Bonnie had already believed what Lan Hua said, but she didn't know what to do.
In this day and age, if someone is exposed as being pregnant out of wedlock, the amount of gossip and criticism can be overwhelming.
Especially the behavior that girls try so hard to hide, it's hard to tell whether they've indulged in forbidden fruit or encountered bad people.
Bonnie felt overwhelmed and wondered what to do. She needed to think things through, otherwise, it could easily lead to someone's death.
Let's get back to work. I've taken several days off, and there's still a lot to do.
Bonnie first cleaned the classroom, carefully wiping away the dust, arranging all the books according to their categories, and then checking them again to see if there were any damaged ones...
Before we knew it, it was noon. After lunch, students started coming to read, and Bonnie got busy too. She helped find books, fetch books, and take notes. She barely had time to say a few words to Liu Jiu and San Qi as they passed by, and only caught a breath when classes started in the afternoon.
Bonnie wondered if it was because she hadn't come for a few days or because kids these days are more focused on studying, but it seemed like there were more kids reading books, especially in middle and high school.
"Do you feel like there are more children now?"
Teacher Ma came over with a water cup; she had also come out for some fresh air.
"Yes, it feels like all of a sudden, the children understand the importance of studying hard."
Bonnie poured herself a glass of water; she had been talking all afternoon and her throat was dry.
"Perhaps parents are paying more attention now that the college entrance examination has been reinstated. They are concerned about the treatment of university graduates and those without diplomas."
Moreover, many people nowadays discriminate against those who set up stalls and do small businesses. When educating their children, they might say things like, "If you don't study hard, you'll end up setting up a stall on the street someday, let's see how you handle that."
Teacher Ma spoke very seriously; she also felt that setting up a stall was not a good idea.
Bonnie thought to herself, "They look down on street vendors now, but in a few years, they'll all be millionaires!"
However, this phenomenon exists in society: at any time, those with formal employment will have a better social status. As the saying goes, having power is worse than having money; there is still a difference in social status!
Bao Ni was thinking about what Aunt Lan had said, and she was unsure of what to do, so she wanted to find out what Teacher Ma thought.
"Teacher Ma, you know, society is much better now. In the past, if someone got pregnant before marriage, they would be drowned in a pig cage."
Now, it seems that society is more accepting of it and less extreme.
Bonnie kept an eye on Teacher Ma's expression as she spoke, watching for her reaction.
Teacher Ma frowned for a moment, then adjusted her expression before saying, "Although the public's acceptance of relationships between men and women and free love is higher, the acceptance of premarital pregnancy is still not high."
Especially for the woman, the lack of acceptance from her family and the gossip from neighbors can become invisible executioners.
Girls should respect and love themselves; otherwise, it's often the girls themselves and their families who get hurt.
Teacher Ma spoke very seriously, and Bonnie also understood the current attitudes towards premarital pregnancy, which are really not very friendly.
Knowing Teacher Ma's attitude, Bao Ni didn't mention Lan Hua's speculation; it was best not to make a fuss about it yet. They didn't know what was going on or who it was, and it wouldn't be good to cause unnecessary panic.
Bao Ni's parents, who stayed in the courtyard, were also busy. After the four of them had breakfast, Bao Ni's mother took charge of washing clothes and tidying up the house, while Bao Ni's father wandered around to see if there were any places in the house that needed repair.
Grandpa and Grandma went to the vegetable garden again. This is a habit they have developed over the years. After eating, they go for a walk in the vegetable garden so they can feel at ease.
When Teacher Zhai came in, Bao Ni's mother had already washed the clothes and was hanging them out to dry.
"Teacher Zhai, come in quickly, I was thinking of coming to chat with you after I finished washing my clothes."
Bao Ni's mother was very happy. She was used to chatting and laughing with her neighbors at home, gossiping about this and that.
"I thought you were new here and not familiar with the area, so I came to find you. Where's your aunt?"
“I’ve moved to the vegetable garden in the back. I’m used to it. It’s the same at home. I don’t feel at ease if I don’t go there a few times a day to check on things and touch them.”
After hanging up the clothes, Bao Ni's mother went inside with Teacher Zhai.
“Teacher Zhai, you’re familiar with this place, Bonnie. Please make yourself at home. I’ll put the basin back.”
"You're busy, I come often, no need to treat me specially. I don't have much to do all day, so I come to chat with you for a while, and the time will pass faster."
Teacher Zhai looked at the sun; it was almost at its zenith, and nearly half the day had passed.
"What's the point of wishing time would pass quickly? We're all getting old."
Bao Ni's mother didn't want time to pass too quickly; she hadn't lived enough yet.
"You find life enjoyable because you have something to look forward to, while I'm all alone, living the same monotonous life every day."
After retiring, Ms. Zhai found life too monotonous, with nothing to do and time seemingly standing still. However, her health no longer allowed her to work for extended periods, and she couldn't adapt anymore.
"You can't think like that. How can every day be the same? Sometimes it's cloudy, sometimes it's rainy, so it's still different."
Bao Ni's mother didn't know about Teacher Zhai's situation; she only knew that she lived alone.
“Baoni’s mother, I’m probably just unlucky. All my close relatives are gone. My parents were killed by spies, and my only brother sacrificed his life.”
My husband is gone, and my only child never grew up; they both left me.
Before, I was busy with work every day, thinking that I could still make some contributions to the country, and that was my motivation to live.
Now, my health is failing, and I can no longer perform my work. I feel like I have no will to live.
For the first time, Bao Ni's mother realized that Teacher Zhai was truly alone, not just alone with someone who wasn't around.
“Teacher Zhai, you can’t think like that. The deaths of your parents and brother were unavoidable. Too many people died back then.”
My daughter Bonnie's second uncle also sacrificed his life before he even started a family. The old man and woman cried countless times in secret, all for the sake of more people living well.
Although your child did not grow up, he came into this world once, and you were mother and son for a time, thus fulfilling your destiny in this life.
In your next life, may he be reborn as your son, and you raise him well.
Bao Ni's mother's superstitious beliefs gave Teacher Zhai hope, and he forgot that he was a proletarian.
"Really? Will you be my son again in the next life?"
"Yes, he will. Knowing how much you miss him, he will also miss you, his mother. You must live well and accumulate more blessings so that you will be safe and sound in your next life."
Teacher Zhai believed Bao Ni's mother's unwavering conviction. Perhaps, this was her only solace in life.
“Baonian’s mother, I believe in you. I will live well from now on and see where this country we have worked so hard for will go and what heights it will reach.”
If one day I go down to the underworld and see my family and loved ones, I'll tell them that everything is fine!
"Yes, yes, that's how you should think. Let those who leave go in peace. You should try to let go and let those who leave go in peace."
Teacher Zhai stood up, walked into the courtyard, and looked at the blue sky and white clouds outside, wondering if any of her relatives were behind those clouds.
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