Xia Dajun swallowed his pride.
Liu Fen heard the announcement that Xia Xiaolan had won a scholarship and that she should go on stage to receive it.
She was accustomed to keeping her head down in front of others, but how could she remain so during such a proud moment? Xiaolan was her daughter, and she had achieved something remarkable. Wouldn’t keeping her head down and shoulders hunched dishonor Xiaolan’s achievement?
Mrs. Chen watched enviously as Liu Fen slowly straightened her back and walked to the stage.
Chen Qing’s grades had improved, but hadn’t reached the top ten in his grade.
Based on County First High’s undergraduate admission rate from the previous year, ranking in the top ten practically guaranteed admission to an undergraduate program, assuming normal performance in the college entrance exam. Mrs. Chen felt that Xia Xiaolan must be hiding some good study methods. With her son’s university prospects still uncertain, why would she let Xia Dajun cause trouble rather than help Liu Fen?
Used to physical labor and well-fed in the Chen household, Mrs. Chen wasn’t like the former Liu Fen who could be blown over by the wind – she was solidly built. Though she couldn’t win a fight against Xia Dajun, she could at least hold onto his clothes to keep him from moving.
Liu Fen stood on stage with other parents receiving scholarships as Principal Sun handed out the awards.
Two hundred yuan – twenty crisp “Great Unity” notes, substantial just to look at.
Liu Fen was no stranger to large sums, having deposited 40,000 yuan at the bank, and she kept the family bankbooks. She earned more than 200 yuan in a month selling pork rinds.
But this was different!
Education was the path to success. While future success remained uncertain, these 200 yuan were tangibly earned through Xia Xiaolan’s studies. Though not a huge sum, it wasn’t small either – many rural families saved only this much in a year. For ordinary urban workers earning thirty-some yuan, 200 yuan represented half a year’s income!
This money was clean by anyone’s standards – unrelated to speculation or private business, earned purely through study.
Mrs. Chen wasn’t the only one envying Liu Fen. At this moment, except for the other parents on stage receiving scholarships, who didn’t envy her?
The auditorium was filled with applause.
Xia Dajun was consumed with envy.
At such moments, the family’s man should take the lead – what was a woman doing up there? Wasn’t he Xiaolan’s father? Did they think he would steal that 200 yuan?
Xia Dajun glared viciously at the woman holding his clothes, but Mrs. Chen wasn’t afraid.
“What’s this? Now that your daughter’s successful, you’re shamelessly trying to claim kinship? Bah! Where were you when mother and daughter were struggling? Now that A-Fen’s fortune is turning, you thick-skinned bastard come to grab the fruits? How shameless can you be?”
Xia Dajun’s knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.
Mrs. Chen felt some fear but maintained her tough facade:
“Dare to hit me, and you’ll find I’m not like A-Fen with few protectors!”
Liu Yong protected Liu Fen, but he alone couldn’t beat Xia Dajun. If Xia Dajun dared touch Mrs. Chen, forget that her father-in-law was the village chief – just her brothers and cousins from her maiden family could tear down the Xia family’s courtyard walls.
Xia Dajun was a typical coward who only bullied the weak. When faced with someone fiercer, he had to weigh the consequences of his actions. He might be a fool, but his instinct for avoiding stronger opponents was keen.
He could only watch Liu Fen’s moment of glory on stage, with not just the entire auditorium applauding, but school leaders speaking with her, and Principal Sun holding her hand longer than others – though Xia Xiaolan ranked second in the final exams, at her rate of progress, overtaking first place seemed inevitable.
With all the various positive assumptions about Xia Xiaolan among teachers and students, Liu Fen received even more attention than the first-place student’s parent.
While shaking hands with Liu Fen, Principal Sun took the opportunity to add, “After the meeting ends, please don’t rush off. I need to discuss some matters concerning Student Xia Xiaolan’s academic performance.”
Liu Fen didn’t suspect anything – how could she not listen to the principal’s words?
Throughout the rest of the parent meeting, Mrs. Chen kept Xia Dajun in check, preventing any disruption. Liu Fen breathed a sigh of relief. Though she was willing to acknowledge her divorced status to others, she didn’t want Xia Dajun to make a scene about their family matters in front of all the students.
Liu Fen could bear it herself, but Xiaolan still had to attend school here – how would all these parents and students talk about her afterward?
After the meeting ended and most parents and students had left, Liu Fen wasn’t afraid anymore!
At worst, Xia Dajun might beat her, but he couldn’t cause more trouble for their daughter. Besides, Liu Fen had support – Chen Qing, Mrs. Chen, and several of Chen Qing’s close classmates. Without needing to explain Xia Xiaolan’s family situation in detail, knowing that Xia Dajun was there to ambush Xiaolan’s mother was enough to fire up these male students.
If Xia Dajun dared raise a hand, these young men would fight back.
Young people never lack passion.
Being able to do something for “Classmate Xiaolan” was a source of pride and secret joy for these male students.
“A-Fen, come with me.”
Mrs. Chen didn’t believe Xia Dajun was so formidable.
Liu Fen was touched – even the students were willing to help her; she didn’t know what to say. But she couldn’t leave with Mrs. Chen – Principal Sun needed to speak with her.
Seeing no chance to talk with Liu Fen, Xia Dajun ran out of the auditorium to find Principal Sun.
He had visited Principal Sun’s home on the second day of the New Year when they’d discussed holding the mediation there – the principal couldn’t arrange for them to meet in his office, as that would expose Xia Xiaolan’s family matters to the whole school.
Chen Qing couldn’t understand what Xia Dajun was planning. After Principal Sun finished his work, he said, “Let’s go sit at my home for a while. My wife is there too. I think Student Xiaolan’s grades can improve further – let’s discuss methods together.”
Ah?
So this was the treatment top students received.
The school valued Xia Xiaolan!
Principal Sun spoke clearly about his wife being home to prevent any inappropriate rumors.
Everyone connected Principal Sun’s words with Xia Dajun’s departure. Chen Qing considered waiting for Liu Fen below Principal Sun’s building – Xia Dajun could appear from anywhere, ready to attack.
Liu Fen followed Principal Sun away as Mrs. Chen told her son: “I can tell that girl Xiaolan is destined for success – even the principal values her.”
Chen Qing nodded absently.
“Let’s wait below the principal’s building.”
While there was no problem below the principal’s building, the “problem” had already reached Principal Sun’s home. When Xia Dajun knocked, Principal Sun’s wife was extremely annoyed. She couldn’t refuse to open the door – they didn’t live in a private courtyard, and their neighbors were all school teachers. It wouldn’t look right.
It was only the fourth day of the New Year, with only third-year students back in classes while first and second-years were still on holiday.
Two groups of gift-bearers had already visited Principal Sun’s home that morning. Because of this situation, Mrs. Sun didn’t dare invite guests for meals – her old Sun was just creating trouble! Mrs. Sun let Xia Dajun in while holding her wok spatula, merely said “Sit,” and then rushed back to the kitchen to cook.
Xia Dajun didn’t dare move around. After a while, he heard keys turning – Principal Sun arrived with Liu Fen, who had no idea why Xia Dajun was there. Her first instinct upon seeing him was to run.
But she couldn’t run – this was the principal’s home!
The principal was the school’s highest authority, and Xiaolan was still studying at First High. How could Liu Fen run?
Principal Sun cleared his throat, “I invited you here to understand the family conflict between you and Student Xia’s father. Family discord greatly affects students’ emotions… Could you explain your conflicts? For Student Xia Xiaolan to achieve better academic results, both of you might need to make some sacrifices.”