Xie Yitao looked at Jiang Xiaoli with a complicated expression, "Are you and Xu Xing on good terms now?"
She tilted her head and thought for a moment. They often discussed their studies together and even exchanged phone numbers. Shouldn't that be considered acceptable?
She nodded and replied, "Not bad."
Xie Yitao gasped, "When did it start?"
Jiang Xiaoli felt something was off. She glanced at her deskmate and said, "It all started when we often took exams together."
"So early..." Xie Yitao murmured.
Her deskmate was acting strangely today. "Didn't you get enough rest during the holiday?"
Xie Yitao's train of thought was interrupted by her. "It's fine, what's wrong?"
"Why are you acting all mysterious when everything's fine?"
Xie Yitao hesitated for a moment, then said, "You know that early dating is forbidden at our school, right?"
Jiang Xiaoli nodded, "I know..."
She suddenly remembered her deskmate's question from earlier, and she was speechless. "You don't think I'm dating Xu Xing, do you?"
Xie Yitao looked on with a gossipy expression, "Didn't you? You two just exchanged letters!"
She recalled her conversation with Xu Xing and then sighed, "What the hell was that all about!"
She recounted how she and Xu Xing were going to write a letter to Teacher Shang Run together, and Xie Yitao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Xiaoli found his expression strange. "Why are you so relieved that I didn't have a boyfriend?"
Xie Yitao scratched his head, "That way I won't have to struggle with whether to keep your secret or tell the teacher."
Jiang Xiaoli remained silent. She had some friendship with her deskmate, but not much...
She smiled helplessly, "Alright, don't worry, you don't need to keep the secret."
Xie Yitao stopped gossiping after understanding the situation, but the gossip about Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing's early romance spread throughout the entire class in just two class periods.
During PE class, Xiao Muyu pulled Jiang Xiaoli aside and, along with Yuan Man, interrogated her simultaneously, "When did you start dating Xu Xing?!"
Jiang Xiaoli rolled her eyes. "When did I get together with him?!"
Yuan Man gave him a look that said, "You can't fool us. A lot of people saw you two exchanging love letters this morning!"
"I... I can explain!" She raised her hand, wanting to speak.
Xiao Muyu nodded to her, indicating that she could speak.
Jiang Xiaoli then explained what had happened that morning, emphasizing, "How could I possibly be in a relationship? I've been so busy all day!"
After hearing her explanation, Xiao Muyu agreed wholeheartedly. She was probably the person in the school who knew Jiang Xiaoli's schedule best, and she really didn't have time for early romance.
She began to worry for her, "Xiao Li, now that the news has spread, you have to find a way to explain it, otherwise it will have a bad impact."
Jiang Xiaoli nodded helplessly, "Okay, I understand."
Back in the classroom, just before class started, she went to Xu Xing's desk and knocked twice. "Xu Xing, have you finished reading the letter I wrote to Teacher Shang? When are we going to mail it?"
Xu Xing looked up at her. "Noon is fine. Have you finished reading my reflection?"
"I've finished reading it, it's very well written. Give me the letter, I'll mail it at noon." She reached out for the letter.
Xu Xing took out a letter from a book in the drawer of his desk. “The question you posed is very interesting. I’d like to discuss it with you later.”
Jiang Xiaoli was in a good mood after receiving the letter. "No problem, we can keep in touch anytime. I'm off!"
She returned to her seat, turned to look at the reactions of the other students at the back of the classroom, and sure enough, they were all talking about something with their heads down.
She nodded in satisfaction.
There were far more people who overheard her conversation with Xu Xing than those who saw them this morning.
The rumors of her early romance with Xu Xing spread and then disappeared in just one morning.
At lunchtime, Xiao Muyu couldn't help but give her a thumbs up, "Quick and decisive, impressive!"
“Hehe, that’s right!” She patted the bicycle seat. “You two go back first, I’m going to the post office to mail a letter.”
Jiang Xiaoli went to the post office and bought envelopes and stamps. She stuffed a few sheets of paper into them and was about to seal them with glue when she suddenly remembered something. She asked for another sheet of paper and wrote another letter.
The letter explained their initial intention in sending their reflections, expressed their appreciation for Professor Shang's problems, and their decision to participate in the math competition next year. They also expressed their hope to maintain correspondence with Professor Shang and communicate about their studies.
She paused to read it through, making sure nothing was missing, then folded the letter in half and placed it together with the original few sheets of paper, stuffed it into an envelope, and put it in the mailbox.
I got home a little later than usual today, but the housekeeper was still there.
Seeing her return, the group gathered around her, and Yang Hui asked, "Xiao Li, we heard from your mother that your family won't be making spicy strips at home anymore?"
Jiang Xiaoli parked the car. "That's right. I won't be working at home anymore. Aunties, if you'd like, I can introduce you to jobs in factories."
In an instant, some were happy while others were sad.
People are happy if they have elderly relatives at home who can help out. Working in a factory is much more respectable than being a laborer.
But for people like Grandma Zhang who can't leave, it's a real worry.
Their work hours are relatively flexible, and Li Guizhi is easy to talk to. They can earn money while taking care of their families. But if they go to work in the factory, they won't be able to take care of their families.
Grandma Zhang sighed and stepped aside.
Li Ling was a little unwilling. "Xiao Li, isn't it good to run a spicy snack business at home? Why switch to a factory? Or you could do both."
Not wanting her daughter to be put in a difficult position, Li Guizhi pulled Jiang Xiaoli aside, saying, "Lunch is on the table, go and eat first."
After saying that, she turned around and explained to the group, "I don't want to do it anymore. Xiaoli and I are moving in a while, and I also have other things to take care of. I can't take care of these things. If you want to work in the factory, please think it over and let me know. I will arrange it for you. Our work here won't end so quickly. It can be done until the end of the month. You can prepare in advance."
After hearing her words, the group knew there was no room for negotiation and could only take their leave.
Li Guizhi returned to the main room and said, "It's good enough that we can recommend them to work in factories; there's nothing else we can do."
Jiang Xiaoli nodded, "Yes, Mom, it's good that you've come to your senses."
"It's just that the housework at home has stopped, and I don't know what I can do at home all day." Li Guizhi has been busy for so many years, and she is a little unaccustomed to suddenly stopping.
Jiang Xiaoli's eyes darted around. "Mom, shall I enroll you in school?"
“Go to school? I’m already this old, how can I possibly understand it?” Li Guizhi was a little unsure.
Jiang Xiaoli thought about it more and more and felt that her suggestion was reliable. She put down her chopsticks and said, "Mom, you're never too old to learn. Besides, you're in the prime of your life. It would be so meaningful to choose a major that interests you!"
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