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Tangyuan had started to hit the market, and the renovation of the South City School couldn’t be delayed any longer; the children were supposed to start school on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

Lin Yuan took time out of her schedule to visit the South City School, and to let her two younger sisters get a sneak peek at their new school, she brought them along as well.

Seeing the school again gave Lin Yuan quite a start.

In less than a month’s time, the school had undergone a major transformation.

The once dilapidated building had been repaired so sturdily; the old tiles on the roof had been replaced with new, firm red tiles.

Without asking, it was clear that these must have been provided by Ma Junying from the Ma family Manor.

The refurbished house now boasted a richer array of furnishings.

The beds, previously makeshift from old doors, had been replaced with new ones, as had the bedding.

Although there weren’t many tables and chairs, at least one no longer had to hold their teacup in their hands for lack of a place to set it down, as had been the case before.

Of course, a new charcoal stove had also been prepared, and upon entering the room, Lin Yuan felt a wave of warmth from the burning red-hot charcoal.

What satisfied Lin Yuan the most was the new supplies prepared for Old Mr. Cheng. The old teacher had devoted most of his life to enduring hardship for the children; now in his old age, he could finally enjoy some comforts.

Lin Yuan called over the young servant that Shopkeeper Liu had arranged for Old Mr. Cheng.

Despite her trust in Shopkeeper Liu’s judgment, she still relayed some additional detailed concerns she had thought of to the young servant.

After all, Shopkeeper Liu was a man, and in some respects, his attentiveness didn’t quite match that of a woman’s.

At this moment, Old Mr. Cheng wasn’t resting in his room; although a new teacher had arrived, he couldn’t let go of his dedication to the school, where he had spent many years, and his exchanges with Meng Liangdong became even more frequent.

Indeed, Old Mr. Cheng and Meng Liangdong were busy discussing effective teaching strategies to better educate the children.

"Old Mr. Cheng," greeted Lin Yuan with a smile, "Sorry for interrupting."

Old Mr. Cheng looked rosy and sprightly; with the educational future of the South City children safeguarded, both his complexion and mood had improved significantly. "Boss Lin has arrived," he stated.

Lin Yuan gestured dismissively and approached them with a smile. "Old Mr. Cheng, please don’t call me ’Boss.’ Just like before the New Year, you can call me Lin Yuan."

Old Mr. Cheng stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Alright, alright. Miss, you have provided such a fine teacher for our South City children, and I have yet to thank you in person. Miss Lin, on behalf of all the folks and children of South City, please accept my deepest gratitude."

With that, the old teacher clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan, hardly daring to accept Old Mr. Cheng’s gesture, called out in alarm and hurriedly helped him back to his feet with both hands.

Meng Liangdong, although he had only been there for a few days, had come to understand the people and children there quite well. He was keenly aware of the hope and convenience Lin Yuan’s efforts had brought to them.

After further conversation with Old Mr. Cheng, their topics naturally drifted towards teaching.

Old Mr. Cheng was extremely pleased with Meng Liangdong, his eyes crinkling more deeply as he smiled.

"Buddy Meng is learned and particularly patient with the children.

Having such a teacher instruct them is a true blessing for the children of South City.

I greatly admire your character and scholarship, Buddy Meng; it is a real shame that you have not secured an official position. "

To Meng Liangdong, who had moved on from his past aspirations, official ranks were now as inconsequential as wildflowers by the roadside, not meriting his attention in the slightest.

"Old sir flatters me. Through our recent scholarly discussions, I have learned much from you.

Not only is your character admirable, but you also approach scholarship with the utmost diligence.

I shall endeavour to inherit your qualities and nurture the students of South City as if they were my own children," Meng Liangdong modestly replied.

Listening to their amiable exchange, Lin Yuan felt assured. In many ways, the two teachers shared common ground; both were well-educated but had failed to secure official positions in the imperial examinations.

As the group engaged in conversation inside, outside in the courtyard many children curiously observed them; Xiao Linshuang and Lin Wei had already started playing with these children upon their arrival.

Lin Yuan smiled knowingly and greeted a few of the children. She remembered them from her previous visit when they had chatted with her.