Since the little girl is so hardworking and ambitious, of course he will support her!
It must be said that Gu Zhiyuan was very pleased with Xu Ningyan's ambition and vision.
To still recognize the importance of knowledge at this time of year shows foresight compared to most people!
You should know that even in the high-class courtyards of Beijing, because of this movement, many girls who were well-off and had received more education no longer liked studying and went to school; all they thought about was finding a rich and wealthy husband.
Of course, there was more of a secret joy that couldn't be expressed. A naive and pure little girl was working hard to improve her studies, hoping to be worthy of herself and not embarrass herself.
Which man wouldn't be happy in that situation?
Gu Zhiyuan felt that he was just an ordinary man in the world, so he was naturally happy.
He was afraid that showing too much joy would frighten the little girl, so he controlled himself.
He reached out and took the questions Xu Ningyan had done. After looking at them for a while, he couldn't help but be surprised. These were high school level questions.
Xu Ningyan only graduated from elementary school. Although we know she is smart and loves reading, and may have even studied on her own to the point of being able to understand high school material, that is no ordinary intelligence.
"You can understand all of this?" Gu Zhiyuan asked tentatively.
Xu Ningyan frowned: "I don't understand some of it, it seems so difficult!"
Gu Zhiyuan then asked, "Where did you find all these books?"
Xu Ningyan had long known this day would come, and answered fluently: "When I'm in town and have nothing to do, I go to the scrap metal yard and see a lot of books. I felt it was a shame, so I secretly bought a few. The book I gave you last time was also found at the scrap metal yard—"
Gu Zhiyuan also remembered this: "Besides these few books, what else is there?"
Xu Ningyan got up and dragged over a camphor wood box next to her. She opened it and found it full of books.
Gu Zhiyuan glanced through them and found junior high school textbooks, senior high school textbooks, the Little Red Book, and some newspapers.
Xu Ningyan carefully repaired any damaged parts of the book covers or pages, and each book was pressed flat and neat, with her markings on them.
Pointing to those junior high school textbooks: "You've finished studying all of these on your own?"
Xu Ningyan nodded: "Xu Zhenzhu's junior high and high school textbooks are kept in her room. When she's not home, I'll secretly take one out to read while I'm cleaning the room, and then put it back for her after I'm done."
Gu Zhiyuan understood. He had secretly looked at the material beforehand. The junior high school material was fine, but since no teacher had taught it systematically, the high school math, physics, and chemistry material was a problem.
After thinking for a moment, he picked up his pen and quickly wrote down a few questions for Xu Ningyan to solve on the spot.
Xu Ningyan didn't ask any more questions. She took the question and sat down at the table to chew on her pen.
Gu Zhiyuan carefully checked all the books in the camphor wood box, just in case there were any books that shouldn't be there.
Fortunately, the box contained only textbooks, Little Red Books, and newspapers, which were not considered taboo.
After he finished checking, Xu Ningyan had already finished all the questions and handed them to Gu Zhiyuan.
After taking a look, Gu Zhiyuan had a better understanding of Xu Ningyan's current strength and foundation.
Arrangements were made immediately.
Since he had nothing much to do at the Tuanjie Brigade these past few days, he would tutor Xu Ningyan and explain problems whenever he had free time.
Once we returned to the county town, I would ask him questions whenever I had free time.
On his days off, he would spend half a day teaching her, and he would give her a small test once a month to check her learning progress.
The schedule was very tight, and he concluded by saying, "Learning is like rowing against the current; if you don't move forward, you fall behind! As long as you have the will and follow my pace, you may not be any worse off than those who have gone to high school and university!"
Xu Ningyan was completely speechless.
At least you know you get one day off a week, so why didn't you schedule one day off for me?
I wanted to speak up for myself, but the words stuck in my throat.
Forget it! A big shot has offered to tutor you, one-on-one, no less! It's free! What more could you ask for?
If word gets out in the future, she could call herself the master's first disciple, right?
And look, his status has improved! Before, he could only be the big boss's underling, but now he's the big boss's apprentice!
The saying goes, "A teacher for a day is a father for life!"
By all accounts, the big boss is practically her father!
Xu Ningyan excitedly replied, "Please rest assured, sir! I will definitely study hard and improve every day, and I will never let you down!"
In Gu Zhiyuan's eyes, it was as if the little girl was eagerly and urgently expressing her determination and affection for him.
His heart was pounding with joy, a smile curved his lips, and his eyes, as he looked at Xu Ningyan, were filled with a indulgence and excitement he himself was unaware of: "Study hard! As long as you do well on the monthly quizzes, Brother Gu will reward you every time, okay?"
The little girl is good in every other way, except that she is too self-reliant and independent.
She carried out the agreement without any compromise.
If I want to give her something, I have to come up with a good excuse and reason, otherwise even if she accepts it, she will find a way to give me the same thing back, and she won't take any advantage of me.
Before he fell in love, Gu Zhiyuan was naturally pleased that Xu Ningyan was so clear-headed, keeping everything in check and without any ambiguity.
But after falling in love, I regretted it countless times, wondering why I had made such a promise in the first place.
It not only bound the little girl's heart, but also bound itself!
Now that he finally had an excuse to give Xu Ningyan something more, Gu Zhiyuan was a little nervous, afraid that Xu Ningyan would refuse.
He looked at Xu Ningyan nervously.
Xu Ningyan thought that Gu Zhiyuan was afraid that she wouldn't study hard enough, so he used rewards to motivate her.
A big shot like Gu Zhiyuan would definitely offer something good as a reward.
She could keep them as collectibles; once the big shot achieves success, these rewards will likely appreciate in value.
Thinking further ahead, even if the big boss passes away, she can still live out her old age in peace with all these things!
This gave Xu Ningyan a new idea: she should carefully collect any rewards or unwanted personal items that the big boss gave her in the future.
Who knows, we might need it someday!
While thinking about it, he was also talking non-stop.
"Deal!" Fearing that Gu Zhiyuan might change his mind, Xu Ningyan raised her hand to give Gu Zhiyuan a high five as proof.
Gu Zhiyuan's eyes were full of smiles. He patted Xu Ningyan's head and gave her a light high five.
Now that he knew Xu Ningyan was studying, Gu Zhiyuan simply brought his own reference books over as well. The two of them sat around the heated table, each occupying a corner and burying themselves in their studies.
Occasionally, Xu Ningyan would ask him a couple of questions, and he would answer them briefly. Once Xu Ningyan understood, he would bury himself in his book again.
The only sounds in the room were the soft crackling of firewood burning in the stove, the turning of pages, and the scratching of pens on paper.
The exceptional tranquility allowed me to completely relax.
For Gu Zhiyuan, it had been many years since he had been able to sit quietly and comfortably by the fire during the Chinese New Year, reading his favorite books.
Thinking back to a few years ago in Beijing, when the house was always noisy at this time of year, I couldn't help but frown.
With his biggest thorn in his side gone from the capital, his mother and younger brother were no longer such a threat to them. And whether it was for the sake of face or because he truly cared for his mother, that man probably wouldn't let his mother and younger brother suffer a great loss.
According to the news I received from the capital, my mother and younger brother are doing well, except for missing me.
I wonder if Sun Zhou will see them this time he returns to the capital...
Although Gu Zhiyuan was holding a book, his thoughts gradually drifted away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
