Yunzhou reacted incredibly fast, shoving the plaque into Zhu Qing's arms, turning, and running. "Why are you just standing there dumbfounded? Waiting to get scolded and pay money? Run!"
As he ran, he secretly congratulated himself: Good thing I ran fast! Pay money? That's impossible! It's impossible to pay money in this life!
Zhu Qing held the heavy wooden plaque, looking at her teacher's back, which was running faster than a rabbit, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She realized that her teacher seemed really unreliable, and even a little mischievous!
If it were her, she wouldn't be able to do something like this.
The two sprinted all the way, raising clouds of dust, and unknowingly rushed into the dilapidated small village where Shrek Academy was located.
From afar, a long queue could already be seen at the village entrance.
"Little Zhu Qing..."
Yunzhou stopped, instructing, "I think you're right, preparation is very important! Now, as your teacher, I'm giving you a glorious task: go inquire if the small courtyard opposite Shrek Academy is for rent!"
Zhu Qing, holding the wooden plaque, was a bit confused: "Huh? Rent a house? Teacher, isn't this a bit hasty?"
She had already guessed what Yunzhou intended to do.
Getting a plaque and renting a small courtyard, would that really count as establishing an academy?
"Hmm?"
Yunzhou raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile, "It's only your first day as my disciple, and you already dare to question your teacher's decision?"
Zhu Qing didn't want to be labeled like that, so she lowered her head and replied, "Okay, okay, I, I'll go ask right now!"
She handed the plaque to Yunzhou and turned to leave.
As she walked, she was frantically complaining in her mind: Isn't being this hasty worth questioning?
She had only taken two steps when Yunzhou's earnest instructions came from behind her, his voice drifting on the wind:
"Remember to bargain! Bargain to the death!"
Zhu Qing stumbled!
She steadied herself, took a deep breath, and with a look of frustration, walked towards the dilapidated small courtyard.
Yunzhou slowly approached, his gaze falling on the winding queue in front of Shrek Academy.
He couldn't understand why so many people would come to register in such a remote village.
It was truly baffling.
He carried the plaque and slowly walked around the crowd a few times, but didn't find the person he wanted to see on this trip.
Thinking that the two of them probably hadn't arrived yet, he had just turned around when he saw Zhu Qing waving at him from across the way.
He walked straight over and asked, "How is it? Did you get it done?"
Zhu Qing gave him a slight glare: "Ten gold coins a year, the courtyard is quite spacious. What do you think of the price, Teacher? Should we rent it?"
Yunzhou silently calculated in his mind, and finally gritted his teeth: "Alright, let's rent it for now."
After speaking, he somewhat reluctantly pulled out ten gold coins and handed them to Zhu Qing.
Seeing his expression, Zhu Qing's hand remained unextended.
Now she no longer needed to save registration fees; the gold coins she had saved could be used to rent this courtyard.
Consider it tuition fees.
After all, the things Yunzhou had given her couldn't be measured by money.
Paying this small amount herself was well worth it, and it would also make her teacher happy.
"Teacher, you keep the money. I'll pay the rent," she said, then quickly turned and walked towards the homeowner to discuss the details further.
Seeing this, Yunzhou put the gold coins back into his pocket, not caring who paid the money.
Saving a little was a little; for him, it was something to be happy about.
He walked to the courtyard gate, gestured with his hand, and then hung the plaque on the doorframe.
Just as he finished hanging the plaque, he saw the original owners, a family with large and small bags, walk out. They exchanged glances with him and left without any hesitation.
Yunzhou couldn't help but mutter to himself: Did I give too much gold? Would he get beaten if he tried to haggle now?
He decided against it; it wasn't his money anyway.
After everyone had left, he stepped into the courtyard and took a look around.
Except for some valuable items that were taken, most other things were left behind.
He had to admit, this small courtyard was indeed good, and there were many rooms, as a large family had lived there before.
The kitchen and dining room were all complete; as a temporary lodging, it was quite good, since they wouldn't be staying long anyway.
"Teacher, we still need to clean up. Why don't you wait outside for a bit? I'll handle this."
Yunzhou waved his hand and directly assigned her a new task: "Cleaning can wait. You go outside and keep an eye out. Look for a brown-haired girl wearing a light green lace-trimmed short skirt, named Ning Rongrong. Also, that girl from yesterday with the braided pigtail and pink skirt, her name is Xiao Wu. You've met her too. Try to persuade them and invite them to our academy."
Zhu Qing immediately stammered, the words on the tip of her tongue swallowed back.
Why did this kind of task fall to her?
Would she really not get beaten for poaching in front of someone else's academy?
"Teacher, are you serious?"
"Of course, otherwise, what did we come here for?" Yunzhou replied with a raised eyebrow.
Zhu Qing looked reluctant but still obediently went out.
A teacher's command was hard to disobey, so she could only stand outside the courtyard, looking around for her targets.
It wasn't long before she caught sight of the man and woman she had seen at the hotel yesterday, and among them was the one Yunzhou mentioned, named Xiao Wu.
She felt once again that Yunzhou seemed to have foresight, even predicting that they would appear in Dali.
This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened. She had tried to ask him about it, but her teacher never explained.
Watching as Tang San and Xiao Wu walked closer and closer, finally stopping in front of Shrek Academy and consciously joining the queue.
"Xiao Wu, we're here. This is it."
Xiao Wu looked around and couldn't help but grumble, "Third Brother, this place is too dilapidated, isn't it? Why do we have to choose here to enroll?"
Tang San remained calm: "You're the one who insisted on coming with me."
Xiao Wu pouted. Although displeased, she said nothing more.
Zhu Qing didn't hear the content of their conversation; she only knew it was time for her to get to work.
As soon as the two stood still, she quietly approached and gently tugged on Xiao Wu's sleeve.
Xiao Wu alertly turned her head to look at Zhu Qing: "Who are you? What do you want? I won't give up this spot."
Zhu Qing felt a bit awkward at being mistaken for trying to cut in line.
She leaned closer to Xiao Wu and whispered, "Can you come with me for a moment? I have something I want to tell you."
Xiao Wu looked confused, sizing up Zhu Qing. She was very sure she didn't know this person!
Tang San stood nearby and naturally heard their conversation.
Seeing that the other person was also a girl, he didn't stop them, but a hint of curiosity arose in his heart: What exactly did this person want?
Xiao Wu looked at Tang San, seeking his opinion with her eyes.
Since it was just a few words, Tang San didn't pay much attention and nodded, saying, "Go ahead, but come back quickly; it'll be our turn to register soon."
So, Zhu Qing led Xiao Wu to the entrance of Supreme Academy opposite, and finally spoke:
"Your name is Xiao Wu, isn't it?"
Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned. In this remote village, someone actually knew her name?
Had her reputation as 'Big Sister' already spread here?