Without another word, Lin Heyu used taking care of Ji Huai as an excuse to “forcibly” move into the Teacher’s home.

Ji Huai turned a blind eye to it. After all, someone was eagerly volunteering to serve him like a workhorse why not let them?

In the entire class, Lin Heyu was the most difficult to discipline. Thanks to the uniquely advantageous conditions being “close to the water tower” Ji Huai decided to create a comprehensive study plan tailored specifically for the problem student Lin Heyu.

Ji Huai called it the “Action to Promote Progress, Seize Development, Improve Grades, and Teach Lin Heyu Well,” abbreviated as the “Save the Little Bird Plan.”

Lin Heyu, utterly confused by the explanation, only understood the last part. He shot to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment, and glared defiantly. “What ‘Save the Little Bird’? My name is Lin Heyu the ‘He’ as in ‘standing out among cranes,’ and the ‘Yu’ as in ‘precious jade.’ What ‘Save the Little Bird’? Teacher, don’t let that fool Li Yuanyuan lead you astray. He’s an idiot, but you’re not!”

Ji Huai, still dressed in his usual blue robe, cast him a faint glance and declared in an unwavering tone, “It’s settled. I’ve made the decision.”

Unable to fight authority, Lin Heyu choked back his words and, under Ji Huai’s stern gaze, reluctantly gave in.

Ji Huai nodded with satisfaction, sighing contentedly, “The boy is teachable.” Then, he picked up a stack of papers from the desk and, under Lin Heyu’s widening eyes, unfurled them with a swift motion. The thin roll of paper stretched out to over half a zhang in length.

Lin Heyu stared in disbelief. After a long moment, he finally snapped out of it, pointing a trembling finger at Ji Huai and stammering, “Th-this is for me?”

Ji Huai nodded with pride, swelling with the self-importance of a teacher. He cleared his throat, his tone rising with pride as he delivered the thunderous news to Lin Heyu at a measured pace.

“Given your poor academic performance, I’ve decided to create a study plan specifically for you. Let us embody the spirit of ‘tying our hair to the beam and pricking our thighs with an awl’ never admitting defeat and actively tackle the challenges of learning. Strive to catch up with the class as soon as possible and achieve good grades. As your Teacher, I will fully ignite my ‘Firefly Light’ to guide you into a new journey of learning.”

Carried away by his own passion, Ji Huai took a sip of coarse tea and continued his grand speech, completely disregarding whether Lin Heyu, as someone from ancient times, could understand any of it.

As for Lin Heyu, he was already dazed by Ji Huai’s impassioned rant. His eyes glazed over with confusion, and the exhaustion from waking up early made his sharp eyes half-closed, devoid of any youthful vigor.

“Wake up, wake up.” Displeased, Ji Huai picked up the disciplinary ruler and lightly tapped Lin Heyu’s head to rouse him. Frowning with disappointment, he chided, “You are the flowers of the motherland, the sun at eight or nine in the morning. How can you be so drowsy and listless? How will you take the first step toward diligent and hardworking study?”

At this, Lin Heyu immediately perked up. He raised his hand obediently and offered his suggestion: “How about I go for a few laps every morning to stretch my limbs before class?”

Ideally, he could run straight through class time the longer he could delay it, the better.
With the discerning eye of a gold-medal teacher, Ji Huai immediately saw through Lin Heyu’s little schemes. Shaking his head with a faint smile, he said, “No, running is too elementary for you. We won’t bother with that. We’ll follow the schedule – starting with two hours of morning reading each day.”

“What!” Lin Heyu sprang to his feet, his trembling index finger pointing at the schedule in Ji Huai’s hand. “Rising at mao hour? Two hours of morning reading?” He stared at Ji Huai in disbelief, protesting vehemently, “But our classes don’t start until chen hour!”

Ji Huai nodded. “Exactly. Chen hour is when regular classes begin for everyone else. You’re different – this is your exclusive privilege, your good fortune.”

“Would you like this ‘good fortune’ for yourself?” Lin Heyu rolled his eyes and grumbled weakly.

“Hiss, that sounds familiar.” Ji Huai stroked his chin, his mind – steeped in modern television dramas like Empresses in the Palace – instantly recalling the specific scene.

Ji Huai chuckled twice. Truth be told, Lin Heyu at this moment really resembled Consort Ye from the drama – reluctantly chosen by the emperor to enter the palace as a concubine.

This inexplicable laughter made Lin Heyu nervous. Fearful that Ji Huai might get inspired and devise new ‘tortures’ for him, he promptly agreed. “I’ll read, I’ll read! It’s just morning reading. Nothing to be afraid of.”

In his military camp days, he sometimes had to rise before mao hour. Waking early posed no challenge whatsoever. As for reading in the morning – if he happened to doze off, Ji Huai couldn’t blame him.

Ji Huai nodded approvingly. Though puzzled by Lin Heyu’s sudden compliance, he credited it all to Empresses in the Palace. Gazing at the softly glowing orange sunrise outside the window, he sighed emotionally: “Empresses in the Palace, you are my god.”

Watching Ji Huai’s solitary emotional outburst (madness), Lin Heyu wore a pained expression, feeling deep concern about his future learning path for the first time.

Unable to be bothered with his Teacher’s occasional nonsensical remarks, Lin Heyu bent down to pick up the schedule that had fallen to the floor. After examining it left and right, he ultimately chose to hang it above Ji Huai’s bed.

Ji Huai: ?

After hanging the schedule, Lin Heyu even stepped back leisurely to admire his handiwork. Admittedly, Ji Huai’s calligraphy was quite good. Turning around, he saw Ji Huai’s confused expression and explained cheerfully: “Oh, hanging it here makes it convenient for you to supervise me daily.”

Ji Huai choked up, both amused and exasperated. He took down the schedule and handed it back to Lin Heyu, saying with a smile: “I meant for you to copy it – one copy for me, one for you.”

The kindly? benevolent? stare made Lin Heyu’s hair stand on end. He restrained himself repeatedly, swallowing back the rebellious retort at the tip of his tongue.

The sweltering day finally neared its end. Dinner was again prepared by Lin Heyu – a simple meal of two vegetarian dishes with millet porridge serving as their evening meal.

The humble fare wasn’t wasted. Ji Huai, being an orphan who had drifted through life alone, ate whatever was available. Culinary desires were his lowest priority. Naturally, Lin Heyu didn’t complain either – having endured all kinds of hardships in the military camp where tree roots, bark, wild vegetables and grasses could become sustenance for soldiers on campaign.

The two sat opposite each other, finishing their dinner amidst the rising and falling chorus of cicadas in the courtyard. Afterward, Ji Huai rubbed his stomach, which lacked much grease, and lazily lay down in the rocking chair under the tree, closing his eyes to rest.

Lin Heyu, diligent and uncomplaining, began clearing the table.

The evening breeze dispelled some of the summer heat. Just as Ji Huai was lying comfortably, a faint rustling sound suddenly came from the entrance. Ji Huai opened his narrow eyes and glanced toward the gate.

At the courtyard entrance, a little girl was peeking in. Two pretty green cloth bows adorned her round head, adding a splash of refreshing color to the dull summer day.

“A Yu, A Yu,” the girl at the entrance tiptoed, thinking she was well hidden, and called Lin Heyu’s name in a hushed voice.

Lin Heyu was squatting under the tree washing dishes. Hearing this, he looked up toward the entrance. His lazy eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing the girl, then he remembered who she was and responded loudly.

“A Hua.”

Ji Huai, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, squinted and observed the pair closely. His eyes held a wary alertness toward young men and women gathering together, his sensitive radar for early romance beeping incessantly. However, he soon remembered that this was ancient times, not the modern era he came from.

The sudden thought of modern life made Ji Huai momentarily dazed. He felt as though it had been so long since he last recalled his previous life that he had almost accepted being an ancient person.

Ji Huai sighed inwardly but resigned himself to fate. Since he couldn’t return to the modern world, there was nothing he could do but adapt to circumstances. Having reasoned this through, Ji Huai smiled broadly and lay back down, this time watching the young pair with a gossipy gleam in his eyes.

A Hua was petite, holding a vegetable basket in her hand. Her eyes occasionally darted toward Ji Huai’s direction. Initially, Ji Huai had no intention of paying attention to the child, but being stared at so persistently, even someone as thick-skinned as him couldn’t stay lying down.

“Little girl, are you here to see Lin Heyu?” Ji Huai waved to the girl at the entrance, signaling her to come in, then called out clearly, “Lin Heyu, stop working for now. Someone’s here to see you.”

Lin Heyu wiped the bowl in his hands dry and replied slowly, “I saw her long ago.” He set the bowl down, stood up, and walked toward the entrance.

A Hua was still somewhat timid. Even though Ji Huai had given permission, she didn’t enter. Clutching the basket tightly, she smiled shyly and handed it to Lin Heyu over the fence, her voice clear and sweet: “A Yu, your meal.”

Lin Heyu didn’t take it, his expression indifferent as he asked calmly, “Is your grandmother feeling better?”

“Grandma has been much better these past few days. I went to your courtyard to deliver your meal today, but you weren’t there, so I came here to find you.” A Hua still held out the basket, pursed her lips, and added apologetically, “I’m sorry, A Yu, for neglecting you these past few days. Let me refund your money.”

Well-mannered, soft-spoken, neatly dressed, with sparkling eyes A Hua presented herself as clean and tidy.

Ji Huai liked clean and tidy children and immediately formed a favorable impression of A Hua.

Mainly because A Hua looked like a model student.

“Come in,” Ji Huai said with a beaming smile, waving for A Hua to enter.

A Hua smiled nervously but didn’t dare step forward; instead, she retreated a step.

? Ji Huai touched his face in confusion, then turned to look at Lin Heyu, his willow-like eyebrows furrowing together as he asked somewhat puzzledly, “Lin Xiaoniao, do I look very fierce?”

Lin Heyu’s gaze remained fixed on Ji Huai. Hearing Ji Huai’s words, Lin Heyu couldn’t be bothered to dispute the nickname “Lin Xiaoniao”. The corners of his lips curved into a slight arc as his eyes traced Ji Huai’s face, slightly glistening with sweat in the sweltering air, while an almost imperceptible smile flickered in his gaze.

“The Teacher’s beauty rivals that of celestial beings.”