Chapter 335
After finishing, afraid that Si Nian would find him annoying, he explained: "We must have this work certificate, otherwise it will be hard to explain to the principal."
Although he had the authority to let students in, Si Nian's situation was truly special.
If he couldn't provide a reasonable justification, the principal probably wouldn't agree.
Si Nian thought about it and felt it made sense, so she said: "I work at the Foreign Language Elementary School..."
"Foreign Language Elementary School? The one downtown?" Several teachers immediately looked at her.
Si Nian hesitated slightly.
Unexpectedly, her expression was interpreted by everyone as awkwardness.
Someone blurted out, "Could it be you work there as a cleaner?"
The Foreign Language Elementary School wasn't easy to get into; it was considered the city's first elite school. Rumor had it even the cleaners needed qualifications, otherwise they couldn't get in.
They didn't hire anyone below a bachelor's degree, and there were even returned overseas PhDs teaching there. It was incredibly prestigious.
Many principals from other schools tried to build good relations with the principal of Foreign Language Elementary School, hoping the school would put in a good word for them in front of the children.
"I heard the kids there this year are all extraordinary. One child won two first places in the city-wide elementary school competition. The other day, a four-year-old prodigy from the capital city transferred in. It's really impressive."
"Isn't Foreign Language Elementary School your old school, Teacher Wang?"
Teacher Wang puffed out his chest proudly and said, "Yes, our school produces a couple of outstanding talents every year. It really is remarkable."
If he hadn't attended Foreign Language Elementary School for a few years and learned the basics early, he probably wouldn't be an English teacher now.
Thanks to his parents' concern for face back then, they insisted on sending him there.
Now he felt he hadn't wasted their earnest efforts.
So, mentioning his alma mater filled Teacher Wang with immense pride.
The corner of Si Nian's mouth twitched.
Did she really look like a cleaner?
"You've all done the talking, leaving her no chance to speak," the department head said. Although also surprised, he wasn't as exaggerated as the other teachers. He shot them a glare.
He was also worried that Si Nian might actually be a cleaner and didn't want her to feel that her self-esteem had been hurt.
Girls of that age cared about face.
He understood.
So he didn't press further, saying, "Alright, you can go back to your work. Just remember to come once a week."
Si Nian smiled, nodded, and left.
Soon, the other students were also assigned.
Just then, the principal happened to come by and asked about the situation.
The department head immediately mentioned Si Nian, saying there was an exceptionally outstanding student in this batch, but her circumstances were somewhat complicated.
The principal said he hadn't encountered anything too complex; he'd accept students even without hands or feet. How complicated could it be?
The department head then explained the situation: this child had quite a background, coming from No.1 High School, but because she got married, No.1 High School didn't want her anymore, so she came to No.2 High School.
Unexpectedly, her grades were exceptionally good.
But because she had a child and also worked at Foreign Language Elementary School—probably doing cleaning or odd jobs—and couldn't get away, she couldn't attend school regularly and had to study at home.
Upon hearing this, the principal frowned, his V-shaped brows knitting together. It really was complicated.
But these were minor issues. He said he was very familiar with the principal of Foreign Language Elementary School and would just make a phone call to sort it out.
His student, he would spoil her himself.
The department head knew the principal was easygoing; as long as there was a passable reason, he wouldn't make things difficult.
The principal immediately took out a small notebook from his pocket, put on his glasses, flipped through it to find the phone number of the Foreign Language Elementary School principal, and dialed.
"Principal Chu! Ah, yes, it's me, Old Wang... Ah, I just haven't chatted with you in a while and missed you. It's been ages since we all got together. Even though you're not very ethical, always recommending kids only to No.1 High School, and our school, ranked second, has suffered thanks to you, but I won't hold it against you..."
Seeing the conversation was about to turn into an argument, Teacher Wang hurriedly reminded him, "Dad, get to the point. That's my student. It'd be best if Principal Chu could assign her less work. Otherwise, with her taking care of a child and having to do so many test papers, she might get exhausted. I'd feel guilty."
Principal Wang then remembered his purpose for the call and quickly brought up the matter.
Under the curious gazes of everyone present...
There seemed to be a very, very long silence on the other end...
Soon, they saw Principal Wang's wide, grinning mouth close. His expression shifted from surprise to something complicated, and then he hung up the phone.
Everyone's hearts sank.
Could it be that Principal Chu of Foreign Language Elementary School didn't agree?
Everyone knew Principal Chu was close with the principal of No.1 High School; they were good buddies who often drank together.
He probably couldn't stand to see them doing well.
"Principal, how did it go?"
"Dad, say something!"
Teacher Wang thought, if the other principal really didn't agree, he could at least give Si Nian fewer test papers in the future.
He couldn't let Si Nian think they were as heartless as No.1 High School.
Principal Wang said with a complex expression, "This... this student Si, she's not a cleaner."
"Ah? She's not?"
"Then what is she?"
"Dad, could you finish your sentence?"
Principal Wang said meaningfully, "Principal Chu said that Si Nian is an English teacher at No.1 High School."
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Teacher Wang, who had just been showing off in front of Si Nian about being a former student of Foreign Language Elementary School, was petrified.
Under everyone's stunned gazes, Principal Wang straightened his suit and stood up.
"Principal, where are you going?"
Principal Wang said, "Going home to change clothes. Principal Chu 'personally' invited me for drinks tonight."
Before the others could recover from the shock of Si Nian being a teacher at Foreign Language Elementary School, they were stunned again.
They had only ever heard of other principals inviting Principal Chu for drinks. This was the first time they'd heard of Principal Chu personally inviting their principal for drinks.
...
A few days later, Lin Sisi also received the books and test papers the school asked her parents to deliver.
It was Zhang Cuimei who delivered them.
She said the school gave them to her to pass on to Lin Sisi.
Although they agreed to accept Lin Sisi, they weren't willing to deliver the materials to her personally.
But they were worried that if Lin Sisi fell behind while in prison, it would lower the school's college admission rate in the Gaokao (the National College Entrance Examination).
That's why they contacted Zhang Cuimei.
Zhang Cuimei looked haggard and thin.
She and her husband had been arguing about divorce recently.
The divorce was initiated by her husband.
Originally, they were just in a cold war, but recently her husband suddenly brought up divorce, blaming her for causing trouble with Si Nian and being seen by Division Commander Jiang and Mother Fu, which embarrassed him.
He used this as grounds for divorce.
He also said she had become too malicious. No matter what, Si Nian was the daughter they had raised for over ten years. Not helping her in that situation was bad enough, but she even cursed her.
He said she was heartless and ungrateful.
Zhang Cuimei was furious and bewildered.
She felt her husband had completely sided with Si Nian.
She was filled with both anger and hatred.
She believed Si Nian was the one who had destroyed her family.
Her daughter in prison, her husband wanting a divorce.
It was all because of her.
Zhang Cuimei wiped her tears and said, "Your father has completely given up on you. Haven't you noticed he hasn't visited you in a long time? Sisi, I've decided, if your father and I really divorce, you'll come with me."
The news of Principal Wang and Principal Chu going arm-in-arm to the state-run restaurant for dinner and drinks somehow got out. Soon, the gossip reached the ears of Principal Liu of No.1 High School.
Principal Liu (huff) (cold laugh): I don't believe it.
Later, Principal Liu secretly went to the state-run restaurant and saw the two of them chatting and laughing happily.
Principal Liu: (...expletive)
#Firmly refusing to believe he's been cuckolded by Lao Wang next door#
#Principal Liu's face gets slapped#
#Principal Liu drowns his sorrows alone#