After displaying himself for so long, Zhao Gang was met with Xia Xiaolan’s cold attitude.
This made Zhao Gang uncomfortable.
Of course, he hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan to fall madly for him after one “chance” encounter, but her attitude showed not even basic respect, and Zhao Gang feared nothing more than being looked down upon. Despite his mediocre teaching abilities, he desperately wanted recognition at school. His mentality had gradually become unbalanced and twisted, and Sun Tian’s appearance had given him his only hope.
His relationship with Sun Tian hadn’t progressed further – wasn’t it just because he had neither money nor power?
A teacher’s monthly salary was only a few dozen yuan, and though Zhao Gang refused to appear shabby in his dress, he lived frugally. The 500 yuan slipped under his dormitory door last time had greatly relieved his financial crisis. But it wasn’t enough – if he could get an even larger sum, he’d have the confidence to discuss marriage with the Sun family.
Since Xia Xiaolan couldn’t recognize his value, he needn’t show her any courtesy.
Having figured things out, Zhao Gang smiled insincerely:
“Student Xia, disrespecting teachers will cost you sooner or later.”
Xia Xiaolan immediately became wary.
Some people were just that petty – they could shamelessly pester others, but if you didn’t respond according to their wishes, they’d claim you looked down on them. Well, Xia Xiaolan did look down on Zhao Gang – his eyes held lustful intent! What kind of teacher stops female students for idle chat?
Xia Xiaolan considered that Zhao Gang held no position at school and didn’t teach the senior classes, so he seemed powerless to cause trouble.
Still, with less than 4 months until the college entrance exam, Xia Xiaolan felt she needed to be cautious. At Principal Sun’s house, though he wasn’t home, his wife was. Xia Xiaolan carried a bag containing not books but two boxes of pastries from Beijing.
“Auntie Wu, I brought these back for you and Teacher Sun. Nothing expensive.”
They came in tin boxes, looking quite fancy. Mrs. Sun had no reason to refuse a box of pastries, though seeing they weren’t cheap, she thought Xia Xiaolan might need a favor. But after sitting for half an hour, Xia Xiaolan only mentioned one thing before leaving:
“The teachers at our school are all very caring. Teacher Zhao just stopped me for quite a chat.”
Mrs. Sun was puzzled – there was no Teacher Zhao among the exam preparation teachers.
“I’ve seen him walking with Teacher Sun, so maybe Teacher Sun asked him to talk to me. Teacher Sun is kind.”
Xia Xiaolan had only brought two boxes of Dao Xiang Cun pastries for Mrs. Sun and Sun Tian. Since the school thought she was a poor student and allowed her to study at home, she couldn’t bring lots of gifts to distribute. After the college entrance exam, she’d tell Teacher Wang, Teacher Qi, and others the truth, and host a thank-you dinner for the teachers.
Women’s thoughts are delicate. Mrs. Sun knew Xia Xiaolan was a clever girl – why would she deliberately mention a simple conversation with Zhao Gang? Unless it wasn’t so simple. Mrs. Sun recalled rumors about the school – Zhao Gang had shown interest in other female teachers before, but since no one had seen him actually dating anyone, she hadn’t taken the gossip seriously.
Zhao Gang was indeed attentive to Sun Tian, even though she wasn’t responsive.
Mrs. Sun had previously thought their match suitable – one shy, one enthusiastic.
But what if Zhao Gang was too enthusiastic?
With Xia Xiaolan being so beautiful, if Zhao Gang used his position as a teacher to make inappropriate remarks, most female students could only suffer in silence!
Mrs. Sun didn’t suspect Xia Xiaolan of slandering Zhao Gang – Xia Xiaolan rarely came to school and barely knew her classmates, why would she specifically target Zhao Gang?
Mrs. Sun contained her anger. Sun Tian was Principal Sun’s niece who had called her “Aunt” for many years. If she found an unreliable partner at First Middle School, right under her and Old Sun’s noses, how could they face Sun Tian’s parents?
Walking Xia Xiaolan out, Mrs. Sun carefully instructed:
“Just focus on your studies, don’t worry about other things. The provincial preliminary exam is on May 9th. I heard from Old Sun that Anqing County students will be randomly assigned to different exam locations – you might not even be at First Middle School. Make sure to get your admission ticket on time.”
Mrs. Sun handed Xia Xiaolan a bag.
Looking inside after going downstairs, she found several new exercise books and a new fountain pen.
She wasn’t that poor – in terms of family savings, she had more than Principal Sun’s family. But the principal’s wife’s concern was genuine, so Xia Xiaolan could only accept.
This strengthened Xia Xiaolan’s resolve. Principal Sun wasn’t a bad person, and Teacher Sun could find a better match. While conditions weren’t the only measure of a person, character was… and Xia Xiaolan had a poor opinion of Zhao Gang.
Having heard Xia Xiaolan’s hint, Mrs. Sun decided to quietly investigate Zhao Gang’s character.
“Xiaolan, you finally came to school!”
With the college entrance exam approaching, the atmosphere in the graduating classes was depressing, especially for repeat students like Chen Qing.
Repeat students had no rights – they solved problems from five or six in the morning, and reluctantly returned to their dormitories only after lights out in the evening study hall. Could they sleep then? They continued studying under their blankets with flashlights!
Those with any hope of getting into university wouldn’t give up in these final months – every student had dark circles under their eyes. Since returning after New Year’s, almost two months had passed, and Chen Qing hadn’t gone home once. The school allowed one holiday per month, but many students like Chen Qing chose to stay and study.
Xia Xiaolan noticed everyone in Class Three looked pale.
Including Chen Qing.
“Chen Qing, can’t you afford food?”
Chen Qing smiled bitterly – who had the appetite to eat? With one month until the preliminary exam, no one could taste their food. They still ate three meals a day, and his family had even increased his living allowance, but neither Chen Qing nor those worried about passing the preliminary exam could taste what they ate.
Chen Qing’s scores should have been enough for undergraduate admission.
But he wasn’t yet a fully accomplished academic master – regular scores good enough for undergraduate admission didn’t guarantee success in the college entrance exam.
Forget the college entrance exam – if he failed the “preliminary exam,” all his years of repeated study would be wasted. Without even qualifying for the college entrance exam, what hope was there for undergraduate or vocational programs?
“The preliminary exam is coming. Who in our class isn’t nervous, except those who’ve given up on university?”
Chen Qing barely had time to talk with Xia Xiaolan before several classmates surrounded her upon noticing her presence. They weren’t gathering to admire a beauty – Chen Qing had shared Xia Xiaolan’s study methods with classmates, and those who didn’t fully understand seized the chance to ask her detailed questions.
Xia Xiaolan was surrounded for an entire class period.
They asked not just about English, but also mathematics and other subjects – everyone knew her strong subjects.
While she was genuinely strong in English, she didn’t consider herself better than the mathematics teacher in that subject. These classmates probably asked her out of blind worship and trust. Xia Xiaolan’s grades had improved rapidly, so they believed any method from her must be effective.
Teacher Wang came to rescue her, bringing her latest test results:
“The test you all complained about last week – Student Xia Xiaolan didn’t find it difficult! Xiaolan is working so hard, earning her tuition while studying at home…”
Teacher Wang rambled on, encouraging Class Three students while the struggling students watched expectantly.
Teacher Wang, stop keeping us in suspense – did Xiaolan set another record?!