate state, no one had taken Mrs. Qian to task. Even the elder scholar, Zhao Ci, had intervened but to little effect. As her father-in-law, it was awkward for him to discipline his daughter-in-law. To avoid gossip, he had merely reprimanded her. She had originally intended to have her kneel before the ancestral tablets, but Zhao Liushun had stepped in to stop it. He already had plans and didn't want to escalate the matter further.
"Uncle is truly a kind-hearted soul. Even after Aunt treated him that way, he's still willing to plead for her," Su Xiaoqi thought. She couldn't even do that herself. She always believed in reciprocating, and if one repays kindness with kindness, how would one repay resentment? Mrs. Qian was not just ordinarily bad; she was wicked to the bone. Even when Zhao Liushun was in such a state, she showed no hint of concern. Unlike Wu Shi, her second sister-in-law, who cried hysterically in worry. Though she ultimately couldn't help, she was at least kind-hearted and had no ill intentions.
"Uncle isn't not hating; he's just heartbroken," Shen Yun told Su Xiaoqi, revealing that Zhao Liushun had decided to move out of the Zhao family home. He planned to relocate to the county school's dormitories.
Su Xiaoqi recalled hearing Shen Yun and Zhao Liushun discuss the dormitories. The conditions there were truly subpar. No one would choose to live there unless they had absolutely no other option. She pondered for a moment and then said, "A friend of mine is looking for a Xiucai to be a tutor. Do you think Uncle could go?"
Su Xiaoqi had promised Xiao Xique and others long ago that she would find them a teacher to teach them to read and write. However, her circle of acquaintances was limited, and she trusted no one, so she hadn't taken action. Now, Zhao Liushun was a ready-made tutor. Zhao Liushun was cheerful and sociable. Furthermore, he commanded great respect, and with him there, he would surely be able to teach the horde of young beggars well.
Shen Yun raised an eyebrow and asked for the address. Su Xiaoqi provided the address of the residence. Shen Yun understood. He guessed it was that place. Su Xiaoqi had never mentioned these matters to him in person, and Zhao Xiaozhu would certainly never have told him. Yet, he knew everything. He knew that the residence was purchased by her, not rented as she claimed to others. Even the shop in front was opened by her, not a friend's as she had stated. However, if she didn't wish to speak of it, he would feign ignorance.
Shen Yun thought it was a good idea. However, Su Xiaoqi was worried it might affect Zhao Liushun's chances in the provincial examination. "Uncle won't be taking it," Shen Yun said. Objectively speaking, Zhao Liushun read well. However, he was still some distance from passing the imperial examinations to become a Juren. Therefore, he didn't want to waste time on it.
Su Xiaoqi recalled the subsequent plot. Zhao Liushun did not participate in the provincial examination that time. As for whether he passed later, Su Xiaoqi couldn't remember. After all, she hadn't paid him much attention.
Su Xiaoqi said, "Then go and tell Uncle. I'm going to check on Zhao Ye. I wonder if the place where he was bitten by the snake last time has healed."
Shen Yun, who had already started to walk away, turned back abruptly upon hearing her mention Zhao Ye and looked at her, saying, "Come with me to find Uncle. Perhaps you can tell him about the students he'll be teaching."
This reason was so perfect that Su Xiaoqi found herself unable to refuse. She could only follow him. Upon reaching the entrance of the old residence, Zhao Liushun had already packed a small bundle and was standing at the courtyard gate talking to his elderly father.
"You are a scholar; I won't lecture you too much on the principles of conduct. In short, whether in conduct or in deeds, you must be true to your conscience." Zhao Liushun agreed to everything and then turned to see Shen Yun and his wife. He was curious why they had returned. Shen Yun stepped forward and conveyed Su Xiaoqi's suggestion. Zhao Liushun hesitated for a moment, and Shen Yun, seeing through his thoughts, reminded Su Xiaoqi to introduce the children's situation.
Su Xiaoqi snapped back to attention and quickly explained that the oldest child was sixteen, the youngest was seven, but they all had one thing in common: they had never been to school. They didn't know a single character. If he went, he could start teaching them from the very basics. "It doesn't matter how they turn out, just one request: Uncle must make the classes as engaging and lively as you normally speak. Just don't let them skip or dislike learning."
Zhao Liushun looked at Su Xiaoqi, then at Shen Yun, his gaze shifting between them as if to say, "That's it? That's all?" Su Xiaoqi observed this, and in her heart, she quickly reviewed the situation. She really didn't have any other expectations for those children. Being able to recognize a few characters, and not be so ignorant that someone could sell them and they'd still be counting the money, would be good enough.
Zhao Liushun immediately nodded in agreement. He had no other requests; he didn't even need tuition fees, just a place to stay. He had considered it; he wasn't going to take the provincial examination, and it wouldn't be right to occupy the school dormitory any longer. "Then no problem. My place... my friend's place is a large three-courtyard complex. The front courtyard is rented out, leaving two. I'll take you to see it tomorrow. As long as there's an empty room, you can stay wherever you like. Also, they really can't afford tuition fees, but I, my friend, pays a monthly salary..."
At this point, Su Xiaoqi turned to ask Shen Yun how much a live-in tutor usually earned per month. Shen Yun thought for a moment and held up two fingers. Su Xiaoqi smiled and immediately said, "Then I'll have my friend give Uncle three taels." Zhao Liushun quickly declined. Su Xiaoqi explained that their two taels were just for teaching a few children in one family. Her place had eighteen children. Shen Yun also persuaded him, "Uncle, please accept it and teach them well." With the matter having reached this point, Zhao Liushun had nothing more to say and bowed to them.
Shen Yun looked at the luggage in his hand. He had been so disheartened that he couldn't even stay for one night. He decided to invite him to stay at his own home instead. He asked his younger sister to give up her room and move in with Xiao Qi, while he and Uncle would share a room for the night.
That night, Su Xiaoqi couldn't sleep. This was something that had never happened since she arrived here. No, on the first few nights, before Shen Yun moved back into his new house, when she slept alone, she often woke up in the middle of the night. At the time, she hadn't thought much of it, attributing it to her unfamiliarity with the place. But now she knew. It turned out that she had, at some point, grown accustomed to Shen Yun sleeping beside her every night. Now, with him suddenly absent, she was suffering from insomnia. Restless and unable to sleep, fearing she might disturb the soundly sleeping Shen Xiaomei, Su Xiaoqi got up and left her room. As soon as she closed the door and stepped into the courtyard, she saw a dark figure approaching.