Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Still, instead of pondering over the absence of the other students, Xiao Zhi felt an odd sense of relief. Teaching two children was far less daunting than managing an entire class of rowdy kids.

The two children stared up at him with wide, curious eyes. As he observed them, a flicker of recognition sparked in his mind. One of them was the same girl who had bumped into him earlier, carrying a basket of flowers.

Slowly, his inherited memories began to churn, piecing together their identities. The girl's name came to him first—Lin Yue, a timid, soft-spoken child whose shyness was evident in the way she kept her head low and clutched the hem of her sleeve nervously.

The boy beside her was Shen Ming, a quiet and thoughtful child with an almost artistic knack for drawing intricate patterns in the dirt with a stick. He stood slightly behind Lin Yue, his posture reserved but his eyes attentive.

"Lin Yue, Shen Ming," Xiao Zhi said, their names rolling off his tongue with surprising ease. His voice was gentle, and the children straightened slightly at the sound. "Good morning. It's nice to see you both here."

Lin Yue peeked up at him briefly before glancing away, her cheeks flushing faintly. Shen Ming, on the other hand, nodded solemnly, his expression shy but earnest.

Xiao Zhi felt a small smile tug at his lips as he looked at the two of them. Two students or twenty, it didn't matter. These children had shown up, and that was enough for me, he thought, a quiet warmth settling in his chest.

"Alright," he said, clapping his hands lightly. "How about we take a trip into town today?" he asked, his voice warm. "We can turn it into a practical lesson."

Lin Yue's eyes widened slightly, and she glanced at Shen Ming, who nodded cautiously. The idea seemed to intrigue them, though they didn't voice their thoughts aloud.

Xiao Zhi took their silence as consent. "Great! Let's go, then."

________________

The streets of the small town were lively, bustling with vendors shouting out prices and townsfolk chatting animatedly. Xiao Zhi led Lin Yue and Shen Ming down the cobbled paths, pointing out various stalls and explaining the goods being sold.

"This is a herb stall," he said, gesturing toward an elderly vendor. "These plants can be used for medicine or cooking. Can either of you name one of these herbs?"

Shen Ming hesitated, but Lin Yue, to Xiao Zhi's surprise, whispered, "That's moonleaf. It's used for fevers."

"That's correct," Xiao Zhi said, smiling at her. Lin Yue ducked her head, but there was a faint spark of pride in her expression.

They wandered further, stopping by a confectioner's store. The colorful array of sweets caught the children's attention immediately. Xiao Zhi noticed their gazes lingering on the treats and chuckled.

"Go ahead and pick something," he said, handing a few coins to the vendor.

Lin Yue hesitated, her fingers hovering over a jar of honeyed lotus seeds. Shen Ming chose a small bag of candied plums, his demeanor unusually animated as he clutched the treat.

Xiao Zhi paid for the sweets and watched as the two children enjoyed their small indulgence, a rare moment of pure joy lighting up their faces. He felt a sense of fulfillment he hadn't expected.

Their cheerful outing was interrupted when a familiar voice called out, sharp and condescending.

"If it isn't the lover boy. Seems you're all fine and healthy now."

The taunting voice was unmistakable, and Xiao Zhi didn't even need to turn to identify the speaker. Shen Fei stood a few steps away, a smirk plastered across his face.

Walking beside him was Xie Ning'er. Her expression, however, was far from pleased. She looked tense, her brows slightly furrowed, as if Shen Fei's presence—or perhaps Xiao Zhi's—had unsettled her.

"What do you want, Shen Fei?" Xiao Zhi asked, his tone calm and measured. It was neither polite nor condescending, just a flat acknowledgment.

Shen Fei's smirk deepened. "Hey, since the last trashing, you've gotten pretty cocky, haven't you?"

His voice dripped with mockery, and he took a step closer, his intent clear. But before he could say anything more, Xie Ning'er stepped between them, her voice sharp and commanding.

"That's enough, Shen Fei. You promised me, remember?"

Shen Fei clicked his tongue in frustration, his expression souring. He shot Xiao Zhi a venomous glare but took a step back. "Tch. You're lucky," he muttered before turning to Ning'er. "Let's go, Ning'er."

Xie Ning'er hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering toward Xiao Zhi. For an instant, it seemed like she wanted to say something, but instead, she sighed softly and followed Shen Fei, leaving Xiao Zhi and the two children behind.

The silence that followed was broken by a hesitant voice. "Are you alright, Teacher?" Shen Ming asked, his concern evident.

Lin Yue didn't speak, but she clutched her sleeves tightly, worry written all over her face as she glanced up at Xiao Zhi.

Xiao Zhi smiled, his expression softening as he looked at the two of them. "It's all good now," he said reassuringly. "Let's move along. Like I said, the shops won't explore themselves!"

His cheerful tone seemed to ease their tension, and the trio continued down the bustling streets, leaving the encounter behind as they immersed themselves in the vibrant town.

As the sun rose to its peak, casting warm golden rays over the bustling town, Xiao Zhi and his two students found themselves seeking shelter in a cozy inn. The building had a rustic charm, with wooden beams and the faint aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air.

As the trio settled into a corner table at the inn, the innkeeper approached them with a warm smile, wiping her hands on her apron. Her cheerful energy filled the room as she placed three steaming bowls of noodle soup on the table, each topped with fragrant herbs and thin slices of meat.

"Here you go, Xiao Zhi," she said, her tone easy and familiar. "It's been a while since I've seen you. Glad to see you're doing well!"

Xiao Zhi returned her smile, though his was slightly strained. "Thank you, Wang Lin. Everything smells amazing."

Wang Lin chuckled. "You flatter me, but I'll take it. Eat up, you and your students look like you could use a good meal."

Lin Yue and Shen Ming both mumbled their thanks, their voices small but sincere. As they began to eat, Wang Lin lingered for a moment, her gaze softening.

"I heard about it, you and Xie Ning'er," she said gently, her voice low enough not to draw attention. "Are you alright?"

Xiao Zhi glanced up at her, surprised by her concern. He set his chopsticks down and shook his head lightly.

"It's nothing to worry about.. I'm fine, really."

Wang Lin frowned slightly, but she didn't press the matter.

"You're handling it better than most would. Still, if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."

Her words were kind, and Xiao Zhi appreciated the sentiment, but he brushed it off with a faint smile.

"Thanks, Wang Lin, but I'll be alright. It's just part of life."

She gave him a long, searching look before nodding.

"Alright, if you say so. Just don't keep everything bottled up, alright?"

"I'll keep that in mind," Xiao Zhi replied, picking up his chopsticks again.

After lunch, Xiao Zhi paid for the meal, thanking Wang Lin for her hospitality.

"The food was amazing as always. I'll definitely be back."

Wang Lin smiled warmly.

"You're always welcome here. Take care of yourself, Xiao Zhi—and those two little ones, too."

With a nod of gratitude, Xiao Zhi led Lin Yue and Shen Ming out of the inn and back to the academy. The afternoon sun bathed the streets in a soft glow, and Xiao Zhi felt a small sense of calm as they walked.