Lin Fang originally had a mild heart condition, but that day she suffered a severe attack. The old monk felt he might have overlooked something and used his powers several times before realizing the truth. In her past life, after Lin Fang got married, her mother-in-law tricked her into drinking a certain medicine, claiming it could not only treat her heart disease but also help her conceive. Believing it, Lin Fang took the medicine daily, unaware it was a slow-acting poison that worsened her heart condition instead of curing it.
To the old monk’s surprise, the toxins from that medicine were so potent they had followed Lin Fang’s soul into this life, still harming her body. The monk was skilled in many things but not in poisons—he neither recognized the toxin’s composition nor could he explain it to Lin Fang. He deeply regretted erasing her memories of that time, as recalling them might have helped identify the poison.
He attempted to use his powers to investigate the toxin but failed, nearly losing control of his own energy in the process. Fortunately, Lin Zhongsi was nearby and intervened, preventing him from descending into darkness.
The next day, when classes resumed, the students were met not by the sweet-tempered, patient Miss Lin or the stern, scolding Sima, but by a thin, short, white-bearded old man with a severe expression. The students exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what was happening.
The old man stepped onto the platform, neither sitting nor allowing the students to sit. Instead, he scrutinized each of them as if reading their faces before finally taking his seat. Then, raising his hands palms down, he gestured for them to sit. The students froze in confusion—both Miss Lin and Sima would always say, “Please be seated,” before sitting themselves. What was this old man’s intention?
“What, do you usually stand during lessons?”
Before anyone could answer, muffled laughter came from outside. Xian’er pushed the door open, bowed to the old man, and addressed the students: “This is Master Shen, newly invited by Miss Lin. Due to health reasons, both Miss Lin and Sima will be absent for some time. Master Shen has different rules, so be mindful.” With that, she left.
The students were even more bewildered. They wanted to ask what these “different rules” were, but Xian’er had already shut the door, and Master Shen’s expression had darkened further, making them too afraid to speak. The classroom fell into an awkward silence.
Originally, the Tong family and Lin Zhongsi had opposed Master Shen teaching, wanting him to focus on developing an antidote for Lin Fang’s poison. But Master Shen had an eccentric habit: the more stuck he was, the more he needed distractions to relieve stress. Strangely, doing other tasks helped him think about the antidote without affecting his work. Knowing this, Tong had no choice but to agree.
Normally, a new teacher would introduce themselves or be introduced, but Master Shen insisted on doing things his way. Lin Fang, busy compiling teaching materials with Chen Dong, let him have his way.
Despite his title, this was Master Shen’s first time teaching. Though past sixty, he was playful as a child, and those who knew him never took his occasional stern act seriously—unless he was pranking them with poisons.
Now, determined to command authority, he overdid it. Faced with dozens of confused and uneasy faces, he froze. When Xian’er entered, he sighed in relief—only for her vague words to make things worse. He had no idea what Lin Fang’s usual rules were, and as someone who never followed rules himself, he had none to impose.
Hearing stifled laughter outside, he knew Tong and Lin Zhongsi were mocking him. Xian’er’s words were surely their idea, meant to tease him. Furious, his expression darkened further, terrifying the students.
Just as the tension peaked, the classroom door was knocked, followed by Li Cuimei’s voice: “Master Shen, I’m Lin Fang’s mother. May I come in?”
Her arrival was a godsend. Observing the Lin family, Master Shen knew Li Cuimei was the most composed. She must be here to rescue him from this mess. He stood abruptly, then sat back down—a teacher shouldn’t rush to open doors; it would undermine his authority. Calming himself, he said, “Enter.”
Li Cuimei had indeed come to help. After the “old children” left, she grew uneasy. Knowing Tong and Lin Zhongsi, they’d surely play tricks on Master Shen. While harmless usually, today was his first class—too much mischief could damage the school’s reputation. Lin Fang had worked hard for the academy; it couldn’t be ruined by their antics.
Familiar with every student, Li Cuimei formally introduced Master Shen, then went through the roster, ensuring he and the students connected before leaving, taking the disappointed Tong and Lin Zhongsi with her. Grateful for the rescue, Master Shen dropped his act and began teaching properly.
Compared to young female teachers, the students adjusted more easily to an elder. Soon, they were engrossed in his lesson. And Master Shen, never one for solemnity, quickly fell into playful banter, his earlier sternness long forgotten.
After Tang Manyun’s pregnancy stabilized, Wang Hongbang took her back to Liangping Town, taking Lin Cui’e’s birth date with them.
Yuan Li, pregnant for the first time, suffered severe morning sickness. With the weather growing colder, Liu Lang stayed by her side, and the couple rarely went out.
Lin Fang was surprised—the cold-faced Sixth Uncle before marriage now seemed a different man: gentle, patient, and unshaken even by Yuan Li’s pregnancy-fueled tantrums. Truly, marriage could change a person.
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