The research for this phase had essentially concluded in the blink of an eye.
Finally, the group could breathe a sigh of relief.
Shen Zizhen decided to leave the remaining cleanup tasks to Yuan Guoqing.
He trusted and appreciated Yuan Guoqing quite a bit.
Assigning these tasks to Yuan Guoqing was also intended as a final test.
If Yuan Guoqing lived up to expectations, Shen Zizhen planned to incorporate him into his own team.
Upon hearing Shen Zizhen's arrangements, Yuan Guoqing felt a pang of anxiety; he couldn't believe Shen Zizhen would entrust such an important matter to him.
He was merely an errand boy. Compared to Teacher Shen and the Su siblings, he felt utterly unlearned.
Not to mention Su Sangong, who had been following Teacher Shen all along, even Su Xiaotian, who studied Chinese language and literature, knew more than he did.
He felt he had learned a lot of knowledge during this period.
However, this notion shattered when he heard that Su Xiaotian was not Shen Zizhen's student but was studying Chinese language and literature at Capital University. Su Dan Novel Network
He, who was already lacking in self-confidence, became even more self-conscious because of Su Xiaotian.
For several nights, he couldn't sleep.
He had formally studied agriculture, but his academic level, let alone comparable to Su Xiaotian, who wasn't from a professional background, was barely enough to do chores for her.
This teenage girl's knowledge far exceeded his imagination. He used to think he studied very diligently, but now, compared to Su Xiaotian, he realized his efforts were still insufficient.
Shen Zizhen noticed Yuan Guoqing's emotional changes and worried that the good child might be getting stuck in a rut.
"Guoqing, Xiaotian is a very intelligent child from a young age. Don't compare yourself to her."
Anyone who compared themselves to Su Xiaotian was simply asking for trouble!
Not to mention others, even someone as outstanding as Chi Yiyuan didn't compare himself to Su Xiaotian, did he?
The Su brothers also didn't care about Su Xiaotian's excellence.
Yuan Guoqing's own circumstances were not as good as Chi Yiyuan's or the Su children's. If he truly tried to compete with Xiaotian, it might hinder his own progress.
Shen Zizhen said this, glancing at Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian: "..."
She was innocent, wasn't she?
Being a little outstanding wasn't her fault.
"Teacher Shen, in two more days, you'll be returning. Through this period, I've learned a lot of new knowledge. I'm very grateful for the help from you, Sangong, and Xiaotian."
Yuan Guoqing sincerely thanked them.
"I'd like to invite you to my home as guests. I wonder if you have the time!"
The more he spoke, the softer Yuan Guoqing's voice became.
He was timid.
He and these people were from different worlds. It was only because they didn't look down on him that they gave him this job and taught him.
In Yuan Guoqing's heart, these people were his benefactors.
Shen Zizhen looked at Su Sangong and Su Xiaotian and asked, "Do you two want to go out and see the sights?"
Su Xiaotian was not a person who liked to move around, but she had traveled so far and stayed in the village, only venturing as far as the town.
She felt a bit regretful. Yuan Guoqing's invitation, though still within the same county, offered a chance to explore and see different scenery, which would be nice.
Su Xiaotian smiled and nodded, "Since we're here, and we still have a day, let's go!"
Upon hearing his sister agree, Su Sangong naturally did not object.
In short, his sister's thoughts were his thoughts.
Yuan Guoqing was delighted and said, "I'll go home tonight to prepare."
His family's conditions were poor. After receiving his wages, he needed to prepare some good food to entertain guests.
Shen Zizhen said, "No need to prepare anything. We're just going to look around. A simple home-cooked meal will be fine."
"Teacher, I understand!"
Yuan Guoqing left happily.
Su Xiaotian watched the person walk away with a spring in his step and couldn't help but smile.
Yuan Guoqing was indeed quite good.
"Teacher Shen, will we be eating rice again tonight?" asked An Ronghua's wife.
Shen Zizhen smiled, "Let's eat rice. Once we return, it won't be easy to have such good rice."
Even if they could bring some back when they left, it would only be enough for a few meals.
"Okay," An Ronghua's wife nodded with a smile. "I still have a duck, I'll stew it."
Before An Ronghua's wife could leave, An Rongxue arrived.
An Rongxue smiled and said, "Auntie, you don't need to cook for Teacher Shen and the others tonight. My wife has prepared it at home."
After Su Xiaotian saved Li Guihua and Xiao Liuzi, An Rongxue had been thinking of treating Su Xiaotian and Shen Zizhen and the others to a meal, but Shen Zizhen and his group were very busy and never had the time.
Now that he heard Shen Zizhen and his group were about to leave, An Rongxue couldn't delay any longer and hurried over to invite Shen Zizhen and the others to his home.
An Ronghua's wife didn't say anything, just looked at Shen Zizhen.
Shen Zizhen smiled, "It's very kind of you to be so hospitable, but we'll eat here."
"Teacher Shen, Xiaotian and Comrade Sangong are the saviors of my wife and Xiao Liuzi. Regardless, I must express my gratitude. Please don't refuse."
"If you refuse to come, the villagers will criticize me in the future, saying I'm ungrateful!"
Since An Rongxue had put it that way, what else could Shen Zizhen say?
He could only agree to visit An Rongxue's home.
When the group arrived at An Rongxue's house, they saw Xiao Liuzi playing in the yard.
Su Xiaotian had seen Xiao Liuzi a few times during this period and liked the sensible and cute child.
Xiao Liuzi also liked playing with Su Xiaotian, his sister, and when he saw Su Xiaotian, he ran over happily like a little bird.
"Sister, you're here! Xiao Li missed you so much!" His soft, sweet voice easily evoked affection.
Su Xiaotian pinched Xiao Liuzi's smooth little face and said, "If you missed your sister, why didn't you come to see her?"
"Uncle said you were busy, and told me not to disturb you."
Xiao Liuzi replied obediently.
Uncle had told him that Teacher Shen and the Su siblings were busy, so he should play at home and not disturb them.
So he really didn't go, but he had always wanted to find Sister Xiaotian to play with.
Fortunately, today Uncle said he was inviting Sister and the others home for dinner. He was very happy to hear that and even went with his uncle to catch fish to add to Sister's meal.
"Sister is done with her work. Shall I play with you today?" Su Xiaotian said to Xiao Liuzi with a smile.
Xiao Liuzi clapped his hands and cheered.
"Oh, oh, that's great! Sister can play with me!" After jumping with joy, Xiao Liuzi asked Su Xiaotian, "I have a friend, can Sister play with him too?"
As the child spoke, his tone was timid, as if he was worried Su Xiaotian would dislike his friend.
Su Xiaotian and the others didn't take Xiao Liuzi's words to heart.
They assumed that the friend Xiao Liuzi mentioned was probably a child from the village.