Master, don't tease me, you can't handle three of them.

“You can’t learn this style of calligraphy yet. If you want to learn it, you need to build a solid foundation first. Before practicing this, learn the kind of characters that Brother Jingshu taught you before,” Xu Sheng explained, ruffling the boy’s hair.

"Then why can't this poem be written anymore?" The boy thought for a moment, then looked up at Xu Sheng.

"Sir, this poem contains grass, trees, and mountains. Isn't that good?"

The child had no idea what the poem meant; he only knew that it described so many beautiful landscapes.

"It's not that it's bad..."

Looking into the boy's clear eyes, Xu Sheng didn't know how to answer the question.

Xu Sheng's professional ethics, cultivated through years of teaching, told him that he couldn't lie to the child. But the child was still young, so he couldn't tell him the truth, lest he lead the child astray.

"You'll know when you grow up and meet the person you love most besides your family."

Yuan Ying rewrote a poem that the children had learned before in the same font, placed it on the table, and said it to the boy.

"You'll understand the meaning of this poem when that time comes."

"Your favorite person? How much do you have to like them?" the boy asked immediately.

Hearing their conversation, the children nearby quietly gathered around, seemingly very curious. Their large, inquisitive eyes stared intently at the Nascent Soul, eagerly awaiting his next words.

“Like your father loved your mother.” Jing Ran suddenly spoke up, stopping the nascent soul from continuing.

"Oh~" The little boy understood, and the other children understood too. It was a poem that a father would send to his mother.

"Alright, hurry up and practice your calligraphy." Xu Sheng ended the topic with a sigh. This explanation seemed plausible.

After that, Yuan Ying stopped causing all sorts of trouble and instead focused on teaching the children to write.

Although his face still looked stern, there was a faint hint of a smile hidden within it.

The master knew it was a love poem, yet he kept it. Doesn't that mean the master accepted his love poem?

In modern times, Jing Shu happened to read this poem.

At the time, he scoffed, thinking, how could one person possibly give all their favoritism to another? Human nature is clearly selfish.

But now, thinking back on this poem, Yuan Ying felt that if that person were his master, it wouldn't be so bad.

When the children were ready to practice independently, Yuan Ying sat down next to Jing Ran.

Jingran looked at Jingshu, noticing his smiling face, and thought to herself, "He can smile, can't he? Why can't he smile with the children?"

"Aran? Do you like that poem?" Yuan Ying asked softly.

Jing Ran looked at the expectant look in Yuan Ying's eyes and gave a faint "hmm." She neither said she liked it nor disliked it.

An excited glint flashed in the Nascent Soul's eyes, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up. His master said "Mmm!" He definitely likes it! Since he likes that love poem, it's equivalent to liking me!

Xu Sheng happened to look up and see this scene. Why does it feel like the atmosphere between Jing Ran and Jing Shu is a little strange?

Jing Shu is behaving like a lovesick young man! He's completely lost his previous composure. He even wrote a love poem today—could it be that he has someone he likes?

It wasn't until Jingran said goodbye at the end of today's study session that the children realized that their older brothers Jingshu and Jingran wouldn't be coming tomorrow.

"Where are Brother Jingran and Brother Jingshu going?"

"Could you please not leave?"

The children clung to the two men's legs with great reluctance, pleading with their big, watery eyes.

Jingran gently rubbed the face of the boy closest to him. "We have other things to do and have to go. You all need to study hard and listen to Mr. Xu."

Will you come back?

Yuan Ying was already overwhelmed by the children's hugs, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but say something.

"Let go now, and we'll come back to see you later. Also, kid, don't get your snot on my clothes!"

As Yuan Ying spoke, he noticed that one of the children clinging to his leg was not only crying, but also had snot running down his nose!

"Waaaaah, Brother Jingshu, don't be mean to me! I didn't mean to!"

The snotty-nosed child burst into loud sobs, which made the other children laugh.

"Song Ming, how shameful! You're even crying!"

A small incident quickly dispelled the sad atmosphere between the children. After saying goodbye to Jingran and the other person, the children were taken home by their respective parents.

As Xu Sheng watched the two figures depart, lost in thought, he saw Jing Shu take Jing Ran's hand, and Jing Ran did not refuse. Only then did he realize the truth.

Xu Sheng was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly. So that's how it is...

I don't know if we'll ever meet again, but I wish you all the best and that all your wishes come true.

After leaving the private school, the two found a place to eat and then returned to their residence.

It was getting late, and Jingran was just about to go back to his room to rest when Jingshu suddenly hugged him from behind.

"Aran, I'm very happy today," the nascent soul said softly.

A day is so short. Although teaching those brats at the private school is annoying, with his master there, Nascent Soul cultivators feel it's not so unbearable.

Before Jingran could speak, the nascent soul released his grip. Jingran turned to look at Jingshu, whose expression remained gentle.

"Goodnight, Ran."

----------------

The Nascent Soul, now back in the ancient jade chamber, glared at Jing Shu with annoyance. "You made me stay at the private school for a whole day, are you satisfied now?"

Once the Nascent Soul calmed down, he naturally understood Jing Shu's intentions. Although it was for his own good, it didn't stop him from being angry.

"Hmm, not bad." Jing Shu nodded. "So, tell me, what other things did you mention discovering before?"

When it came to serious matters, Yuan Ying didn't keep Jing Shu in suspense any longer and told him everything he had discovered.

"It's exactly what I thought." Jing Shu wasn't too surprised.

"So what do you plan to do?" the Nascent Soul asked.

"We'll see when the time comes. Although we need to repay Xue Niang's favor, it depends on her own wishes."

Jing Shu got up to leave. "Little Jing Shu should be out of seclusion in the next couple of days. Keep an eye on him."

After saying that, Jing Shu left.

The nascent soul looked at Xiao Jingshu, who was still meditating cross-legged. Hmm, he's awake. He'll probably be making a fuss about going out soon...

Jing Shu opened his eyes, took out the jade slip, and contacted Jing You, who had not yet returned.

"Brother? What's wrong?"

"Can you buy me some things? I need them for tomorrow."

Upon hearing that he needed help, Jingyou immediately found a quiet place.

"buy what?"

Jingyou's eyes lit up as he listened to the contents of the jade slip.

"Okay! Leave it to me!"