Chapter 56
When people are too tired, they become extremely indifferent.
When people begin to adapt to the life of a corporate slave, they will act with enthusiasm.
Ms. Song, the subject teacher of Class 7, came in early in the morning carrying a large bag. She placed a box of coffee on each person's table, saying that it was homemade. Everyone thanked her and chatted with her. It turned out that Ms. Song's family owned a coffee shop. Coincidentally, it was the "Come and Feel Warm" coffee shop that was frequently visited by students of the college and was known for its good quality and low prices.
"So it's your family's business. I've seen it a few times. It must be very popular. The drinks must be delicious."
"Yes, yes, thank you so much, Teacher Song. I'll come to the store to try it next time."
"I've been there, but I couldn't get in line, and it was awkward to squeeze in with the students."
Teacher Song: "You're welcome. Our shop will be temporarily closed from this week until after the physical fitness tests next week. Caffeine can affect sleep, and if students fail their tests because of drinking our coffee, then my coffee shop will be in big trouble. These are all handmade, without any added technology, and they won't last more than a week, so I brought them here for everyone to try. Please don't be disgusted."
"No, we're just worried about not having anything to keep us awake."
Teacher Song left two boxes with Chi Xia, one for her to give to Lin Keli. Chi Xia thanked her, put on her earphones, and answered the call from Lin Keli right on time.
"Honey! My mom's awake!"
"It's good that Auntie is alright. You should also take care of yourself and get some rest."
Lin Keli's excited voice was a little hoarse, "She started arguing with me as soon as she woke up, saying that I didn't respect her wishes. I used the tricks you taught me, and hehe, she blinked and shut up. Thank you, baby, thank you so much. I feel like I have a mother again."
Chi Xia: "Don't mention it, Sister Lily. I'm glad I could help."
"Yesterday's events happened so suddenly. I'll invite you to my house for dinner next time, and my mom will cook. She's an excellent cook."
"Then I definitely have to try it."
"...My mom is calling me. I'm going to go see her. Please hold on for one more day. I'll go back to work tomorrow."
"OK."
Yesterday's announcement that the second-year high school students will have their first physical fitness simulation test next week means that many things need to be adjusted, and various application processes are in full swing.
Chi Xia sat at Lin Keli's desk, mechanically processing the procedures. People came and went in the office, and the topics changed several times, but the hottest topic was still the physical fitness simulation test for the second-year high school students next week. Chi Xia, however, remained there like a stake, completely motionless.
"I wonder how this year's students are doing. In previous years, our Magic Fishing Academy has consistently ranked first in the city in terms of physical fitness."
"Who can argue with that? With both academic and talent at the bottom, and without physical support, I think our Magic Fishing Academy might as well just close down."
"What a waste! They're given the best educational resources in the city, but these brats have ruined them. Those students who were taken away by those two lousy classes are rising stars in the education field, three-time winners of the district's Outstanding Teacher Award. They were so angry that they had a mental breakdown and were hospitalized. Isn't that a terrible thing?"
"To be honest, this year's candidates are not very physically fit. They have only improved their ability to trick teachers, but not their grades, their brains, or their bodies."
"Not growing properly, hahaha, Teacher Zhou, that's quite presumptuous of you. Did you give them physical exams, or did you check their shopping records one by one?"
"Hey, Teacher Zhang, you're making dirty jokes again. Don't take advantage of the fact that the director isn't here to spout nonsense. Let me tell you something."
The office was filled with laughter and chatter, but Director Ma was indeed not there; his appearances and disappearances were as mysterious as ever.
"bite!"
The bell rang for the next class, and Cheng Yang stood up with his textbook in hand. "Let's go to class. You bunch of firecrackers, you never stop exploding."
Teacher Zhou collected the notes on the physical fitness test from the table, picked up the textbook, and laughed, "I forgot that there are students mixed in with us. Be careful, Teacher Cheng will tell his nephew to deal with you when he gets back."
Teacher Zhang glanced in Chi Xia's direction and said, "Teacher Cheng's nephew is in Class 3. Teacher Xia, you'd better be careful, lest Teacher Cheng, this 'enemy country' spy, gets a word out of us."
As Teacher Zhang finished speaking, the group subconsciously glanced at Chi Xia as they walked out. Chi Xia was already tired and automatically ignored the idle chatter, not hearing anything, and smoothly approved the procedures.
Anna yawned and tapped the teacher who was heading to class with her textbook. "Go on, you guys are so idle. There are so many procedures, my little Xia is already busy as a dog. I'm warning you, don't bother her."
A large group of teachers who were teaching this class left, leaving only two or three people in the office. The male teacher sitting by the door stopped writing and stood up. "Teacher Zhang, do you need to go to the restroom?"
Teacher Zhang laughed, "Are you a primary school student? You even ask someone to hold your hand when you go to the bathroom."
The teacher laughed, muttered something, and left.
At this moment, only Chi Xia, who was engrossed in processing the procedures, and Teacher Zhang remained in the office. Teacher Zhang opened the coffee that Teacher Song had given him, and it was indeed handmade, wrapped in kraft paper. He took out two packets and got up to get water.
Chi Xia had the last two periods today. After finishing reviewing the procedures, she was just about to collapse on the table and take a nap—
"Xia, would you like some coffee? I made you a cup while I was making it."
Chi Xia looked up and smiled, "Thank you, I'd like to take a nap first."
Teacher Zhang placed the coffee on her desk, pushed it to her side, and then leaned over, leaning on the desk. "You haven't seemed to be in good spirits these past few days. Is it because of work stress? Or are those little devils from Class 3 causing trouble again?"
Chi Xia stepped aside, intending to dismiss him, but then she thought better of it. The two weren't that close, so she sat up straight and asked, "Is there something you need, Teacher Zhang?"
Teacher Zhang smiled and said, "It's nothing much. I just admire how you, a young girl, have managed to hold out against those devils in Class 3 until now."
Chi Xia glanced at the empty office. "Teacher Zhang, are you paying close attention to me?"
Teacher Zhang smiled and said, "We're colleagues, so it's only right that we care about each other. When it's convenient for you, could you please reschedule my home visit for after the physical fitness simulation test? I'm too lazy to write an application."
Chi Xia glanced at the coffee, which was made in a disposable paper cup for her, and nodded, "Okay."
Teacher Zhang straightened up. "Then you go ahead with your work, I won't bother you any longer."
Chi Xia took the coffee back to her seat and placed it on the windowsill, intending to deal with it after she woke up from her nap. The quiet environment helped her fall asleep quickly; Chi Xia lay down and was asleep almost immediately, as if time had been paused.
Soon, a cacophony of sounds enveloped Chi Xia as the teachers returned after finishing their lessons. She groggily opened her eyes, quickly realizing she was in the office. Suddenly, the coffee on the windowsill was gone. Looking up again, she saw Teacher Zhang sitting in her seat, seemingly engrossed in something, a posture she appeared to have maintained for quite some time.
But what about coffee?
Chi Xia straightened up. Everyone was talking, and no one was deliberately crowding around her. It seemed that no one had taken it to drink. Checking the surveillance footage for a cup of coffee was making a mountain out of a molehill.
But something still felt off. Chi Xia got up, intending to go to the bathroom to wash her face and clear her head before sorting out her thoughts.
As soon as she stepped out of the office, she saw Xin Ran walking briskly towards her. He was excited the moment he saw Chi Xia, and then he grabbed Chi Xia and quickly pulled her to the elevator. Chi Xia didn't say much and followed him down to the underground parking garage.
Xin Ran: "You'll never guess what I discovered."
Chi Xia: I just took a nap, and the sky fell down?
Xin Ran led Chi Xia to the trunk of a car. Chi Xia looked confused. "What?"
Xin Ran listened intently to the complete silence around him. He raised his hand and patted the trunk of the car. A "whooshing" sound came from inside. Chi Xia's eyes widened, as if she had been instantly revived. The two of them stared at the trunk that was making the strange noise.
Xin Ran: "I bet there's a person inside."
Chi Xia: "Then I bet it's a dog inside."
Xin Ran raised an eyebrow and smiled mysteriously. He took out a car key pouch from his pocket. Chi Xia watched as he pulled out a wire from the small pouch, then skillfully bent and knotted it before squatting down and reaching into the storage compartment in the back of the car to fiddle with it.
The garage was dimly lit, and the air was always filled with a musty smell of oil and electricity. Chi Xia glanced around to make sure no one else was there.
"Click!"
It's open. Xin Ran pressed down on the trunk, which was about to pop open, and put her "tool of the trade" back in.
He let go, and the trunk lid slowly rose on its own. At the same time, a car entered the garage, the sound particularly jarring in the quiet, tense atmosphere. Xin Ran paused, his hand about to withdraw, and then turned to press the trunk lid.
The two exchanged a glance, and Xin Ran pressed the trunk lid back down. They quickly tiptoed and moved silently to the nearest elevator entrance, where they both peeked out at the same time.
It was the senior year office, the office of that elusive leader, Director Ma. His car was parked in its designated spot. The middle-aged man got out, took a large box from the trunk, carried it, locked the car door, and strode toward the elevator leading to the office.
When the two returned to the trunk of the car, Xin Ran opened it again, and the two eagerly awaited the "surprise".
"Beep! Beep!"
Both of their bracelets vibrated simultaneously. When they checked, they saw a message from Director Ma in the group chat, telling everyone to go to the office to collect their items, first come, first served.
The two looked at each other again. Xin Ran asked, "Shall we go after it's open?"
Chi Xia: "Let's open it. Director Ma's cardboard box can't hold too much good stuff."
Xin Ran nodded and took out the wire again.
"Beep beep beep!" The group chat exploded with all sorts of pictures.
Xin Ran: "I happen to need one of those fingerprint unlock water bottles. I saw one last time that cost over 30,000 yuan. Shall we go back and get it first?"
Chi Xia saw that Anna had posted a black and gold one, the light and color were very beautiful, it was the style she liked.
The two sprinted towards the elevator, then went up to the office floor, rushed to the office door one after the other, then adjusted their pace and slowly walked to Director Ma's desk.
Xin Ran smiled and said, "Director, I'm here."
Director Ma glanced at him and said, "Choose for yourself."
Chi Xia also came over, "Hello, Director."
Director Ma glanced at Chi Xia again, their hair flipping in the same direction. "Where did you two go?"
Xin Ran and Chi Xia: "Restroom, cafeteria."
Director Ma's lips twitched, too lazy to expose the two of them. "Xia, get one for Keli and put it on the table for her."
Chi Xia: "Okay, thank you, Director."
Chi Xia took a picture and sent it to Lin Keli. There were five left: one black, one colorful, one red, and two blue. She asked Lin Keli which one she wanted, and Lin Keli replied immediately that she wanted the colorful one.
Chi Xia took a black and gold one, Xin Ran took a blue one, and gave the colorful one to Lin Keli to put on the table.
The office was in an uproar. People were taking fingerprints from the fingerprint cups given to them by Director Ma, cleaning them to prepare tea or coffee, just like being at a market.
Who would have thought that Director Ma would suddenly be so willing to part with it?
Chi Xia and Xin Ran took the cups, not knowing when Director Ma would leave. The two were on pins and needles. They had the fingerprint cups, but what about the things in the trunk? Would they run away?
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