"Music teacher?" Xing Yuan frowned, seemingly displeased.
Such a title was hardly enough to ensure her a stable life in these chaotic times.
Meeting Xing Yuan's questioning gaze, Zhang Can's expression stiffened, and he hastily explained.
"Teacher, this is merely a temporary arrangement. This person is a university student who later studied abroad. We only ask that you stay at the student's home for a while, and afterward, we will arrange another identity for you."
Zhang Can naturally had his own selfish motives. The teacher had so many disciples, and all of them regarded her as the most important person. Having this rare opportunity to spend more time with her, how could he refuse?
Xing Yuan glanced at Zhang Can, guessing his thoughts from his nervous demeanor. After a pause, she nodded in agreement.
Although Zhang Can's arrangement might bring her some trouble, she could forgo a disciple's admiration, but there was no need to harm them.
Zhang Can's face immediately broke into a smile, and he vowed, "Teacher, rest assured, you will not have made this trip in vain."
He and several others had worked hard to prepare this special surprise for their teacher, and she would surely love it.
Zhang Can and several other children raised by Xing Yuan had been personally sent abroad by her to study. Most of them had returned.
However, having been away for too long, even though they still regarded their teacher as the most important person in their lives, they had also found other important people in their lives, and even had some personal ambitions.
It was during that time that Zhang Can met his current wife, Eleanor.
Later, they had a child, and through his father-in-law's introduction, he began working for the Japanese. Domestically, however, he was branded a traitor.
But between the warmth of his wife and the opinions of strangers, he undoubtedly chose his wife.
Everyone had their selfish desires, and besides, he had never been taught to prioritize the greater good.
Xing Yuan looked at the little girl, who was about seven or eight years old, with some surprise. "She's this old already?"
"Yes," Zhang Can nodded gently. "When I sent the letter to you before, due to the distance and the fact that you had changed your residence, it was delayed."
Xing Yuan nodded in understanding, no longer dwelling on the issue.
Living for a long time, one learned many things even without deliberate effort. Moreover, to live well, she had always kept up with new knowledge.
"Her name is Zhang Qingyi, right?" Xing Yuan recalled the girl's name.
She crouched down, extended her hand to the little girl, and said gently, "Qingyi, would you like to learn the piano with me?"
The little girl nodded shyly and placed her hand in Xing Yuan's, allowing herself to be led away.
"Teacher, there's no need to rush. Let's have something to eat first!" Zhang Can called out.
"No need!" Xing Yuan's expression was exceptionally cold. "I know what you want her to learn. I will do my best to teach her, but I will give her a maximum of one month. How much she learns will depend on her own fortune."
Perhaps Xing Yuan's accommodating demeanor made Zhang Can forget what she was truly like.
Zhang Can nervously pursed his lips and apologized in a low voice, "Teacher, it is my fault."
Xing Yuan paid him no mind, simply leading the little girl aside and teaching her survival skills and some obscure knowledge, drawing upon the techniques that had allowed her to live peacefully for so many years.
Zhang Qingyi looked at the bag in her hands, confused. "Teacher, why aren't we learning the piano!"
Xing Yuan stroked her head and said calmly, "Because your father wants you to learn these. Only these can allow you to survive well in this world. As for the piano, another teacher will teach you."
"Oh," Zhang Qingyi nodded, half-understanding.
Eleanor, equally perplexed, frowned and said somewhat angrily, "Is it appropriate for you to have such a young girl teach Xiao Yi?"
"Or, are you… interested in her?"
Zhang Can gave a wry smile. "Don't you know me? Besides you, I wouldn't do anything to betray you. Trust me, she is more reliable than anyone you could find."
With her unconditional trust in her husband, Eleanor said no more, though doubts lingered in her heart.
Xing Yuan came for lessons during the day and returned at night.
Sometimes she would take the child to experience the real world. After a month, although Zhang Qingyi remained somewhat naive, she was no longer as innocent as before.
Xing Yuan taught her only life-saving skills, such as how to escape in case of danger. After teaching these, she calmly sat on the sofa, looking at the identity that Zhang Can had truly prepared for her.
"Still a teacher?" Xing Yuan raised an eyebrow after reading the documents.
"Yes," Zhang Can nodded. "But it's different from before. This one reflects your actual experiences. I contacted almost all the children you raised, and those who now work for the Japanese have jointly requested a suitable identity for you."
"As you requested, I've also looked into it. It's a leisurely position, guarding documents."
Xing Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, her fingers tapping the table unconsciously. After a long moment, she said in a low voice, "This identity is a bit too high-profile."
Ordinary people cannot protect themselves, but such a high-profile identity could attract attacks from some individuals, making it unsafe.
Zhang Can appeared confident. "Teacher, rest assured, they are unaware of your true identity. They only know that you have some spare money and have come to visit.
Besides, I am also in that institution, and I am a minister. I will protect you. And with me here, no one will dare to gossip."
Xing Yuan was silent for a moment. It wasn't ideal, but in these chaotic times, where could one find a truly safe identity? This identity, at least for now, would command respect from many.
At worst, she could change it later; it would only take some effort.
Xing Yuan nodded, and from then on, her leisurely life began.
With a minister as her disciple, and given that she wasn't the only one in this position, she wasn't indispensable. She would visit at most one or two days a month.
The rest of the time, she stayed in her newly purchased courtyard, drinking tea and admiring flowers, living a very comfortable life.
Fangcheng, true to its name, was very quiet and harmonious.
With her life so comfortable, Xing Yuan even lacked the enthusiasm to search for a wife.
After all, her disposition had become indifferent through countless deaths. The once sunny Xing Yuan could not save herself from her lack of passion.
Until, one night, Meng Fanyue voluntarily appeared, collapsing in her courtyard, covered in wounds.
Xing Yuan: ԅ(✧_✧ԅ)
Question: What should one do upon waking up to find their wife delivered to their doorstep? Should they sign for it, or should they sign for it?