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Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

The streets sold everything except for books.

Books were a luxury item among luxury goods. They were high and mighty. No one would open a bookstore in this place.

Chu Qingzhi explained to Wu Yaqing the benefits of opening a bookstore near the back street of Yunfei School. Once Wu Yaqing’s bookstore was up and running, it could also sell paper from their own workshop at a lower price, which would surely be good for business.

After some thought, Wu Yaqing found Chu Qingzhi’s reasoning sound. “I’ll secure a location for the shop tomorrow,” she decided.

Chu Qingzhi then proposed, “Yaqing, how about we innovate a bit?”

Wu Yaqing was puzzled, “What do you mean?”

Chu Qingzhi shared the Starbucks business model with Wu Yaqing, suggesting they adapt it by replacing coffee and other foods with items from their era, creating a sort of ancient Starbucks vibe.

Wu Yaqing considered, “So, you’re saying we set up stylish tables and chairs in the bookstore where people can read while ordering some snacks or purchasing certain items.”

“They could also buy books to take home, offering a range of options to suit the customer’s preference.”

“Exactly,” Chu Qingzhi affirmed.

“Such a fresh idea! I’ve never seen anyone open a store like this before,” Wu Yaqing admired. “I’ll renovate the two-story shop according to your idea. It’s going to look great and do well in business.”

“I believe in you.”

Chu Qingzhi and Wu Yaqing left the room together, calling Chu Qingning, Ge Lihua, and Hong Yujun to the hall to discuss the next day’s lessons.

In the Chu Village.

The dawn light, tinged with darkness, blanketed the earth, casting everything in a hazy glow.

Tian Xiaoqiu, dragging her frail and tired body, entered Chu Village. Despite feeling unwell, her eyes shone brightly.

Her aunt’s scolding echoed in her ears, but the sight of Chu Village’s prosperity slowly faded those sounds away.

Standing in front of Chu Qingzhi’s house, Tian Xiaoqiu gazed at the luxurious western-style building, envying it and silently resolving to stay.

At that moment, two wolves, sensing a stranger, ran out—one from the yard and the other from the workshop, followed by Da Bai, who had been guarding the workshop all night.

This scene frightened Tian Xiaoqiu. She screamed and curled up with her head in her hands.

The scream attracted the attention of the Chu family. Chu Qingzhi came to the balcony and glanced around. It was the young girl who knelt in front of Chu Rong to plead to be accepted.

Why had she come so early?

As Chu Qingzhi pondered, Li Qingyu approached the gate, opened it, and led Tian Xiaoqiu inside, “Xiaoqiu, don’t be afraid. They’re gentle and won’t bite.”

Feeling the gentle touch on her hand, Tian Xiaoqiu’s fear eased slightly, “Auntie.”

“Let’s talk inside,” Li Qingyu said kindly.

Once inside, the family resumed their activities, and Li Qingyu asked Tian Xiaoqiu to sit, gently inquiring, “Why did you come so early?”

Tian Xiaoqiu, looking down and clutching her sleeves nervously, said, “I, I wanted to come early to help.” In reality, she had been driven out by her aunt to skip breakfast.

Li Qingyu touched Tian Xiaoqiu’s head. “Have you had breakfast?”

Tian Xiaoqiu shook his head.

Li Qingyu sighed. Because Tian Xiaoqiu’s mother couldn’t stand the poverty in the family, she ran away with someone when she wasn’t even two years old.

Her father was so traumatized that he couldn’t recover and died of alcohol abuse. Now, Tian Xiaoqiu was the only one left in the family.

Her uncle and aunt had taken over her family’s house and two acres of land, claiming to raise her but treated her poorly, which was truly pitiable.

“Just wait a bit; we’re about to have dinner. You can join us.”

Tian Xiaoqiu quickly said, “Auntie, let me help you with chores. I can do anything…”

Seeing the hope in Tian Xiaoqiu’s eyes, Li Qingyu agreed, “Then come help me with the bowls.”

Tian Xiaoqiu was overjoyed, “Yes, Auntie.”

The village brightened under the sun, turning Chu Village into a picturesque scene reminiscent of a vibrant autumn painting.

Children arrived one by one for their lessons, led by Chu Qingzhi to the ancestral hall for roll call.

Some children were accompanied by their parents to the hall.

Curious villagers also made their way over, adding to the bustling scene at the entrance of the hall.

All the children who had registered the day before showed up without issue. Chu Qingzhi started to talk about the rules.

“First, remain quiet during class. No looking around, talking, or sleeping, among other things.”

“Second, complete the homework assigned. If not, don’t bother coming the next day. You won’t be allowed to continue attending.”

“Third, if you intentionally damage the pens, ink, paper, or inkstones provided, you must pay for them.”

After setting numerous rules and posting them at the entrance and exit of the classroom for all to see—even if the kids couldn’t read, they understood the gist.

“Next, we’ll have our first class…” Chu Qingzhi left the classroom and Ge Lihua walked in with a book.

At the front of the classroom, Chu Qingzhi had made a blackboard from black wooden planks and created chalk from lime, tasks she found quite easy.

Ge Lihua wrote “one, two,…, ten” in large characters on the blackboard, starting with the basics, and led the class in recitation.

Chu Qingzhi and others stood outside, listening.

Parents and villagers craned their necks to peek inside the classroom, hearing the voices but unable to see much.

Nonetheless, the fact that their children were getting an education was a source of great happiness and pride.

The lesson went smoothly. Perhaps it was because it was new, but the children listened attentively.

At noon, an unexpected visitor arrived, seeking Chu Qingning.

With curiosity, Chu Qingning stepped outside the ancestral hall to see the visitor and was surprised, “Why are you here?”

Xu Jizhou smiled slightly, “I came specifically to find you, to share some good news.”

“And what news might that be?” Chu Qingning inquired.

With hopeful anticipation, Xu Jizhou announced, “I’ve passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. Will you change your mind now?”

Chu Qingning appeared troubled and replied diplomatically, “Please go back; I’m still busy here.”

Xu Jizhou was momentarily stunned, not expecting another rejection, “Why? Is it because you…”

Chu Qingning cut him off, “Thank you for your kindness. Now that you are a scholar, you’ll surely meet better girls. Please, don’t come looking for me anymore.”

Xu Jizhou suffered a huge blow and looked at Chu Qingning in a daze. “I…”

“Young Master Xu, please leave.” Chu Qingning turned around and left.

Xu Jizhou looked at Chu Qingning, who seemed eager to avoid him, feeling defeated and eventually leaving helplessly.