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Zhang Lingmei looked back at Chu Qingzhi, who was heading toward the charitable hall, and said, “Grandpa, we understand. We will always remember the kindness sister has shown us.”

Nodding in agreement, Elder Zhang urged, “Go on and eat now. Make sure to call the lady over as well.”

“I’ve already invited them, but sister said they’ve eaten already and insisted that we should eat first,” Zhang Lingmei informed him.

“Then you should eat quickly and help out afterward,” Elder Zhang suggested.

“Understood,” Zhang Lingmei replied.

At the charitable hall, Chu Qingzhi, alongside the construction team, surveyed the site, aiming to start work as swiftly as possible to provide the children with a secure place to live.

During the inspection, Chu Qingzhi discovered that not only was the charitable hall old and dilapidated, but it also emitted a foul odor, making it an unfit place for human habitation.

However, there was a silver lining; despite the building’s poor condition, its foundation was robust, enabling direct reconstruction on it, which would save a significant amount of time.

Nie Huiyang, who was in charge of the construction team, suggested, “We can start by demolishing the existing structure while preparing the materials. Once demolition is complete, we can immediately begin construction.”

“Let’s proceed with your plan. Begin the work,” Chu Qingzhi agreed.

The construction team consisted of fifteen strong laborers who worked efficiently. With a symphony of clanging and banging, the building was quickly dismantled.

Zhang Lingmei approached Chu Qingzhi and asked, “Sister, can we help with the work?”

Chu Qingzhi looked at her and responded, “The construction site is dangerous. It’s not suitable for you.”

Pondering for a moment, Zhang Lingmei inquired, “Then, what can we do? Please assign us tasks we can handle.”

Chu Qingzhi considered and then proposed, “Well, about twenty people are working on the construction. You can cook for them, and I will pay you a wage. How does that sound?”

“We’ll make sure to prepare good meals for the uncles,” Zhang Lingmei said with joy, “Sister, you don’t have to pay us. We’re happy to help.”

Chu Qingzhi insisted, “Take the wage. You can buy something nice for New Year with it.”

She called over He Wenyong, “From now on, they will be responsible for cooking. Assign someone to go grocery shopping with her.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Zhang Lingmei but was concerned about her being targeted by thieves, which were rampant at year’s end.

He Wenyong nodded in agreement, “Understood.”

Zhang Lingmei looked at Chu Qingzhi with admiration, “Sister, thank you.”

“Go on, or the uncles will go hungry tonight,” Chu Qingzhi said.

“Qingzhi!”

A deep, familiar voice called out. Chu Qingzhi turned around, surprised, “Jinghong.”

Tang Jinghong, with a slight smile and clad in a black cloak, looked dashing. His dark eyes filled with tenderness as he gazed at Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi quickly approached Tang Jinghong, her eyes sparkling, “You’re a day late.”

Holding Chu Qingzhi’s hand, Tang Jinghong explained, “Do you remember the prince from Chen’an? He insisted I accompany him on a hunting expedition, which delayed me by a day.”

Chu Qingzhi slightly frowned, “He hasn’t returned yet?”

With a tone of disdain, Tang Jinghong remarked, “He’s afraid of dying. I doubt he’ll return.”

“That sounds about right,” Chu Qingzhi nodded, understanding the prince’s character.

“Is everything arranged here?” Tang Jinghong asked.

“All set,” Chu Qingzhi responded, leading Tang Jinghong down the street, “Did you come straight here, or have you already been to the village?”

“I’ve been to the village. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known you were here,” Tang Jinghong’s gaze never left Chu Qingzhi.

“What’s next?” Chu Qingzhi inquired.

“I don’t have specific plans. I just want to be with you,” Tang Jinghong said, looking at Chu Qingzhi’s profile.

Chu Qingzhi, somewhat surprised by Tang Jinghong’s clinginess, changed the subject, “Oh, where are my two disciples?”

Tang Jinghong chuckled, “They both proposed marriage at the same time, causing quite a stir in the capital. The emperor thought they were too ostentatious and sent them on a secret mission.”

Chu Qingzhi was speechless.

“Let’s head back to the village,” she suggested.

On their way back, Chu Qingzhi remembered something, “The Yunfei School is holding its year-end banquet tomorrow. Did they send you an invitation?”

“Yes, they did. Let’s go together,” Tang Jinghong nodded.

Chu Qingzhi looked at him, teasing, “Didn’t you ask if they invited me?”

“There’s no need to ask. You’re a well-known figure in this region, respected and supported by the people. The school couldn’t possibly not invite you. If they didn’t invite you, I wouldn’t attend,” Tang Jinghong stated confidently.

Chu Qingzhi laughed, “So headstrong!”

As they continued their leisurely walk back to the village, Chu Qingzhi’s smile faded, and she turned to Tang Jinghong with a serious expression, “Jinghong, I’ve written a book I’d like you to read. Would you like to?”

Surprised and touched, Tang Jinghong asked, “You wrote a book specifically for me?”

“Yes, just for you,” Chu Qingzhi nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation about how Tang Jinghong would react to her story.

“I definitely want to read it. Is it finished?” Tang Jinghong inquired eagerly.

“It’s finished,” Chu Qingzhi confirmed, wondering if Tang Jinghong could accept the extraordinary tale she had penned.

“I will read it carefully, every word,” Tang Jinghong promised, moved by her gesture.

“Then I’ll bring it to you,” Chu Qingzhi said, her heart racing with uncertainty.

“Good,” Tang Jinghong looked forward to it.

Returning home, Chu Qingzhi retrieved her autobiography from her room.

She wondered if Tang Jinghong could truly accept her incredible story. Though Tang Jinghong was open-minded, the content of her book was bound to surpass his understanding.

Holding the autobiography in her hands, Chu Qingzhi took a deep breath, confronting her rare nervousness.

“Better to face it sooner than later,” she thought, making her way to Tang Jinghong’s house, “Jinghong, this is what I wrote. No matter how bizarre, please read it all and then share your thoughts with me.”

Tang Jinghong, upon seeing Chu Qingzhi’s earnest demeanor, felt his curiosity piqued even further, “Rest assured, I will read every word.”

With a nod, Chu Qingzhi quickly handed over the manuscript, “Then I’ll leave you to it.” Without waiting for a response, she hurried away.

Tang Jinghong found Chu Qingzhi’s behavior slightly unusual but guessed it had something to do with the contents of the book. Deciding not to dwell on it for the time being, he was determined to delve into the reading first.

He settled into his study, placing the manuscript before him with great anticipation and began to read attentively.

The book started with a dramatic scene: on a snowy night, a critically ill infant girl was abandoned at the doorstep of an orphanage in Jing City. Inside the baby carriage, the starving infant’s cries were heart-wrenching.

It was these cries that saved the baby girl’s life.

The orphanage director, upon hearing the cries, stepped outside. Finding no one in sight, he sighed deeply and took the baby girl inside the orphanage…

Some terms in the manuscript were unfamiliar to Tang Jinghong, requiring him to guess their meanings. However, as he continued reading, he became increasingly engrossed in the story, drawn into a narrative far beyond his usual comprehension.