The new school needs so many things. With him as the principal, whatever they need, he can just ask the commune. He'll definitely be more effective than those learned old teachers who might have a lot of problems themselves.
However, Xu Keke couldn't say that. "Of course it's a good thing. The old village chief is a veteran Party member. With him around, it will benefit the children's thinking, education, and the development of the school."
“It’s good that you think that way. On the way back today, those educated youths said that my dad would mislead the students if he became the principal. The commune told me that the principal must be a veteran party member with a strong ideology. After considering it, they felt that my dad was the most suitable.”
Xu Keke's eyes flashed with doubt. What did he mean by "it's fine if I think this way"? This matter had nothing to do with her. But when she heard Chen Jianguo's next words, she couldn't help but say disdainfully, "Listen to them. What do they know? The primary school principal's correct thinking is more important than his academic knowledge. Besides, there are other teachers to teach."
"Yes, that's what I wanted to tell you today. The teachers at the school want you to be their teacher."
"I!"
Although Xu Keke was surprised, she understood that he hadn't called her over just because of the village's primary school opening and his father becoming the principal. But she never expected that he would ask her to be a teacher.
"Yes, it's you, but..."
Xu Keke looked at him warily, "What? Is there a problem? Is it a problem with my background?"
Bai Lu's maternal grandfather had a problematic past; otherwise, her uncle wouldn't have been transferred from the army to the farm.
"Oh, no, what are you thinking? Your class status has already been changed. The commune gave the brigade a quota to return to the city for educated youth who have already been reformed. The brigade nominated you in the first place. Now the commune has approved it and agreed to give you this quota to return to the city."
"Go back to the city!"
Xu Keke looked out the window. The setting sun hung in the sky. Xiuzhi sat on the carriage parked in the courtyard, holding a paper package in her hands, her legs swinging back and forth. Huzi stood under the carriage with his back to them.
Xiuzhi smiled after Hu Zi said something. Her smile was sweet, and her eyes crinkled into crescents.
Sunset, distant mountains, young lovers—it's like a painting.
"Uncle Baocai cannot agree."
"Why?" What a perfect match they are. Xu Keke turned to look at Chen Jianguo, puzzled.
The girl's eyes were too direct, clear and bright. Chen Jianguo looked away. "Hu Zi comes from a bad background. His grandfather used to be a landlord."
"Then why do you still let him manage the team's carriages?"
Chen Jianguo was somewhat surprised, unable to understand why Xu Keke thought managing a carriage was such a good job. He didn't know that in later generations, those who drove and did odd jobs for leaders were their trusted confidants.
"He not only managed the carriages, but also did other jobs. His class background was bad, but he was a good person. His grandfather wasn't originally from Chenjia Village; he moved here from elsewhere. He bought land in the village and settled down. I heard that back then, when villagers worked as long-term laborers for his family, no one was ever shortchanged on their wages. My dad also said that although his family were landlords, they never cheated anyone in the village."
"You haven't said yet whether you want to stay and be a teacher or go back to the city. If you can't decide right now, go back and think about it tonight, and tell me again tomorrow."
Chen Jianguo spoke with some trepidation, guessing that she would probably choose to return to the city, since which of these educated youths didn't want to go back to the city?
“No need,” Xu Keke smiled, “You don’t need to go back and think about it all night, I can answer you right now.”
"I stayed in the village and became a teacher."
This was the first time Xu Keke had ever seen Chen Jianguo smile. His mouth parted to reveal two rows of teeth; he looked a little silly, but it was very infectious.
“I knew it. When I mentioned it to the commune, I told them that you would definitely stay.”
"Did you propose it to the commune?"
Xu Keke glared at Chen Jianguo, who quickly wiped the smile off his face. "I... I just think that you would definitely be responsible for the children if you were a teacher. You would definitely be a good teacher."
Chen Jianguo looked at Xu Keke with some worry, his heart pounding.
Xu Keke rolled her eyes at him and looked out the window again.
Chen Jianguo scratched his head, realizing he might have said something wrong again. He tentatively asked, "Bai Zhiqing, do you mean... you still need to consider it?"
"Need not!"
Chen Jianguo opened his mouth to ask a question, but then he realized that her words were an answer to his question: there was no need to consider it. In other words, she would stay in the village and become a teacher.
Standing behind Xu Keke, Chen Jianguo couldn't hide the smile on his face. He couldn't explain why, but he was just happy.
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