Chapter 831: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 831: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony and the Establishment of the Academy (4)
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Some of the previous masters had been tempted by the immense benefits that the space offered, gradually leading them down a wrong path and doing things that harmed their merit, eventually suffering the consequences and disappearing from the mortal world.
Others were resolute and not swayed, but once they broke the seal, they handed over all the tasks within the space to the spirit, treating it as a free slave, making it manage the space day and night to accumulate vast wealth. They paid no attention to its loneliness or desire for companionship, nor did they continue to perform good deeds to help it escape the space.
Memories of these past events flashed before Xue Tuanzi's eyes, and for the first time, tears welled up in its eyes. After repeated hopes, disappointments, and even despair, its heart had become numb. It no longer wanted to search for a new master and had even wished to remain trapped in the small merit bead.
However, during its slumber, it was fortunate enough to meet a little girl with nine lifetimes of merit. Even though this girl’s soul was incomplete and at risk of dissipating at any moment, Xue Tuanzi chose to stay by her side until the opportunity for the master-disciple bond came and the space was successfully activated.
Looking back, it was certain that this had been the right decision. Despite its worry that its new master might perish prematurely, not giving it enough time to help her escape the space’s constraints, it was willing to wait. So, when the explosion happened, risking its spirit's dissolution, it still chose to break the seal and bring its master back to her first life.
This had been the wisest decision it made upon gaining consciousness. It had truly met a master who cared about it, didn’t it?
...
Mo Yan and Xue Tuanzi shared a deep bond, so she naturally noticed its fluctuating emotions. Though she didn’t fully understand its past, she could empathize with its repeated disappointments and heartbreaks. If it had been anyone else, they might have fallen into despair long ago.
Mo Yan felt incredibly grateful that Xue Tuanzi had chosen her as a master. If it hadn’t been for that, she might have forgotten the past and waited for reincarnation. Her father, younger siblings, and the person she liked would have met tragic ends. Just thinking about that possibility made her feel unbearable, and her feelings for Xue Tuanzi deepened, filled with affection and gratitude.
Helping Xue Tuanzi escape the space wasn’t just out of affection for it; there was also a sense of compensation. Both of these feelings drove her to accumulate good deeds.
Rubbing Xue Tuanzi’s soft belly, Mo Yan said confidently, "As long as we work hard together, one day you’ll leave the space. When that time comes, I’ll take you to see the things you want to see, eat the things you want to eat... In short, as long as I’m alive, I’ll always be with you!"
"Mm, we’ll work hard together to raise the space to the tenth level! You’d better keep your promise and take me to eat, drink, and play. Otherwise, I’ll get angry and go on strike!" Xue Tuanzi said in a hoarse, slightly proud tone.
"Mm, I keep my promises! If I can’t make good on them, you can make me work like a slave!" Mo Yan agreed readily and then reminded, "But you also have to help me accumulate more merit. Doing good deeds one by one with just my hands is too slow!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Tuanzi’s eyes sparkled with an idea: "Didn’t you say you’re going to combine the villages to build a school? For the school, every household has to contribute money, but most families will probably contribute very little. Even if the school is built, it might end up being very simple. You could contribute more money to make it better. Then, hire a few good teachers and even sponsor children who want to study but can’t afford tuition. That would be a huge merit!"
Mo Yan’s eyes lit up as she lifted Xue Tuanzi and exclaimed, "That’s a brilliant idea! Why didn’t I think of it? Xue Tuanzi, you’re too smart!"
The idea of building a school had been discussed since last year, but the location of the school had caused some disagreement among the villages. It was only after Mo Qingze cleared his name from the corruption charges and gained some face during the public trial that the other villages agreed to let the school be built in Liuyang Village.
The funds for the school were to be split among the households, with each contributing one hundred wen. Some were willing, but more were not, so the money hadn’t all been collected.
Proud of the compliment, Xue Tuanzi puffed up its round belly and said smugly, "I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice, of course I’m smarter."
"Yes, Xue Tuanzi is the smartest!" Mo Yan praised it enthusiastically and then added, "If I cover all the funds for the school, we can make it a private Mo family academy. That would earn even more merit, right?"
"No!" Xue Tuanzi immediately opposed, "Building the school is a great merit, but it’s something that the villages have agreed upon. The villagers who contribute will earn the merit. If you pay for all of it, you’ll be taking away their chance to accumulate good deeds. That wouldn’t be right. But some villagers are short-sighted or too poor to contribute; you could pay for them. That way, the merit would be rightfully yours."
Mo Yan understood and nodded, "Got it. After the coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll talk to a few of the village leaders and get the school built as soon as possible."
"Mm-hmm, just make sure you stick to your decision!"
After discussing for a while, Mo Yan left the space. She went to the small study, sat at her desk, and began drawing the blueprint for the school.
By the time Liu Tinglan hurriedly arrived, half of the blueprint was already completed.
Upon hearing that Mo Yan was planning to build a school, Liu Tinglan forgot to tease her about her engagement that was to be finalized today. She immediately began insisting that Mo Yan use some of her private assets to help fund the school.
Mo Yan, wanting to help her friend accumulate merit, naturally didn’t refuse. She was already thinking that after the school was built, she would suggest placing a merit plaque at the entrance to commemorate the names of all the people who contributed to its construction, inspiring the students to study hard and become virtuous.
After discussing the school plans, Liu Tinglan finally remembered the real reason she came. She grinned and said, "You’re fast, huh? You’re already about to finalize things with Uncle Mo. Tell me, how did you manage it?"
(The End of This Chapter)
no chaps 801-830?
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