Chapter 57
Gu Xingan smiled shyly, "I was admitted to university and came back. This is my second semester. Many of my classmates know that I was admitted back, but you don't interact with your classmates, so it's normal that you don't know."
After graduation, Xia Qingtang actually only kept in touch with a very small number of classmates. If those classmates were not familiar with Gu Xingan, then it was impossible for her to know that he had returned to the city to take the college entrance examination.
"You got into college and came back? That's amazing! Congratulations, you're amazing!" Xia Qingtang was sincerely happy for him. Those who could get into college these days were not ordinary people. "I really don't keep in touch with my classmates, so I really didn't know you actually came back to the city to study in college. I'm so happy to meet you today."
"Thank you." Gu Xing'an smiled even more shyly.
He was a gentle-mannered man with fine features, delicate features, fair skin, neither dark nor white, and a stature that was neither tall nor short. He was a little thin, but had a straight back and looked very energetic, which was quite consistent with Xia Qingtang's impression of college students of this era.
His clothes were also very simple, he wore a dark blue coat with a cotton jacket inside, so it looked bulging, and underneath was a pair of dark blue trousers that were washed to a pale color. There were several patches on his clothes and trousers. The cross-body bag he carried also looked familiar, it was the same one they used when they were in school, and it had been patched many times.
He was holding an empty lunch box in his hand, and it was unclear whether he had just finished breakfast or was about to go to the cafeteria.
Xia Qingtang then said, "Are you going to the cafeteria to have breakfast?"
"Oh, yes, our first class starts at 8 o'clock. I just recited some lessons by the pond. It's just right for me to have breakfast and then go to the classroom." Gu Xing'an said, "By the way, Xia Qingtang, why are you here? Are you also a student of our school?"
"My grades are not good, so I don't plan to take the college entrance examination. Even if I take it, I won't pass it." Xia Qingtang said with a smile: "I came here to find an acquaintance for something, and now I'm getting ready to go to work."
"I heard that you went to work in a cotton mill after graduation. Unlike us, I have to pass the college entrance examination to return to the city early. You are already in the city, so you don't need to take the exam. Besides, you look so energetic, you should be living a good life, it won't have much impact on you whether you take the college entrance examination or not." Gu Xing'an took a look at Xia Qingtang's clothes without patches and his shiny new bicycle, and expressed his judgment.
"Getting into university has a huge impact. You will definitely become cadres after graduation. But I know my ability and I will definitely not pass the exam, so I just gave up."
"I remember that you had good grades. If you really wanted to take the exam, you would definitely pass it if you worked hard for a year or two, because you are very smart."
"Thank you for your compliment. Now I just want to work hard and make serious contributions to the construction of the motherland." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.
Gu Xingan said quickly, "That's right. No matter what job you do, you are making the same contribution to the motherland... Oh, by the way, you rode your bike from the cotton mill this morning, and now you ride your bike to work again. Isn't that troublesome?"
"Oh, I'm married, so I don't live in the cotton mill's residential area. I came from Central Road this morning, and now I'm going to work at the factory, so it's half way there."
Gu Xingan's eyes widened: "Are you married?"
"Yes, it was tied last year."
"Then congratulations to you. Marriage is a happy event. I haven't heard from my classmates about it. It seems that many people don't know about your marriage. I remember that you are one year younger than me, so you got married quite early." Gu Xing'an widened his eyes and looked very surprised.
"I'm not young anymore. I'm already 21 this year. Besides, as for something as trivial as getting married, it's fine to just get married on your own. There's no need to tell everyone. I only told a few people when I got married." Xia Qingtang raised his left hand to look at his watch. Seeing that it was getting late, he said, "There's not enough time in the morning. I'll come to your school often in the future. How about I wait until I come over next time and then I can talk to you slowly?"
Although Xia Qingtang was not too familiar with her classmate Gu Xingan, she remembered that he was a kind person with a gentle personality. If they came here often to learn English in the future, they might meet each other again, so there was no need to appear too unfamiliar.
Gu Xingan immediately said, "Okay, next time you come over, you can go directly to our department to find me. I'm from the History Department, and I major in history. Our dormitory building is the one closest to the south wall. If you want to find me, just go downstairs and shout."
Xia Qingtang remembered that college entrance examination candidates like Gu Xing'an could not choose their own majors. They had to study whatever major was indicated in the admission letter and had no choice.
However, these college students are too precious. No matter what major they study, they can get jobs as cadres in good units. So except for those who have special ideas, most of them will continue to study like this and will not change their majors.
"Okay, I'll remember that." Xia Qingtang waved at him, "Then I'll go to work. See you later."
"See you later." Gu Xing'an waved at her hurriedly, then watched her riding away on a ladies' bicycle.
The fact that Xia Qingtang rode a bicycle to work apparently caused a sensation in the cotton mill. When she rode to the factory gate, the security guard was shocked: "Secretary Xia, you have a bicycle?"
"Yes, I have a bicycle." Xia Qingtang got off the bike with a smile, then pushed the bike inside.
This is the factory's rule. You are not allowed to ride a bike on the main road in front of the factory gate. You can only push the bike and walk. Walk in and turn left. There is a bicycle shed built by the factory for everyone. Because it is close to the security room, there are people guarding it to ensure that your bike will not be lost.
But people who work in offices generally don't park their cars here. They are used to parking in the corridors of office buildings. Anyway, no one has dared to steal bicycles from office buildings over the years, so Xia Qingtang also planned to park his car there.
She pushed her bicycle forward with big strides, and when she turned into a fork in the road, she rode it back up and rode straight downstairs. She pushed the bicycle into the corridor, then parked and locked it.
Although she didn't arrive early today, the corridor was still empty, which meant that she was probably the first one to arrive in the building.
Arriving at the office, Xia Qingtang turned on the water first, then washed the mop and started mopping the floor. At this time, Feng Xinhui came in and said, "Xiao Xia, I saw a women's bicycle parked in the corridor. There is no one in other offices. Did you ride that bicycle here?"
"Yes, I rode here." Xia Qingtang continued mopping the floor.
Feng Xinhui said: "It is very difficult to buy a bicycle for women. Did your in-laws get you a ticket?"
"My wife got the ticket from someone and waited a long time for it. It's really hard to buy a women's bicycle. I thought I would have to wait another month or two."
"Yes, I also asked someone to get a ticket, but I could only get men's tickets. The bikes are too high for me to ride, so I bought one for my wife to ride. I also want to have a bicycle myself." Feng Xinhui smiled and said, "But, from this point of view, your wife's financial situation is quite good. Not to mention how difficult it is to get a ticket, a bicycle costs 200 yuan. Your wife has one, and now you have one too. Ordinary families can't afford it."
"I saved all the money I earned from working after graduation, and when I got married I brought 200 yuan with me." Xia Qingtang meant that she could afford a bicycle if she saved enough money, which was indeed the truth.
Feng Xinhui said: "It's really not easy for you. You young girls just started to get paid and usually like to buy things. You can save money, which shows that you are a person who knows how to live."
The two of them chatted for a few more minutes and cleaned up together, and then other people came to work one after another.
Zhang Ning and Wu Feng were better off. Li Yue stepped into the office door on time and shouted as soon as she came in: "Hey, did you see that? Someone in our building bought a new bicycle, a ladies' one! It looks really impressive. Do you think it was bought by Wu Jinfeng? You see, the children of cadres' families are so good. It's so difficult for us to buy an ordinary bicycle. We have to beg for a ticket, but she can ride a ladies' bicycle just by coming to work. Tsk tsk, nothing is better than a good father and a good mother!"
This is a very reasonable suspicion, because Wu Jinfeng has money and connections, she can definitely afford a women's bicycle.
Feng Xinhui immediately glanced at Xia Qingtang. Xia Qingtang had no intention of hiding it. Besides, it was impossible to hide such a thing. Many people saw her riding a bicycle in this morning, and she also had to ride a bicycle home after get off work, so she said, "That new bicycle is mine."
The office was quiet for a few seconds, and Li Yue stood up with a huff: "Yours? Did you buy it?"
"Yes, my wife got the tickets and I paid for it myself." Xia Qingtang's tone was calm.
"Can your wife get a ticket for a lady's bicycle? No, don't you already have a bicycle? Why buy another one? Are you so rich?" Li Yue said, "Don't you think it's too expensive?"
"I don't live in the family housing area, and my commute to work in the morning is quite far. I use the bicycle every day, so how can it be considered a waste?"
"Doesn't your wife send you to work every day?"
"They often have to accompany their leaders on business trips, so it's more convenient for me to have a bicycle of my own."
Li Yue squinted at her and said, "Then why don't you ride your lover's bike?"
"I can't ride a 28-inch bicycle, and it's not safe," said Xia Qingtang.
Zhang Ning also said: "Yes, female comrades should still ride women's bicycles, otherwise it is really unsafe. It's okay to go to nearby places, but it's really worrying to ride farther away."
Li Yue asked, "Then how did your lover get the tickets?"
"I'm not sure about this. He should have asked his classmates or friends to get it."
Although Grandpa Xie and his family received special treatment, Xie Jinxuan would not disturb the elders in most cases, but would find solutions through her own channels.
Li Yue came over and said eagerly, "Can you help me get one? I have enough money, 200 yuan, but I can't get a ticket. We don't have a bicycle at home yet, so I can get a women's one. My wife can ride it, and I can ride it too. It's more convenient."
Xia Qingtang said: "I have to ask my husband, but it took him several months to get the ticket, so he may not be able to get it back."
"Go back and ask first, what if there is one? If there is, I will treat you to the dumplings I made." Li Yue smiled.
Zhang Ning smiled and said, "Xiao Li, do you know how much a lady's bicycle ticket has increased to now? If you want a ticket, you have to pay for it. You want to exchange a meal of dumplings for a ticket? How can it be a bargain?"
"Xiao Xia didn't say she disagreed." Li Yue said confidently.
Xia Qingtang said: "I just asked my husband to help you go back and ask if he can get you something hard to say. As for whether you need to pay extra for the ticket, I have to ask him to know."
Li Yue's face immediately fell: "Oh, we are colleagues, and I usually take good care of you. Why do you still want to charge me for a bicycle ticket?"
Xia Qingtang said: "Even if I don't charge you, my wife still has to pay for it when she gets it. Do you think we should pay for it for you?"
"That's right, Xiao Xia is right. You are also the one who inquired about the tickets. How could you not know that you have to give people a benefit to get the tickets? Even if you want to take advantage, you can't take advantage of this kind. Xiao Xia is not a sucker." Zhang Ning said.
"Then I don't want it! A bicycle costs two hundred yuan, and a ticket costs eighty-one hundred yuan, which makes a total of three hundred yuan. Is that a small amount? I can't afford it!" Li Yue said unhappily.
Wu Feng said, "You also know that a ticket costs 100 yuan. Are you thinking of getting Xiao Xia to pay 100 yuan for a meal of dumplings?"
"If her lover had connections, maybe he wouldn't need this money!" Li Yue was still confident.
Wu Feng said, "That's not what I meant. If she didn't want to pay, and relied on her lover's connections and favors to get the ticket, the price would definitely be much more expensive than a hundred yuan. I don't think it's appropriate."
"I didn't ask you, why are you so supportive? Oh, I see, do you also want a ticket for a ladies' bicycle for your lover to ride?"
"What are you talking about? We don't plan to buy it!"
"Why do you care so much about me?"
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Xia Qingtang said loudly: "This matter has not been decided yet. I have to ask my wife first, and my wife has to ask his classmates and friends. Not to mention whether there are tickets, even if there are tickets, it may take a year or two to wait."
Li Yue then said, "We have to ask, just in case. Xiao Xia, remember to ask for me when you get back."
"My husband is on a business trip and may not be back until next week. I can ask him when he comes back." Xia Qingtang said: "Because he is not at home, I rode my bike here by myself."
"Well, I'll ask him when he comes back." Li Yue returned to her seat and said, "I'm telling you, Xiao Xia, you must never forget it."
"I won't forget." After saying this, Xia Qingtang tidied up the things in the drawer and started working.
At noon, Xia Qingtang waited for Wen Xiaoli at the entrance of the cafeteria with a lunch box. As soon as she came over, she asked mysteriously, "I heard someone say that you came here on a bicycle today? Or a ladies' bicycle?"
"Yes, I rode my bike here today. How did the news spread so quickly? When I came in this morning, I didn't see many people." Xia Qingtang said as he walked inside with her.
"You are the most beautiful girl in the factory. If you do something, you will attract attention." Wen Xiaoli said, "You have a bicycle now, that's great! Did Comrade Xie buy it for you?"
"Yes, he found a way to buy it for me, and I'm very happy."
"That's great. You're living such a good life after marriage. I can finally let out a sigh of relief. If your mother knew about this, she would probably want to reconcile with you right away."
"It's just a bicycle, and you want to make peace with me?"
Wen Xiaoli whispered, "Your wife already had a bicycle, and now you bought another one. Apart from other things, there are not many families that can afford this money. And after you got married, you bought so many new clothes and shoes, and you are willing to eat good food in the cafeteria... Now with this women's bicycle, they all say that your wife must not be from an ordinary family. Some people also said that you even looked down on the former cadre Kong, maybe your wife's family is better than the Kong family, so you would marry him. After all... you are good-looking, it is impossible for you to marry an ordinary person."
Some of the workers were indeed smart, and their guesses were almost correct. However, there was only one thing that was wrong, which was that Xia Qingtang had no idea that the Xie family had such good conditions. If she had known earlier, she would have stayed away from them.
Xia Qingtang whispered, "Whatever they say, my wife's family is pretty reliable. Even if Zhao Meizhen wants to reconcile with me, she won't be able to take advantage of my wife's family."
Wen Xiaoli said: "Does that mean that your lover is really in good condition?"
"I have a good relationship with you, and I won't hide it from you. The Xie family is indeed well off. Anyway, my family is much better off than mine. But I didn't fall in love with my lover because of his family. After I registered my marriage with him, I didn't even know the specific conditions of his family. I married him purely because I liked him as a person." Xia Qingtang said seriously.
Wen Xiaoli laughed: "I know this. I can tell at a glance that you two have a very good relationship. You must have married because of love."
Xia Qingtang just smiled but didn't explain.
After lunch, many co-workers who were familiar with her came to ask her about bicycles, and she answered them one by one.
After dinner, I walked out and happened to run into Xia Qinghai again. He smiled and said, "It's said in our workshop that you have a women's bicycle. It seems that the situation with your wife can't be concealed for much longer."
Xia Qingtang said calmly: "That has nothing to do with you, just take care of your own business first."
"My business is going smoothly. You don't have to worry about me. After all, we are siblings from the same mother. You are so capable, how could I lose to you?"
Xia Qingtang couldn't help but rolled her eyes and walked around him.
I took a nap in the office at noon and continued working in the afternoon.
Today's work was not too busy. After work, Xia Qingtang walked out with Feng Xinhui as usual. Li Yue usually ran faster than anyone else, but today she followed them and did not seem to be in a hurry to go home.
They walked to the parking lot in the corridor together, and Li Yue walked over and touched the handlebars of Xia Qingtang's bicycle, saying as she touched it, "Oh, this new bicycle looks so impressive, and the basket is also beautiful."
Xia Qingtang unlocked the bike and started pushing it. Li Yue asked, "How long have you been learning to ride a bike?"
"It won't take long. This is pretty easy."
"Then it will be in time if I buy it and learn later."
"There's still time." Xia Qingtang sat on the bicycle, then said with a smile: "I'll go back first, see you tomorrow."
After she rode away, Li Yue said, "Secretary Feng, look at you. You are already this old, but you can't even buy a ladies' bicycle. And then look at Xiao Xia, she has such a good thing at such a young age. It's really frustrating to compare yourself with others."
"Why should I be angry? My spouse was able to get the ticket, that's his ability. My spouse and I couldn't get the ticket, so we just had to accept it." Feng Xinhui said: "Besides, I don't live far away, so it doesn't make much difference whether I have a bicycle or not."
After saying that, Feng Xinhui also strode forward, leaving Li Yue alone.
Xia Qingtang followed the flow of people and cars going off work to the provincial capital university again. At this time, there were more people on campus than in the morning. When passing by the small lake on campus, he saw many children playing there, chattering and it was very lively.
Xia Qingtang rode all the way to the housekeeper's door and saw Guan Jueming still cooking in the corridor. It was still the same pot, and it was probably full of soup. He was stirring it with a big spoon.
"Hello, Teacher Guan, I'm here." Xia Qingtang greeted while parking the car.
Guan Jueming turned around and smiled: "Chenxiang has been waiting for you for a long time. We came back after get off work. By the way, you can have dinner here. I cooked porridge and bought coarse flour buns. You can eat with us."
"Thank you, Teacher Guan, but someone at home has prepared a meal for me, so I can eat it when I get home." Xia Qingtang said with a smile, "You know, we have an Aunt Six at home."
Sixth Aunt would definitely not cook her dinner today, but Xia Qingtang said this on purpose so as not to take up the food of the housekeeper and his sister.
Although they now have normal wages and food coupons, their health is not very good and they should eat more.
"Ah, I know. I heard Xie Jinxuan mention it." Guan Jueming said, "But I bought a lot of steamed buns..."
"Save it for tomorrow morning. Just heat it up. Eating steamed buns in the morning is good for your stomach and your body." Xia Qingtang walked towards his door.
Guan Jueming took her in, and sure enough, Guan Chenxiang was still sitting next to the eight-immortals table. On the table were some open books and notebooks, as well as a stack of manuscript paper.
"Teacher Chenxiang." Xia Qingtang walked over.
Guan Chenxiang smiled and said, "Please sit down. Today, I want to show you the study plan I made and the teaching materials I found for you. After that, we will talk about a few more things and then we will end the get out of class."
"Okay, thank you Teacher Chenxiang." Xia Qingtang took off his backpack, sat down to the right of Guan Chenxiang, and then took out a notebook and a pen from his bag.
Guan Jueming brought over the green tea that she had only drunk once in the morning: "Here's the tea. The second brew of tea tastes better."
"Thank you, Teacher Guan." Xia Qingtang thanked him and began to listen to Guan Chenxiang's plans.
She prepared a textbook for Xia Qingtang that was used by students to learn English from scratch. The textbook looked very old, with many traces of being repaired with white paper, and it looked as if it had been repaired just today.
Guan Chenxiang said: "In the future, we will use this textbook for class. Freshmen in our school also use this textbook to learn English. For those who know nothing, after finishing this textbook, they can master the most basic English communication. After that, they will study the second and third volumes in sequence."
"yes."
"Because there are no extra textbooks at the moment, I found this old book in an old cabinet. Although it is torn, I have repaired it and written down the missing parts for you. You can study with this first, and I will ask them to print a new textbook later and give it to you."
"This one will do. No need for a new textbook."
Guan Chenxiang smiled and said, "You don't know, freshmen all use our own mimeographed textbooks. They are printed according to this. I can print them as soon as I tell them, but it just takes a little time."
"Okay, thank you Teacher Chenxiang."
Seeing her serious attitude, Guan Chenxiang said, "I heard from my brother that you have just been married for a short time. It would not be good if it takes up too much of your time. I think we can have three classes a week in the future. You can come to class after work on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. As for Sundays, although we are all free, you may need to go out or deal with relatives and friends, so I will not ask you to come to class. Three classes a week, one hour each, I think it should be enough. I will assign you homework. As long as you complete the homework according to my requirements, I guarantee that you can have daily conversations with foreigners in one or two years."
"Really? That's great, I will definitely study hard!" Xia Qingtang was very happy.
Guan Chenxiang said: "However, this is based on the premise that you can complete my teaching plan normally. If you fall behind due to childbirth or something like that, I don't know how long it will take. But you are Xiao Xie's lover, and Xiao Xie is my brother and my benefactor. As long as you want to learn, I will be responsible for teaching you no matter how many years it will take."
Xia Qingtang said: "Thank you, Teacher Chenxiang. Xie Jinxuan and I don't plan to have a child so early. Besides, he still has to go to college. If we have a child now, it will affect him."
"Let's put it this way first. Today... I will help you get familiar with the letters." As she said that, Guan Chenxiang took out an alphabet chart that she had written herself and began to teach.
Xia Qingtang had actually come across the twenty-six letters before, but she still carefully marked the pronunciation in Chinese characters in her notebook, for fear that she would forget them after returning home.
Guan Chenxiang waited until she remembered and wrote down everything, then said, "That's all for today. When you go back, copy these letters on two pages and memorize their pronunciation. I'll check them when you come here on Thursday. Of course, I know you've just started learning English, so you'll remember as much as you can. I'll give you two weeks to memorize these letters."
"Okay, thank you Teacher Chenxiang." Xia Qingtang began to pack his backpack, "Then I will go back today."
"Are you really not going to have dinner here? If you feel embarrassed, you can pay your food coupons. It's just that my brother's cooking skills are not very good, and he always cooks something that is not very good." Guan Chenxiang laughed.
Xia Qingtang said: "I had a full lunch, so I'm not hungry now. Besides, there is food at home."
"Then you should go back quickly and be careful on the road." Guan Chenxiang said as he stood up and wanted to send Xia Qingtang out.
"Teacher Chenxiang, please sit down. I can go out by myself." Xia Qingtang quickly refused.
Guan Chenxiang said: "I've been sitting for a long time, and I need to stand up and move around. It's okay, I'll go out for a walk with you."
Xia Qingtang walked out slowly with her. Guan Chenxiang's right leg did not seem very flexible. When she walked, she mainly relied on her left leg to drive her right leg, so it was very difficult for her to walk. But she still walked very hard and did not look embarrassed.
Walking into the corridor, Guan Jueming said, "Is today's class over? Xiaoxia really won't eat with us?"
"No, I really have food at home today, it would be a waste if I don't eat it." Xia Qingtang said.
"But when you come here for classes, it will be past six o'clock when you finish a class. Then you will definitely be very hungry when you ride your bike back. It's better for you to eat here. Chenxiang and I have salaries and food coupons now. It's okay for you to eat a few meals here." Guan Jueming said sincerely, "We have eaten so much food from Xiao Xie over the years that I can't even count it."
"Let's see how the situation goes later. Or I can pay my food coupons so that we can eat together," said Xia Qingtang.
"Okay, let's talk about it later. Also, I was planning to invite you and Xiao Xie to dinner, but I really can't cook. I have to wait until Chen Xiang is better and let her cook for you. Even though Chen Xiang is good at studying, she also cooks delicious food."
"Then I'll be waiting. Teacher Chenxiang must get better soon. When you get better, we can come over and eat the meal you cook."
Guan Chenxiang smiled and said, "Then I'll have to ask more people and find a doctor as soon as possible."
Xia Qingtang chatted with them for a few more words, and seeing that it was getting late, he hurriedly rode back.
There were far fewer pedestrians on the road now than in the morning, and it took her thirteen minutes to get home.
I locked the car and walked into the house, flipped a switch, and luckily the power was back on.
She changed a piece of coal, then rummaged around in the kitchen and made herself a mushroom and egg soup, and steamed the remaining three red date and walnut steamed buns, and it became a very good meal.
Guan Jueming was right. He was indeed very hungry at this late hour. He might have to eat at the housekeeper's house several times in the future.
However, Xia Qingtang still planned to wait for Xie Jinxuan to come back and discuss it with him before making a decision.
After washing the dishes, Xia Qingtang boiled water while sitting at the dining table, opened today's study material, and began to read aloud softly.
Just after I read it twice, I heard someone calling the door from outside: "Qingtang! Qingtang!"
"Grandma!" Xia Qingtang hurried out and let Grandma and Xie's mother in. "Why are you here?"
Grandma said, "Why did you come home so late today? I heard that you ride a bike to work, so you should have been home a long time ago. I called Xiaoyun to take a look earlier, and she said that there was no one in your room. So I came to check again now, worried that something happened to you."
"Yes, and didn't you say you were going to stay at my house tonight?" Xie's mother asked, "Why haven't you gone there yet?"
"Oh, I forgot about this." Xia Qingtang slapped his forehead, and he had indeed forgotten about this matter completely.
"You were alone at home, what were you busy with that made you forget this?" As she was talking, Xie's mother walked to the dining table, looked down at the old textbooks and Xia Qingtang's notes on the table, and said with a smile: "Oh, Qingtang, have you really started to learn English?"
"Yes, before Jinxuan went on a business trip, she helped me contact a teacher. His surname is Guan. They live in the provincial capital university. I got up very early this morning, so I rode my bike to their house. Teacher Guan Chenxiang told me that he was willing to teach me English and asked me to go over after get off work in the afternoon, so I went over. Although today is not a formal class, Teacher Chenxiang still taught me some content and assigned me homework, which I must complete. From now on, I will go to Teacher Chenxiang's house for classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and come back after the class." Xia Qingtang said happily.
Grandma walked over and looked at the textbook, then smiled and said, "It's different from the English textbook we used to study."
"Of course, this is a revised textbook. But it's a good thing that she made such a shabby thing." Xie's mother said, "So you will come back very late on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights from now on?"
"It's not too late. I get off work at five and can start class at five twenty-five. I can ride my bike back before six thirty and get home before seven. It's not as late as when you guys work overtime, mom."
Xie's mother laughed: "That does make sense, but when we work overtime too late, we always eat dinner in the company cafeteria. You can't have dinner until seven o'clock, so you must be starving."
"I've also been thinking about this, so I might have dinner at Teacher Guan's house later." Xia Qingtang said, "I just can't stand being hungry. I feel uncomfortable when I'm hungry."
"You've been starved for so many years at home, and your body has been damaged, so now you have to eat on time, otherwise your body will never be healthy." Grandma said: "Are you doing your homework now?"
"Yes, I want to master today's content."
"Then... don't you want to go back to live tonight?"
"It's not impossible..."
Xie's mother interrupted her and said, "Forget it. Studying is a good thing for young people. It is also a serious matter. Just study hard at home. When you are done, wash up and go to sleep. We will not disturb you."
Grandma reminded me, "Don't study too late, or you'll damage your eyes. Also, keep the doors and windows closed, and be careful."
"I will, don't worry."
After seeing off her grandmother and Xie's mother, Xia Qingtang returned to her table to continue studying until half past eight. After she had finished the excessive copying homework, she put away her books and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Perhaps because studying was quite tiring, Xia Qingtang lay down on the bed at nine o'clock. Before she could think about Xie Jinxuan for a few seconds, she fell asleep quickly.
I slept very deeply and was still reading English in my dream.
In the next few days, Xia Qingtang started a life of going to get off work and coming home every other day to attend classes at teacher Guan's home.
Grandma and the others knew that Xia Qingtang was studying, so they didn't dare ask her to go back to sleep. They just asked Aunt Six to make some steamed buns and vegetable dumplings and send them over to make her meals easier.
On Saturday afternoon, Xia Qingtang went to the provincial university for her third English class. This time, she had memorized all the English letters fluently and also passed Guan Chenxiang's quiz.
"You study very hard, and you are also very smart and learn very quickly." Guan Chenxiang said: "Since you love studying so much, have you ever thought about going to college? I think going to college is still a good path."
Xia Qingtang said: "I have thought about it, but my grades were not good before. I have forgotten everything I learned except Chinese, and I can't do math problems. There is no way I can pass the college entrance examination."
"That's a shame."
"It's not a pity. All roads lead to Rome. I also have my own path to take. I will work hard to realize my dream." Xia Qingtang said.
Seeing her clear and focused eyes, Guan Chenxiang nodded and said, "Then I wish you success in advance."
"Thank you, Teacher Chenxiang." Xia Qingtang began to pack up. "I'll go back now. Xie Jinxuan may come back today. I can't wait to go back and see him."
Seeing the expectation of a young girl in love in her eyes and eyebrows, Guan Chenxiang smiled and said, "You two have a really good relationship. It's true that what you say is different."
"It's not like we're talking to each other, the situation is rather special, I'll talk to the teacher in detail next time."
"Okay, I also want to hear your story." Guan Chenxiang sent her out as usual, and then watched her ride away on her bike.
Guan Jueming walked up to her and said, "Xiao Xie has found a good lover. I am really relieved."
"Yes, I can see that Xiao Xia loves Xiao Xie with all her heart." Guan Chenxiang suddenly said, "Brother, haven't you heard about Xiao Jun yet?"
Guan Jueming's face darkened: "Not yet."
"Don't waste any more time. Just ask Xiao Xie to help you find him. His grandfather is Xie Qiming. Only if their family goes to look for him, we can find him quickly."
"I see. Next time Xiao Xie comes over, I'll tell him."
Xia Qingtang rode her bicycle back home happily, but when she arrived at the door, the house was dark and there was no one there. Her heart sank immediately.
"He hasn't come back yet..." Xia Qingtang thought about it, then rode his bike to his grandparents' place. When he asked, he found out that he hadn't come back yet.
Grandma said, "Think about it, if he came back from a business trip, how could he not go to the provincial capital university to pick you up today?"
"Yeah, I was really confused." Xia Qingtang laughed at himself, "I miss him too much."
Grandma touched her head and said, "She should be back by next Monday at the latest. These two days are all that's left."
"Well, then I'll just have to bear with it." Xia Qingtang sighed.
Aunt Six said, "Why are you sighing? Come here and see what you want to eat. Aunt Six will make it for you."
Although Xia Qingtang was hungry, he had no appetite because of his heavy heart. He just said, "Just some instant noodles, something simple."
Aunt Liu beat two eggs, cooked some cabbage, and prepared a big bowl of noodles for her.
After Xia Qingtang had eaten and drunk his fill and felt a little better, he returned to the small courtyard to study.
He put away his books and washed up at 8:30, and lay down on the bed at 9 o'clock. Xia Qingtang felt that his life was very regular, except that he lacked Xie Jinxuan's company.
After turning over, Xia Qingtang fell asleep due to exhaustion.
I don’t know how long I slept before Xia Qingtang was awakened by a nightmare. She sat up, holding her chest. Suddenly, she felt her eyelids twitching and her heart was in a mess.
After thinking about it, she did not turn on the light, but took the flashlight on the bedside table and quietly walked out of the bedroom.
You can hear it standing here. There is a slight sound coming from outside the door, like someone is picking the lock.
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