Chapter 481 The Girl by the Lake
Wan Qiqi found it laughable.
A teacher who was teaching her subjects told her that studying was useless!
This is absolutely the most ridiculous thing in the world.
She gave a cold laugh and said, "Tao Ran, is it true that it's useful for men to study and pass the imperial examinations, but useless for women to study? Then why did you copy those books and have them sold to women? Why didn't you just say that only men could buy them?"
Tao Ran remained silent in the face of Wan Qiqi's questioning.
Yes, he could absolutely do that.
His handwritten excerpts would be snapped up and sold for a high price in any reputable bookstore.
But he didn't choose to do that. Instead, he chose a small, remote bookstore and sold books to women who wanted to read and write at the lowest possible price.
"Professor Tao, my desire for women to receive an education is not to change anything through it, but rather I believe that women who want to learn should be given equal rights. Shouldn't women who want to learn have a greater right to enroll than men who don't want to learn?"
Wan Qiqi opened the bottle, poured herself a glass of wine, and then handed the bottle to Tao Ran.
Tao Ran reached out to take it, but his hand stopped an inch from the bottle. He said, "Qi Qi, you must know that I am a man, a teacher at the academy. If I cannot change this, how can you?"
"You've already tried it, why can't I?" Wan Qiqi put down the wine bottle, choosing not to wait for Tao Ran's decision.
She downed the wine in one gulp, choked and coughed, and soon a few glistening water droplets clung to her eyelashes.
Tao Ran then lowered his hand from mid-air and placed it on the stone table, saying, "Why do you have to make enemies of the world for these people? If you want An'an to study and learn to read, I can arrange it properly. As long as she wants to learn, she will definitely be no worse than any man."
"I want her to be like Pingping, able to sit in the classroom and learn openly and honestly, just like the boys, not in the shadows." Wan Qiqi wiped away her tears, removing the teardrops from her eyelashes.
"Why do you have to play the hero? Heroes never have a good ending." Tao Ran lowered his eyes, his emotions unreadable.
Wan Qiqi didn't continue, maintaining an awkward smile, and said in a low voice, "I understand, Brother Tao, I'll go back now!"
"Okay." Tao Ran got up and helped Wan Qiqi tidy up the snacks.
When he was about to put the wine in, Wan Qiqi stopped him.
"The wine has already been opened, and it can't be sold even if we take it back. We'll give the rest to Brother Tao." Wan Qiqi closed the food box, smiled slightly, and walked out with the food box.
She understood Tao Ran's thoughts.
As Wan Ziyan said, if even he, a mere teacher, couldn't change something, how could she, a woman, possibly change it?
But it is precisely because Wan Qiqi is a woman that she can empathize with those women and know the pain that is hidden in the darkness.
The world is so big, who wouldn't want to stand in the sunlight and appreciate the beauty of the world?
Wan Qiqi felt not only disappointed, but also helpless.
Her husband didn't approve of her decision, and even the person she thought was most likely to support her was strongly opposing it.
At this moment, Wan Qiqi wavered, doubting whether her decision was right or wrong, because she had not found someone who resonated with her.
The moment Wan Qiqi stepped out of the courtyard gate, she heard Tao Ran's voice behind her.
I will support you!
Wan Qiqi looked back.
Tao Ran stood in the courtyard, looking down at the wine bottle in his hand, as if the words of support had not come from his mouth.
Wan Qiqi didn't linger, nor did she ask Tao Ran if he had said that sentence, and walked away.
Just like that night, she felt not only burdened by a stone, but also stabbed in the heart, with blood constantly seeping out.
She reflected on the decisions she had made over the past few months.
Every time she thought she was right, reality would slap her in the face, as if warning her not to try anything funny.
Many of the things she did changed the fate of many people, but not in the way she wanted.
Her decision not only failed to improve the situation, but actually made it worse.
Will it be the same again this time?
She was scared!
I'm afraid that my choices will hurt more people.
Tao Ran only took good care of her because of Wan Ziyan.
However, they eventually became friends.
Wan Qiqi didn't want Tao Ran to be in danger because of her wrong decision.
But she didn't want to give up. She wanted An'an to go to school, just like in a modern school, where boys and girls could study together.
The setting sun casts its rays upon the lake in Hefeng Town, creating a shimmering effect.
Wan Qiqi's eyes lacked their usual brilliance, instead appearing somewhat dim, like the approaching darkness of night.
Suddenly, a girl entered her field of vision.
The girl stood on the steps leading to the lake, her head slightly lowered, as if she were saddened by something.
Wan Qiqi couldn't help but stop and pause, feeling that she had finally found someone who shared her mindset.
A moment later, the girl started walking down the stone steps, and the lake water reached her knees.
Without thinking twice, Wan Qiqi threw the food box aside and rushed over.
She pulled the girl's hand towards the shore, but the girl kept walking into the lake, saying, "Let go of me, let go of me..."
"No, you're so young, why would you want to take your own life?"
As soon as Wan Qiqi finished speaking, the girl froze and was pulled ashore.
Both of their shoes were wet.
Wan Qiqi's skirt was wet, and the girl's trouser leg was wet.
The girl sat on the shore, turned her head to look at Wan Qiqi, and giggled, "Big sister, you've got it wrong. I didn't try to kill myself. I'm still young, and I don't want to die!"
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