A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Mr. and Mrs. Song were still in the kitchen.

Hearing the two discussing how they would live their lives in the future, Gu Xixi waved to Lao Qian, indicating that she didn't need to go in and disturb them.

As for Lao Qian's doubts about peach and plum blossoms.

Gu Xixi smiled and explained in a low voice, "He didn't want to see real peach and plum blossoms. Peach and plum... can be described as flowers, but they are not flowers."

Old Qian was increasingly confused. "Is it a flower, yet not a flower? What exactly is this...?"

Gu Xixi said, "You see, the orchids in this courtyard were planted by me, while the peach and plum trees are flowers that Mr. Song wants to cultivate himself, which are the children in our village school."

The saying "a teacher's students are all over the world" means that a teacher has cultivated many students, and outstanding ones are found all over the world.

Old Qian suddenly realized, "I have heard this saying before, but I didn't know it was interpreted this way."

He then said happily, "Since Mr. Song said he wants to train the children in our village, it seems he has really decided to stay."

After waiting for a while, the Song couple came out of the kitchen.

Madam Song politely greeted them, saying she needed to go back to her room to tidy up, and then went inside.

Seeing this, Lao Qian and Gu Xixi bid farewell to Mr. Song.

Mr. Song replied, "It's rare to find such a beautiful orchid. I'm just afraid I won't be able to take good care of it and let it down."

"Mr. Gu, could you please stay a moment and tell me about the key points of caring for orchids?"

Old Qian was a shrewd man, and upon seeing this, he knew that Mr. Song wanted to keep Gu Xixi to talk alone.

He laughed and said, "I still have a lot of farm work to do in the orchard, so I'll be going now."

“Xixi, you’re the best at growing things. Teach Mr. and Mrs. Song.”

Gu Xixi smiled and replied, "Take care, Uncle Qian."

After Lao Qian left, Gu Xixi took out a list and handed it to Mr. Song. "The orchids you planted in your yard are all relatively easy to grow. I have prepared the fertilizer and placed it in the west corner of the kitchen."

"I've also written down when to water and fertilize regularly."

"If there's anything else amiss, there's a student named Zhang Minglei at the village school. Just ask him to pass on a message, and I'll come over to examine these orchids."

Mr. Song took the paper, glanced at it, and said, "It was prepared a long time ago, why didn't you take it out earlier?"

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "I guessed that you had something to say to me, so..."

Mr. Song gave a cryptic hum and said, "Since I'm retiring from the county school, I just want to enjoy a few years of leisure."

“I did not come to your village voluntarily at first. With your intelligence, you should know the reason.”

Gu Xixi nodded, "It's hard to refuse a favor."

Mr. Song kept his eyes down, looking at the orchids on the ground, making it impossible for Gu Xixi to discern his emotions.

"Liu Yi was once my student."

Although Gu Xixi was unfamiliar with the name, she quickly realized, "Master Liu?"

She had initially thought that even Master Liu's surname was fake, but it turned out to be true.

Mr. Song neither confirmed nor denied it, and continued, "When he was young, he was also taught by me. At that time, I was still young and unmarried. I failed the imperial examination three times, so I thought to myself that I was not destined to rise to the top."

"I decided to dedicate myself to teaching and educating people as a scholar who had passed the imperial examination. I first set up a private school in my own home, and that's when Liu Yi came."

"He was so outstanding that he went to the capital to take the imperial examination, but we never heard from him again."

“A couple of years ago, I wrote to other students who were officials in other places to inquire about Liu Yi, but no one knew who he was.”

"But before the Lunar New Year, he suddenly came to my house looking for me."

Mr. Song smiled and said, "Of course, it's been so long since we last met that I didn't recognize him. Fortunately, he said he's been doing well these past few years and is finally going to the capital to take up an official post."

“He mentioned Boss Gu to me, saying that with Boss Gu around, I would definitely receive the highest honors when I arrived at Huachidu Village.”

"What I have seen today confirms what he said."

Gu Xixi said, "So, you couldn't refuse his request and agreed to teach at the village school?"

Mr. Song finally looked up at Gu Xixi. "This is just one of the reasons."

"And this too." He pulled a letter from his sleeve and gave it to Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi glanced at Mr. Song with a puzzled look, then unfolded the letter to read it.

This is an invitation letter, inviting Mr. Song to serve as a teacher in Huachidu Village, Qingtian County.

The language is humble and the words are sincere, reminiscent of the story of the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, and demonstrates the respect and humility towards the virtuous.

Gu Xixi recognized the handwriting; it was written by Mu Nanzhao.

However, Mu Nanzhao in the letter felt very unfamiliar to her.

He actually lowered himself so much to help the village hire a Taoist priest?

Mr. Song said, "This is the second reason why I cannot refuse."

"This invitation, though short, is written with such fluency and exquisite language. The calligraphy is also superb, worthy of being used as a model. No wonder he is a genius who can pass the imperial examinations in three consecutive years."

"Just based on this letter, I would agree to his request without hesitation."

Gu Xixi lowered her head slightly and said, "Sir, you appreciate talent."

She was secretly worried. Would Mr. Song also find out that Mu Nanzhao was Mr. Chen from the village school after receiving Mu Nanzhao's letter?

If that's the case, her relationship with Mu Nanzhao...

Mr. Song glanced sideways and said, "This letter also includes five hundred taels of silver notes."

"Liu Yi said it was payment from the letter writer."

Gu Xixi frowned and blurted out, "No."

"I should be the one to pay this fee."

However, she has spent a lot of money in the past six months, and the next step is to invest in the tea garden and tea production. She still lacks confidence when it comes to money.

Mr. Song suddenly smiled, his previous stern expression vanishing. "Don't worry, the silver notes were not confiscated."

"As a teacher, I only care about teaching my students wholeheartedly and living off the tuition fees given by their parents. I will never accept money that is not rightfully mine."

"Besides, five hundred taels is too much. If I accept it, I'm afraid my bones will be bent under the weight."

Gu Xixi felt respect and cupped her hands in thanks, saying, "I admire your character, sir. I thank you again on behalf of the children!"

Mr. Song waved his hand and said, "I am happy to teach children to read, there is no need for thanks."

"I did keep the boss here because there is an important matter that needs to be explained in advance."

Gu Xixi relaxed a bit and said with a smile, "You can rest assured about the tuition fee; most families in the village can afford it these days."

"Besides, it's my responsibility to invite you to the village. My child also needs to go to school, and his tuition will be calculated based on your previous salary at the county school. Just so you and I know."

Mr. Song said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Gu Xixi smiled inwardly. This Mr. Song was indeed a straightforward person. Just as he said, he only accepted money he was entitled to.

Mr. Song then changed the subject, "But I have something else to say."

Gu Xixi was taken aback.

Then Mr. Song said, "The person who wrote the letter is an old friend of Boss Gu, and their relationship is quite deep."

"Mr. Gu and I both know who he is, so we won't say his name."

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck Gu Xixi.

She forced a smile and looked at Mr. Song, "You already know."

Mr. Song nodded and said seriously, "I have a request for Mr. Gu."

"Of course, I will teach at the village school whether you agree or not, so this is not a condition, but a request."

Gu Xixi became serious. "Please go ahead."