"Now that we have news of the child, let's go find someone without delay."

Principal Peng made the final decision. "Jingshu has no classes, so she'll go with me. Team Leader Tian will go back to teach and calm the students down."

Several people hurriedly took action.

Principal Peng pushed his bicycle and took Lin Jingshu to Ma Xiaojie's home.

Ma Xiaojie's home is in Majia Village near the school, which takes twenty minutes to get there by bike.

On the way, Principal Peng and Lin Jingshu talked about Ma Xiaojie's family situation.

"Ma Xiaojie is also a miserable child."

When Ma Xiaojie was born, his mother died of heavy bleeding. Three years later, his father remarried, and the wife was quite good to Ma Xiaojie.

If life could go on like this peacefully, it would be a happy life, but unfortunately, things in the world are unpredictable.

When Ma Xiaojie was seven years old, not long after his stepmother gave birth, his father was attacked by a school of sharks while out at sea. When he came back, he was not safe and sound.

His father is the breadwinner of the family, and his main source of income comes from going out to sea.

Now that this has happened, the family is in even worse trouble. Ma Xiaojie's stepmother couldn't stand such a life and left her child behind.

Only Grandpa Ma and Grandma Ma are left at home with their two children.

When Mr. Ma got into trouble, the young Ma Xiaojie once suggested dropping out of school. Despite repeated attempts by Principal Peng and Teacher Hu to keep him, he refused to give up the idea.

Because of his son's situation, Grandpa Ma didn't want his grandson to follow in their footsteps, so he twisted his ears and sent him back to school.

The teachers knew that the Ma family had a hard time, so they secretly raised some money for Grandpa Ma.

Grandpa Ma refused, saying, "Although I'm old, I still have my fishing skills. As long as I can move, I will never let the children go hungry. I appreciate the teachers' kindness, but I absolutely cannot accept the money."

After his father passed away, Ma Xiaojie changed his mischievous behavior, listened carefully in class, and went home after school to help with housework and sell seafood.

Despite his young age, he possesses a maturity that does not belong to his age.

Lin Jingshu had a bad feeling. Ma Xiaojie was such a sensible child, but he suddenly acted like this. It was likely that something happened at home.

This premonition became a reality when I arrived at Ma Xiaojie's house.

As soon as the two stopped the car, they heard a cough coming from the yard.

"Grandpa, take medicine."

Ma Xiaojie looked at his grandfather worriedly and patted his back, trying to make him feel better.

Grandpa Ma finished drinking the medicine and patted his grandson on the shoulder. "Grandpa is fine. He'll be fine after drinking the medicine. Did you tell the teacher when you came back?"

"I did."

After Ma Xiaojie finished speaking, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes. If his grandfather knew that he had secretly come back without asking for leave, he would definitely be angry.

Grandpa is already in poor health, and he can't make him worry anymore.

"Ma Xiaojie."

Ma Xiaojie shuddered all over and turned around in disbelief. Seeing the person coming, his eyes widened, "Lin, Teacher Lin!"

"Why are you here?"

Lin Jingshu looked at the fear in his eyes, pursed her lips, and did not expose the child in front of Grandpa Ma.

"The school is going to visit your home soon, and since you happen to be at home, Principal Peng and I decided to come to your house first."

Grandpa Ma was originally lying on a chair to rest. When he heard the teacher coming, he quickly stood up. He stood up too quickly and staggered.

I felt top-heavy and almost fell down.

"careful!"

"grandfather!"

Lin Jingshu quickly stepped forward and supported Grandpa Ma.

"Thank you, teacher. I am old and my body is not very useful anymore."

There was self-sarcasm in Grandpa Ma's tone.

Principal Peng: "Please don't say that. Sixty is the prime of life. You still have Xiaojie to see him get married and have children. You can live to ninety-nine without any problem."

Grandpa Ma knew Principal Peng and greeted her with a smile, "May I have good wishes, Principal Peng."

Ma Xiaojie trembled and didn't dare to speak for a long time, feeling uneasy.

Grandpa Ma saw that Lin Jingshu looked unfamiliar and asked, "Is this the new teacher at the school?"

Lin Jingshu introduced herself: "Hello, Grandpa Ma, I am Xiaojie's art teacher."

Grandpa Ma: "Hello, teacher. Please take a seat. Principal Peng, please take a seat as well. Xiaojie, go get some water for the two teachers. Go to the kitchen."

There was sugar in the kitchen cabinet, and grandpa wanted him to pour sugar water for the teacher.

This is the highest etiquette for entertaining guests in this era.

Principal Peng looked into the courtyard and asked, "Why don't I see Auntie and Xiaolong?"

Xiaolong is Xiaojie's younger brother.

Grandpa Ma: "The wild vegetables on the mountain grow well. The child's grandmother took him to dig wild vegetables."

The child is still young and his cough has not been cured, so he is afraid of infecting the child.

"Teacher, drink some water."

Miss Ma brought over some water, which was about to overflow. Lin Jingshu was close by and reached out to take it.

Grandpa Ma was worried about his grandson's situation at school, so he tried to sit up straight and ask Principal Peng about the situation.

"Don't worry, Xiaojie is the most obedient and hardworking student in the class. If he keeps doing this, he will definitely achieve academic success in the future."

When parents like the most what the teacher praises their children, Grandpa Ma immediately smiles.

"That's good. As long as my child has a promising future, all the hardship and fatigue I endure will be worth it."

I will have an explanation when I see my son in the future.

"Xiaojie used to be naughty, but thanks to the teachers' care, he has achieved what he has today."

Grandpa Ma has been a fisherman all his life. Finally, his son grew up and handed the boat to him.

But fate played a trick on him and his son died young.

He fell ill while going to sea in his early years, and he barely made a living by going to sea with his dying body.

He had only a few years of education and, being in his sixties, he only knew his own name.

I can't help my child with his studies at all. If the school teachers hadn't paid attention to it, my child would have been ruined.

Principal Peng was kind-hearted and took the lead in donating money to them. After being rejected, he waived the children's tuition.

He will always remember this kindness in his heart.

The reason why I don’t let my child drop out of school is that I don’t want him to repeat the fate of the older generation.

He was incompetent when he was young and did not set a good example for his children.

They are rich and powerful, so they don't have to worry about future employment problems.

They are ordinary people and can only rely on themselves to change their fate.

It is said that learning can change one's destiny. Grandpa Ma also hopes that his grandson will be able to get rid of the days of fishing for a living, and no longer have to earn a meager income in the wind and sun on the sea, but instead sit in an office with a pen.

Principal Peng was chatting with Grandpa Ma. Lin Jingshu glanced at Ma Xiaojie who was keeping his head down and silent.

While pouring water, Lin Jingshu took him aside and asked why he suddenly left school.

"Teacher knows you are a sensible child. You have your own reasons for doing this. Can you tell me why?"

Ma Xiaojie pinched the corner of his clothes, and when Lin Jingshu thought there was no hope, he replied, "Grandpa is sick and alone at home. I'm worried. I'm afraid, I'm afraid he will leave suddenly like Dad."

Grandpa Ma’s illness was not cured in time, as he has not recovered even after half a month.

At first, I could still hold on to go out to sea, but recently I can’t even leave the house, and I have to gasp for breath after every three steps.

All the remaining money in the family was used to buy medicine, but there was no improvement after taking it for a long time.