You're Xiao Wu, Right?

Jiang Yunzhou reacted swiftly. He shoved the plaque into Zhu Zhuqing's arms, turned, and ran. "What are you standing around for? Waiting to get scolded and pay compensation? Run!"

As he ran, he secretly rejoiced. Good thing I ran fast! Pay compensation? Impossible! I'd never pay compensation in this lifetime!

Hugging the heavy wooden plaque, Zhu Zhuqing watched her teacher's retreating figure run faster than a rabbit and did not know whether to laugh or cry.

She realized that her teacher really did seem a little unreliable, and even somewhat mischievous!

If it were her, she could never do something like that.

The two sprinted all the way, kicking up clouds of dust as they unknowingly charged into the run-down little village where Shilaike Academy was located.

From afar, they could already see the long line stretching from the village entrance.

"Little Zhu Qing..."

Jiang Yunzhou stopped and instructed, "I think you were right. Preparation is very important! Now, I'm assigning you a glorious task. Go ask whether that little courtyard across from Shilaike Academy is available for rent!"

Holding the plaque, Zhu Zhuqing was a little dumbfounded. "What? Rent a house? Teacher, isn't this a bit hasty?"

She had already guessed what Jiang Yunzhou was planning to do.

Get a plaque and rent a small courtyard, and that was enough to start an academy?

"Hm?"

Jiang Yunzhou raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile. "It's only your first day as my disciple, and you already dare question your teacher's decision?"

Zhu Zhuqing did not want such a label pinned on her. Lowering her head, she replied, "O-Okay. I-I'll go ask right away!"

She handed the plaque to Jiang Yunzhou and turned to leave.

As she walked, she complained wildly in her heart. Isn't something this hasty worth questioning?

She had only taken two steps when Jiang Yunzhou's earnest reminder drifted over from behind her in the wind:

"Remember to haggle! Haggle them down mercilessly!"

Zhu Zhuqing nearly stumbled!

She steadied herself, took a deep breath, and headed toward the dilapidated little courtyard with a deeply aggrieved expression.

Jiang Yunzhou strolled over slowly, his gaze falling on the winding line in front of Shilaike Academy.

He could not understand it. Why were so many people coming to enroll in such a remote village?

This was ridiculous.

Carrying the plaque on his shoulder, he wandered through the crowd for several rounds but failed to find the people he had come to see.

Thinking that the two of them probably had not arrived yet, he had just turned around when he saw Zhu Zhuqing across the street waving at him.

He walked straight over and asked, "How was it? Did you get it done?"

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes lightly at him. "Ten gold coins a month. The courtyard is quite spacious. What do you think of the price, Teacher? Should we rent it?"

Jiang Yunzhou silently calculated in his heart before finally gritting his teeth. "Fine. Let's rent it for one month first."

After saying that, he reluctantly took out ten gold coins and handed them to Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing his expression, Zhu Zhuqing simply could not bring herself to reach out for them.

She no longer needed to save money for the enrollment fee, and the gold coins she had saved were just enough to rent this courtyard.

She would treat it as paying tuition.

After all, how could the things Jiang Yunzhou had given her be measured in money?

Paying this little bit herself was more than worth it, and it could even make her teacher happy.

"Teacher, keep your money. I'll pay the rent." After saying that, she turned and quickly headed toward the owner to discuss the details.

Seeing this, Jiang Yunzhou tucked the gold coins back into his pocket. He did not care who paid the money.

Saving even a little was something worth being happy about to him.

He walked to the courtyard gate, gestured with his hands, then hung the plaque above the doorframe.

Just as he finished hanging it, the former owners came out carrying large bags and small bundles. They met his gaze, then left without the slightest reluctance.

Jiang Yunzhou could not help muttering inwardly, Did we pay too much? Would I get beaten up if I tried to renegotiate now?

After thinking about it, he decided to forget it. It was not his money anyway.

Only after everyone had left did he enter the courtyard and take a look around.

Aside from the valuable items that had been taken away, almost everything else had been left behind.

It had to be said that this little courtyard was indeed quite good, with plenty of rooms. After all, a large family had lived here before.

The kitchen and dining room were both fully equipped. As a temporary place to stay, it was already quite decent, especially since they would not be staying long.

"Teacher, we still need to clean up. Why don't you wait outside first? Leave this place to me."

Jiang Yunzhou waved his hand and directly assigned her a new task. "Cleaning can wait. Go keep watch outside. If you see a girl with brown hair wearing a short blue dress with lace trim, her name is Ning Rongrong. And the girl from yesterday with braided hair and a pink dress is called Xiao Wu. You've seen her too. Try to persuade them and invite them to join our academy."

Zhu Zhuqing immediately hesitated, swallowing back the words that had reached her lips.

Why did this kind of job fall to her?

Would they really not get beaten up for poaching students right in front of someone else's academy?

"Teacher, are you serious?"

"Of course. Otherwise, what did we come here for?" Jiang Yunzhou replied with a raised brow.

Zhu Zhuqing looked unwilling, but she still obediently went outside.

A teacher's orders could not be disobeyed. She could only stand outside the courtyard and look around for her targets.

Before long, she caught sight of the young man and woman she had seen at the hotel yesterday. One of them was the Xiao Wu Jiang Yunzhou had mentioned.

Once again, she felt that Jiang Yunzhou seemed able to foresee the future. He had even known they would appear in Dali.

This was not the first time something like this had happened. She had tried asking about it, but her teacher never explained.

She watched Tang San and Xiao Wu draw closer and closer before finally stopping in front of Shilaike Academy and consciously joining the line.

"Xiao Wu, we're here. This is the place."

Xiao Wu looked around and could not help grumbling, "Third Brother, this place is way too shabby, isn't it? Why do we have to enroll here?"

Tang San remained calm. "You were the one who insisted on coming with me."

Xiao Wu pouted. Though unhappy, she did not say anything more.

Zhu Zhuqing did not hear their conversation clearly. She only knew it was time for her to get to work.

As soon as the two settled into place, she quietly approached and gently tugged on Xiao Wu's sleeve.

Xiao Wu turned around alertly and looked at Zhu Zhuqing. "Who are you? What do you want? I'm not giving up this spot to you."

Zhu Zhuqing felt a little awkward at being mistaken for someone trying to steal her place in line.

She leaned closer to Xiao Wu and lowered her voice. "Can you come over here for a moment? I have something to tell you."

Xiao Wu looked puzzled as she sized Zhu Zhuqing up from head to toe. She was certain that she did not know this person!

Tang San stood beside them and naturally heard their conversation as well.

Seeing that the other person was also a girl, he did not stop her, though some curiosity rose in his heart. What exactly does she want?

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San, seeking his opinion with her eyes.

They were only going to exchange a few words, so Tang San did not think much of it. He nodded. "Go ahead. Come back quickly. It'll be our turn to enroll soon."

Thus, Zhu Zhuqing brought Xiao Wu to the entrance of Supreme Academy across the street and finally spoke:

"You're Xiao Wu, right?"

Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned. In such a remote village, someone actually knew her name?

Could it be that her reputation as the 'big sister' had already spread this far?