A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

This elderly man is Fang Wenshuo, the dean of Shengpin Academy in the provincial capital.

Although Shengpin Academy may not be the top academy in the provincial capital, it ranks among the top three among the many academies in the city and has a considerable reputation. It is far superior to Tiande Academy, which is located in a remote corner of the province.

He and Dean Qiu met when they were young and studied together. Because of their similar temperaments and shared interests, they have been friends for many years and have become very close. During his visit to Fulin County to see relatives, he had arranged to meet Dean Qiu to reminisce. He never expected that in such a small place, he would see a student who could write such an exquisite article.

Upon hearing Fang Wenshuo's words, Dean Qiu's face darkened. This fellow was actually trying to poach his employees right in front of him! How could he tolerate this?

Dean Qiu immediately frowned and interrupted, "Dean Fang, this is not fair! This is a student of my Tiande Academy. How can you snatch someone away in front of me?"

Dean Fang? Upon hearing Dean Qiu's words, everyone turned their gaze to him. Was this old man actually the dean of Shengpin Academy?

Shengpin Academy is renowned among its students, and they never expected to meet the dean here!

Dean Fang blushed slightly. He knew that what he was doing was indeed not right, but he had just read Gu Xiao's article and was amazed by its brilliance. Among all the students he knew in the provincial capital, no one could write such an article!

If Tiande Academy could cherish such a talent, that would be fine. But look at the treatment Gu Xiao is receiving now, and you'll know that Tiande Academy doesn't care about Gu Xiao at all.

Thinking of this, he disregarded whether his actions were ethical or not, coughed lightly, and said to Dean Qiu, "Old Qiu, you know my personality. What I can't stand the most is a pearl being buried in the dust, a genius being overlooked. Your academy doesn't believe in him and doesn't have the heart to properly cultivate him. Why don't you come to our academy!"

Upon hearing this, Dean Qiu involuntarily looked at Vice Dean Li with a reproachful look in his eyes, then turned to Dean Fang and solemnly said, "I am well aware of Gu Xiao's talent. I have high hopes for him, and the academy will spare no effort to cultivate him and give him the best education. You don't need to worry."

Although Dean Fang trusted his old friend very much, he had seen what had just happened and couldn't help but feel wronged for Gu Xiao.

He looked at Gu Xiao with deep eyes and a gentle tone, and slowly said, "Then why don't we let Gu Xiao make his own choice? I haven't introduced myself yet. I am the dean of Shengpin Academy in the provincial capital. If you wish to receive a better education, you can come to our academy. I promise to do my best to cultivate you and waive all your tuition and miscellaneous fees. Are you willing?"

As soon as he said that, all the students present focused their attention on Gu Xiao, their eyes filled with envy, and even a hint of jealousy.

Shengpin Academy! This is one of the top three academies in the provincial capital, and such an academy is naturally not for ordinary people. People from county towns like theirs, without powerful connections or extraordinary talent, would have absolutely no chance of entering such an academy. Now, the headmaster of Shengpin Academy has personally extended an olive branch to Gu Xiao—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Such an opportunity should not be missed without immediate approval!

However, Gu Xiao's expression remained largely unchanged upon hearing Dean Fang's words. He calmly stood up, his eyes resolute and clear, then bowed deeply to Dean Fang as a student, speaking in a steady tone:

"I am grateful for Dean Fang's favor and kindness, but Dean Qiu has been kind to me and mentored me. His kindness is as high as a mountain and I will always remember it. Therefore, please forgive me for not being able to accept your kind offer. I will stay at Tiande Academy to continue my studies."

No one expected Gu Xiao to say such a thing. Their gazes towards Gu Xiao changed repeatedly, and many students' eyes lit up as if Gu Xiao were their idol.

"Brother Gu is not only highly talented, but also very loyal! He is mindful of Dean Qiu's kindness in recognizing his talent and is unwilling to leave Tiande Academy."

One of the students in the corner couldn't help but speak up.

"Yes, Brother Gu is highly talented, skilled, loyal, and righteous. He is truly a role model for us all." The speaker was excited, his face flushed, and his words were full of admiration for Brother Gu.

Upon hearing Gu Xiao's words, Dean Qiu's eyes welled up with tears; it's easy to become sentimental as one gets older.

He didn't want to argue with Dean Fang any longer, so he raised his voice and said, "Since cheating has been discovered in this exam, it has to be cancelled. I will prepare new questions and organize a new exam in a few days, and I will make sure that no question is leaked."

He then looked at Vice Dean Li, his gaze deep, "Gu Xiao has surely proven his innocence, does Vice Dean Li still doubt him?"

In front of Dean Qiu, Dean Fang, and a group of students, Vice Dean Li simply shook his head slightly and stopped looking at Gu Xiao. He was unwilling to admit his mistake, and his lips were tightly pursed.

Gu Xiao couldn't possibly have cheated; there must be someone else cheating in the classroom. This matter cannot be easily dismissed.

“Cheating is a serious matter. I have other instructions for Gu Xiao, so I'm taking him away. Vice Dean Li, please continue the investigation and make sure to catch the real cheater.”

Dean Qiu's expression was solemn, and he emphasized the word "truly." Upon hearing this, Vice Dean Li's expression darkened.

The gazes of the crowd towards Vice Dean Li held a hint of suspicion and reproach. Vice Dean Li, noticing their stares, frowned even more. He had always been a figure of absolute authority in the academy, feared by all, but this incident had greatly damaged his prestige.

Gu Xiao is so young yet he can write such articles. Is there really such a genius in this world?

If such people exist, then what should someone like him, with ordinary talent who has devoted himself to studying for decades, do? His feelings were extremely complicated.

Dean Qiu would never understand his complicated feelings at this moment. After giving his instructions, he left with Dean Fang and Gu Xiao. As soon as he pushed open the classroom door, he saw Nie Qianqian, Liu Yan and Liu Xiong standing outside the door.

The moment Gu Xiao looked up and saw Nie Qianqian, his previously calm expression, which had remained unmoved even when everyone accused and suspected him, finally changed. He involuntarily took two steps forward, looked at Nie Qianqian, and blurted out, "I didn't cheat."

He didn't care about Vice Dean Li's or the students in the classroom, or even the entire college's suspicions about him, but he was afraid that Nie Qianqian would have any doubts about him, even the slightest one, which he couldn't accept.

Gu Xiao's eyes were fixed on Nie Qianqian, carefully observing her expression.

Nie Qianqian smiled, a smile warmer than the autumn sun. This smile made Gu Xiao's lips involuntarily curl up, and the tension in his heart instantly vanished.

"I have never doubted you," Nie Qianqian said, looking at Gu Xiao. These words were like a spring breeze caressing Gu Xiao's heart, making him feel incredibly at ease.

Nie Qianqian always puts him at ease.