Chapter 565: Chapter 565: Recruiting a New Scholar
"Since you and my junior are from the same village, we are somewhat destined to meet. I will call you Miss Honglian."
Fan Tong’s question sounded in Gu Honglian’s ears like Fan Tong had intentions toward her.
Thus, this time Gu Honglian felt that Fan Tong had come to Qinghe Bay because of her.
Fan Tong heard Gu Jingzhe ask this and said, "I’m here to see Mr. Su."
Gu Jingzhe slightly frowned.
In the town’s private school, Fan Tong didn’t seem to have much respect for Mr. Su.
Fan Tong prided himself as the top scholar in Yan Guan Town, believing Mr. Su was merely a failed candidate on the official path, hence coming to Yan Guan Town to teach.
If he were truly as formidable as rumors suggest, why didn’t he go to Wanliu Academy, but instead came to a town’s private school.
Therefore, he never really regarded Mr. Su highly, and Mr. Su didn’t have much teacher-student affection for him either.
Gu Jingzhe frowned, and Tong Huaqiong immediately knew Fan Tong’s words were just an excuse.
What seeking Mr. Su, Mr. Su has been living in Qinghe Bay for several months already, several private school students have come to see him, like Gu Jingzhe’s classmate Meng Yanping, who frequently visited Mr. Su, never had Fan Tong come to visit Mr. Su.
Gu Honglian felt slightly disappointed hearing Fan Tong was here to see Mr. Su.
She thought he came to see her.
Then turned and was glad again, thinking she was silly; in front of her sister-in-law and nephew, how could Fan Tong openly say he came to seek her.
Gu Honglian’s mind was straightforward, her emotions clearly displayed on her face.
Tong Huaqiong glanced to immediately understand Gu Honglian was overthinking.
Tong Huaqiong looked Fan Tong up and down, saying, "Look at Mr. Fan in this new outfit, which family has taken a fancy to you and wants you as a son-in-law?"
Fan Tong was almost taken as a son-in-law by Huang Yuanwai, but was ultimately destroyed by Tong Huaqiong; thus, Fan Tong was touched by Tong Huaqiong mentioning it.
Tong Huaqiong glanced towards Gu Honglian.
This little sister-in-law is quite domineering and spoiled, but after more than half a year in Qinghe Bay, her heart doesn’t seem too bad, caring for Gu Xiaoxue.
Thus, Tong Huaqiong deliberately spoke for Gu Honglian to hear, hoping Gu Honglian, this dolt, would listen and best cut off her thoughts for Fan Tong.
Fan Tong, in neither past nor present life, is a good match.
Fan Tong gritted his teeth and said, "Manager Tong, you’re joking. This outfit was newly made by my sister who is getting married."
Tong Huaqiong clicked her tongue and sighed, giving Fan Tong a meaningful look.
Another Yaozu like Gu Ruinian.
Draining his sister’s vitality to support himself.
No wonder in his past life, Fan Tong didn’t like Gu Taohua, yet clung on to her tightly; he’s used to draining women, saw Gu Taohua had a good brother and latched on.
In the past, Gu Taohua’s spoil disappeared entirely when faced with Fan Tong; more love-obsessed than Lu Zhaozhao, fully supporting Fan Tong, leveraging Gu Jingzhe’s influence to elevate him.
Luckily, in this life, Gu Taohua is clear-headed.
Tong Huaqiong hopes Fan Tong doesn’t enter Gu Taohua’s sight again, nor wants Gu Honglian to follow Gu Taohua’s old path from the past life.
Fan Tong felt Tingling on his scalp from Tong Huaqiong’s gaze.
He couldn’t understand why this Widow Tong, despite being esteemed, never showed him a good face.
In the past, he did court Gu Taohua, but it was Gu Taohua who came to him; being courted by him should matter, yet he didn’t understand why Widow Tong despised him.
These questions he dared to ask in the past, but not now.
Currently, Widow Tong is not only the richest in Qinghe Bay but also the mother of the top examinee.
Mentioning the top examinee, Fan Tong felt uneasy.
Originally, he was one of the few scholars in Yan Guan Town; now, with Gu Jingzhe, half his luster was taken away.
More hateful is he can attend Wanliu Academy.
He wants to go but lacks the silver.
"Brother Fan, is there something on my face? Why is brother staring at it?" Gu Jingzhe asked.
Fan Tong said, "No, just wanted to say after junior attended Wanliu Academy, your demeanor changed from rural life."
Gu Jingzhe said, "Perhaps Brother Fan is blunt. I haven’t changed from before."
Tong Huaqiong chuckled; her son’s sharp tongue was as usual.
Fan Tong was at a loss for words.
"Mr. Fan, weren’t you going to see Mr. Su? I’ll show you the way."
Even as dense as Gu Honglian was, she noticed neither her sister-in-law nor nephew favored Fan Tong, thus helping to ease the situation.
"Yes, afraid Mr. Su has dismissed class now, I’ll go see him, if Miss Honglian could show the way."
At this moment, Fan Tong felt grateful for Gu Honglian’s appearance.
Gu Honglian giggled as she led Fan Tong toward the private school.
Tong Huaqiong coldly watched Gu Honglian dive in.
Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu, if knew Gu Honglian admires Mr. Fan, would probably be eager to pursue.
After all, the belief that only studying stands above all is deeply ingrained in this era.
Yet, someone as opportunistic as Fan Tong may not fancy Gu Honglian.
Gu Honglian brought Fan Tong to the private school’s entrance and stopped.
"Mr. Fan, Mr. Su has not yet finished class, I’ll wait with you for a while," Gu Honglian said.
The classroom echoed with the sound of reading, Fan Tong knowing Mr. Su’s rules, must not be disturbed during lessons.
Fan Tong said, "Sorry for the trouble Miss Honglian, I’ll wait here myself."
Fan Tong’s "Miss Honglian" sweetened Gu Honglian’s heart, saying, "I have nothing else to do; I’ll wait with you."
Gu Honglian was quietly annoyed, her family conditions aren’t good, unable to offer decent hospitality to Fan Tong, otherwise she’d have invited Fan Tong to be a guest.
This way, she could spite her second sister-in-law whilst pleasing her mother.
Back in the South, her scholar fiancé withdrew the engagement seeing the Gu family fall, leaving her without face.
She wants to show her family her ability to court a new scholar.
Fan Tong furrowed his brow.
As a village girl, which one isn’t busy with chores or field work; he first encounters such idle girls, lingering in broad daylight with a man waiting for someone.
Their face too thick.
He knows Gu Honglian’s intentions.
If Gu Honglian were as beautiful as a flower, he could tolerate it, but the girl isn’t to his liking.
With Gu Honglian not leaving, Fan Tong couldn’t dismiss her, standing face-to-face.
One displeased, one full of sweetness.
Fan Tong glanced toward where Tong Huaqiong stood and saw a girl in pink clothing come out of the yard, her lips red and teeth white in the distance, wasn’t it Gu Taohua?
Fan Tong’s heart moved, remembering Gu Honglian being Gu Taohua’s aunt, slowly prying, "Just now I saw many busy people in the yard, is your village hosting a harvest feast?"
Gu Honglian was delighted to hear Fan Tong speaking to her voluntarily, saying, "Our village’s harvest feast has long been held, that’s our sister-in-law’s weaving workshop."
Sister-in-law? Weaving workshop?
Fan Tong’s temples throbbed, asking, "Who’s your sister-in-law, so capable to run the weaving workshop?"
Gu Honglian laughed, "That would be my sister-in-law who just spoke to you."
Regretting immediately, this way Fan Tong knows Gu Jingzhe is her nephew, fearing Fan Tong may nip his intentions to her as an elder.
