Since Lin Fang hit Dou Yalin, Rouqiu felt that Lin Fang was a bit different from before. He thought it might be because her health had improved, giving her more energy, and with that, her temper had also grown. Just now, when Teacher Su spoke up, Rouqiu immediately sensed a shift in Lin Fang’s mood. Despite his fear of Teacher Su, he chimed in to ease the tension, all the while keeping an eye on Lin Fang.
Seeing that Lin Fang was about to lose her temper, Rouqiu reacted quickly: “Lin Fang, Teacher Su is right. Your health is just starting to improve. If you rush around every day, it really won’t be good for you. If you relapse and your condition worsens again, it’ll be such a waste.”
Lin Fang fell silent. What Rouqiu said wasn’t impossible. Heaven had given her a second chance, and if she didn’t cherish it, it would all be for nothing. In the end, the ones who’d suffer would be those who cared about her.
“Alright, thank you both. Rouqiu and I won’t damage your things.” This was her way of agreeing.
“Of course not. I’m the kind of person who fixes things, not breaks them,” Rouqiu said, greatly relieved.
Staff Officer Shangguan and Teacher Su each left a copy of their dormitory keys, took the twenty-some books, and left. Lin Fang and Rouqiu rearranged the table, then closed the shop and headed home.
As they walked out of the bookstore, Staff Officer Shangguan and Teacher Su, carrying the books, headed toward the No. 2 Middle School. They hadn’t ridden their bicycles for this outing.
Feeling the books sway with each step, Teacher Su teased, “Hey, did you really take a liking to that Lin Fang? Did you drag me along just to see her? Using my hometown’s slang, I’ve become your ‘shill.'”
Shangguan switched the books to his other hand and retorted, “Nonsense! She’s a student. Even though I don’t teach, I’m still technically a teacher. There’s a generational gap here—how could I possibly have feelings for someone younger like her?”
Teacher Su scoffed, “Cut the crap. A generational gap? You’re just tall, which makes you seem a few years older. You’re only twenty-two. The more you deny it, the more guilty you look. This is a classic case of ‘the more you explain, the worse it gets.'”
“Is this because I offered your dorm without consulting you? Must you spout such nonsense? I’m a man—I can take it. But she’s just a girl, still studying. Don’t spread rumors,” Shangguan stopped walking, his expression serious.
“Fine, I won’t say anything else. You know your own heart,” Teacher Su replied. As someone who’d been through it, he knew how damaging rumors could be for students. He lifted the books high, swinging them in front of Shangguan to change the subject. “Then tell me, do you really plan to take all these books home?”
“Of course, but not all at once. If I brought them all back in one go, my dad would see I spent over half a month’s salary and call me a spendthrift again,” Shangguan resumed walking.
“Where are you going to put them, then?” Teacher Su asked, lowering his arm and catching up.
“In the dorm, obviously.”
“But you’re letting them stay in your dorm. If they see the books you bought still there, what do you think will happen?”
“Then I’ll put them in your dorm.”
“How’s that any different?”
“True. That little chubby kid seems to listen to Lin Fang. If he sees them, he’ll definitely tell her. Guess I’ll just take them home. Leaving them with another teacher would make it even harder to explain.”
With the book issue settled, Teacher Su brought up something else: “I just don’t get it. Lin Fang’s as thin as a stick, her face pale and sallow—clearly not long for this world. What do you see in her? Just because she’s smart? No matter how smart she is, if her health’s no good, what’s the point? And with her heart condition, who knows if she can even marry or have kids.”
Shangguan grew angry. “Her face isn’t pale at all—it’s gotten much healthier. Didn’t you hear the kid say she’s improving? It’s almost New Year’s—can’t you say something auspicious? Why are you so talkative today? Did you take the wrong pills?”
Teacher Su, who’d meant well, was offended by Shangguan’s reaction. He flung his books to the ground, turned on his heel, and stormed off. Shangguan, even angrier, picked up the books and strode toward the school.
Teacher Su had only graduated a year and a half ago, while Shangguan had started at No. 2 Middle School right after high school. Though he’d been a staff officer for a few years and was more composed than Teacher Su, he was still only in his early twenties. Both were hot-headed, and now they were at odds.
Despite his anger, Teacher Su cooled down and returned to tidy his dorm—though he only straightened things up. Shangguan put more thought into it, though it was unclear how they’d decided Lin Fang would stay in Shangguan’s dorm while Rouqiu stayed in Teacher Su’s.
But things didn’t go as planned. After Lin Fang hit Dou Yalin, the rumors gradually died down, but to be safe, Lin Fang arranged with Rouqiu that she’d stay in Teacher Su’s single room, while Rouqiu stayed in Shangguan’s suite. They’d only go there at night and leave early in the morning, not lingering.
Back home, Lin Fang discussed it with her family after dinner. They had more concerns. Yan Ping even volunteered to stay with Lin Fang at school—both to keep her company and to prevent anyone from spreading rumors about her staying alone in a man’s room.
Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin agreed, but Lin Fang wasn’t keen. Since the family business started making money, Yan Ping had treated her better, but Lin Fang still disliked her, especially since Yan Ping deliberately kept her away from little Yuanyuan.
But she couldn’t say that outright. “Sis, you should stay home with the kids. Mom and Dad are too busy to help, and my brothers don’t have time either. Besides, Yuanyuan can’t be without you.”
Yan Ping understood but wasn’t ready to give up. “That’s no problem. I’ll just bring Yuanyuan along.”
Her offer wasn’t selfless—she wanted to find work. With everyone else busy, she was stuck at home with the kids, feeling useless. She thought Lin Fang’s job at the store was easy money and hoped to get in on it.
Dong Huixin objected. “No, Yuanyuan’s too active. What if he breaks something?”
Yuanyuan was at that curious, restless age. The store processed chili sauce—if any got on his face, in his eyes, or even on his diaper-free bottom, it’d be painful. Lin Yong had forbidden Yan Ping from getting involved, so she was stuck at home.
Though Lin Yong was often stern, if Yan Ping fell behind on chores because of Yuanyuan, he’d pitch in without complaint and even comfort her afterward. It was one reason she both feared and relied on him—he was always rational.
With her mother-in-law’s decision, the matter was settled. Yan Ping had no choice. Her sister-in-law was the family’s treasure, and her husband always listened to his parents. Without his support, her words meant nothing. Then she remembered someone. “I saw Hongping yesterday. She’s free now—how about she stays with Lin Fang?”
“Great, I’ll go ask her.” Lin Fang and Hongping had grown up together. Hongping was honest, and they got along well. Lin Fang agreed immediately.
Hongping, surnamed Guo, was the niece of Lin Fang’s uncle. She’d lost her mother young and moved in with her uncle for school, sharing a class with Lin Fang. A few months older, she’d dropped out after failing high school and helped her stepmother with farm work. Now, with winter here, she had nothing to do.
Yan Ping asked, “Do you want me to come? It’s dark out.”
“No need, I’ve got a flashlight.” The flashlight was just an excuse—she didn’t really need it.
Her sister-in-law not opposing her idea reassured Yan Ping. Her older brother had advised her: Lin Fang had been sickly since birth, and everyone knew she wouldn’t live long. The family indulged her to make her happy. Now that she was improving—and already clever—she’d likely outshine Lin Yong and his brother. He’d told Yan Ping to stop antagonizing Lin Fang, who wasn’t ungrateful. If Lin Fang succeeded, it’d benefit Yan Ping’s family too.
Yan Ping wasn’t stupid—she understood. So now she tried to be nice to Lin Fang, even if it felt forced.
Hongping was thrilled at the idea of staying in town. She’d come to her uncle’s to escape the boredom at home. Her stepsister, just two months older, had also dropped out, but suitors mostly pursued the sister. Hongping was plain, short, and prone to gaining weight, while her sister was pretty, slim, and charming.
The girl hugged Lin Fang and mumbled, “Lin Fang, can you find me a job too? Watching my sister work all day makes me feel useless. I’m bad at sewing, my cooking’s worse than hers, and even farm work’s harder for me. My parents don’t say anything, but I feel like a freeloader.”
Hongping was still like she’d been as a kid—treating Lin Fang like a comfort pillow, keeping things bottled up until she could confide in her. Lin Fang felt sorry for her. “Help me out during winter break. I’ll cover food and board, and I’ll see if I can find you something. But I’m just a student—I don’t know many people. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“Okay! You’re the best, Lin Fang!” Overjoyed, Hongping squeezed tighter.
“Ow! Are you trying to strangle me?” Lin Fang gasped.
Hongping loosened her grip, grinning sheepishly. “Hehe, you’re still so skinny. From now on, I’ll handle your meals—I’ll blow you up like a balloon!”
“With your cooking? I’m already worried I’ll waste away to bones.”
Lin Fang knew Hongping’s cooking all too well—one bite, and you’d wish you’d never met her. But saying that outright would be too harsh.
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