Growth-type Super Rich-Chapter 479 - 2: [Yan Shen’s Story]

As Zhao Yanyan spoke, a glistening drop slipped from the corner of her mouth. Afraid that Yan Shen might see it, Zhao Yanyan quickly wiped the drool away from her mouth.

"No need, I’m spending New Year’s at school with Principal Jin. Don’t forget, your exams still need to be graded by the teachers. Yanyan, you’re the top of the class, so make sure to keep it up."

Despite her young age, Zhao Yanyan understood human sentiments better than many adults. She knew that Yan Shen likely wouldn’t spend New Year’s at her home, so she nodded heavily without pressing Yan Shen further.

"I know! Grandma also said that only by getting good grades and going to a good university later will I have the chance to repay Brother Gu Bai. I will definitely work hard!"

"Good girl."

Yan Shen looked at the determination in Zhao Yanyan’s eyes, which seemed beyond her years, and affectionately patted her little head.

As if she remembered something, Zhao Yanyan quickly ran out of the classroom and shouted from the door, "Grandma’s braised pork must be starting! I need to go back to help. I’ll have Grandma pack an extra portion for you, Teacher Yan Shen!"

With that said, she shouldered her small backpack and hurried downstairs.

"We can’t let Teacher Yan Shen eat only Zhao Yanyan’s braised pork! I’ll go home and have my dad pack some of the stewed pig’s trotters for Teacher Yan Shen. My dad has been stewing them since the morning, and they smell amazing!"

Then, the students raced each other downstairs as if they were competing, afraid of being the last one left, leaving the large classroom empty with only Yan Shen behind.

"Slow down, don’t fall!"

Yan Shen didn’t exercise her teacherly "authority" to stop the students from bringing her "braised pork" and "pig’s trotters" because she understood that these simple home-cooked dishes were rare treats for them, much like the red envelopes she gave them, full of love.

Closing the classroom door and holding her teaching materials, Yan Shen slowly followed the students downstairs.

Between the gaps in the stairs, Yan Shen saw the students bowing in front of the school’s completion monument, their young voices collectively saying, "Goodbye, Brother Gu Bai."

Greeting and bidding farewell to "Gu Bai" on the monument had become the students’ first and last act each school day.

Nobody asked them to do it, but from an unknown time, the students’ gratitude seemed to have turned into a habit.

A minute later, Yan Shen also arrived at the monument.

Holding her materials, the gentle evening breeze of the harsh winter softly moved the hair on her forehead. Looking at Gu Bai’s handsome face on the monument, Yan Shen couldn’t help but smile.

The winters in Celestial Province were too cold, as cold as when she and Gu Bai once huddled on the streets of Jinling eating oden.

"What a pity... I wonder if it’s snowing in Jinling this year."

Pulling her collar tighter, Yan Shen murmured softly.

"If you miss him, go find him. I’ve got things covered at the school. I’m an old man, but I can still help the students with extra lessons."

Jin Shulin had appeared behind Yan Shen at some unknown point.

Hearing Jin Shulin’s words, Yan Shen wasn’t surprised by his arrival. Instead, she turned her head and gently led him toward the faculty dorm, joking in a playful tone, "Principal Jin, don’t go around sneaking up on people with your bad leg. I heard your cane from a mile away." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Jin Shulin didn’t mind and simply laughed heartily.

"Yes, I’m old now, not like you young folks.

But you see, I’ve lived a very fulfilling life, with no regrets. But you’re still young; you shouldn’t have regrets, right? Listen to me and go find him."

Yan Shen supported Jin Shulin as they walked and slowly shook her head.

"Some regrets, if there are, then there are. To be honest, in the year I didn’t stay in touch with Gu Bai, I came to a realization. He was always someone at the top of the world, whereas I’m just an ordinary person.

The deity standing on the cloud might occasionally grant a blessing to an ordinary person, but it’s still just a blessing. I can’t hold onto it. Now, I just want to stay at the Heba Village Hope Primary School until there are no more disadvantaged students here, then move on to the next place. When there are no more disadvantaged students in the whole world, then I’ll be free to travel."

Even though Yan Shen’s words were carefree, how could such a tone full of regret possibly escape Jin Shulin?

Jin Shulin sighed and said, "But have you considered whether you can accept the regret? Can he?"

"The Black Swan Charity Fund has already built over 12,000 Hope Primary Schools. Beyond Hua Country, there are Black Swan Foundation schools all over the world. He’s a god being admired by everyone now; a god shouldn’t have regrets..."

Suddenly, a mysterious smile appeared on Jin Shulin’s face. He shook his head without saying more.

Although Yan Shen noticed the smile on Jin Shulin’s face, she didn’t think much of it. She continued to hold her teaching materials with one hand and support Jin Shulin with the other as they walked toward the faculty dorm.

Two minutes later, the two finally reached the area below the faculty dorm.

"Principal Jin, wait here for a moment. I’ll put my materials back in the dorm and come to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner, you..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Oh? Isn’t the ordinary person back? Stop dawdling; your deity is here preparing your New Year’s Eve dinner, and you’re still dragging your feet?"