Lin Jichen got up early and left the game, heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Today was Niu Naitang's first day of school, and since he had promised Qin Xiaowei to take good care of her, Lin Jichen wouldn't break his word.
Niu Naitang had just come out of the gaming pod, her face brimming with excitement.
"Brother Lin, Tang Tang won six chess games against the old master! He gave me six books!"
Niu Naitang had spent the entire day in the game, playing chess with people from the Chess Sect.
"What kind of books?" Lin Jichen asked curiously.
Niu Naitang began to describe them, and as expected, they were all chess cultivation skills.
Moreover, the master who taught her chess had personally taken her to level up by fighting monsters.
After hearing this, Lin Jichen felt a bit envious. Niu Naitang's start was indeed exceptional.
She hadn't even reached the Qi Refining Realm, yet she already had six skills and a master helping her improve her cultivation.
Such treatment, she was definitely the sect's favorite.
"Alright, let's not talk about the game for now. Come over and have breakfast. After eating, your Sister Ren and I will take you to school," Lin Jichen called out.
Niu Naitang pouted, her small face full of reluctance.
"Tang Tang doesn't want to go to school. School isn't fun; playing chess is fun."
Lin Jichen chuckled, "If you don't go to school, your Auntie will be angry. You won't have a good time when you get back."
At the mention of her Auntie, Niu Naitang obediently complied.
"Don't worry, you can continue playing the game after school," Lin Jichen comforted her.
"Okay! The old master said that once I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I can go out for experience. Then I can come find you to play, Brother Lin."
"Of course, we'll team up to fight monsters then."
"Mm-hmm!" Niu Naitang's mood brightened, and she began eating breakfast.
After breakfast, Lin Jichen and Ren Lan left together to take Niu Naitang to school.
Niu Naitang's elementary school was not far from home; it took only half an hour to walk there.
On the first day of school, the entrance was bustling with parents dropping off their children.
All the teachers were at the gate to welcome the students.
Among them, a young woman in a neat little suit stood out among the teachers. She was so beautiful that it was hard not to notice her.
When the woman saw Niu Naitang approaching, she smiled and waved, "Tang Tang, come over to the teacher."
Niu Naitang walked towards the woman and greeted her sweetly, "Good morning, Teacher Yan~"
"Good morning, Tang Tang. You seem to have grown taller over the holiday."
The female teacher affectionately patted Niu Naitang's head and knelt down to straighten her red scarf.
It was clear that the female teacher was very fond of Tang Tang.
The female teacher then noticed Lin Jichen and Ren Lan standing behind Tang Tang.
She asked Tang Tang in surprise, "Tang Tang, are these... your parents?"
The teacher had never met Tang Tang's parents, only knowing that they had divorced when she was young and that her Auntie was her guardian.
Ren Lan blushed immediately and quickly stepped forward to explain, "Teacher, you've misunderstood. I'm her neighbor, and so is he. We're just looking after her temporarily."
Niu Naitang also explained, "Teacher Yan, they are my Auntie's friends and Tang Tang's new brother and sister."
The teacher realized her mistake and apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I misunderstood. Didn't Ms. Qin come?"
Ren Lan nodded, "Her Auntie went on a business trip to the Capital City and will be back in a few days. She asked us to take care of Tang Tang."
"It seems Ms. Qin trusts you a lot to leave her beloved Tang Tang in your care."
"Haha, yes, we have a good relationship with Sister Xiaowei," Ren Lan said with a wry smile.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Yan Ruyu, Tang Tang's homeroom teacher and Chinese teacher," the female teacher said, extending her hand to Ren Lan.
"I'm Ren Lan, a student at Jiangling Normal University," Ren Lan replied immediately.
Yan Ruyu was pleasantly surprised, "You're a student at Jiangling Normal University?"
"Yes, teacher, are you...?"
Yan Ruyu smiled, "I also graduated from Jiangling Normal University, just over a year ago. Now I'm teaching at this elementary school."
"Senior! Little Lin, come over and greet your senior!"
Ren Lan was very surprised, not expecting to meet a senior who had already graduated.
Yan Ruyu then looked at Lin Jichen. At first glance, her eyes froze, and then her expression became somewhat unnatural. She quickly averted her gaze, not daring to look directly at him.
Lin Jichen didn't notice this. He smiled and extended his hand, "Hello, Teacher Yan. I'm Lin Jichen, also a student at Jiangling Normal University, but I haven't graduated yet."
Yan Ruyu shook hands with Lin Jichen briefly, then quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Hello, Junior Lin. Just call me Senior," Yan Ruyu said, her tone slightly nervous.
At that moment, other students came over to greet her, giving Yan Ruyu a chance to shift her attention.
"Sorry, I have to get back to work," Yan Ruyu apologized.
"No problem, we just came to drop off Tang Tang. Our task is done. We'll pick her up after school. You go ahead, Senior," Ren Lan said.
"Alright, let's chat more when we have time," Yan Ruyu nodded.
Lin Jichen looked at Niu Naitang and smiled, "Tang Tang, be good at school. I'll pick you up in the afternoon and make you a delicious dinner."
"Okay, goodbye, Brother Lin~ Goodbye, Sister Ren~"
Niu Naitang waved at them reluctantly.
Lin Jichen and Ren Lan felt assured and left.
After they left, Yan Ruyu squatted down and whispered to Niu Naitang, "Tang Tang, let me ask you, is your Brother Lin... single?"
Niu Naitang, being quite perceptive for her age, immediately caught on to the underlying meaning.
"Teacher Yan, do you want to date my Brother Lin?"
Yan Ruyu blushed instantly and quickly shook her head in denial.
"No, no, I was just asking casually."
"Teacher, you said lying is a bad virtue. You should be honest," Niu Naitang said, clearly not believing her.
Yan Ruyu was at a loss for words, her face turning even redder.
Finally, she whispered to Niu Naitang, "If I say yes... will you tell me?"
"Sure, Brother Lin is single," Niu Naitang replied honestly.
Yan Ruyu's heart leaped with joy, but the next second, Niu Naitang poured cold water on her.
"But Teacher Yan, your chances aren't great because my Auntie and Sister Ren are both after Brother Lin."
"No way... Is your Brother Lin that popular? Even your Auntie likes him?"
Yan Ruyu was quite familiar with Qin Xiaowei and knew she had very high standards.
Given her sister's example, she was quite disappointed in men.
Niu Naitang saying that her Auntie also liked this yet-to-graduate university student left Yan Ruyu feeling incredulous.