"I just can't figure it out. Clearly, it's going to be tough, yet you're so happy about it." Sun Dongxiang gave Shen Yue a sidelong glance, but her eyes were filled with a look of heartache, the kind of caring compassion a mother has, and then her eyes suddenly turned red.

Shen Yue's heart also clenched a bit, and she said: "Mom, don't be like this. I'm just going to teach, and I can send you videos and chat with you every day."

Sun Dongxiang held her daughter's hand and said: "It's different, though. You've been by my side since you were little, even when you went to college, it was nearby, and I could see you every week. Now you're going so far away. How about Mom goes with you?"

Shen Yue was startled, and said: "Mom, I'm going to work, why would you come with me? Besides, if people see that I brought my mom along, won't they laugh at me?"

Sun Dongxiang, with red eyes, said: "Mom wouldn't be at ease otherwise."

Song Xiaodong was also moved by the deep mother-daughter bond, and said: "How about this, it just so happens that I have nothing to do for the next few days, I'll go with Little Yue to check things out, and help Uncle and Aunt keep an eye on things."

Shen Dongyang and Sun Dongxiang were instantly overjoyed, and Shen Yue was even more surprised and happy.

Two days later, Song Xiaodong and Shen Yue, along with a girl in her twenties, set foot on the western lands.

The girl was a Family Guard of the Su Family. In the hierarchy of Su Family's guards, she wasn't ranked highly, but she wasn't weak either, having some True Qi within her. With this level, she was quite suitable for protecting Shen Yue.

As soon as Shen Yue got off the plane, she excitedly said: "I've finally arrived, I'm just so happy."

Song Xiaodong smiled and said: "Is it worth being so excited?"

Shen Yue spun around, faced Song Xiaodong, and said: "Why wouldn't I be excited? You have no idea how hard it was to convince my parents. Fortunately, you came to help me, otherwise my teaching assignment here would've been a bust."

Song Xiaodong said: "It seems I did quite a bit."

Shen Yue said: "Absolutely, Big Brother Song, you really helped me a lot this time. I don't know how to thank you."

Song Xiaodong smilingly said: "Why so formal? It's just a small thing. Just don't forget me when you make it big in the future."

"Definitely, I won't forget you."

After leaving the airport, Song Xiaodong and the others headed to the train station, where they spent seven to eight hours on the train before reaching a small town.

This town was extremely small, even smaller than the little town where Qiao Yunxi lived, so small in fact that there wasn't even a decent hotel.

The three of them made do with staying a night here, because this wasn't the actual destination yet. The next day, they rented a broken-down Jeep and after several hours of bumping along, they finally arrived at the destination.

This was a small village at the edge of the mountains, where there was the only elementary school within dozens of miles around.

Their vehicle stopped at the village entrance, where two people were already waiting.

"Hello, hello! Are you the Teacher Shen and Teacher Wang here for teaching?" The two greeted them warmly.

Despite the bumpy journey, Shen Yue's enthusiasm did not diminish; she immediately greeted them, saying: "Hello, I am Shen Yue, and this is Wang Yan."

Wang Yan was the bodyguard Song Xiaodong arranged for Shen Yue.

"Hello, teachers. I'm Zhao Changqing, the principal of the elementary school here." The fifty-something old man with glasses greeted Shen Yue and Wang Yan warmly with handshakes.

The other person was a burly man in his thirties who grinned widely, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth, and slapped his chest, saying: "I'm the village chief here, Zhao Qiang. If you have anything you need, just come to me, I'll definitely help you out."

Shen Yue subconsciously took a step back. This Zhao Qiang didn't seem as straightforward as one would imagine people from a village to be; he looked rather fierce instead.

"Thank you." However, Shen Yue still smiled and greeted courteously. After all, she was here to teach, so it was important to get along well with the people here. It couldn't be like before, where she would ignore those she didn't like.

"And who might this be..." Principal Zhao Changqing looked over at Song Xiaodong.

Shen Yue immediately said: "This is my friend Song Xiaodong, he specially came to drop us off."

Zhao Changqing then shook hands with Song Xiaodong, saying: "You've really gone to great lengths, coming to our remote place to endure hardship. On behalf of the children here, I thank you."

Song Xiaodong smiled and said: "Principal Zhao's perseverance here is truly a model for us."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Qiang said: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about these things anymore. Come on, let's have a welcome banquet for the teachers."

Shen Yue hurriedly said: "No rush, no rush, I'd actually like to see the school first. I really want to have a look."

Zhao Qiang said: "Don't be in such a hurry. Let's have something to eat first, you're tired."

Shen Yue said: "Thank you, Village Chief Zhao, but we had some food in the car just now. I've come all this way, and I really want to see the school first."

Zhao Changqing said: "Alright, alright, then let's head to the school first."

Song Xiaodong glanced at Zhao Qiang and noticed an unusual glint in Zhao Qiang's eyes, which made Song Xiaodong sense that something wasn't quite right—Zhao Qiang seemed to be up to something sneaky.

As they walked toward the village, there was only one small path, and the car couldn't go any further, so they had to go on foot. The path was really muddy, and Shen Yue could only move forward by holding onto Song Xiaodong's hand.

After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at a cluster of single-story buildings, where Zhao Changqing paused and said: "This is our school."

Upon seeing the school, Shen Yue couldn't help but wrinkle her brow and said: "Principal Zhao, why hasn't the school been renovated?"

Zhao Changqing said, moved: "It has been renovated. We've reinforced the school buildings, added many desks and chairs, and improved the school's conditions greatly. We've even placed a small boiler—for lunch, the children can now eat warm meals, all thanks to Teacher Shen."

But Shen Yue frowned and said: "Principal Zhao, this doesn't seem right. I raised a million wanting to build a new school building. But why is there only a simple renovation?"

"A million?" Zhao Changqing hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhao Qiang.

Zhao Qiang laughed heartily and said: "Teacher Shen, you are truly a kind soul. But this money hasn't fully come to the village; it's managed by the township. And isn't it vacation time? We can't start building while students are attending, right? I think the township will soon arrange the renovation."

"Oh... that's how it is, then it can't be helped." Shen Yue nodded.

Song Xiaodong's eyes narrowed slightly, suddenly understanding the peculiar look in Zhao Qiang's eyes earlier—the trick was right there.

Zhao Qiang continued: "Alright, teachers, let's first check out your accommodations, drop off your bags. Our village specifically prepared a feast to welcome you two."

Zhao Changqing quickly added: "Yes, yes, look at me, too happy to notice you're still carrying so much luggage. Let's head to where you'll be staying first."

Shen Yue asked: "Aren't we living in the school?"

Zhao Qiang replied: "How can the school accommodate two teachers right now? You're staying at our village committee where conditions are much better. Plus, staying there allows us to look out for you."

With that, Zhao Qiang didn't give an option; he picked up a suitcase and turned to leave. Shen Yue looked over at Song Xiaodong, who gave a slight smile, held her hand, and followed, thinking that accompanying Shen Yue here might not be quiet at all.

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