He Tiantian treated everyone around her with a grateful heart. However, reaching middle age, she discovered she had been living inside a full-bodied lie.
Returning to the year 1970, He Tianti...
878
Huo Yingjie understood this more thoroughly: it's better to teach someone how to fish than to give them a fish.
They kept giving Zhou Yuanchao money or goods, but this did not fundamentally solve the Zhou Yuanchao family's financial situation.
On the contrary, there is an old saying: "A small favor is appreciated, but a large favor breeds resentment."
One-sided giving is not a good way to get along.
They are happy that they can give to Zhou Yuanchao and Wang Ying now; but if they can no longer give to them due to certain things or restrictions, it will make the other party dissatisfied and even resentful.
After all, they had already developed this habit.
"Okay, let's do it that way then," Huo Yingjie said with a smile. "As for the formula, I'll figure something out. I'll give it to you then, and it would be best if you and Wang Ying opened a factory together."
He Tiantian smiled and said, "Okay! I understand your thoughts. Alright, it's getting late, go to sleep early. I need to go to school early tomorrow. I'll have lunch with the teachers at school, and I'll probably be home around 2 PM."
"A get-together?" Huo Yingjie said with some envy. He wanted to go too, but his legs were too weak.
"Actually, it's just the end of a semester, we all have a meal together, and then it's the holiday for the Chinese New Year," He Tiantian said. "This year I have to travel back and forth by train, which makes me happy just thinking about it. When it gets cool in the summer, I'll take the kids to Qijia Village to escape the heat and visit Grandma and Grandpa Qi."
"Hehe, you've already planned for next year!" Huo Yingjie laughed. "Sigh, I guess I won't have time to go with you then!"
"It's alright, you just stay home and work hard. We'll take care of the things that are enjoyable for you," He Tiantian said with a smile, ignoring Huo Yingjie's mournful tone.
Huo Yingjie felt somewhat pathetic, but then he thought about his future ambitions.
Sigh, it's better not to dwell on the gains and losses in life.
He Tiantian chuckled to herself, she just loved teasing Huo Yingjie.
The next morning, He Tiantian ate breakfast and then headed to the college.
He Tiantian didn't pay any attention to the people following her.
When He Tiantian arrived at the office, as usual, only Teacher Zhou was inside; he was always the first to arrive.
He Tiantian fetched water, made tea, and then took out the grade sheets for the eight classes, waiting for Deputy Director Wu to come over so they could hand them over together.
"Teacher Zhou, what are your plans for the holiday?" He Tiantian asked. It was quite awkward not to speak in the same office!
Teacher Zhou smiled and said, "Hehe, I'm an old man now, unlike you young people. I'm content to stay at home, drink tea, play chess with old friends, and go grocery shopping with my wife."
"Hehe, actually even for us young people, we can't go out and have fun in this freezing weather," He Tiantian laughed. "Unlike the other three seasons, when we can travel and see the scenery, in winter, it's just wind and snow."
“You young people are in good health, you could go skiing!” Teacher Zhou suggested. “By the way, there are a few nice ski resorts outside the city. You two are young, you could give it a try.”
He Tiantian felt a little regretful. If it were in the past, she might have taken Huo Yingjie with her.
But now Huo Yingjie has a broken leg and has trouble walking, let alone skiing.
Suddenly, He Tiantian had a brilliant idea.
Oh my god, her house has a swimming pool, it's quite big, you could fill it with water and turn it into an ice rink, then she could play with her kids at home.
If the weather is nice, you can bring your kids to play together!
"Yes, that's a good idea," He Tiantian said, sounding quite eager.
A short while later, Teacher Ma, Teacher Xiao Chen, and Teacher Da Chen arrived and handed over their report cards to Deputy Director Wu.
Deputy Director Wu said a few words of encouragement to everyone, and then told them they could go home for the holidays.
As Teacher Chen emerged from Deputy Director Wu's office, she exclaimed excitedly, "Great! I can finally have a holiday. I want to stay home and watch TV!"
"Then you should borrow more books from the library," He Tiantian suggested. "It seems the library closes this afternoon."
"Hehe, I've read all of those in the library. These were sent to me from Hong Kong by an old friend. Although they're in traditional characters, I can understand them. Oh my, I really envy the love in those books!" Ms. Chen said, captivated. Comparing them to the real world, she felt she couldn't stand men in real life anymore.
Teacher Liu tapped Teacher Chen on the forehead and said, "You live in the world of fiction. The things written in those stories, although not all of them are fake, are still a variety of love stories and happiness woven into the lives of a man and a woman. Of course, you find them beautiful and sweet when you read them."
"Yes, Teacher Chen, it's fine to just look, but it's not good to be obsessed," Teacher Chen added with a smile.
"No, I believe in love. We have one right here in front of us," Teacher Chen insisted. "Although Teacher He doesn't talk much, every time she speaks of her husband, her voice is full of affection. And her partner cherishes her dearly. Let me tell you more. Teacher He is beautiful and talented, and her partner is even more handsome, wealthy, and charming—a perfect leading man and woman!"
"Hehe." He Tiantian chuckled awkwardly, "Just watch and see, don't casually project me into this!"
"I'm just imagining it!" Teacher Chen laughed. "Come on, let's go eat at a Hunan restaurant today. This time, Teacher He should treat us to a big meal."
"Haha, yeah," said Teacher Chen. "I haven't even had breakfast yet, I'm already thinking about the lunch gathering!"
He Tiantian drove, and the group arrived at a Hunan restaurant.
This time, they ordered some dishes they hadn't tried before.
Eating these spicy and numbing dishes on a cold day is really satisfying.
Because everyone knows that He Tiantian has a big appetite, she wasn't embarrassed this time and ate three bowls of rice as usual.
During the event, He Tiantian drank tea instead of alcohol, saying, "I hope all of us colleagues will have a smooth year ahead. I also want to thank everyone for your care and support. I'll have a cup of tea instead of alcohol."
"Professor He, you're too kind. Come, let's have tea instead of wine." Professor Liu chimed in, "It's rare to find such a harmonious atmosphere in our office, unlike other departments where everyone is scheming against each other all the time. It's so annoying."
"What's wrong?" Xiao Chen looked at Teacher Liu with eyes full of gossip. "What's the news at school?"
Teacher Liu swallowed the food in her mouth and lowered her voice, saying, "I heard that some time ago someone came to the school to select people to film a movie. Everyone was scrambling to get them, and it seems that in the end, it was Ning Huihui who got the role. Other teachers all wanted their students to be in it, but they weren't selected. However, I later heard that Ning Huihui was selected because she had someone backing her up!"