Chapter 6 Asphalt
The teachers’ office building was newly constructed this summer break, and the formaldehyde smell hadn’t completely dissipated, leaving it sparsely populated.
The people’s teacher, Shi Qingsong, holding a stack of documents, stood in front of the elevator and pressed the button.
He wore round-framed glasses and a dark-colored shirt, his hair neatly combed. His face was serene and composed, carrying a refined and amiable bearing, reminiscent of a learned professor from a Republic of China photograph.
In dealings with others, he was known for his kindness, frugality, and deference. The middle-aged Shi Qingsong was always seen as a good teacher by students, a good subordinate by leaders, a good husband by his wife, and a good father by his children.
As the elevator descended from the upper floors, with a DING, the doors slowly opened.
Standing in the corner of the elevator was a person wearing a yellow construction helmet, a worker’s blue uniform, and trousers stained with large splotches of black sludge. His protective gloves were worn beyond recognition.
An ordinary construction worker, only his face was covered with a white mask, concealing his age and features.
Is the building still under renovation?
Shi Qingsong wondered silently as he stepped into the elevator and was immediately assaulted by the pungent smell of construction materials.
Without a doubt, the source of the odor was the worker, who seemed to sense Shi Qingsong’s gaze and awkwardly stepped back.