An 87-year-old girl who ran away from home
Last semester, a young art teacher came to the school. Although he hadn't taught Li Wei and the other girls, it didn't stop the girls in Class 6 of Grade 7 from swooning over him.
This art teacher, surnamed Hao, is said to be a recent graduate. He always wears an eye patch because of an eye injury, but that doesn't affect his popularity among the girls.
The art teacher really had an artist's air about him. He wasn't exactly handsome, but he exuded a sense of loneliness and vicissitude. Plus, he was tall and slender, which really captivated the hearts of a group of young girls just beginning to experience love.
Li Wei had heard it from Zhou Xiaoyan; Teacher Hao's father, Old Hao, was a retired teacher from the school who taught Chinese. While Teacher Hao wasn't exactly following in his father's footsteps, it's hard to say they weren't related.
More than a month after the start of this semester, after the Qingming Festival, the weather was gradually warming up. Suddenly, news came that Teacher Hao was going to start a calligraphy class at the school, and students who wanted to learn could sign up.
Li Wei assumed it was similar to many other extracurricular classes and wasn't interested. However, someone later told her that the calligraphy class was free, organized by the school, and held twice a week, always after two afternoon classes.
This surprised Li Wei a little. These days, free things are rare, and more importantly, she could actually use the self-study time, which was quite nice. She was absolutely fed up with the self-study classes every morning and afternoon. Sitting all day without any good food or drink, she was exhausted.
Li Wei asked Zhou Xiaoyan to accompany her to the art room, which was a newly opened activity room for the extracurricular classes.
Teacher Hao was tidying up the desks and chairs. It was clear that they were all discarded desks and chairs from the school, and some were inevitably missing parts. Teacher Hao was using a small hammer to repair them.
The conditions are tough enough, Li Wei thought, and immediately felt a sense of goodwill towards Teacher Hao. No wonder he looked so weathered; his own misfortunes aside, look at these conditions—he had to painstakingly build up the school's facilities, nail by nail. It really wasn't easy.
Li Wei and Zhou Xiaoyan explained their purpose, and Teacher Hao smiled gently: "The conditions aren't very good right now. If you're really interested, you can come and take a look tomorrow afternoon during the third period. There's a notebook over there; you can register your information there."
His smile softened his previously rather wooden expression, revealing a purity and enthusiasm befitting his age. Like a flower blooming in the desert, it instantly filled him with vitality, making him look even more attractive.
Li Wei found that smile particularly comforting. After registration was complete, she offered to help tidy the classroom. Zhou Xiaoyan, being a very considerate teacher, readily agreed. Besides, Zhou Xiaoyan was such a pleasant-looking teacher. The two of them immediately went to the classroom and, as if to offer a gift, grabbed a basin of water and a rag. They filled a basin with clean water and began cleaning the classroom.
While working, I chatted with Teacher Hao. We took turns talking, and gradually I figured out pretty much everything about Teacher Hao.
Teacher Hao. Male. Name: Hao Yunfeng. Age: 21. Graduated from: ...
After getting to know him, Li Wei discovered that Hao Yunfeng was actually a very simple and warm person. He really liked art and was good at traditional Chinese painting. Li Wei guessed that if it weren't for his eye injury, he would be a very happy young man. Although the weariness on his face made him look more mature and charming.
After learning more, Zhou Xiaoyan, who originally had little interest in calligraphy, became interested. She finished her work and registered her name, planning to come with Li Wei tomorrow.
On the way back to the classroom, Zhou Xiaoyan whispered to Li Wei, "I didn't expect Teacher Hao to be so nice. I was actually a little afraid of him. But seeing him up close, wow, he would be such a dashing person if his eyes weren't injured!"
Li Wei glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan's sparkling eyes: "He's quite carefree now. Before, it was because he hadn't met her and didn't understand her, so he looked at her with prejudice. I think he actually loves life more than many people."
Zhou Xiaoyan thought for a moment and said, "That's true. This is the first time our school has had any extracurricular classes. My cousin's elementary school in the city has so many extracurricular classes. Thinking about us here, it's really pitiful. It's not easy to learn anything else... Sigh, right? How about we start a dance class?" Zhou Xiaoyan had always felt that with her figure and looks, it would be a waste not to pursue some artistic talents.
Li Wei looked at Xiao Yan as if she were a tiny little thing: "Big sister, are you serious? Isn't our dance, which only lasts a few minutes, a bit too exaggerated?"
Zhou Xiaoyan shrugged: "What's the big deal? It only takes a few minutes, but if you learn slowly, it would take a month or two. Last year, we were short on time and had an urgent task, plus we all have a bit of a knack for dancing, and you have that sharp tongue of yours. Do you think others can learn so quickly?" Zhou Xiaoyan was still holding a grudge against Li Wei for calling her stupid, so she took the opportunity to say something.
That makes sense. Li Wei thought back to what happened last year and looked at Zhou Xiaoyan now; it felt like only yesterday.
Seeing that Li Wei didn't speak, Zhou Xiaoyan rolled her eyes and said, "Actually, I'm more interested in dancing. Your sister Li Lin goes to piano lessons every week, right? I was thinking, how about... we both learn to dance? My mom says it can improve your figure and temperament. I just think about calligraphy and it's so boring, standing there all day, so tedious. What do you think, shall we learn to dance?"
Li Wei was indeed a little tempted, but said, "Speaking of temperament, I think learning calligraphy can cultivate temperament, especially cultural temperament. There's a saying, 'A person with knowledge of literature naturally exudes elegance.' Look at Teacher Hao, she has such a refined temperament. I've decided to learn calligraphy. I need to cultivate the temperament of a well-bred lady."
Zhou Xiaoyan was very disappointed upon hearing this, and reluctantly clung to Li Wei, pleading, "Please, please go! My mom said that if you go, you have to let me go, otherwise she won't let me go to school. Please!"
Li Wei was puzzled: "Why would your mother say that? I've only been to your house once, and I didn't stay for long. Your mother thinks too highly of me, doesn't she?"
Zhou Xiaoyan wasn't quite sure either, so she repeated her mother's words to Li Wei: "My mom said you're more sensible than me. Oh, like that 'well-bred lady' you mentioned, she wouldn't trust you to go alone, but she trusts you to do anything with her. I just don't see how you're more sensible than me, except for being lazy, seeking comfort, and being a little better at studying. My mom really doesn't understand you; she's been deceived by your hypocritical politeness!" Zhou Xiaoyan felt indignant thinking about what her mother had said. In what way was she inferior to Li Wei? And this girl was even dating early! Her mother didn't understand the situation and still told her to learn from Li Wei—unbelievable!
Li Wei was speechless. She really didn't think she was better than Zhou Xiaoyan. At least she didn't have the same enthusiasm and energy for life as Zhou Xiaoyan. Age was secondary.
When Li Wei was chatting with Luo Da on their way home from school that evening, she mentioned wanting to learn calligraphy. Luo Da simply said, "That's good."
Anyway, this guy was listless in the afternoon, like a wilted flower. He would either look around or lie down and read a book. Luo Jianhua seriously suspected that he was taking a nap.
Li Wei thought that Luo Daneng had persisted in practicing martial arts all these years, and that he was a very determined person with clear goals, so he should be able to offer some useful advice. But she was disappointed when he dismissed her with just two words.
Anyway, she had made up her mind. Let others say what they want. As long as she did well in her studies, everything else was easy to figure out. It wasn't a big deal, and she was too lazy to ask anyone.
Today, since they didn't have to study together, Li Lin and Li Lianhui went to play with their classmates. Li Wei went home, ate something, lay down, and thought she would rest for a while before getting up to study, but she accidentally fell asleep.
She was having a wonderful dream when the shrill ring of the phone woke her up. No one answered for a while. This was an extension; the main line was in her mother's office downstairs. She figured no one was home at her mother's. With her eyes still closed, Li Wei groped her way to pick up the phone.
"Waaah... Li Wei... I'm at the convenience store near your house, waaah..."
Hearing the voice, Li Wei was instantly wide awake and sat up immediately: "Ding Anni, it's you? Don't cry, I'm coming to find you, don't move, just wait for me there!"
Li Wei hurriedly got up, grabbed her coat from the small sofa, put on her shoes, and went to the nearby convenience store to find Ding Anni.
I don't know what this is all about. I remember seeing her during winter break, and we hung out together. We were doing fine, weren't we? Although she complained that her mom was pushing her too hard to study, isn't that how everyone goes through this? Is it really worth running away from home for this?
Li Wei jogged to the small shop, or rather, the wholesale store, across the street from her house. Across the street, she saw Ding Anni's small figure leaning against the sycamore tree by the roadside, looking dejected and lost in thought.
Ding Anni is two years older and taller than Li Wei, but she is more slender and hasn't developed as quickly as Li Wei. However, she has delicate features and a charming, delicate air, possessing a captivating feminine grace. Those who don't know her might mistake her for a shy girl, but in reality, she's quite fierce.
Upon seeing Li Wei, she rushed over with tears in her eyes, hugging her tightly. The tears streamed down her face...
Li Wei patted Ding Anni on the back: "Don't cry, come to my house." In public, everyone knows me, even if others don't know you. Don't think I'm bullying you.
Ding Anni leaned on Li Wei's shoulder and shook her head, refusing to budge no matter how much Li Wei pulled her.
Li Wei said helplessly, "Okay, stop crying. So tell me, what do you want? Where do you want to go? We can't just stand here on the street talking like this!"
Ding Anni quieted down for a moment, then said defiantly, "You find somewhere else, I'm not going to your house!"
Li Wei then asked, "How about... we go to my grandma's? If we don't go now, I'm at my wit's end."
At least Ding Anni nodded this time. She still had a good impression of Grandma Cheng. The old lady had been very kind to her, even though she had only visited her once.
So, Li Wei went home to get her bicycle and planned to take Ding Anni to her maternal grandmother's house for a visit.
I don't know what's wrong with this young lady. It looks like she's had a falling out with her family. She should call Ding Anping. Her family must be very worried.
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