Chapter 140: A Star Feeding Pigs?

The days in the mountainous area passed quickly, and before they knew it, they had been there for nearly ten days.

The guests had transitioned from being out of their element to adapting well, mingling seamlessly with the children. They managed their tasks both during and after classes and even found ways to entertain themselves.

Thanks to his gaming skills, Fang Zhou had unsurprisingly become the kids’ leader, highly popular among the students and the most favored guest.

Every break, his desk would be surrounded by a group of children, chattering away.

The other guests suggested that Fang Zhou should consider becoming an elementary school teacher.

During the big break at noon, a crowd gathered around Fang Zhou again.

“Teacher, Teacher, have some of this. My grandma made rice cakes with mugwort. They’re delicious!”

“Teacher, I brought some too!”

The children were enthusiastic, but a familiar face was missing.

“Where’s A-Nian? Have you seen her?”

Since helping with the rice transplanting, A-Nian had been like his shadow, following him everywhere.

Fang Zhou responded to the children with smiles but found it odd that A-Nian wasn’t there.

“A-Nian is at home! She didn’t come to school today.”

“Her grandpa hurt his leg, so she’s taking care of him at home.”

The children explained, and Fang Zhou understood the situation.

To ensure the guests had rest time, they had arranged staggered days off.

With the regular teachers gradually returning, the guests had fewer classes to teach.

Fang Zhou had no classes today, so he wasn’t aware of the situation in the class.

“Where does she live? Probably in a nearby village?”

Fang Zhou stood up, ready to visit A-Nian’s home.

A-Nian was an orphan, picked up by her grandpa. There was no one else at home to help, so she was likely the only one taking care of the elderly man.

“She lives in the largest village at the foot of the mountain. You’ll find it if you ask around.”

Fang Zhou nodded and was about to leave the office when Qiao Sisi called out to him.

“I’ll go with you.”

Her classes were scheduled for the afternoon, so she had time.

Fang Zhou thought it over. Since Qiao Sisi co-taught the class, it made sense for her to visit the student too.

“Alright, let’s go together.”

About fifteen minutes later, Fang Zhou, Qiao Sisi, and the cameraman arrived at A-Nian’s home.

Like Fangfang’s home, A-Nian’s house was a single-story house built with poverty alleviation funds, surrounded by red brick structures. There was a faint smell of pig manure, indicating they raised pigs.

“A-Nian!”

The group called out at the door, and soon the little girl came out, surprised to see Qiao Sisi and Fang Zhou.

“Teacher! Why are you here?”

Qiao Sisi stepped forward, placing the fruit and a box of milk they had bought on the ground, smiling, “We came to see your grandpa.”

A-Nian waved her hands, trying to return the items to Fang Zhou.

“Your visit is already a great surprise. You didn’t have to bring so many things!”

Fang Zhou accepted the items but stepped into the house, placing them in the living room, and said, “Guests always bring something. Unless A-Nian doesn’t welcome us?”

A-Nian had no choice but to accept the teachers’ kindness and led them inside to sit down.

“Sorry, Teacher. I couldn’t come to school today.”

She said while pouring water into disposable cups for them.

Fang Zhou nodded in understanding.

“It’s fine. I only found out you didn’t go to school because I heard your grandpa hurt his leg.”

“How is he now?”

A-Nian led Fang Zhou and Qiao Sisi into a room where her grandpa was lying, his leg in a cast, looking quite serious.

“Teacher Fang! Why are you here!” A-Nian’s grandpa only recognized Fang Zhou but gave Qiao Sisi a warm smile.

They chatted harmoniously for a while.

Meanwhile, the live stream viewers were moved by Fang Zhou and the others’ actions, showering them with praise.

“Sisi is so caring. She walked such a long way for a home visit last time, and now she’s here to visit a student’s family.”

“Not exaggerating, Fang Zhou really cares about teaching. He truly cares for the students!”

“Am I the only one admiring the scenery? Those terraced fields are beautiful. If developed into a tourist area, they could make a lot of money!”

After about ten minutes of chatting, they left the room to let the grandpa rest.

“A-Nian, I noticed you have pigs at home?”

Fang Zhou asked curiously.

The little girl nodded shyly, “Yes, with grandpa’s leg injured, it’s now my turn to feed the pigs.”

In rural families, besides crops, their income relied on these livestock.

Sometimes they would rather go hungry themselves than starve their sources of income.

“Why don’t you go to class? I’ll feed the pigs for you.”

Since her home was close to the school, Fang Zhou could feed the pigs during his free time and return to class afterward.

This way, A-Nian wouldn’t miss her lessons. She was in fifth grade and would have to go to a farther town for sixth grade, so she couldn’t afford to fall behind.

The more Fang Zhou thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

A-Nian was stunned and quickly shook her head, wanting to refuse.

“No, no, that’s too much trouble for you, Teacher. I can do it myself! I’ll read at home and not fall behind in my studies!”

Such a handsome teacher didn’t belong in a pigsty.

Having him feed pigs felt like a waste.

Qiao Sisi chuckled, looking at Fang Zhou with a peculiar expression, “I didn’t know you could feed pigs.”

From what she knew, feeding pigs wasn’t an easy task.

Fang Zhou patted his chest confidently, “Of course! I grew up with pigs!”

Then he turned to A-Nian, “Trust me, go back to class. You can still make it for the third period.”

His tone was firm, leaving A-Nian with no room to argue.

“Sisi, take her back to school.”

Fang Zhou was a man of action. After understanding where the tools were, he started to shoo them out.

Qiao Sisi, however, looked at him with great interest, her red lips curling into a slow smile, “I’d like to try it too.”

Fang Zhou froze: “What did you say?”