Chapter 290
Teacher Xu was taken aback, thinking to herself, could it be that child's parent coming to pick them up personally?
One must know that the students at their school all come from exceptionally privileged families.
It wouldn't be impossible for them to afford such a luxury car.
Thinking this, Teacher Xu immediately put on a friendly and professional smile, looking down—
The next second, she met a familiar smiling face.
Si Nian curved her lips, one hand on the steering wheel, the other waving at her: "Hi~"
Teacher Xu's smile instantly froze, her voice rising sharply, "—Si, Si Nian? How is it you?"
"Why can't it be me?" She tilted her head and said, "Teacher Xu, please move aside, you're blocking my child."
Teacher Xu's expression turned a veritable kaleidoscope of colors.
"Mom! Mom, you can drive?" Second Child bumped Teacher Xu aside with his bottom, hands gripping the car door, his head stuffed through the window, his face full of surprise.
After Dad went on his long trip, the car hadn't been used at all, and he hadn't gotten to ride in Dad's little car for so long!
Second Child was overjoyed.
Mom was so amazing, not only could she ride a bicycle, but she could also drive!
Seeing his little sister in the back seat, he was even more thrilled. He pulled open the back door and climbed in, not caring if his sister could understand him or not, and started boasting, "Sister, sister, I got little red flowers today, ten... no, twenty of them. Let me tell you, I was so awesome today, blah blah blah..."
Si Nian glanced at him with a smile.
Then she looked outside the car at Eldest Child, who wore an expression that seemed utterly indifferent to Teacher Xu's plight, and said to him, "Xiao Dong, hurry and get in the car, we're going home."
"Okay!" Zhou Zedong obediently nodded, then took two steps and added, "Mom, can Teacher Liu come with us?"
He turned to glance at Teacher Liu, whose eyes were also nearly popping out of her head.
Although their interactions weren't many, he could tell that Teacher Liu really liked his younger brother, was very good to him, and even bought him big chicken drumsticks.
Anyone who was good to his younger brother and sister was a good person in his book.
Si Nian immediately smiled and said, "Of course. Teacher Liu, please get in. I can give you a ride home; it's on my way."
Little did anyone know how difficult it had been for her to pull off this show-off move—she had driven the entire way here without a license, taking detours.
Although regulations weren't strict in this era and there were few cars, having been born in the modern world, she couldn't help but be cautious.
With Zhou Yueshen not at home, the car was just sitting there anyway.
Si Nian, a person with the driving experience of a ten-year veteran, felt it was a waste to just let it sit.
Thinking about how the two little ones had to endure eye-rolls over a seat this morning, she felt a pang in her heart.
Even if Zhou Yueshen wasn't home, she still had to stand up for the two children.
She wanted the children to know they weren't inferior to anyone else and didn't need to be afraid of others' bullying or intimidation.
With Teacher Xu on the bus and her not there, the two children probably couldn't get a seat for the ride home.
That's why she thought of driving over herself.
And sure enough, she saw Teacher Xu pointing and gesturing at the two children.
Even without hearing, Si Nian could roughly guess she probably didn't want the two children to get on the bus.
So she drove over. Unexpectedly, this snobbish Teacher Xu, when she hadn't seen who was driving, had a fawning expression like a dog's.
She really thought Teacher Xu was all high-minded, hated the rich, and was so unique.
Turns out she was just a bully who picked on the weak and feared the strong.
Now, seeing the other woman's expression as if she'd swallowed a fly, Si Nian felt immensely pleased.
Teacher Liu immediately said delightedly, "Teacher Si, is it really okay? If it's not on your way, I can just take the bus back."
"It's on the way. My home is close to the school."
Teacher Liu had initially felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing Teacher Xu's face, which was now as long as an old cucumber, she immediately perked up. She straightened her back, and as if worried Teacher Xu's expression wasn't ugly enough, added, "Then I'll trouble you, Teacher Si. It just so happens that earlier, Teacher Xu said there weren't enough seats on the bus and asked me to take Xiao Han and his brother back by bus."
"Teacher Xu, thank you for your concern. I'll go ahead with Teacher Si and the others. You can wait for the bus slowly."
After saying that, she swayed her hips and got into the car.
Her expression was as triumphant as if she'd won a battle.
In the past, teachers from ordinary classes like hers had often been looked down upon by teachers from the elite class. Others might look down on you but wouldn't say anything.
But Teacher Xu was different; her nostrils were usually pointed at the sky.
Whenever she saw a few teachers chatting together in small groups, she'd say things like, "You teachers are so lax, no wonder your students are useless," etc.
Even a passing dog would get a few disparaging remarks from her.
Today, finally seeing her get her comeuppance, Teacher Liu felt incredibly gratified.
Seeing Teacher Liu's posture as she got in the car, Teacher Xu was so angry her face twisted.
Just as she was about to open her mouth to sneer a few words, Si Nian honked the horn twice.
Teacher Xu was startled.
"You... don't you know honking isn't allowed at the school gate? Driving a broken car has really gone to your head," she snapped angrily.
Si Nian said impatiently, "Teacher Xu, I didn't want to honk. It's just that you're standing right next to my car, blocking the way and not letting me leave."
"Or do you not want to be a teacher anymore and are thinking of becoming a scam artist who stages accidents?"
"You... you..."
Si Nian said, "You what, you? Move aside!"
Teacher Xu was trembling with anger.
Si Nian couldn't be bothered with her anymore and stepped on the gas, driving off.
There were so many people at the school gate, coming and going. Although there weren't many cars, it wasn't good to park right at the entrance for too long.
Besides, she was driving without a license and felt very guilty.
And this Teacher Xu kept stammering "you, you, me, me."
It was downright annoying.
Although putting her in her place felt great, Si Nian was the type to feel guilty after doing something wrong.
Better to drive off quickly; getting caught by a traffic police officer wouldn't be good.
She wondered if driving without a license was a serious offense in this era.
Si Nian sighed.
Having driving skills but no license made it hard to hit the road properly.
Arriving home, Da Huang at the gate immediately stood up upon hearing the car, barking.
The car wasn't usually parked in the yard, so Da Huang thought Zhou Yueshen had returned.
Although it had grown familiar with being cared for by Mom, as a dog whose loyalty in life is to one master, its feelings for Zhou Yueshen were also very deep.
It had been brought back by Zhou Yueshen as a puppy and was very sensitive to the sound of a car.
When Si Nian wasn't home, she kept it tied up.
Even though there was an iron gate, it was better to be safe.
Otherwise, what if a child passing by got scared and cried?
Da Huang had been tied up since it was little, so this kind of life was normal for it, something it was long accustomed to.
When they weren't home, it would just lie down and sleep.
It also wouldn't bark incessantly.
This was something Si Nian appreciated about it.
Once the children were home, Si Nian parked the car and went to prepare dinner.
She let the kids take the dog for a walk.
Since there was no proper leash at home, Si Nian unfastened the iron chain as thick as a child's arm that was around Da Huang.
She reminded the children not to go to crowded places.
Not to let other children pet the dog.
If asked whether Da Huang bites, they should say it doesn't bite—it eats people.
That way, no one would dare provoke Da Huang.
It was best not to go near the tube apartment building area; there were many children there.
Second Child hated some of the kids from the tube apartments the most.
They often threw stones over the wall at their house to hit Da Huang.
He had seen it himself.
That's why Mom had to tie Da Huang up and didn't dare let him out much.
It was better in the countryside. If those people dared hit Da Huang, he'd just let Da Huang loose to scare them.
Carrying the iron chain, the three siblings set off.
When Da Huang stood up, he was as tall as an adult. Plus, Si Nian fed him so well he'd even developed a bit of a belly.
He had a large frame and a very thick coat.
Because Si Nian was particular about cleanliness, she often groomed him.
Not only was his fur not messy, it had a healthy sheen.
He was like a golden-maned lion king.
Yao Yao loved lying on his back to sunbathe.
Sure enough, after the three siblings took Da Huang out for a walk for a while, they ran into some kids from the tenement building.
Although Second Child often ran over there with Jiang Jiu, he didn't play with just anyone.
They just liked going over to play marbles.
There was a boy in the tenement building named Da Zhuang who was really annoying. If they didn't play marbles with him, he'd curse at them.
He even tried to stop Second Child from going to the tenement building, but his friends weren't having it.
Seeing that everyone ignored him, Da Zhuang secretly took advantage of their absence to throw stones at Da Huang when no one was home.
"Country bumpkin, you're here again, still dragging your mutt around!"
The kids in the tenement building all loved playing with the newly arrived Zhou Zehan (Second Child) and Jiang Jiu.
Others might not know, but Da Zhuang remembered clearly.
Before, when Jiang Jiu went over, they wouldn't play with him, saying he looked like a girl, all sissy.
He also told everyone not to play with Jiang Jiu.
Jiang Jiu would always secretly hide and watch them play marbles, crying when bullied, but never dared to tell on them.
Thought living in a big house was so great.
Heard his parents didn't want him anymore, left him with his grandparents.
This situation lasted a long time, until it was broken by the newly moved-in Zhou family.
That day, he heard his mom complaining about the new family not knowing how to behave, unwilling to help her out, even expecting her to buy meat for a guard dog.
He knew it had to be Zhou Zehan's family.
After Zhou Zehan moved in, news about his family having a majestic big dog quickly spread throughout the whole tenement building.
Everyone really wanted to see it.
Zhou Zehan also loved running over to their side and bragging.
Saying he had a dog, rabbits, and fish.
Totally captivated the kids in the tenement building.
They didn't like playing with Da Zhuang anymore.
And then Zhou Zehan started bringing Jiang Jiu along to play.
Da Zhuang had previously declared that anyone who played with that sissy Jiang Jiu was disrespecting him.
He never expected Zhou Zehan not only dared to, but also took Jiang Jiu everywhere.
Always either showing off how pretty his mom was, or how cute his little sister was.
Then he'd act all cultured, teaching everyone some English song.
The little girls in the tenement building were totally smitten.
It infuriated Da Zhuang.
Da Zhuang was furious. Just some country folk, putting on such airs.
His mom said they were probably just renters from the countryside, nothing special.
And said his mom wasn't even his real mom, but a stepmom.
Da Zhuang felt a bit better. Passing by the Zhou's door on his way home, he saw the big dog lying asleep.
He thought, since it's tied up anyway, couldn't he just throw stones at it?
Blame Zhou Zehan for making him unhappy.
Hmph, what's so great about a stinky dog.
It's tied up all day anyway, it won't bite.
Da Zhuang wasn't scared at all.
Zhou Zehan also hated Da Zhuang. Hearing him call Da Huang a mutt, he frowned deeply, glaring at Da Zhuang: "None of your business."
"Brother, Da Huang, let's go. Mom said not to play with other kids." After saying that, Zhou Zehan hoisted the iron chain and walked off.
Zhou Zehan had taken two steps when a stone landed right by Da Huang's feet.
He was startled and quickly yanked the chain.
The chain was too heavy; the dog didn't budge.
Zhou Zedong (Eldest Child) immediately turned to look.
Da Zhuang, caught in the act, quickly withdrew his hand.
And even had the nerve to make a mocking face.
It really made Zhou Zehan's blood boil.
Zhou Zedong frowned. Seeing the other boy was about to throw another stone, he said to his brother, "Xiao Han, give me the chain."
Zhou Zehan was startled: "Brother, what? Mom said not to let Da Huang come into contact with other people."
Although he was also angry, he was afraid Da Huang might bite someone.
After all, remember how Granny Liu had her leg bitten through by Da Huang.
It was terrifying.
Everyone in the village was scared of Da Huang; no one dared provoke him.
He didn't know what had gotten into Da Zhuang.
Actually throwing stones at Da Huang, it really made him mad.
"Give it to me," Zhou Zedong said in a low voice.
Zhou Zehan immediately handed him the chain.
Zhou Zedong took Da Huang and walked towards Da Zhuang.
Although Da Huang usually showed little interest in anything, his perception of malice was very sharp.
As if understanding Zhou Zedong's stance, he lowered his head, baring his sharp teeth at Da Zhuang.
A low growl rumbled in his throat, as if he was about to pounce any second.
He was a fierce dog after all, his teeth were terrifyingly sharp.
Da Zhuang was immediately scared.
He thought the two Zhou brothers would just lead the dog away, scared off by him.
He never expected them to turn the tables and scare him instead.
The dog didn't look that big from a distance.
But up close, it was almost as tall as him.
Da Zhuang's legs went weak, he couldn't even hold the stone steady, turned and ran.
This was what Zhou Zehan hated most about him.
Usually, if they didn't play with Da Zhuang, he'd come cause trouble on purpose, throwing away their marbles or stealing their playing spot.
Then when they yelled at him, he'd just run off grinning, laughing at them all the while.
It really infuriated him!
Zhou Zedong led the dog back.
Adults passing by gave them a wide berth.
But a child pointed at Yao Yao and said, "Mom, I want a ride too."
The parent also found it novel.
Leading her child over, she reached out to pet him.
"My, this dog is really handsome. What breed is it?"
Seeing her mom petting, the child also reached out.
Zhou Zedong immediately stopped her: "Auntie, our Da Huang doesn't like being petted."
The woman was taken aback, then feeling her pride was hurt, said unhappily, "Why not? He doesn't bite."
"Right, Da Huang doesn't bite," Zhou Zedong said. "Because my mom said he eats people."
The woman: "..."
Second Child nodded seriously, adding, "Yes, Mom said not to let kids pet him, especially kids. Da Huang likes to eat children."
Yao Yao, lying (lying on Da Huang's back) on Da Huang's back: "Mmm, eats kiddies~"
The woman immediately paled, grabbed her daughter and hurried away.
Wishing she had never come over.
...
Northwest Military Region.
Both Zhou Yueshen and Wang Jianguo were summoned to the commander's office.
The atmosphere in the office was grave.
"Still no contact?" Commander Yang asked solemnly.
"No, Commander. Our rescue team only found an abandoned off-road vehicle. We request emergency rescue assistance."
(To be continued... feeling guilty...)