Although Li Chuntao was a bit simple, she wasn’t stupid. She knew that her mistake in recognizing the wrong person would bring unnecessary trouble to Xiaoxiao, so she took the blame onto herself.

Listening to Li Chuntao, her movements and her tone were all full of honest cuteness, making it impossible for anyone to really dislike her.

The last time they met, Wang Xiangxiang had already thought that this girl was really straightforward; she stood up for a friend, yet who would’ve thought that friend would be Xiaoxiao. "It’s nothing, we didn’t take it to heart at all. You’re very candid!"

As Wang Xiangxiang spoke, she turned to look at Chu Lian. "Go help out. We’ll stay here and chat for a bit."

Chu Lian nodded. He knew that with the few of them talking, it wouldn’t be appropriate for a big man like him to be present, so he went over to help Fifth Uncle.

And with what Li Chuntao said, it jogged his memory: that chubby girl who mistook him for Yang Ming. Looking more closely now, this Li Chuntao in front of him did seem to be that chubby girl. But he had no intention of telling Xiangxiang about this mistaken-identity episode, lest she overthink things again, even though she had known before that he had once harbored feelings for Xiaoxiao.

"Sis, let’s talk inside first." Li Chuntao could tell that Wang Xiangxiang was pregnant. There were too many people outside; if she got bumped, it would be bad, so she led her into the house.

Wang Xiangxiang was the sort who easily warmed up to others. As soon as she entered the room, she started asking this and that.

"How did you and Xiaoxiao get to know each other?"

"You look quite young too. Are you engaged yet?"

"How did you think of opening a School here? I’ve never even heard of a woman setting up a School. You’re really something."

"What exactly is this School about? Tell me all about it."

"..."

"..."

And so Li Chuntao and Wang Xiangxiang started chatting like that. The two of them really hit it off. Li Chuntao felt that this was how friends should be, not like things were with Yang Xiaocui.

All in all, she was very fond of the older sister in front of her.

Off to the side, Xiaoxiao barely had a chance to get a word in; she just listened to the two of them talk. But seeing them get along so well, Xiaoxiao was very happy.

After a little while, they heard Wang Xiangxiang say, "Xiaoxiao, this School of yours is really great. Once it’s properly set up, I’ll come over and be a teacher for a bit too, just for the experience."

Wang Xiangxiang paused, thought for a moment, then spoke again. "What should I teach? Painting is fine, zither is fine, chess is fine too!"

Xiaoxiao was speechless. If things really went exactly as she imagined, she’d already guessed it: once Wang Xiangxiang heard about the School, she’d definitely be bouncing up and down wanting to come.

"Sis, you’re still carrying a big belly. Don’t toss yourself about. Let’s talk about it after you’ve given birth."

Wang Xiangxiang glanced at her own belly, feeling that this belly really held her back. She couldn’t do anything, couldn’t take part in anything. But there was no helping it. She could only hope to deliver soon. Very reluctantly, she opened her mouth. "All right then."

Wang Xiangxiang was fully in favor of cultivating talents in women’s needlework and arts; she felt that what Xiaoxiao was doing was very good, a win–win matter.

She had originally wanted to contribute something to the School—provide some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for the children to use for free—but Li Chuntao refused. She felt that it was good for the children to study under harsh conditions. If things were too easy from the start, it wouldn’t be good for their growth.

So Wang Xiangxiang could only give up, and she grew even more impressed with the girl in front of her.

The last time, she had already wondered whose young lady this was; she’d never heard of her before. Who would have thought she was from the landlord’s family in Xiaoxiao’s village. After learning that Li Chuntao was skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she couldn’t help but say, "When we have time, let’s spar a bit, play a game."

Li Chuntao readily agreed. "Sure, sure."

The three of them chatted in the room for a while before going back out. Since there were quite a few people in the courtyard, they didn’t have much time to idle around; the main thing was still dealing with the children’s registration.