Chapter 497: Chapter 257: Planting Vegetables_1
Mr. Loo watched as Lian Manman’s three children bowed down and, lost in thought, did not respond. Beads of sweat began to form on Lian Shouxin’s anxious forehead. He felt his recent speech had been poorly articulated, too crude, and that he had bungled the situation.
He had to come up with a way to smooth things over no matter what—such a chance to meet a famous teacher was a rare opportunity for the children, Lian Shouxin thought nervously.
Before Lian Shouxin could come up with any plan, Mr. Loo already smiled and extended his hand, signaling the children to rise.
"I never expected to meet children like you here. I’ve done many things, but I’ve never been a teacher before.... The formal title of teacher and student is of no real importance..."
Mr. Loo’s words left Lian Shouxin somewhat perplexed. Was Mr. Loo agreeing to become the children’s teacher, or not?
Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi exchanged glances, joy evident on their faces. They insisted on bowing again before agreeing to stand up.
"Sir, should we still address you as ’Teacher’ from now on?" Lian Manman asked.
"Mhm, that will be fine," Mr. Loo replied with a smile and a nod.
Wu Lang brought over a cup of hot tea and presented it to Mr. Loo with great respect. Mr. Loo accepted it with a smile.
"Teacher, living on the mountain is inconvenient for you, especially concerning food and lodging. Why not move and live with our family?" Lian Manman suggested, having already thought this through and discussed it with her family.
"Right," Lian Shouxin joined in, now aware that Mr. Loo had agreed to teach his children. He couldn’t hide his elation. "Mr. Loo, we have just finished building a new room, especially for you. If you move in with us, we’ll take care of everything. Our family isn’t wealthy, but it’s surely better than living alone on the mountain."
"If the Teacher agrees, you could also stay at the temple," Wu Lang said, "We’ve already spoken to the Abbot and secured a Zen room for you. Xiao Qi and I can then serve you tea and water, and look after you."
Lian Shouxin and the children, each contributing their ideas, warmed Mr. Loo’s heart.
Being demoted and sent here, the inconveniences of life were one thing. But what truly pained him was his spiritual emptiness, having no peers to share in discussion of poetry and literature, despite his vast knowledge and talents.
It was rare to encounter children like Wu Lang, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi, who were earnest in their studies and showed promising aptitude—like raw jade yet to be sculpted, compelling him to impart all his knowledge to them.
Of course, the sincerity and warmth of the Lian Family had also endeared this struggling, lonely man to their household.
Mr. Loo was well aware that despite being demoted, with his talents, he could easily be sought after by high officials or wealthy merchants to be a Xixi if he wished. However, he preferred to stay with the Lian Family. There, he was not just a Xixi but part of the family.
The Lian Family all offered for Mr. Loo to move in with them, making it convenient for them to care for him. In her heart, Lian Manman harbored a little scheme: if Mr. Loo lived with them, he was less likely to be taken away by somebody else.
Mr. Loo said he could move in anytime, but mentioned he had some matters to attend to on the mountain and would have to delay moving for a few more days.
The family naturally agreed.
"Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, are you both set on taking the imperial examination?" Mr. Loo asked seriously.
Wu Lang nodded, and Xiao Qi followed suit with a nod of his own.
"I see," Mr. Loo nodded, "Since you have accepted me as your teacher, you can’t blame me when the pressure is high and things get tough!"
"Of course not, Teacher, we’re not afraid of hard work," Wu Lang and Xiao Qi declared in unison.
"Strict teachers produce outstanding students, Teacher, please be as strict as necessary," Lian Shouxin said.
"Teacher, should I prepare a ruler for you? It needs to be this wide, this thick, and this long," Lian Manman gestured with her hands, sneakily glancing at Wu Lang and Xiao Qi. She was certain the punishment ruler would not be used on her, as she wasn’t under the pressure of the imperial examination.
Wu Lang twitched the corner of his eye and gave Lian Manman a sidelong glance. Xiao Qi made no attempt to disguise his dismay, frowning deeply and looking at Lian Manman with a steamed bun face.
"Very well," Mr. Loo knew the siblings were teasing and deliberately kept a straight face as he nodded.
Mr. Loo could not teach full-time due to his duties on the mountain. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi continued to attend private school during the day, and Lian Manman’s activities also went on as usual.
...
The new store’s house was finally finished before the spring farming rush. The night the house was completed, Lian Shouxin was so happy that he barely slept a wink. He kept getting up from the kang to check on the new house.
Even though the new store was finished, the custom-made furniture had not yet been completed, and the new house was too damp to move into right away. Since the lease on the temple’s quarters still had more than half a year left, the Lian Manman family was in no rush to relocate their business.
