"I don't want to study! I don't want to go to school!"
"Yes! I don't want to learn either!"
Two little devils crawled out of the house. They were Feng Yun's daughter, five-year-old Feng Jia, and Feng Xi's son, four-year-old Feng Yang.
While Village Chief Feng and Ruan Meng were talking, the two of them hid in the inner room to eavesdrop. When they heard that a school was going to be built, they both ran out.
Upon hearing this, Village Chief Feng was not angry, but instead asked kindly:
"Tell Grandpa, why don't you want to go to school?"
Feng Jia said softly, "If I go to school, there will be no one to keep Grandma company. Grandpa and my parents are always busy, and Grandma will be alone at home, having to cook..."
"Although Jiajia can't be of much help, she can keep Grandma company and talk to her..."
After his sister finished speaking, Feng Yang also said:
"I don't want to go to school. I've heard my mother say that in school you have to study and obey rules. I don't want anyone to discipline me. I just want to play by myself!"
Ruan Meng chuckled, surprised that the two brothers' child had such opposite personalities.
Feng Jia is well-behaved and sensible, but timid by nature; Feng Yang seems mild-mannered, but speaks directly.
Ruan Meng affirmed Feng Jia's maturity, and then said:
“You are all very sensible and considerate of your grandparents, but there is only so much you can do besides being by their side.”
Feng Jia nodded, and Ruan Meng continued:
“When you grow up, you may be able to do more, not only to keep me company, but also to help with chores. But do you know what your grandparents' greatest expectation for you is?”
Feng Jia thought for a moment, "To grow up healthy and not get sick?"
Feng Yang tilted his head. "Tall and strong, how can he find a wife?"
Ruan Meng chuckled, "Perhaps so. I hope you can all live well. You don't have to worry about food and drink every day, or about birth, aging, sickness and death. You have the means to choose the person you like to marry, instead of settling down and getting married early because of your circumstances."
"I haven't grown up for very long, and I have to start taking care of my own little family, worrying about the elderly and anxious about the children. Day after day, year after year."
"Did you like the food your aunt gave you before—squid slices, seafood porridge, banana chips, fish noodles...?"
Feng Jia and Feng Yang nodded vigorously.
Ruan Meng patiently explained, "If you study and learn to read, you'll have many more options when it comes to work. You'll have the opportunity to leave Fengjia Village and even go to the South Island."
"Do you remember Uncle He Xiaokai and Uncle Sun Ayuan?"
The little one thought for a moment and nodded.
"They traveled to many places inland with their young master and tasted different local delicacies. Only by having your own abilities can you go further."
"Your aunt must tell you that most villages don't have the resources to build a school because they can't afford a teacher."
"We are able to make this happen because we happen to be here, we can read, we are not afraid of trouble, and we are willing to help the children."
"So you should not go to school just because your families persuade you, but cherish this hard-won opportunity that may change your destiny in the future."
Feng Jia nodded understandingly, while Feng Yang hesitated, as he was still young and had limited comprehension.
Ruan Meng then offered a "pie in the sky" promise: "After the school is established, in addition to having a teacher to instruct in reading carefully, we will also provide lunch. My aunt will personally prepare the menu. For example, today it will be braised pork rice, tomorrow it will be braised pig's trotters, and the day after it will be braised fish..."
Feng Jia's eyes lit up, and Feng Yang suddenly looked up, his face beaming with joy.
Sure enough, they took the bait!
Ruan Meng continued, "Besides lunch, we can also make some snacks, which the teacher will distribute to the diligent students after class, depending on their performance."
Feng Yang licked his lips, asking impatiently:
"What's available? What snacks are there?"
"For example, dried bananas, dried konjac, fried anchovies, grilled squid, and braised eggs?"
Feng Yang immediately turned his head, frowned, and said seriously to his grandfather:
"Grandpa, I want to go to school! Right now, I want to go to school right now!"
Feng Jia chuckled to herself and chimed in, "I want to go!"
Village Chief Feng sighed and patted the two little heads, feeling that after talking to Ruan Meng, his mind had been opened up.
I'm just worried about Ruan Qian's health.
"Don't worry, Uncle Feng! The children in the village are of different ages, and it's impossible for them all to be in the same class. I'll suggest to my brother that we hire another person to help!"
Village Chief Feng was relieved and prepared to pack up and go discuss things with Ruan Qian.
As soon as Ruan Meng came down the mountain, she saw Sun Jiang and Zhang Yue carrying several fish and walking towards her house.
The two men's expressions softened, a stark contrast to when they first arrived from Wanjiacun.
The two greeted Ruan Meng and explained their purpose: they were looking for Ruan Meng and Ruan Qian.
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