However, it would be inappropriate to accept only the magistrate's son.
It is also thanks to Magistrate Cao that he has indeed been a pragmatic and good official since taking office.
The people near Lanhai Village all rely on the mountains and rivers for their livelihood, and most of the villagers are uneducated.
If the children wanted to go to school, they had to walk two hours to the old man next door for instruction.
Putting aside the hardship, the tuition fees throughout the year are a major worry for the family.
"It is a blessing that Lanhai Village has someone like you, sir. In order for the children here to escape poverty, how about we build a school here so that all the children in the village can study?"
Magistrate Cao looked at Wan Suizhou with great respect, as if seeking his opinion.
Wan Suizhou glanced at him and said calmly, "It's good that you have this idea, but my abilities are limited right now, and I can't guarantee anything other than teaching."
Magistrate Cao immediately understood and hurriedly said, "Sir, rest assured, I will cover all the costs of the school site, desks, chairs, and other materials. You only need to focus on teaching and educating students."
Seeing how enthusiastic he was about this matter, Wan Suizhou began to appreciate him.
Soon, preparations for the school began in earnest.
For the convenience of traveling with Wan, the location was still in Lanhai Village, not far from Wan's family.
As it happened, there was an empty house near Wanjia that had been uninhabited for many years. After renovation, tables and chairs were added, and the school was able to open.
Because it was built out of the kindness of Magistrate Cao, Wan Suizhou didn't ask for much tuition. He just asked each child to bring an interesting little item, preferably one that could make Baili Wanwan laugh.
There are many things that can make a child laugh.
For example, a cricket made of straw, a little butterfly that can fly, or even just a piece of sweet candy that warms the heart, can make Baili Wanwan happy.
On the very first day the school opened, villagers flocked to send their children there.
The villagers were happy to take advantage of the free schooling and expressed their gratitude to Wan Suizhou and the county magistrate.
Just as everyone was laughing and joking, Zhao Damei pulled her son Wan Qiusui's arm to join in the fun.
Upon seeing Wan Suizhou, Zhao Damei affectionately called him "brother," then shamelessly said, "We're all family. Since you've taught all the children in the village, you can't not teach our Sui'er, can you..."
Although Wan Suizhou was displeased, he also felt that Zhao Damei's words made some sense.
Even if the adults are fighting fiercely, it has nothing to do with the children.
He thought to himself that since Zhao Damei had brought the child, he would treat them the same and reluctantly accept the child.
"I'm not going! I'm not going!"
But at this moment, Wan Qiusui, who was being held back by Zhao Damei, suddenly lost her temper.
He never really got along with Wan Yuekui and Wan Yuechi, so if he went there, those two brothers would definitely beat him up.
Thinking of this, Wan Qiusui felt both resistant and angry.
But Zhao Damei didn't care about any of that.
She saw that Wan Suizhou had even opened a school with the help of the county magistrate, how could she not be envious?
It's foolish not to take advantage of a good deal!
Although she disliked Wan Suizhou's family, she secretly wanted to get something good out of them.
The saying "They scold the cook after they've eaten their fill" perfectly describes Zhao Damei's family.
Wan Suizhou glanced at Zhao Damei indifferently and replied in a somewhat indifferent tone, "Since you are willing to send your child here, then the tuition fee will be the same as everyone else's. If you do, I will accept it."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Damei hurriedly pulled out the pastries she had taken from her bosom, offering them to Baili Wanwan while smiling and saying, "Yes, yes, I bought these pastries in town early this morning, they're absolutely delicious!"
It's true that she went to town early in the morning to buy them, but Zhao Damei kept all the good ones for herself, leaving only these two pieces, which her family had already eaten.
If it were given by someone else, Baili Wanwan would accept it. Regardless of whether the gift is good or bad, it's the thought that counts.
But she didn't accept what Zhao Damei offered; instead, she put her hands behind her back and hid them there.
In front of so many people, Zhao Damei's smile froze on her face for a moment.
But with all the villagers present, she couldn't change her expression, so she could only threaten Baili Wanwan with her eyes while saying, "You child, why didn't you accept the food I offered you!"
In short, the pastries were practically forced upon Baili Wanwan through a combination of pulling and stuffing.
Baili Wanwan pouted, feeling a little aggrieved, but didn't say anything. She just looked up at Zhang Xiu.
Zhang Xiu was also a little angry, but since they were all neighbors, it wouldn't be good to make a big fuss, so she patted her head and said, "If you don't want to eat, Auntie will hold it for you."
After Zhao Damei dealt with Baili Wanwan, she insisted that Wan Suizhou keep Wan Qiusui.
Just as Wan Suizhou was about to agree, Wan Qiusui objected.
He flung Zhao Damei's hand away and began cursing at Wan Suizhou and the others.
"Pah!! I would never study in your lousy place!! My mother said your whole family is lowly!! We're only friends with you because we need your help! If it weren't for the money you give our family, do you think we would associate with you?!"
If Wan Qiusui doesn't want to go, then she shouldn't go.
But this child is still just a child, and he doesn't know any better. He often saw Zhao Damei shut herself in her room and scolding Wan Suizhou's family. Before he knew it, he had blurted out all the truth.
Zhao Damei was both angry and anxious after being scolded, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into right then and there.
The villagers nearby pointed and whispered about their house, seemingly saying that she had a bad heart.
At his age, Wan Suizhou was already furious to be scolded like this by a child.
But he also knew that all of a child's behavior was a model of the parents' education and words, and he couldn't do anything to a child.
But Cao Chengye, standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore.
His father brought him to the Wan family to acknowledge Wan Suizhou as his master, so he became Wan Suizhou's disciple.
How could a disciple stand idly by and pretend not to see his master being insulted by a child?
So the next second, he rushed out and, before anyone could react, he had already pinned Wan Qiusui to the ground and rubbed her against the ground.
"Since your mouth is so dirty, then eat some more sand to rinse it off properly!"
Cao Chengye's cold voice rang out.
Wan Qiusui was beaten so badly that she cried and kept calling for her mother.
Zhao Damei was furious and wanted to help, but then she saw that the person beating her son was the county magistrate's son.
Not daring to offend the magistrate's son, she could only sit on the ground and wail and scream, trying to extort money from him.
"This is outrageous! This is lawless! The magistrate's son assaulted someone!"
The crying attracted many villagers to watch.
Wan Suizhou had no choice but to stop this behavior.
"One must not resort to violence when inheriting a business!"
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