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"Sister Mo, when the two of you get married, I will definitely prepare a big gift for you. Also, if there are any difficulties, you must tell me, and don’t hide anything from me, okay?"

Mo Sanniang clasped Lin Yuan’s hand in response and chuckled, "Don’t worry, sister. I will surely not stand on ceremony with you. When the time comes, I’ll definitely put you to good use and seek your assistance."

Though Lin Yuan knew Mo Sanniang was just being polite, she was very happy that they did not treat her as an outsider.

After leaving Mo Sanniang’s fabric shop, Lin Yuan felt a sense of comfort throughout her body, and the displeasure of the past few days dissipated.

She glanced at the sky; it hadn’t snowed this winter yet, and she wondered whether it would snow during the New Year.

The cold wind, however, was already biting.

She wrapped her cape around her and hurried towards Rice Flower Fragrance.

Having discussed their matters with Mo Sanniang, a thought kept lingering in Lin Yuan’s mind.

When she had started earning money, her plan was to send her two younger sisters to school after the New Year.

Seeing that the New Year was approaching, this matter could not be delayed any longer.

Moreover, with Meng Liangdong’s knowledge, it was a waste for him to remain cooped up in Rice Flower Fragrance as just a lowly accountant.

As soon as Lin Yuan returned to Fragrant Full Building, she discussed with Shopkeeper Liu about any suitable schools for sale in Zhuma Town and asked him to keep an eye out.

Upon hearing Lin Yuan’s intention to buy a school, Shopkeeper Liu, though puzzled, immediately mentioned a name, "Boss, there is an unnamed school in the southern part of the city that I guess might be put up for sale soon."

"Oh?" Lin Yuan had not expected things to go so smoothly and took interest immediately, signaling for Shopkeeper Liu to sit down and elaborate.

Shopkeeper Liu took a seat and sighed, "Truth be told, that school has been struggling for quite some time now.

As you may know, Boss, the situation in Zhuma Town is such that the south and the north are relatively poor, unlike the more affluent west and east parts of town.

Hence, there are many people in the south who cannot afford the silver to send their children to school.

However, this particular school has a very benevolent old teacher.

In his youth, he was also well-read, but finding success in the imperial examinations was tough.

As he grew older, seeing those children unable to afford schooling just wandering about with their parents, he came up with the idea of passing on all of his lifelong learning and thus founded the school. "

"Is this old gentleman the teacher of the school?" Lin Yuan felt that this old gentleman’s circumstances were very similar to Meng Liangdong’s.

Shopkeeper Liu nodded, "Yes, the whole school with over twenty children is all taught by this old sir alone, and he has never stopped for so many years. Furthermore, the stationery items used by the children, including brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, were all purchased by the old gentleman himself. When a family has silver to contribute, he accepts it. But if they don’t have silver, he doesn’t press them.

As long as the children study well, stay out of trouble, and are willing to learn, he accepts them all. "

Lin Yuan couldn’t help but exclaim, "This old gentleman is indeed a person of great benevolence and righteousness!"

Shopkeeper Liu also sighed, "Indeed, it’s just a pity.

The old man has no children of his own, and the silver he earned when he was young has all been spent on these children.

In recent years, the school has barely been sustained by donations from some kind-hearted people in the city.

The parents of the children are grateful to him and try to pay their children’s tuition on time, with no one ever falling behind. "

Lin Yuan looked at Shopkeeper Liu with a smile, "You must be one of those kind-hearted people, right, Shopkeeper Liu?"

Shopkeeper Liu was taken aback and then chuckled, shaking his head, "The little silver I provide is hardly sufficient. It’s just a small contribution."

"It’s not remarkable to add flowers to brocade, but to send charcoal in snowy weather is most precious," Lin Yuan admired Shopkeeper Liu’s kindness, "Does this old gentleman really intend to sell the school? Can he bear to part with it?"

"Whether he can bear it or not, he has to. He’s getting old, and his health is failing. I’m afraid he won’t be able to hold out for another two years," Shopkeeper Liu said with a tinge of sympathy, shaking his head.

Lin Yuan nodded, "Alright, I’ll go there and take a look when I get the chance. If it’s suitable, I’ll buy the school."

No sooner said than done, the very next morning, Lin Yuan had Lin Yi drive her by horse-drawn carriage to the southern part of the city.

Shopkeeper Liu had also planned to come along, but with the wine shop busy, he had to stay behind.

As the year-end approached, there was much to tend to in the various branches.

Xia Zheng, concerned for Lin Yuan’s well-being and not wanting her to undergo the strain of traveling, had been running between towns himself these days.

It had been three or four days since they had seen each other.