Chapter 252: The Xia Family’s Change in Attitude
Ding Ancheng recognized the middle-aged man. He was a teacher from Jing City Middle School, met during the competition. He got up and greeted, "Mr. Quan."
"Indeed it’s Mr. Ding." Mr. Quan came forward and firmly shook Ding Ancheng’s hand, "Mr. Ding, congratulations, congratulations. This time, Huaixi County First Middle School took the top prize in the national math competition. Truly impressive."
Quan Yijun thought all the teachers and students from Huaixi County First Middle School had left. He was surprised and delighted to meet Ding Ancheng again.
"Thank you." Ding Ancheng accepted the congratulations with a smile. Having achieved first place, there was no need for humility.
Quan Yijun nodded and greeted the unfamiliar people with a smile.
"Mr. Ding, I didn’t expect to meet you like this. I hope we can compete again next year. Our Jing City Middle School will surely be well-prepared."
"I look forward to it." Ding Ancheng replied politely with a smile.
"Mr. Quan?" As Quan Yijun entered, Zhang Hengbin recognized him and was a bit excited, "I’m Zhang Hengbin from Ping Street Third Middle School. I was fortunate to attend one of your training courses before and benefited greatly."
"Hello, Mr. Zhang." Quan Yijun had no impression of Zhang Hengbin, but today, as he was in a room with Ding Ancheng, he managed a friendly smile.
Quan Yijun exchanged a few more words with Ding Ancheng and greeted Xia Donghe’s group before leaving.
"Ancheng is a teacher?" Xia Donghe was somewhat surprised. Although he didn’t know Quan Yijun, he knew Jing City Middle School, the best high school in Jing City. For a teacher from Jing City Middle School to respect and admire Ding Ancheng like that, he must be remarkable. And the mention of that competition seemed impressive.
"Yes." Ding Ancheng nodded in response.
"Was Mr. Quan referring to the finals of the national math competition?" Zhang Hengbin asked excitedly, his eyes burning as he looked at Ding Ancheng.
"Earlier, I heard that the winner of this national math competition was a high school from a small southern county town. They won because the students were taught by an outstanding Jing University graduate. Was that you?"
Yi Roujing twitched her lips at these words, thinking, calling him "you" now?
"Hmm." Ding Ancheng responded calmly.
"A graduate of Jing University!" Xia Donghe and his group were shocked. Although the college entrance exams were canceled now for the Worker, Peasant, Soldier University, not everyone could attend Jing University.
"Ancheng, I didn’t expect you to be so amazing." Xia Donghe softened his gaze and spoke kindly.
Those at the table, Xia Donghe, Zhang Hengbin, and others spoke mostly to Ding Ancheng. Xia Xingchen ate her meal alone, snickering inwardly. She used to be blind, but now she saw things clearly: a family that was hypocritical and driven by profit.
"Where does Anguo work?" Xia Donghe became interested in the Ding Family.
"At the county government office in our township." Ding Anguo replied honestly after swallowing his food.
"The county government office! It’s full of talented people." Xia Donghe’s eyes lit up, praising Ding Anguo for being young and promising.
Later, Huang Xiaobao was at the county government office, Ding Anmin at the food factory, Yi Roujing was a nurse — all of this the Xia Family knew. When they heard Xia Xingchen worked at Huaixi County’s distillery, they were even more shocked into silence.
"Thanks to the care of my sisters-in-law." Xia Xingchen credited everything to Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin.
Gu Yiyi was furious, thinking her stepdaughter was too lucky. Even by going to the countryside, she met a family with such prospects and got a job, returned to the city. Though it’s not Jing City, having a job in the county meant a good life. No wonder she dressed so well and appeared as though she hadn’t suffered.
Xia Qingwen was also furious. She thought having Xia Xingchen’s job was a victory, not expecting to end up inferior. Xia Qingwen worked at a textile factory in Jing City as a worker in the workshop, a temporary position she once envied but now found painfully ironic.
"Xingchen, Dad’s been looking for work opportunities for you. Once something good comes up, you’ll definitely return to Jing City soon." Xia Donghe looked at Xia Xingchen with a hint of apology and an inexplicable pride even Xia Xingchen could not understand.
Xia Donghe believed his daughter managed well even in the countryside, showing her capability. He used to think she lacked independence and was not promising, not realizing he judged her wrongly.
"Xingyao, learn from your sister." Xia Donghe said seriously to his only son Xia Xingyao.
At fifteen, Xia Xingyao was in his third junior year but didn’t enjoy studying, his grades being below average. Getting into high school was challenging, so Zhang Hengbin was tutoring him frequently.
Xia Xingyao replied impatiently, continuing to eat braised pork. This meal was a rare treat, he barely had time to indulge rather than heed his father’s words.
Despite Xia Donghe being a department head at the textile factory, his family couldn’t eat meat often, only every three days, and never satisfyingly. Xia Xingyao used to love visiting his grandfather’s home, the Gu Family, where he ate better. But it had been a while since he’d visited, making this meal particularly satisfying.
The group finished eating and headed downstairs with Xia Donghe going to pay the bill.
"Xiaobao." Huang Qianyi was surprised to see his nephew here.
"Uncle." Huang Xiaobao was equally surprised, as his uncle was in Baiqian Village and seemed unlikely to be dining here.
"Ancheng, Roujing, Anmin, you’re all here." Huang Qianyi greeted with a smile, "I had a social engagement, so didn’t dine at Baiqian Village." He explained.
"Director Huang, is this your nephew? Truly young and promising," a slightly balding, slightly overweight middle-aged man stepped forward obsequiously. "Which room number was it? I must treat you to this meal."
The balding man asked loudly. Xia Donghe, paying at the counter, turned his head, seeing the party secretary and factory director, Xue Changgui, from his textile factory.
"Director Xue."
Jing City’s textile factory was nationally the largest factory, and he barely recognized a small department head within.
"Director Xia of the Mechanical Department’s Assurance Division, Xia Donghe." The director’s secretary whispered.
"Director Xia, are you all here together?" Xue Changgui was surprised, wondering how a little department head knew Director Huang’s nephew — he’d never heard of it.
The director’s secretary, ever savvy, settled the bill, pushing the cash ticket back into Xia Donghe’s pocket. "Director Xia, it’s a rare occasion, National Day, so this meal ought to be treated by our Director Xue."
Huang Qianyi and Huang Xiaobao exchanged a few words, and after saying goodbye to Ding Ancheng and company, they departed, with Xue Changgui personally seeing them off to their car.