Chapter 84 One radish, one hole
Shen Hongmei interjected sarcastically, "If anyone could get a job by giving gifts, then what's the point of taking exams? Everyone would just give gifts! If you ask me, it still depends on one's own ability. As long as the fourth brother is excellent, he will definitely pass the exam!"
Zhang Xiuying glared at her fiercely: "Are you worried about your fourth brother, or are you afraid we'll waste the money? Let me tell you, your father and I aren't dead yet! We, the old couple, will pay for this!"
Shen Yi shook his head, disagreeing, "Mother, I've heard the educated youth talk about this primary school principal. He's a professor at Shanghai University, and he came here to support education in our country. If you were to give him a gift, it would be an insult."
Zhang Xiuying slapped her forehead: "Oh dear! You're right! I was confused!"
Liu Zhixia turned to look at her mother, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "If what Shen Yi said is true, then he will be even less likely to be manipulated by Lu Jianping. Why don't we go and talk to the principal later?"
"Talk?" Zhang Xiuying was stunned. "How can we talk? We're not giving gifts, and we're not candidates, so why should they see us?"
Liu Zhixia took out the fountain pen that Gangzi had given her from her bag and smiled mysteriously: "I'll use this one."
"Isn't this a wedding gift someone gave you? Are you going to give it to the principal?"
Liu Zhixia smiled and shook her head: "I already said I wouldn't give any gifts! Anyway, you'll find out when we go to the school later!"
The three had just arrived at the school gate when Lu Huaiyuan's smug voice came from behind them:
"Hey, isn't this a member of the Liu family? What are you doing at the school all this time?"
Lu Huaiyuan swaggered over, sizing up Shen Yi with hostility in his eyes: "What? Heard the exams are coming up soon, worried your fourth son won't pass, so you're trying to bribe the principal? Let me tell you, no way!"
Liu Zhixia looked at him coldly: "Since when did it become your place to call the shots at this school? Even if your father is the brigade leader, this school is not under the brigade's jurisdiction!"
"Not under our jurisdiction?" Li Xuemei and Lu Jianping arrived late, their voices shrill as they retorted, "Haven't you heard the saying 'He who takes a man's money is bound to him'?"
She carried two large basins full of delicacies, looking down at the three empty-handed men with utter contempt.
"You bunch of country bumpkins, don't try to do things like men! Haven't you ever seen someone come empty-handed to beg for help?"
She tapped the enamel basin in her hand triumphantly: "See that? Now that's what you call sincerity! This lousy school was built entirely with the help of the nearby brigade. What good things could the principal have ever seen? Seeing this, he'll definitely hire Huaiyuan directly! As for you, you might as well give up on that idea!"
Lu Jianping sneered smugly, "If you know what's good for you, get back here! Once we see the principal, you fourth brother can forget about being a teacher here! I won't even let you do odd jobs!"
Lu Huaiyuan, even more smug, put his hands in his pockets and said to Liu Zhixia in a condescending tone, "Liu Zhixia, I advise you to divorce this soldier and come with me! I don't mind that you're second-hand, we can make do. When I become a teacher, I can even arrange a job for your younger brother!"
Shen Yi's eyes turned cold as he slowly and methodically flexed his wrists, his voice icy: "Watch your mouth. I don't mind exercising here today."
Startled, Lu Huaiyuan quickly hid behind Li Xuemei, shouting with feigned bravado but underlying fear, "This is a school! Not a place for you to run wild!"
Shen Yi narrowed his eyes and stared at him coldly: "My fists are only used to hit bad people who bully the masses. Like, someone like your father."
"You!" Lu Jianping trembled with rage, pointing at Shen Yi, "You need to take responsibility for your words! I advise you to watch your mouth!"
"Excuse me, what brings you all to cause such a disturbance at the school gate?"
A middle-aged man wearing thick-rimmed black glasses walked out. He had a scholarly air about him and was very refined, which seemed out of place in this rural area.
Lu Jianping paused for a moment, then cautiously inquired, "Excuse me, are you Hao Guoqing, Principal Hao?"
Principal Hao nodded: "That's me."
Lu Jianping and Li Xuemei exchanged a glance, their expressions immediately changed, and they fawned over each other.
"Hello, Principal Hao! I'm Lu Jianping, the head of this brigade!"
A barely perceptible hint of disgust flashed in Principal Hao's eyes, but out of politeness, he nodded and said, "Captain Lu, hello."
Upon seeing this, Lu Jianping immediately raised his eyebrows triumphantly at Liu Zhixia and the others, then pulled Lu Huaiyuan over: "Principal, this is my son, Lu Huaiyuan!"
Lu Huaiyuan immediately dropped his nonchalant attitude and put on a refined scoundrel's demeanor, greeting him politely.
With that fake seriousness, you could easily be fooled if you didn't know better.
Principal Hao glanced at him politely: "Young man, you look quite energetic. So, what brings you here..."
"Principal!" Lu Jianping eagerly shoved the two large basins of things into his arms. "My son wants to be a teacher, what do you think of this..."
Principal Hao was startled and quickly pushed those things aside, saying sternly, "Captain Lu, the teachers were selected through an open examination. There were only three positions available, and the best candidates were chosen. Your behavior... is unacceptable!"
Lu Jianping, however, thought he was just putting on an act and winked, implying, "We understand! One radish for one hole! Anyway, there are three, so why don't you just leave one for my son?"
Li Xuemei chimed in, "That's right! My son has a high school diploma! It would be a waste of his talent for him to teach elementary school here!"
"Shut up!" Lu Jianping glared at her, then smiled ingratiatingly at the principal, "Don't listen to this woman's nonsense! She's ignorant!"
Principal Hao smiled and waved his hand firmly, saying, "Gentlemen, don't bother. These things should go back to where they came from. I, Hao, will never accept gifts, much less give anyone special treatment!"
He pointed at Li Xuemei, his words carrying a hidden meaning: "Since your son is so outstanding, why waste money like this? Why not just let him take the exam? A high school diploma is indeed rare; he must be a talented person. Why be afraid of being outdone by others?"
The three members of the Lu family were speechless after hearing Principal Hao's words. They looked at each other, so embarrassed that they scratched their toes on the ground.
"Alright," Principal Hao waved his hand, giving an unquestionable order to leave, "I will absolutely not accept the gifts. I will handle the exam matter impartially. Please leave now."
After dealing with the Lu family, his gaze turned to Liu Zhixia and the other two standing to the side.
"You...are here for the exam too?"
Zhang Xiuying nervously tugged at her daughter's sleeve. The principal's attitude was clear: bribery was definitely out of the question.
Liu Zhixia stepped forward calmly and smiled, "That's right, we did come for the exam."
Principal Hao frowned: "No matter what you bring, I will not accept it. Please leave."
Seeing this, Lu Huaiyuan gloated and mocked, "Did you hear that? The principal wouldn't even accept our generous gifts, do you think he'd even look at your worthless pickled vegetables? Don't dream about it!"
Liu Zhixia didn't even glance at him, took a pen out of her bag, and handed it to the principal with both hands.
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