The schoolhouse consisted of five rooms in a row, spacious and bright.
The front yard was not enclosed by a wall, but Bai Sheng had Yang Ming plant a large circle of maple trees. Once these trees grew, they would form a natural hedge. The red maple leaves would create a beautiful scene, and there would be no issue with building a wall later if needed.
Behind the schoolhouse, many plane trees were planted, which would surely provide ample shade in the future.
All the desks and chairs for the schoolhouse were made by Huang Gousheng. Huang Gousheng, in turn, found several skilled carpenters among the road construction workers. The group worked overtime for many days, finally completing the desks and chairs for one schoolhouse.
The wood used for making the furniture was "purchased" specifically by the First Madam. The wood was of excellent quality and was neatly arranged in the schoolhouse, creating a conducive learning atmosphere.
Since the students were currently only at the stage of learning to recognize characters, the teachers for the schoolhouse were temporarily Lu Hua and Qing Feng.
Tuition fees were waived entirely for the first year. For the second year, Bai Sheng planned to hire a dedicated teacher to lecture on classics. At that time, children from Hongshupo residents would pay a monthly tuition fee of only 100 wen, while students from outside Hongshupo would pay 300 wen per month. If room and board were included, the fee would be 500 wen per month.
The household children of Bai Sheng’s family could attend the schoolhouse for free.
Sun Gamei continued to follow Lu Hua in learning to recognize characters, acting as her teaching assistant. If any student misbehaved or failed to concentrate in class, she would sternly step forward and deliver a slap, though this slap never landed on the student's face.
Her father, who was incredibly proud of her, had also been slapped by her. Instead of getting angry after being slapped, he chuckled and felt even more proud.
See, after his daughter became educated, she became even more formidable, daring to even slap her own father.
Since Qing Feng also became a teacher, Sun Gamei became even more diligent.
One room in the schoolhouse was designated as a library. The books inside were purchased by Lu Ye at Bai Sheng's request. Besides books for recognizing characters, there were also texts on humanities, customs, embroidery patterns, geographical records, and the obscure Four Books and Five Classics.
Sun Gamei and Lu Hua spent their time in the library poring over books outside of teaching hours.
When they encountered something they didn’t understand, they would ask Lu Hua. If Lu Hua didn't know, she would then ask Qing Feng.
Later, Sun Gamei felt a bit troubled. She wished her good sister Huahua knew everything, yet at the same time, she hoped she would have more unanswered questions, so she could legitimately ask Teacher Qing Feng.
The more characters Sun Gamei recognized, the more she felt her name was unsophisticated and unfashionable.
"Gamer" – Qing Feng?
What was this? This was nothing!
Ever since she learned the idiom "clear wind and bright moon," she wanted to change her name to Mingyue. Sun Mingyue. How nice it sounded, and it paired well with Qing Feng.
However, her proud father refused. "Gamer" was a name he had thought of for three days and three nights, and it represented his paternal love and authority as a father. If the name were changed, it would be like wiping away the traces of him as a father with a rag.
Gamei said that he would always be her father, and she was born of him. If he could be erased, it would only happen if she, Sun Gamei, perished on the spot.
As father and daughter argued, Gamera’s mother said, "Why don't you ask the First Madam? If the First Madam says to change it, we'll change it. If she says not to change it, we won't."
So, the father and daughter went to find Bai Sheng.
Bai Sheng thought for a moment, then asked Sun Gamei what she wanted to do in the future. If she intended to be a simple farmer's wife, living ordinary days centered around the kitchen stove and children, not seeing outsiders, and having no other ambitions, then the name "Gamer" was quite down-to-earth and suitable.
However, if she wanted to accomplish something, to step out of the kitchen and backyard, to interact with people, and to see a broader world, then this name was indeed not very suitable.
Gamer’s father glanced at his daughter. What else could a girl do? Being a teaching assistant to a female teacher was already a great accomplishment.
Sun Gamei looked at her father and said, "Dad, could you please go out for a moment? I want to talk to the First Madam alone."
What couldn't her father hear? Gamer’s father wanted to get angry, but he dared not in front of the First Madam. So, he could only bow to Bai Sheng and walk out.
Sun Gamei stood before Bai Sheng, fidgeting with the corner of her clothes, and said with a blush, "First Madam, I... I like Teacher Qing Feng, and I want to marry him when I grow up. But my name... and his name, they are too mismatched."
Bai Sheng was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, "Is this why you want to change your name?"
"Yes," Sun Gamei nodded.
Bai Sheng felt a fondness for this straightforward and forthright young girl. "Gamer, how old are you this year?"
"Replying to the First Madam, I am 12 years old, turning 13." Sun Gamei's hanging heart was instantly put at ease because the First Madam did not reprimand her or call her wishful thinking. Qing Feng was, after all, the First Madam's senior disciple. If she and Qing Feng were to... wouldn't the First Madam then have to call her 'Senior Sister-in-law'?
Oh dear, Gamera dared not imagine it.
Bai Sheng nodded and looked at Gamera, saying, "Gamer, it's not wrong for you to like Qing Feng, and you are very brave. But if you only want your name to match his, I don't think changing your name will change anything. Your relationship won't advance just because your names match."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Gamera's eyes. She bit her lower lip and asked, "First Madam, then... what should I do to be with Teacher Qing Feng?"
Bai Sheng's expression became somewhat serious. "Be yourself, optimize and improve yourself."
"Be myself?" Gamera was a bit confused. How was being herself related to Teacher Qing Feng?
Bai Sheng picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Gamer, do you know what kind of person Qing Feng is? He started learning at three, could read scriptures at five, was skilled in the guqin. Later, his family suffered a change, and he traveled to several countries with Granny Wu. His perspective and knowledge are beyond many people's reach.
And you, Gamer, your circle of life is only as large as Hongliu Village and Hongshu Slope. If you were with him, what common topics would you have? Could you understand each other's thoughts and views? Could you enter each other's deepest hearts?"
"First Madam, do you mean I am not yet worthy of Teacher Qing Feng?" Gamera asked with her sincere, large eyes, her question purely genuine, without any trace of resentment.
Bai Sheng stood up and walked over to her, patting her shoulder gently. "The saying 'a suitable match' doesn't just refer to equality in wealth, power, and status. More importantly, it refers to equality in thought, values, experience, and knowledge. It's about the level of souls. Only then will you have the possibility of mutual collision and integration, and love can last.
Of course, you might not fully understand what I'm saying now, but you must remember that by simply being yourself and continuously improving and optimizing yourself, you will possess your own value and charm.
When your horizons broaden, Qing Feng might just be one of your options. Have you heard the saying, 'If you bloom, butterflies will come'? Even if you bloom and the butterflies don't come, you are still the most beautiful and unique scenery."
Listening to the First Madam's words, Sun Gamei's eyes grew brighter and brighter. At this moment, she felt as if she had scooped a handful of cool spring water from a clear spring and washed her face, feeling refreshed and clear-headed, exceptionally comfortable.
"First Madam, you mean I need to work hard to become excellent, and then I can attract Teacher Qing Feng? I, and Teacher Qing Feng, can be together?"