Seven Or Eight?

As a considerate and supportive senior, of course, Song Zhuyu would do everything in his power to help his junior nurture his nonexistent love life. Moreover, this would only serve to redirect Chen Ru's attention elsewhere rather than sticking to him all the time. 

Striking two birds with a stone— what a brilliant plan, Song Zhuyu! 

"Perfect!" Song Zhuyu exclaimed cheerfully, capturing the other two's attention. "I'd love to have a chat with Doctor Rui. Do you think it's possible to arrange a meeting between us?"

Chen Ru's eyes flew wide in shock, clearly flustered. "Mr. Song?!" 

Meanwhile, Ma Boliu was also caught off guard by Song Zhuyu's sudden enthusiasm, but he quickly regained his bearings and let out a hearty laughter. "Of course, if that's what you want!" he said eagerly. "The three of you are intellectuals, so you must have a lot of common topics to talk about rather than mingling with us old folks. Please wait here for a moment while I speak with her."

After Ma Boliu left, Chen Ru wasted no time in confronting the crimson-haired man. "Mr. Song, what do you mean by that?!" He gasped in surprise, "Don't tell me, are you also interested in…" he trailed off, visibly shaken by the possibility that crossed his mind. 

If Song Zhuyu put his mind into it, nobody would be able to resist his charm. He, Chen Ru, could never compare!

"What's going through your head now?" Song Zhuyu flicked his forehead, half amused and half exasperated. "Who do you think I'm doing this for? You'd better do a good job to learn more about this island from her. Do you get what I'm saying, Assistant Chen?" he emphasized the last sentence with a meaningful arc of his brow. 

Chen Ru gaped at him, flabbergasted. It took him two full seconds to comprehend the true purpose behind Song Zhuyu's action, and his eyes immediately lit up. 

"Mr. Song…!" he gazed at Song Zhuyu with deep gratitude, seemingly as if he was about to prostrate beneath the latter's feet at any second. "You're a good man! I'm so sorry for cursing you inside my mind these past two days!"

Song Zhuyu: "..."

Did this person have a few loose screws in his head? Why would he admit something like that right in front of Song Zhuyu's face? Was he asking for a beating?

Sigh, forget it. Song Zhuyu decided to be magnanimous just this one time. Shifting his gaze forward, he saw Ma Boliu knocking at the door and beckoned to Rui Shuren. He spoke to her while gesturing toward Song Zhuyu and Chen Ru, and when Rui Shuren's attention turned to them, they nodded in polite acknowledgement, to which she returned with a similar gesture.

"Ah, it's Mr. Prince!"

Ma Yanyan's childish cry pierced through the chatter of children, drawing all eyes to Song Zhuyu.

"Eh, aren't they the ones who came to the island a few days ago?"

"Woah, his hair is so red!"

"He's… so tall! Taller than anyone I've ever seen!"

"S–Scary…"

Leaning against the open window, Song Zhuyu grinned and waved at the children, adopting a friendly tone. "Hello everyone, nice to meet you all. My name is Song Zhuyu, and you can just call me Song-Ge if you'd like."

"Song-Ge!!" echoed the chorus of children.

"That's right, and this person beside me is Chen-Ge." Song Zhuyu patted Chen Ru's shoulder, who waved his hand in response. "He's here with me. Please be kind and friendly to both of us, okay?"

"O–kay!"

"Do you all learn well from Teacher Rui?"

"Yes—!"

"Students," Rui Shuren cleared her throat sternly, redirecting everyone's attention back to the front. "We will finish today's lesson in fifteen minutes. Let's continue with this topic first. Whoever can answer my question at the end will receive one extra star on their report."

To avoid disrupting the children's studies, Song Zhuyu and Chen Ru retreated outside, and Ma Boliu soon caught up with them. "Shuren will be free after this. How about I give you two a tour around the school in the meantime?"

Both Song Zhuyu and Chen Ru readily agreed.

They strolled along the hallway decorated with colorful paintings done by the students. "We have approximately twenty five children here," Ma Boliu explained. "The younger ones below ten are placed in one class, while the older ones are in another. My eldest brother, Ma Zhong, works here permanently, but… age is catching up with him. He often strains his back and can't make it in, just like today. 

"Shuren always fills in if the clinic isn't busy, but her time is limited, after all. We lack teachers who can properly guide them because as you know, we older folks are only good at farming and fishing, while no one is willing to come all the way here for a meager salary. If the two of you don't mind…" he cast a hopeful look at Song Zhuyu and Chen Ru.

In response, Song Zhuyu shot a meaningful look at Chen Ru, who promptly received his signal this time. 

"Me!" He raised his hand and offered himself. "I volunteer! Mr. Song will have his hands full with his job, but I'm quite free! I'm closer in age to the children, so I think I can connect with them better. Please hire me to work here, I don't even need a salary!"

With this opportunity, he could get to know Rui Shuren better. Also, he no longer needed to toil away in the field all day. Thank you, God! Thank you, Father Song! 

"Oh, this is the best news I've heard in ages!" Ma Boliu was so elated that he was beaming from ear to ear. He shook Chen Ru's hand enthusiastically. "You're such a kind soul. Our whole village is indebted to you! I will speak to Shuren later and let her brief you properly about the job."

As they proceeded to climb the wooden staircase which emitted a precarious creak with each step they took, Ma Boliu continued his explanation, "The second floor is mainly for the older children. They're more independent and prefer to study on their own, only seeking help from Shuren when needed."

When they passed by a sunlit classroom, they saw eight teenagers – two boys and six girls – sitting together at a long table, diligently working on their notebooks. Occasionally, they would whisper and discuss amongst themselves before focusing on their own studies once more. 

Soft breeze danced in the air and dazzling sunshine filled every nook and cranny, casting a serene glow that enveloped the space. Beyond the window stretched a breathtaking scenery of clear azure sky and glittering blue sea, making one feel relaxed just by gazing at it. 

For some inexplicable reason, Song Zhuyu's attention was immediately drawn to one of the girls, around eleven or twelve years old, with thin eyebrows and sleek black shoulder-length hair. She was dressed in a pure white summer dress, exuding an innocent yet delicate aura of someone stepping on the threshold of adolescence. 

What was it? He pondered with knitted brows. There was just something about her that nagged at the back of his mind, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it…

As though sensing his gaze, she raised her head and their eyes locked in midair. 

"Mr. Song?"

Chen Ru's voice snapped him out of his reverie, pulling him back to the present. He turned to find that the two of them were about to leave, only to notice that he was still rooted on spot. 

"Apologies," Song Zhuyu offered a sheepish smile. "I got lost in my thoughts for a moment there."

Ma Boliu was quick to wave off his apology and continued to guide them around the small school. It didn't take them fifteen minutes to finish, and as they walked out of the building, Ma Boliu turned to Chen Ru, asking hopefully, "So how is it, Xiao Chen? Do you think you're up for the task?"

"Of course, I do!" Chen Ru responded in a heartbeat, his tone resolute. "I may not be able to handle small children as well as Miss Rui, but I believe it will be no problem for me to teach seven children on the second floor. I will make sure they will receive the best—"

"Wait."

Chen Ru's passionate declaration was interrupted by Song Zhuyu, who had a weird look on his face. "What did you say just now?"

Caught off guard, Chen Ru's mind went blank and he could only foolishly ask in return, "W–What did I say?"

"The children." Song Zhuyu repeated, swallowing hard as a sudden tightness gripped his throat. "The children on the second floor. How many of them did you say just now?"

"Uh… seven?" Chen Ru shot an uncertain look at Ma Boliu, who nodded in confirmation. "I'm pretty sure there are seven. Is there something wrong, Mr. Song?"

"Seven…" Song Zhuyu echoed in a daze.

But just now, he clearly counted eight teenagers. Unbidden, the image of the girl with shoulder-length hair flashed in his mind and he abruptly turned around, rushing back to the second floor.

"Mr. Song?!"

With Song Zhuyu's long legs, he managed to reach the classroom in less than one minute without even breaking a sweat. Yet his breath still seized on his throat when he peered into the classroom.

Seven children— two boys and five girls.

The girl who had captured his attention earlier was nowhere to be found.