Zhou Qin was about to find something to say, she didn't want Huo Rou to be smug. Qin Ningyi, however, spoke up, "Education enlightens people, it doesn't make them curry favor."
This accusation, like a heavy hat, made Zhou Qin clench her fists. For a country bumpkin, Qin Ningyi actually said this to her.
Those in education possess a certain pride and dislike being labeled as sycophants. Besides, how was she currying favor?
Zhou Qin opened her mouth to refute Qin Ningyi, but Qin Ningyi continued, "Everyone seated here is either wealthy or noble, so your words should cater to their thoughts. Of course..."
Qin Ningyi glanced at Zhou Qin with some disdain, "You are not a qualified teacher, which is why the situation above has arisen."
"I am not currying favor," Zhou Qin's words came out, but lacked the initial strong momentum, sounding more like a weak defense.
"Different fields have different degrees, and every level of existence has its necessity. The reason our country has the lowest grain prices is thanks to these ordinary farmers and the farm assistants An'an mentioned." Qin Ningyi turned his head to nod at An'an, acknowledging his dream.
Zhou Qingyan, unconvinced, interjected in a low voice, "I won't eat this rice. The rice in our house is..."
"Then..." Zhou Qin still wanted to say something, but without her initial sense of superiority and the other parents' agreement, her words became hesitant.
Qin Ningyi interrupted her and continued, "Not to mention growing grain, but even the medicine for illnesses. It's because of the medicinal farmers' research institute and the Little Medicine King that we can cure difficult diseases at low prices."
This family, with their "Grandpa Farmer" here and "Little Medicine King" there, knew so many things...
The parents present had already changed their mindset, treating this competition for An'an's dream as a science popularization channel.
Grandpa Farmer was a name everyone had heard of, but the title Little Medicine King was known only to a select few.
Those with elderly family members who were chronically ill were more aware, and they enlightened the surrounding parents: "You don't even know about the Little Medicine King? He's the key figure for high-yield medicinal herbs."
"The rare medicinal herbs needed for elderly illnesses at home, even with our financial means, we couldn't afford them." That person then boasted about their family's circumstances, "Being able to afford it is one thing, but whether it's available is another."
"Two years ago, to buy even a small amount of those herbs, I had to visit every exchange and auction house. Ever since the Little Medicine King led the medicinal farmers' research institute to develop methods for high-yield herbs, we no longer have to worry about 90% of the hard-to-get medicinal herbs."
"That impressive?"
"Indeed! He's my idol. If it weren't for him, after my medicine ran out two years ago, I wouldn't be here today."
"If you put it that way, being a farmer is quite remarkable. They say that Little Medicine King is from the countryside, rarely visits big cities, and spends his days farming in the fields."
Huo Rou, overhearing the parents around her praising the Little Medicine King so highly and discussing his legendary stories, felt extremely uneasy.
"Detached from fame and fortune, ignorant of worldly affairs?" "Still vigorous in old age?" Where did they hear all this? She had merely... helped out!
Ugh—
Huo Rou shivered, rubbing goosebumps on her arms, wishing they would stop talking.
"Mom, are you cold?" The classroom was air-conditioned, and An'an saw Huo Rou rubbing her arms, thinking she was cold.
"Dad, quickly give Mom your jacket!" An'an had seen on TV that when the female lead felt cold, the male lead would offer his clothes.
To save An'an face, Qin Ningyi had dressed quite formally, and his outfit, chosen by Qin Feiyan, seemed to match An'an's school uniform and Huo Rou's clothes as a set. His jacket was made of a special fabric that wasn't too hot even in summer.
Qin Ningyi glanced at the goosebumps on Huo Rou's arm, paused for a moment, and then briskly took off his suit jacket and draped it over Huo Rou.
He felt even more satisfied with the outfit Qin Feiyan had prepared for him today.
The man's warmth and scent enveloped Huo Rou.
She looked at An'an with a hint of helplessness; this child had too many mischievous ideas now, he shouldn't have been allowed to watch TV at home.
An'an smiled sweetly, as if expecting praise.
On stage, Zhou Qin was speechless. Qin Ningyi cast a faint glance and decided not to say any more.
"Let's go," he said to Huo Rou. "I'll find a different school for An'an. This educational approach and philosophy are too detrimental to An'an."
Huo Rou strongly agreed and, with An'an, they rose.
An'an was naturally happy. He had finally made a friend, only to find out it was a bad one. Teacher Zhou was also strangely inconsistent with him, and he didn't want to stay here any longer.
The moment the family of three walked out of the classroom, Zhou Qin looked at Qin Ningyi's tall, straight back. His arm was loosely around Huo Rou's behind him, and from behind, they looked incredibly well-matched.
Her voice sharpened into a roar, "Besides our school, there is no better place in Yuchang City. You have humiliated me like this, and An'an will not be able to study in any other school!"
"Not necessarily," Huo Rou replied coldly, looking back.