Fang Shi, upon hearing Zhang Shi’s words, was so enraged she nearly exploded in a tirade, yet the faint remnants of reason reminded her that securing a good match for her daughter meant holding her tongue for the moment.

Wang Youfu pressed his advantage like a snake striking the stick, quickly chiming in, “Exactly, Sister-in-law, we can’t ruin Er Ya’s future prospects; otherwise, won't the child resent us elders later on?”

Fang Shi forced a smile, “Husband-to-be, matters of marriage have always followed the parents’ decree and the matchmaker’s word. How could Er Ya resent us?”

“Absolutely not, if the child doesn't resent us, it’s because she is dutiful. If we elders fail to consider the child’s welfare, then we are in the wrong, wouldn't you agree, Sister-in-law?” Wang Youfu insisted.

Fang Shi was rendered speechless by the retort. Yang Feng, standing nearby, stammered, “Brother-in-law, if our Er Ya marries into your family, her mother and I can rest easy. But if…”

Wang Youfu cut him off, “Big Brother, this isn't about being at ease or not. You might be at ease, but you must consider Er Ya’s own feelings. You turned down excellent prospects in town to arrange a match with our family—but how can our family compare to those good families in town? Won’t Er Ya hold a grudge in her heart later on!”

“That’s right, Uncle,” Zhang Shi chimed in, her tone dripping with ‘sincerity,’ “Truthfully, as an outsider, I shouldn't meddle, but today I must speak plainly. Your Er Ya is sought after by many fine families in town; that’s her good fortune! But you, as her parents, turned them away. Think how heartbroken the girl must be!”

Fang Shi inwardly regretted boasting about the suitors in town just to gain the upper hand over Wang Youfu’s family. Now she was trapped between a rock and a hard place. However, she blamed Zhang Shi entirely. Things were almost settled, but Zhang Shi’s interference ruined everything. Thinking this, Fang Shi shot Zhang Shi a venomous glare.

Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, Yang Feng knew there was nothing more to say. Noticing Fang Shi preparing to argue again, he quickly offered courtesies to Wang Youfu, Yang Shi, and Zhang Shi before forcefully dragging the reluctant Fang Shi back home.

Only after Yang Feng and Fang Shi were well out of earshot did Wang Youfu and Yang Shi finally breathe a sigh of relief. The couple offered profuse thanks to Zhang Shi; they truly owed her, as there were things they were uncomfortable saying themselves, but an outsider speaking was perfectly acceptable.

Zhang Shi was unconcerned, merely remarking that if Er Ya turned out to be a good match later on, she shouldn't be blamed. But remembering the real reason for her visit, she inquired about Wang Qingchen attending the academy.

There was nothing to hide about that. Wang Youfu recounted the entire sequence of events regarding sending Wang Qingchen to school. After listening carefully and understanding everything, Zhang Shi finally took her leave.

Given today’s events, Wang Youfu and Yang Shi decided they must find a matchmaker that very afternoon to quickly settle the marriage arrangements for their eldest son. They truly couldn't handle another ordeal like this.

Thus, when Wang Qingchen returned from the academy that day, he found Yang Shi murmuring secrets with an old woman. He asked Wang Qinghua nearby and learned, through Wang Qinghua’s blushing mumbles, that it was a matchmaker. Wang Qingchen had intended to tease him a little, but the boy's face turned red before he could even speak, which was rather anticlimactic.

However, a second thought struck Wang Qingchen, bringing a wrinkle to his brow: Yang Shi was still recovering from her recent confinement (early confinement/postpartum rest); why the rush to call a matchmaker? He asked Caiyun and discovered that his maternal uncle and aunt had visited that morning, after which Yang Shi immediately called the matchmaker. Could it be a betrothal arrangement with his uncle’s family? Yet, it didn't quite look like it.

After the matchmaker left, Wang Qingchen quietly questioned Yang Shi. She initially demurred, as in her eyes, Wang Qingchen was still a child. But unable to resist his pleading, she finally recounted the morning’s events. Wang Qingchen’s sole reaction was: Third Aunt is formidable!

Since the matter was settled, Wang Qingchen didn't dwell on it. He called Wang Qinghua and Caiyun over and began teaching them their lessons.

He hadn't been teaching long when an unexpected visitor arrived: the youngest son of his third uncle, Wang Qingyi. Little Qingyi, only six years old, approached with great solemnity and asked Wang Qingchen if school was fun.

Wang Qingchen paused, then burst into a chuckle. The little boy trying to act like an adult was too endearing; it reminded him of a word from his previous life: "moe" (cute/adorable). While Wang Qingchen laughed heartily, the little one grew quite displeased with his reaction, feeling he wasn't being taken seriously. He stared wide-eyed at Wang Qingchen, his lower lip puffed out in a pout, which only made Wang Qingchen laugh harder.

Seeing that Wang Qingyi was on the verge of tears, Wang Qingchen realized he wasn't much help. Wang Qinghua stepped in to coax the boy. Caiyun even offered him a hidden piece of candy, which finally helped Wang Qingyi suppress his tears.

Once Wang Qingchen had laughed his fill, he remembered he hadn't answered the question. He soothed the child, “Of course, school is fun. There are lots of children there about your age.”

“I’m not little! Mother said I’m old enough for school now; I’m a big kid,” Wang Qingyi protested.

Wang Qingchen suppressed another wave of laughter, deciding not to upset the child further. “Yes, yes, Qingyi is a big kid now. Big brother was mistaken.”

Wang Qingyi wrinkled his nose, clearly dissatisfied with Wang Qingchen’s perfunctory tone, but he said no more.

After Wang Qingyi went home, Wang Qingchen continued chuckling to himself for quite a while. He couldn't help it; the child was too amusing. Wang Qinghua and Caiyun nearby were quite speechless at Wang Qingchen’s mischievous streak. Still, the fact that his Third Aunt was making arrangements for her own child to attend school showed considerable foresight for a farming family.

The next day, the third uncle and aunt brought Wang Qingyi to the academy. Wang Qingchen wasn't privy to the specifics until he saw them at the classroom door. The third uncle and aunt were instructing Wang Qingyi to obey the tutor, not be naughty, and listen to Qingchen Ge... After finishing with Wang Qingyi, the third aunt turned to Wang Qingchen and implored him to look after the boy. Well, he had effectively become a babysitter.

At lunchtime, Wang Qingchen mentioned looking after Wang Qingyi to Li Yuntai. Li Yuntai was unconcerned; one extra person made no difference.

The two boys gave Wang Qingyi a tour of the school grounds, and the little one looked around with wide curiosity. By the afternoon, Wang Qingyi was already playing happily with several other children. Indeed, peers bonded quickly. Wang Qingchen supposed it was normal that he, being older, couldn't easily connect with the younger children. He failed to realize that it was his own subconscious belief that he couldn't get along with them, leading him to never actively seek interaction, resulting in neither side connecting.

After school concluded, Li Yuntai and Wang Qingchen escorted Wang Qingyi home together.

Upon arriving, they found Wang Youliang and Tian Shi there, along with Wang Qingtong. Wang Qingchen felt a flicker of confusion about their visit at this hour.

Wang Qingtong spotted Wang Qingchen returning and ran over, “Qingchen, you’re back! Was school hard?”

What was the meaning of this? Was Wang Qingtong also going to study?

Before Wang Qingchen could reply, Tian Shi snapped, “You child, you haven't even started school yet and you’re asking if it’s hard? Your Third Aunt’s Qingyi is only six, and he’s going. If he isn’t complaining about hardship, what makes you think you, being so much older, are afraid of a little effort?”

“Xueming and the others aren't going to school, so why do you insist I go?” Wang Qingtong grumbled, referring to Zhang Xueming, a frequent playmate.

“How can he compare to you? If you go to school, you’ll be a person of learning and status. He’ll be digging dirt his whole life,” Tian Shi retorted.

“I just don’t want to go to school…” Wang Qingtong’s refusal was firm.

“Say that one more time and see what happens, I’ll beat you! How is studying a bad thing? Some families wish they could afford schooling, but they can't! You don’t appreciate the blessings you have!” Wang Youliang scolded. Truthfully, the couple hadn't planned on paying for schooling; it cost too much! However, yesterday, he and his wife had inquired at the general store in town and learned that the second branch's shop lease was only for one year. Knowing the shop would be theirs after that year filled them with unexpected elation. Since the second and third branches were sending their children to school these past two days, Wang Youliang and his wife decided, in a rare moment of generosity, to send their child as well.

Although unwilling, Wang Qingtong dared not speak against it further.

Tian Shi looked on with satisfaction, then turned to Wang Youfu and Yang Shi. “Sending your children to study is such a major event, and you didn't even mention it to us in the main branch! If we hadn't heard from the villagers yesterday, we wouldn't have known! Alas, now that your two branches are well-matched, you’ve grown distant from our main branch.”

Yang Shi looked awkward. “Sister-in-law, the children wanted to study themselves. My husband and I are just dirt-diggers; how would we think of such things?”

“Oh? So it was Qingchen’s own idea to study? He’s quite calculating,” Tian Shi remarked, then turned to Wang Qingtong. “Qingtong, look at yourself. You’re a year older than Qingchen, yet all you know is how to play. Qingchen already knows he needs to earn money and study, but you only know how to catch fish and shrimp. When you attend school together, you must learn from Qingchen, understand?”

Wang Qingtong, upon hearing that the idea of studying came from Wang Qingchen, immediately glared at him, thinking, I knew he’d cause trouble.

Wang Qingchen saw Wang Qingtong glaring and rubbed his nose helplessly. I’m getting shot even while lying down here.

But surely his uncle and aunt hadn't come over just to discuss Wang Qingtong’s schooling? Just as he thought this, he heard Big Uncle Wang Youliang say, “Second Brother, it’s a good thing the child is studying; perhaps he can bring honor to the ancestors! It’s a pity Big Brother is currently short on funds. Could you perhaps lend me some money for Qingtong’s schooling?”

Wang Youfu looked distressed. “Big Brother, it’s not that I won’t help, but honestly, the money I have is just enough to arrange a match for Qinghua. There is no surplus. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I send Qinghua to school too?”

“Yes, poor children, we’ve held them back,” Yang Shi added, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

Wang Qingchen quickly lowered his head to hide the smile twitching at his lips. So his mother didn't only speak falsehoods. What surprised Wang Qingchen more was the effectiveness of Yang Shi’s performance. Yang Shi was usually so inarticulate; if she tried to lie, she’d certainly expose herself. Consequently, the credibility of her words was remarkably high.

Wang Youliang and Tian Shi, after hearing Yang Shi, didn’t harbor much doubt. They reasoned that since the second branch’s funds were barely enough for Wang Qinghua’s marriage arrangements, there was no point in asking for a loan. After a brief exchange, they took Wang Qingtong and left.

Fortunately, Wang Youliang and Tian Shi departed quickly; otherwise, they might have noticed Yang Shi’s hand tightly gripping the handkerchief trembling uncontrollably. Although still nervous, this represented significant progress for Yang Shi.

Indeed, the very next day, Wang Youliang brought Wang Qingtong to the academy, placing him in the same class as Wang Qingchen. Seeing this, Wang Qingchen couldn't help but think that he had single-handedly started the trend of schooling in the Wang family.