Chapter 658 - Chapter 658: Extra Chapter - Childhood Sweethearts (Two) (1/2)

Chapter 658: Extra Chapter – Childhood Sweethearts (Two)

“Sister Ma, you must be joking. If you’re willing to teach at the academy, I’d be delighted.” Zhuang Qingsui tugged and shook Ma Qiuling’s arm. “I am going to secure you both at the academy now, in case you have a change of heart later.”

“No need, even if you were to expel us, we would probably refuse to leave.” Liu Ruxue chuckled.

Both of them were from well-off families with progressive parents who believed in the importance of educating girls. Being highly intelligent, they were groomed dedicatedly and were privileged enough to attend a women’s academy.

The more they learned, the more they recognized the importance of education for women.

However, the entry requirements for the academy they attended were too high for ordinary families. When they heard that Zhuang Qingsui was organizing Ningde Women’s Academy, they hurried over, eager to contribute to this cause.

Upon learning the purpose of Ma Qiuling and Liu Ruxue’s visit, Zhuang Qingsui was even more delighted and quickly took them to arrange for accommodations.

Seeing this, Chu Jinzhou started to prepare writing materials and organized the furniture delivered by the carpenter.

After finding a room and allowing them to settle down, Zhuang Qingsui then led Ma Qiuling and Liu Ruxue to check if there’s anything else to prepare.

Seeing that Chu Jinzhou had everything set up, Zhuang Qingsui thanked him gratefully, “Brother Jinzhou, you’ve worked hard, take a break.”

She reached for a handkerchief to wipe off the sweat from Chu Jinzhou’s forehead.

However, she noticed that Ma Qiuling and Liu Ruxue were snickering, she hesitated, laughed awkwardly, and gave the handkerchief to Chu Jinzhou to wipe his sweat himself.

Chu Jinzhou, who was busy setting up the ink stones, didn’t notice Zhuang Qingsui’s movements. He simply accepted the handkerchief, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and continued his work.

An employee from Cheng’s herbal shop, as per Zhuang Qingning’s instructions, delivered mosquito repellent herbs. Zhuang Qingsui led Ma Qiuling and Liu Ruxue to retrieve them, intending to distribute them in the students’ dormitories.

“Qingsui, you two…” As Ma Qiuling set out the mosquito repellent herbs, she couldn’t contain her curiosity and leaned in, “What’s going on between you two now?”

Zhuang Qingsui paused briefly, and then lowered her head, hiding her expression from Ma Qiuling and Liu Ruxue. “What do you mean, Sister Ma?”

“Oh, come on, it’s just us three here, there’s no need to play dumb.” Ma Qiuling abruptly sat down with Zhuang Qingsui, “You are definitely not as clueless as you pretend.”

“Indeed.” Liu Ruxue chimed in, “Ever since you started at the academy, he has visited you, picked you up during holidays, and even when the Lord of Ninghe County was not around, Chu Jinzhou never failed to come.”

“We have noticed that Chu Jinzhou’s treatment of you is genuinely affectionate.”

“Brother Jinzhou treats me like his sister, nothing more. Please don’t misinterpret it.” Zhuang Qingsui blushed slightly as she spoke.

“Whether it is a sisterly love, anyone with discerning eyes can tell.” Ma Qiuling said, “I would like to ask if Chu Jinzhou has shown any intentions of proposing.”

At the mention of this matter, Zhuang Qingsui herself was taken aback.

To think of it, Chu Jinzhou was indeed at a marriageable age, yet there had never been rumors of his intention to marry.

“My brother-in-law also remained unmarried for a long time until he met my sister. The Chu family appears to be like this; it’s nothing unusual. As for Brother Jinzhou and I, we have been like siblings since childhood and never thought about anything else.”

Zhuang Qingsui laughed.