But because they were young, they needed more time.

“Young lady, I noticed that you seemed quite interested in the Sleeping Fire Lotus just now?”

Seeing that Zhang Feixuan and Zhang Feiyi had gone inside, Mo Shanhua turned to Jian Xiu and spoke casually.

“It’s truly my fortune to see such a rare flower here!”

“Oh? Young lady, are you also knowledgeable about this flower?”

As he spoke, Mo Shanhua was already leading Jian Xiu out of the small courtyard.

It wasn’t surprising that Mo Shanhua was so interested in Jian Xiu.

Besides wanting to understand her arithmetic skills, he had been growing this Sleeping Fire Lotus here for many years.

Yet, very few people recognized it.

Most assumed it was just an ordinary flower and didn’t consider it precious.

Only Mo Shanhua knew its true value.

Now that he had finally found someone who appreciated it, he was reluctant to miss the opportunity to discuss it.

“I do know a little about it. This flower has a short blooming period and only blooms seven times a year. Each time, it fully opens only at the very last moment before wilting. Dean Mo, did I say anything incorrect?”

Jian Xiu gazed at the Sleeping Fire Lotus in front of her and spoke lightly.

“Hahaha… Young lady, you are indeed knowledgeable! To be honest, I planted this flower in the most visible part of the courtyard precisely because of its fleeting bloom.”

Hearing this, Jian Xiu nodded in understanding. “Rarity makes things valuable. That’s natural.”

Mo Shanhua was briefly stunned and murmured, “Rarity makes things valuable?”

He had to admit, her words struck a chord in his heart.

“Of course. If this flower grew everywhere, I suspect you wouldn’t treasure it so much, Dean Mo.”

Jian Xiu only dared to say this after gaining some understanding of Mo Shanhua’s personality.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have spoken so bluntly.

“Young lady, do you also know how difficult this flower is to cultivate?”

“I’ve only heard a little about it,” Jian Xiu replied modestly.

“From the way you speak, it seems like you know more than just a little.”

“Dean Mo, you flatter me.” Jian Xiu replied calmly.

She had to admit, talking to Mo Shanhua was effortless.

He was completely different from the other scholars she had encountered, who only spoke in rigid, scholarly tones.

She hadn’t expected him to be so passionate about growing flowers.

But Jian Xiu herself loved flowers as well.

Back in her post-apocalyptic villa, her garden was filled with rare and precious plants.

She even had a Sleeping Fire Lotus.

However, she was often too busy with missions to tend to them.

Over time, the flowers in her courtyard withered and died.

Now, seeing a similar courtyard carefully maintained, she felt a sense of appreciation.

“Just now, I noticed you were staring at the landscape painting in my hall. Were you perhaps thinking of composing a poem?” Mo Shanhua suddenly asked.

Jian Xiu: “…”

This old man was being a little too obvious with his intentions, wasn’t he?

Yet, the more she interacted with Mo Shanhua, the more she liked his personality.

At least he wasn’t like other scholars, who only spoke in stuffy, traditional prose.

Such scholars always struck Jian Xiu as rigid and inflexible.

To her, learning should be a balance of work and relaxation, even for scholars.

A teacher shouldn’t be too stiff.

Thinking this, Jian Xiu put on an amused expression and said, “Oh? A poem? Why would Dean Mo think I can compose poetry?”

Her curiosity about Mo Shanhua deepened.

The longer they interacted, the more comfortable she felt.

The initial sense of pressure she had upon entering the courtyard was completely gone.

“You are literate, aren’t you? I only asked casually. To be honest, when I saw you staring at that landscape painting, I wanted to ask you then.” Mo Shanhua spoke directly.

As he said this, he glanced at the basket Jian Xiu had placed to the side.

Jian Xiu: “…”

Could he be any more obvious?

She really hadn’t expected Mo Shanhua to have such an endearing side—he was no different from a foodie staring at a delicious meal.

Seeing that his gaze lingered on the basket, Jian Xiu directly asked, “May I ask what your relationship with Shopkeeper Wu is?”

“Him? He didn’t tell you?” Mo Shanhua asked curiously.

Jian Xiu shook her head honestly.

“Well, normally, I should call him brother-in-law. So, what do you think our relationship is?”

Hearing this, Jian Xiu was truly shocked.

Shopkeeper Wu had never mentioned this to her.

He had only said he knew the old man and was coming to greet him.

“What? Surprised?” Mo Shanhua asked again.

“Indeed. Shopkeeper Wu never told me. I didn’t expect you two to have such a connection! But why does Dean Mo think I can compose poetry?”

“You’ve already surprised me many times today. To be honest, the moment I saw you, I felt you weren’t an ordinary village woman.”

Now that the conversation was open, Mo Shanhua spoke even more directly.

Jian Xiu was momentarily startled.

But considering Mo Shanhua’s status, she quickly understood.

It made sense—how could a village woman be literate?

Seeing Mo Shanhua looking at her expectantly, Jian Xiu felt a bit helpless.

It seemed she had no choice but to compose a poem today.

She really didn’t understand—she had only glanced at the painting a few times, yet he assumed she wanted to write poetry?

It was truly baffling!

Fortunately, even if she couldn’t compose a poem, she could always recite one.

In fact, the landscape painting in the hall already had a poem inscribed on it.

Though it couldn’t compare to the great poems she had learned in her past life, it had its own unique charm.

Jian Xiu had to admit that the scholars here at least had the talent to compose poetry at any moment.

So, she turned slightly toward Mo Shanhua and said, “Then I shall humbly give it a try.”

“Please, young lady!” Mo Shanhua eagerly encouraged her.

The poem on the painting was the best one he had ever written.

He was quite proud of it. In fact, he had painted the landscape only because he was satisfied with the poem.

Most people were inspired by scenery to write poetry.

But for him, it was the opposite—his poem had inspired the painting.