Chapter 381
This was also what the Lin family had called to agree upon in advance.
After all, Si Nian was their daughter, and they were very concerned about how she did on her exams.
By letting them know early, they could prepare to come over and celebrate.
And they weren't the only ones preparing after the college entrance examination ended.
Even the newspaper agencies had received some inside information and were preparing to stake out for interviews on the day the results were announced.
Fang Hui was one of the people dispatched for these interviews.
She really didn't want to go. After all, there were simply too many impressive people in Jing City. It wasn't strange at all for top scorers from all over the country to gather there.
But this small city was different. If just one or two students made it to Tsinghua or Peking University, they couldn't wait for the whole world to know.
Making a fuss over nothing.
It gave her a feeling that it was quite unpresentable.
However, since she worked here now, even if she didn't want to, she had to go through the motions.
While she was busy, someone sent a letter to Fang Hui's workplace.
After reading it, Fang Hui's face was full of pleasant surprise.
After returning home, she noticed that the Si family next door seemed very lively.
Although Fang Hui had some friction with Si Nian, both were smart people. They usually tried to avoid contact, sometimes even pretending not to see each other.
It didn't get too ugly, since they lived close by and saw each other frequently.
Fang Hui certainly didn't like Si Nian either, but she didn't want to offend anyone. There were only a few families nearby, and the rest lived in tube-shaped apartments. She didn't want to interact with the people over there; the only family she wanted to curry favor with was the Jiang family.
Unfortunately, the Jiang family was very close to Si Nian and had a great relationship with her.
If she had a falling out with Si Nian, the Jiang family would also dislike her by association. One could imagine how uncomfortable her life here would become.
During this time, Si Nian hadn't gone to teach at the school. She heard that Si Nian had actually gone to take the college entrance examination.
Fang Hui couldn't understand it at all. She was already married; why was she taking the college entrance exam?
Could it be that since she failed last time, she would pass this time?
She had seen too many outstanding people in Jing City, and even her own son had to be excellent. So after hearing about this, Fang Hui felt that the standard of this foreign language elementary school wasn't that great either.
She had only sent her son there because she previously heard there were overseas returnee doctorates teaching there, and it was the only foreign language elementary school in the city center.
She never expected that Si Nian, an English teacher, was actually just a student who hadn't even attended college.
Fang Hui withdrew her gaze disdainfully.
When she got home, another letter was delivered, containing a stack of money inside.
Receiving two letters in a row, Fang Hui was somewhat pleasantly surprised. The end of the college entrance exam also meant universities were on break. No wonder that man was willing to reply to her letter.
He should be almost done with his work soon.
Fang Hui did not want to stay in this underdeveloped city.
Having seen better, how could she be willing to stay in such a place?
Receiving the man's reply made her feel increasingly anxious and eager.
The elementary school also began its final exams.
Fang Bowen had been under a lot of pressure these past few days and had even caught a cold.
He coughed while doing his homework.
When Fang Hui got home, the nanny she hired was cooking.
Seeing her return, the nanny immediately smiled and came forward to chat.
Fang Hui was very busy during this period. She had assignments and sometimes had to attend social engagements, only returning very late at night.
So she couldn't accompany her son to his exams.
Worried about a repeat of the last accident and afraid he would sneak out to play, she gritted her teeth and spent money to hire a nanny for him.
To help cook, take him to school, supervise his homework, and so on.
This saved Fang Hui a lot of worry.
"Where is Bowen?"
The nanny smiled and said, "Bowen is reading in the study upstairs. Just as you instructed: finishes class at four-thirty, arrives home at five to practice piano for half an hour, does homework at six, eats dinner at six-thirty, rests for ten minutes before reading, reviews the teacher's notes at eight, and goes to bed punctually at nine..."
Because the midterm exams were coming up, Fang Hui gave the tutor some time off.
They didn't need to come for the time being, which also allowed her son to rest a bit more.
Fang Hui was very satisfied.
The nanny smiled, "Do you want to go up and see him?"
Holding the thick stack of cash in her hand, Fang Hui shook her head. "No need. I just came back to check and will be leaving shortly. I have another social engagement tonight and might come back very late. You can go home after Bowen goes to sleep."
The nanny immediately smiled and nodded. After Fang Hui left, the phone rang.
She hurried to answer it. Who knows what the other party said, but she left the villa with a smile.
After Fang Bowen finished his homework, he smelled the aroma of cooking from the Zhou family next door.
His stomach was growling with hunger. Seeing that it was getting dark and the nanny still hadn't called him for dinner, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He slid off his stool and went downstairs, covering his mouth as he coughed.
"Cough, cough... Aunt Zhang, is dinner not ready yet?"
Fang Bowen called out twice but received no response. Confused, he walked into the kitchen, only to find it completely empty.
Fang Bowen was a bit bewildered. He opened the refrigerator; there were vegetables and eggs inside, but he didn't know how to cook. He was really too hungry, so he dug out the bread slices Fang Hui had used for breakfast that morning.
Actually, he really disliked eating bread slices, but he was starving right now. He also struggled to get himself a glass of cold water, gulping it down, which finally made him feel a bit better.
His stomach felt icy cold.
Fang Bowen couldn't help but think of that early morning, and the piping hot egg pancake in his arms.
...
In the examination room the next day, the sound of coughing was incessant.
The invigilator couldn't help but frown and stepped forward to ask about the situation.
"Student, are you alright?"
Fang Bowen coughed until his little face was bright red, saying he was fine.
Zhou Zedong tilted his head and glanced at him.
He had already heard Fang Bowen coughing during yesterday's exam.
He didn't expect the cough to be even worse today.
He withdrew his gaze and continued writing on his exam paper.
Si Nian came today to pick up the two children from their midterm exams. She had nothing to do at home recently. Days without having to do homework or prepare lessons were incredibly comfortable.
This was her first time coming to the school since getting a new hairstyle, and she even specially put on makeup, striving to be the most stunning one among the parents.
Sure enough, among the crowd of parents waiting for their children's exams, she was the most eye-catching.
She clearly wasn't dressed overly extravagantly, yet she made it impossible for people to look away.
Si Nian also ran into Yuanyuan's mother, who had previously had a dispute with her son.
"Oh, it really is Xiaoshuai's mother. I almost didn't recognize you. How come you've gotten even prettier after not seeing you for a while?"
Si Nian was puzzled. "Xiaoshuai's mother?"
Yuanyuan's mother laughed, "Pfft, I misspoke. Little Dong's mother."
Si Nian: "..."
After speaking, Yuanyuan's mother admiringly touched Si Nian's curly hair, stared at the lipstick on her lips, and then looked enviously at the nail polish on her fingers.
Truly, genuinely so beautiful.
Prettier than a big celebrity.
As soon as she arrived, she couldn't help but stare, wondering to herself whose parent this was to look so good. It turned out to be the mother of her daughter's desk-mate, Xiaoshuai.
Sigh, truly good genes in that family.
"Where did you get your hair done? It looks so good, beautifully done."
"What color is this lipstick? It makes your skin look so fair."
"Where did you get this nail polish done?"
Seeing her eager face, looking as if she was just short of asking for a purchase link, Si Nian smiled and said, "I just got a perm at a random hair salon. The lipstick is cherry-colored, and I painted the nail polish myself."
"Your skin is fair, so this color really suits you."
Yuanyuan's mother said shyly, "Is... is it a bit too bright?"
"Not at all."
Yuanyuan's mother was rather plump, giving off an air of affluence.
Her skin was fair, suggesting her family was quite wealthy.
Yuanyuan's mother immediately became happy. She enthusiastically linked her arm with Si Nian's, praising her great taste and suggesting they go shopping for clothes together in the future.
She then asked how her son's grades were.
"I've heard about it. It seems a lot happened with your child before. Yuanyuan also told me that Little Dong went to the genius class. Sigh, what a pity."
Si Nian was confused. "A pity?"
Yuanyuan's mother quickly covered her mouth.
Could she say that she had taken a liking to her son at first sight and wanted to snatch him home to be her son-in-law?
Facts proved that her own daughter was too clumsy. Half a semester had passed, and she hadn't even managed to exchange a few words with him.
She had originally thought that since they were young, children didn't have high standards for looks. Maybe some blind Prince Charming would take a liking to her daughter, starting a childhood sweetheart romance. Then she wouldn't have to worry about her daughter meeting a bad man in the future.
Unfortunately, imagination is beautiful, but reality is cruel.
She hurriedly changed the subject. "I heard you resigned to take the college entrance exam or something? Did you take it?"
Si Nian nodded.
"How was it?"
Si Nian smiled and said it was okay.
Yuanyuan's mother immediately said, "Everyone knows your abilities. They all say you teach well and will definitely get into a good university. If you celebrate when the results come out, you must invite me. I want to share in the glory."
Si Nian felt a bit helpless but smiled and said she definitely would if there was a chance.
As they chatted, time quickly passed.
The children who had finished their exams started coming out one after another.
Si Nian saw her eldest son among the first batch.
Zhou Zedong walked up to her with his backpack and called out, "Mom."
Si Nian's mouth was dry from chatting with Yuanyuan's mother. She was actually quite afraid of this kind of overly familiar person. It seemed impolite not to answer, but the more you answered, the more they talked, as if they had an endless supply of topics.
It exhausted her.
As soon as her son spoke, she immediately sighed in relief and smiled, "Little Dong finished the exam? How was it? Was it difficult?"
Zhou Zedong shook his head and said, "Not difficult."
Si Nian looked again; Second Child and Jiang Jiu hadn't come out yet.
Jiang Wenqing had something to do today and couldn't accompany Jiang Jiu to the exam.
A couple of days ago, he had specially visited to ask for her help, asking her to keep an eye on Jiang Jiu for him.
Other children had parents accompanying them to the exam.
It was quite pitiful that Jiang Jiu didn't, so Si Nian naturally agreed.
Grandpa Jiang was getting old and hadn't been in good health recently, so Grandma Jiang had to take care of him.
Therefore, today Yaoyao was left with Zhou Yueshen to play at the breeding farm, while she came over to watch the boys.
Si Nian wasn't in a hurry. She checked the time; there was still half an hour before the exam ended.
Given Second Child's level, he probably wouldn't finish writing until the last second.
Zhou Zedong seemed used to it and stood quietly to the side waiting for his younger brother.
At this time, Si Nian saw Fang Bowen walking out while coughing.
She instinctively tilted her head and glanced around but didn't see Fang Hui's figure.
It was a bit strange. Fang Hui paid so much attention to her son's grades, yet she didn't come for today's midterm exam?
Fang Bowen didn't seem to be in a good state either.
Fang Bowen also noticed her, and his eyes immediately lit up. He seemed to want to come over and say hello.
But he was quickly interrupted.
"Bowen, you finished your exam. Let's go, I'm taking you to your tutoring class. Your mother said you can't relax even after the exam. The tutoring class is so expensive, you have to study hard."
After saying that, the person pulled him away.
Yuanyuan's mother sighed in amazement from the side. "As expected of a little genius. Tutoring classes are arranged right after the exam. No wonder he's so amazing."
The fact that a seven-year-old little genius had skipped grades to enter the fourth grade at the Foreign Language Primary School was not a trivial matter.
Since he was in her daughter's class, she had also heard some things about it.
This was her first time seeing him.
Si Nian withdrew her gaze and frowned.
This Fang Bowen was truly quite pitiful.
The child was still so young, yet they couldn't wait to cram all the knowledge into his brain.
Zhou Zedong also tilted his head to take a look but didn't say anything.
Soon, Yuanyuan also came out after finishing her exam.
Si Nian noticed that this little girl had lost some weight.
She looked much more delicate than before.
"Oh my, Yuanyuan, how did you do on the exam?" Yuanyuan's mother asked nervously.
Yuanyuan looked disappointed. "Not very well."
Yuanyuan's mother: "..."
Why was there such a huge gap when they were both in the fourth grade?
Thinking of how Zhou Zedong looked so calm and fully in control when Si Nian asked him how he did...
Yuanyuan's mother felt that she shouldn't have asked her daughter how she did.
It was just asking for an insult.
At this moment, Yuanyuan also saw Zhou Zedong. Her eyes lit up, and she went forward to greet him, "Zhou, classmate Zhou Zedong, long time no see!"
She was very happy; she hadn't expected to run into Zhou Zedong.
Zhou Zedong was so amazing, currently being in the genius class.
To think that such an amazing person used to be her deskmate. Yuanyuan felt a sense of shared honor.
Zhou Zedong tilted his head, glanced at her, and frowned. "You are?"
Yuanyuan: "..."
"I-I'm your deskmate, Wang Yuanyuan... Wang Yuanyuan from Class Four."
Yuanyuan was about to cry.
No matter what, they had been deskmates for a while.
It had only been a few months, and he already didn't recognize her.
It was too hurtful.
Zhou Zedong was slightly startled.
He then looked her up and down and said, "You've lost weight."
His previous deskmate was very plump, he remembered, because when they shared a desk, she took up more than half the space.
And she liked to sneak snacks during class.
She would also ask him if he wanted some.
But she was very chubby back then, her facial features all squeezed together.
Now, she had slimmed down quite a bit.
Yuanyuan had been very sad, but hearing his words, she instantly became happy and blushed. "Have... have I lost weight?"
Zhou Zedong was concise. "Yes."
Yuanyuan: "Thank you."
Inner monologue: He still remembers that I used to be fat. It seems he doesn't completely hate me, otherwise why would he remember I was fat?
Yuanyuan poked her fingers together shyly and said, "You've grown taller too, and you look even better."
Zhou Zedong gave her an odd look. "Thank you."
As the two were talking, a pretty figure squeezed in. "Classmate Zhou Zedong, you've finished your exam too. How did you do?"
It was Chu Xiang'er.
Although Yuanyuan had lost weight, standing next to the slender Chu Xiang'er, she still looked much chubbier.
Seeing Chu Xiang'er's cheerful and enthusiastic demeanor, she awkwardly shifted her feet and made room.
Li Youcai also walked over, looking displeased.
He couldn't understand why Xiang'er was always so happy every time she saw Zhou Zedong.
Watching the group of children, Si Nian couldn't help but smile.
It seemed her son wasn't doing too badly socially after all.
The kids also noticed Si Nian.
They immediately stood up straight and behaved properly.
"Hello, Teacher Si!"
Si Nian smiled. "Hello there, how did you all do on the exam?"
Chu Xiang'er smiled shyly. "It was okay, Teacher Si, but definitely not as good as classmate Zhou Zedong."
Li Youcai gave a cold snort and said proudly, "Next time, I will definitely beat Zhou Zedong!"
Si Nian smiled and rubbed both of their heads.
Chu Xianger chimed in, "Teacher, Teacher! I heard from my grandpa that you took the college entrance exam too. You will definitely be celebrating when the results are out, right? Can we come and celebrate with you?"
After saying that, she glanced at Zhou Zedong.
Si Nian hesitated for a moment.
But after thinking about it, she figured that once the results were out, she would inevitably invite the principal and the others for a meal anyway. So, she nodded and said, "Of course. When the time comes, you can come along with the teachers."
By this time, Second Child and Jiang Jiu had also come out of the testing center.
Compared to the excitement of the other children, these two little guys looked utterly defeated.
Si Nian could not even bring herself to ask how their exams went.
Instead, she quickly pulled them along, promising to take them to the amusement park to play.
The two little guys were instantly revived on the spot.
That very evening, after the children finished their exams, Si Nian received a call from her homeroom teacher.