After a heavy rain, the road outside was muddy and difficult to navigate, but Nan Jin Yu’s place was fine.
The village chief’s family had just built a new brick house with a grey tile roof, and the courtyard was paved with a cross-patterned bluestone path, so at least there wouldn’t be any mud splattered.
Gu Nian carried her shoes to a puddle at the gate to wash her feet, then changed into clean shoes before entering the gate.
"Brother Wuxin, I’m here to see Young Master Nan." Gu Nian showed a happy smile, with two dimples on her cheeks that were hard not to find endearing.
Wuxin smiled at Gu Nian and said, "The young master is in the study, he’s been waiting for you for quite a while."
Gu Nian’s smile gradually stiffened, her heart heavy as she headed towards the study.
"Young Master Nan, I’m here." Gu Nian stood beside Nan Jin Yu’s desk, her smile unconsciously ingratiating.
Nan Jin Yu’s face was slightly somber as he placed the book in his hand on the table, his clear and cool voice carrying a thick seriousness, "You’re late."
Taking a closer look, the air was still filled with fine rain, and the ground was pocked with muddy puddles; initially, he wasn’t that angry.
He didn’t know whether it was the way she addressed Wuxin as brother when entering the courtyard, or the clearly detached "Young Master Nan," that made Nan Jin Yu suddenly feel a bit displeased.
Gu Nian originally had an appeal to him, but being late on the first day and facing Nan Jin Yu’s cold expression made her even more uneasy, "I’m sorry, I’ll definitely be on time next time."
Even in modern times, no teacher likes students who are always late, so Gu Nian didn’t think too much about it.
"Have you ever had any experience with studying?" Perhaps realizing he had scared the young girl, Nan Jin Yu deliberately softened his expression a bit.
"No," Gu Nian shook her head, although she was thinking exactly the opposite inside.
She had studied for over ten years, yet found herself suddenly illiterate due to the time travel.
She couldn’t complain about it and had to start learning anew.
"Come sit here." Nan Jin Yu gestured for her to sit on the chair beside him.
Gu Nian didn’t hold back, directly walking over to sit down.
There was a book on the table, which Nan Jin Yu allowed her to open.
A morning passed, and it wasn’t until Nan Jin Yu said it was over that Gu Nian seemed to come back to life.
Fortunately, she had some foundation, otherwise, with Nan Jin Yu’s cramming teaching style, anyone else would have collapsed.
Gu Nian’s mind was now full of dense traditional characters, making someone accustomed to simplified characters feel quite uncomfortable.
"Did you remember everything?" Although Nan Jin Yu didn’t say it out loud, he was very satisfied in his heart.
Sure enough, she was not only the girl he thought cute at first glance, but also had a remarkable talent for learning.
Every character he taught, she was able to quickly memorize.
Under Nan Jin Yu’s scrutinizing gaze, Gu Nian nodded, "I remembered it all, I will surely study seriously and definitely not disappoint... the teacher’s expectations!"
Gu Nian’s mischievousness made Nan Jin Yu’s face darken, "I don’t have such a foolish student like you, don’t randomly call me that, you’re not allowed to call me... teacher!"
No one had ever dared to be so presumptuous before him.
This title made him feel innately repulsed.
Gu Nian stuck her tongue out and held her chin with her hand, "Oh, then what should I call you? Do I have to keep calling you Young Master Nan in the future?"
Since Young Master Nan was agreeing to teach her how to read, and they would be spending a lot of time together, it seemed too distant to keep addressing him like that.
Nan Jin Yu also felt a bit uneasy, and after a long pause, finally choked out, "You... can also call me Nan."