Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 465: Overwhelming Pressure

"Grandpa, open the door!"

There was no sound inside, but Yi Chichi knew someone was in there because the old man and the others had nowhere else to go.

Besides, they were baking sweet potatoes, and she could smell the aroma of sweet potatoes.

The reason they pretended not to be there and didn’t open the door was to avoid trouble.

Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, the sound of footsteps could be heard.

Within a few seconds, the tightly closed door creaked open, and Ye Yuntang poked his head out to take a look outside. Seeing that there were no outsiders, he stepped aside to let the aunt and niece in, while asking, "Why are you here at this time?"

"Something came up!"

As soon as they entered the inner room, the temperature rose.

Not only was the kang warm, but the old man and the others had also dug a shallow and small pit in the ground, currently burning with red-hot charcoal.

Next to the pit were baked sweet potatoes and potatoes. Yi Chichi reached out to grab one, but Grandpa quickly stopped her.

"Don’t touch, it’s just been taken out and it’s hot."

Before he finished speaking, Grandma Song handed over a peeled sweet potato, "Eat this first."

"You eat, I’ll wait for these to cool down."

She waved her hand to refuse, but the old lady was unhappy, "Why don’t you eat a bit? We eat sweet potatoes every day and are all getting heartburn. Consider it as lightening our burden."

The words were already said to this extent.

What else could Yi Chichi say?

She could only thank her, then take a bite. The sweet potato varieties nowadays weren’t as many as those in later generations, and the texture wasn’t as good, with quite a bit of fiber.

They weren’t that sweet either, but in the cold, even a bite could warm your heart.

She ate with a sense of satisfaction.

"Xiao Jiu, show your homework and textbooks to your Grandmaster Song."

Just as they were about to ask if she came for something, everyone heard her words and looked at Qin Jiu.

After reviewing Qin Jiu’s textbooks and homework, and finding out who edited the textbooks, Mr. Song and his wife understood the purpose of her visit.

"Are you interested in Ouyang Zhiqing?"

"...I’m not interested, but I think you might be."

She said this while looking at the Song couple. After exchanging a glance, Mr. Song asked quietly, "Is he willing to acknowledge us as teachers?"

That’s a good question, "Currently, the possibility is low."

Afraid of causing trouble.

The educated youth are pure and loyal and are unwilling to mix with those in the cowsheds.

"But you can give it a try first."

This makes sense, but, "Why should they try?"

Mr. Ma was puzzled, "Even if light really comes, considering the age of Mr. Song, it would be time to retire."

"They can’t retire."

Intellectuals who endure till the light are treasures, "The education system will reform. Once college entrance exams are reopened, universities will be in urgent need of teachers. Without true skills and knowledge, it’s one thing, but considering Mr. Song’s robust health, he won’t retire."

As she spoke, she looked at the two, "Unless you two want to completely leave the fields of scientific research and education."

The two elders didn’t rush to respond but showed hesitation and struggle. Yi Chichi didn’t persuade them, letting them think and digest to decide their future path.

Her grandfather also didn’t persuade them but silently ate sweet potatoes and potatoes, while observing the couple’s expressions.

As time passed, the hesitation and struggle on their faces disappeared, replaced by unwavering determination.

"We’re reluctant!"

They spoke in unison, resolutely.

"As long as that day comes, these old bones of ours can work hard for another twenty years for the country."

"That’s good."

Yi Chichi smiled, "Then try to get in touch first, and slowly make things clear once you become familiar with each other."

What does she admire the most?

It’s that most of this generation, no matter how much suffering they endured, never let the faith in their hearts be extinguished.

A flicker of light gradually turns into a blazing fire after the dawn arrives, fueling the rest of their lives.

"Will you take a final disciple?"

The couple shook their heads, "No, if he is willing, a normal teacher-student relationship is fine, but a final disciple is not."

They had been deeply hurt by their disciples.

Indeed, compared to most of their old friends, they were lucky enough.

But it couldn’t erase the fact that they ended up like this because of betrayal by their disciples.

Students they taught with all their heart turned traitorous and became conscienceless one after another.

"Accepting a final disciple requires a close examination of one’s character."

However, this is a long-term matter.

It’s like a married couple living together, appearing different before and after marriage.

Until the right time, nobody knows how many faces someone has, whether they’re a person or a ghost.

"Moreover, he might not even want to be the student of us two old geezers."

Mr. Song joked self-deprecatingly.

Qin Jiu softly chimed in, "Actually, Mr. Ouyang really admires Grandmaster Song."

Everyone’s gaze immediately fell on his face.

Ye Yuntang asked puzzledly, "How do you know?"

"I overheard Mr. Ouyang muttering, saying the teacher he admires the most had been assigned to shovel manure and clean pigsties."

The teacher’s reference was obvious. Among this group, only the Song couple were involved in scientific research and education circles.

Grandpa then said, "If this child has good character, trying to cultivate him might be a good idea."

Mr. Song wasn’t in a hurry and calmly said, "Let’s get to know him first."

That could work.

Following this, Qin Jiu’s class time was increased daily.

Physics and chemistry together.

Taught by the Song couple, then during the day, he would take his homework to find Ouyang, to gauge his reaction.

If he showed a strong desire to engage, Qin Jiu would bring him to the Wen Family.

Qin Jiu, "I, I will definitely work hard."

His excited little face turned red.

His small frame was straight as if he were a little white poplar, making the adults smile silently.

"You also have to study hard and not slack off."

Grandpa strictly instructed, and he nodded repeatedly, "I won’t slack off, Aunt will scold me."

Yi Chichi nodded in agreement, "If you don’t correct a crooked tree, it won’t grow straight. It’s the same with a child’s education. Without talent, it’s one thing, but with talent, you must study hard."

Not everyone has learning talent. People’s intelligence varies. Ordinary people with insufficient intelligence can only reach a certain limit no matter how hard they try.

But talented individuals are different. With some effort, they might soar to great heights.

Coincidentally, Qin Jiu was highly talented.

Yi Chichi never let his homework off easily.

"Let go and educate him. If I can’t manage him, it will depend on you."

Grandpa completely let go, turning his head to remind Qin Jiu once again, "Listen to your aunt. Grow up to be successful, or else when your aunt grows old, you won’t be able to support her."

Qin Jiu immediately felt a huge pressure.

He hastily assured them that he would work hard to support aunt and dad when he grows up.

The result was that he ended up talking about it in his sleep.

At that time, Wen’s mother and Yi Chichi were still awake, one knitting a sweater and the other winding yarn.

Upon hearing his sleep talking, Wen’s mother looked up, "Why is this kid under such sudden pressure?"

Yi Chichi couldn’t help but smile, "Thinking of being successful to take care of me in old age."

Wen’s mother paused, then her eyebrows curved into a smile.

"This kid is sincere too."