Chapter 36 Friends

Ji Ze was also at today's class reunion. Their high school teacher was going to retire, and the students had agreed to see their teacher off together.

Because he was in the army, he came back late. As soon as he entered the room, he was stopped by some noisy guys in his class and made to drink three cups as punishment.

He hadn't eaten yet. His head teacher had tried to hold him back, but he was feeling preoccupied and stressed lately, so he just drank the full bottle of wine.

By the time the party was over, he was no longer in a clear mind. He tried to stand up twice, but fell back both times. It looked like he couldn't make it back home by himself. Song Jing poured him a glass of water and said, "I'll call a taxi and notify Aunt Ye."

It’s not like no one in the class hadn’t heard about their affair, but the two people involved didn’t show it, so they didn’t feel comfortable making fun of it.

Now Song Jing took the initiative to contact Ji Ze's family. Her words were full of familiarity and closeness. Everyone glanced at each other and smiled ambiguously.

When the car came, a group of people pushed each other, saying that they had something to do. They helped Ji Ze into the car and left.

Song Jing drove Ji Ze home alone. Ye Minshu had been waiting outside. Seeing her son staggering drunk, she felt distressed and complained, "Luckily you're here, otherwise I don't think he would even be able to find his way home. Next time this happens, help me persuade him."

Song Jing just smiled, "He also saw that it was rare for all the classmates to gather together, and our teacher was also there."

What Ye Minshu liked most about her was that she was sensible and could talk. Just as she was about to thank her again, Ji Ze pushed her away and was about to vomit.

Song Jing said goodbye quickly, "I'll go back now. Aunt Ye, please make him some honey water to drink."

Ye Minshu nodded, and while taking care of her son, she asked her, "Are you okay being alone?"

"I called my mom and she'll be out to pick me up."

Ye Minshu went in without worry. When Song Jing got near her home, she saw her mother waiting for her at the intersection with a flashlight.

"How is it?" Song's mother asked as soon as she saw her.

Song Jing couldn't help but frown, "I don't think he has that kind of mind at all. I hinted clearly enough, but he still couldn't see it."

"If he could figure it out with just a hint from someone, how could it be your turn? You would have been chased away long ago." Song's mother didn't care. "I heard he's quite popular."

The men of the Ji family are all good-looking, and are considered the best among the second and third generations. They have no problems in character and are promising. They are definitely good matches for the girls in the compound. Not to mention that there are many people watching outside, hoping to become the second Ye Minshu.

In terms of family background, Ye Minshu is definitely better than Lin Qiao, but certainly not as good as the Ji family. When she was able to marry Ji Jun, I don't know how many people envied her behind her back.

Mother Song frowned as she walked home with her daughter. "It's a pity that the girl from the Lin family interfered and you couldn't go to their military school. Otherwise, since it's so far from home, I could let you apply for accommodation, and I'll talk to your Aunt Ye and ask Ji Ze to take care of you more."

Song Jing pursed her lips and looked at the ground at her feet without saying a word.

"But it doesn't matter. Aren't you going to have an internship next semester? You can still go to their military school." Song's mother continued.

"Do I have to rush like this?" Song Jing finally spoke this time, "With my grades, I can go to a better high school."

Song's mother then realized that her expression was not right. "What better high school? The high school affiliated to your school?"

Song Jing didn't say anything, which was considered as her tacit agreement.

In fact, because of her good grades, the school teachers have been discussing with her to graduate early. She was supposed to study until the spring of 1982, but now she can go to work in the summer of 1981. The teachers also recommended several places for her, which are better than the army and closer to home.

Song's mother raised her eyebrows. "What's the use of a good school? Isn't Xu Li's school good? She's still an excellent teacher, but she still got criticized and was demoted with Ji Chunming."

"That was then, and now is now. Times have changed."

"Are you sure that you won't change back in the future? If your father hadn't been quick-witted and reacted quickly..."

Mother Song paused for a moment and continued naturally, "Our family can't escape either. No matter how well you study, you still have to marry someone in the end. It's either Ji Ze from the Ji family or Yu Jin from the Yu family. Ji Ze is better than Yu Jin, right? He's good-looking and has a powerful uncle."

"What's the use of forcing? Their family doesn't think highly of me." Song Jing's words were already a bit self-deprecating.

Song's mother also knew that she was just saying this in anger, "Whether you like it or not, we are still a family, right? Look at how bad your Aunt Ye was, but Ji Ze's uncle still helped him clean up the mess."

In fact, what Song's mother didn't say was that she and Song's father were more optimistic about Ji Ze's uncle Ji Duo.

Unfortunately, there was a generation gap between the two and they had never had much contact before. Who would have known that Ye Minshu would do this and push Ji Ze's childhood sweetheart to Ji Duo.

Ye Minshu didn't know that her son was being measured and weighed like an object.

She was still thinking that Song Jing was a thoughtful girl. She sent the person back and reminded her to make honey water. She was also well-educated and well-mannered. It would be a good thing if she could really get together with Xiaoze.

In the bedroom, after Ji Ze vomited, he looked much more sober, but his eyes were staring blankly at one place.

"You said you wanted to party, so just party. Why did you drink so much? It's a good thing Song Jing was here, otherwise I wouldn't even know you'd have died of drunkenness outside."

Ye Minshu couldn't help but say a few words to him, and then asked, "What have you been busy with recently? You didn't show up after celebrating your grandma's birthday last week."

Ji Ze suddenly said without any context: "Wang Jianbin was admitted to university."

Ye Minshu was stunned for a moment before she realized who he was talking about. "The one from your class who failed to get into a technical secondary school after taking the exam twice in a row?"

The reason why she could remember it was because she had used Song Jing as a comparison when praising her with others.

Ji Ze didn't listen to what she said at all. "We haven't met for two years. I didn't even know that he passed the exam last year. It's like he went to high school again."

"Is it because his family can't arrange it for him?" Ye Minshu felt that since he had failed the exams for so many years, he was not a good student.

"I can repeat two years of study." Ji Ze stared blankly at the towel Ye Minshu handed to him to wipe his face, and suddenly stood up, "I have to go find my uncle."

Ye Minshu was startled by him. "Why are you going to look for your uncle so late?"

Ji Ze kept his mouth shut and said nothing, but just walked straight out.

Just after leaving the bedroom, Ji Jun heard someone coming out from the other side, "What happened? Are you still drunk?"

Ye Minshu quickly signaled him to stop her son. "Who knows what made him so drunk? He suddenly said he wanted to go look for his uncle."

Speaking of Ji Duo, Ji Jun hurriedly said, "At this time, even if you rush back to the army, your uncle will be asleep. Let's go tomorrow. Your uncle will be back tomorrow."

His gentle tone had a soothing effect, and Ji Ze quickly came to his senses, "Yes, she can't know."

Thinking of this, Hun'e's mind became clearer. Ji Ze turned around and went back to the house. "Then I'll go to sleep. Dad, Mom, you should also go to bed early."

Watching the door close in front of her eyes, Ye Minshu was completely confused, "What happened to the second brother?"

When Ji Jun heard the word "Old Second", he reacted with a conditioned reflex, and the gentleness on his face froze immediately. "He is the one who wants to find Old Second, what does it have to do with Old Second?"

"I didn't say anything." Ye Minshu was speechless by his reaction.

Ji Jun felt that his words were not intimidating enough, and turned to look at his sandals that he had taken off at the door, "Don't come up with any more ideas."

You don't have the final say, and you are ready to go back to work if something goes wrong?

Ye Minshu was completely blocked.

On the other hand, the hotel finally fixed the ceiling fan, and the three of them were finally able to have a peaceful meal.

During the process, Lin Qiao went to the restroom. Su Zheng couldn't help but kick Ji Duo with his foot, "You really married a treasure. You even fan her with a fan?"

Ji Duo frowned after being kicked, "If you don't want your foot, you can donate it to the vegetable market."

"My foot has performed meritorious service. I have kicked criminals and murderers. If I were to donate it, I would donate it to the Memorial Hall of the People's Heroes."

Su Zheng was obviously dissatisfied with his statement, but he did not kick again. He just squinted at him across the table and said, "I'm talking to you, is this what it means to marry a wife who is nine years younger than you?"

"She fanned me like I was itching." Ji Duo didn't think he was darling Lin Qiao.

It was something he could do easily. She was scratching there from time to time. She herself was not feeling cool, and he was also scratched here and there.

Su Zheng obviously didn't believe it, "Others can't slap well either, why don't I see you slap others?"

That's different, the other person didn't marry him.

Ji Duo looked at Su Zheng inexplicably, and without waiting for him to say anything, he suddenly lowered his voice, "Shao Ping's memorial day will be next month, will you still go?"

The frivolous and mocking look on Su Zheng's face disappeared instantly. He picked up the wine cup and took a sip. "Go, why not? I'll never forget how he died."

Ji Duo didn't say anything else. He lowered his head, picked up the wine cup and drank the whole cup.

When Lin Qiao came back, the atmosphere at the table had returned to normal, but the meal was obviously coming to an end. Su Zheng looked at his watch, "It's getting late, you two should go back. Some people have families now, unlike me, who is alone."

Ji Duo just raised his eyes and said, "If you are anxious, I will go and talk to Aunt Su tomorrow."

Su Zheng's maternal grandfather had only one daughter, his mother, so Su Zheng's father was a married man. His brothers and sisters all took his mother's surname, Su.

When Su Zheng heard this, he grabbed his police hat and left, "Just pretend I didn't say anything."

He walked to the door of the hotel and turned back to say hello to Lin Qiao, "If you need me in the future, just let your Ji Duo know."

Ji Ze held it in until Monday morning.

In the morning, when Ji Duo came to the office, he was already waiting there. When he saw Ji Duo, he immediately smiled and came over like a big dog, "Uncle, you're here."

Unfortunately, Ji Duo had some work to do. He glanced at his watch and said, "Come over after get off work at noon."

Ji Ze nodded and quickly got out of here. As soon as he finished his lunch work, he ran over again.

This perseverance shows some tenacity. Ji Duo's expression eased a little and he pointed to a chair by the wall, "Sit down and talk."

When he returned home that night, Ji Duo gave Lin Qiao a letter of approval. Lin Qiao agreed to all of her requirements. She was only responsible for providing the formula and one of the ingredients, and did not participate in production or sales.

To show their sincerity, the other party also produced a written document.

Of course, it’s written about agent Ji Duo.

Lin Qiao saw through the situation but didn't say anything. He kept the note, wrote a recipe and gave it to Ji Duo.

The required material ratios, production steps, and precautions were all explained clearly. After writing, he also said: "If your friend still doesn't know how to make it, tell me and I'll teach you first. Anyway, it's inconvenient for him to come out, so it's the same if you teach him later."

"Very difficult?" Ji Duo frowned slightly.

If he has to learn it and then teach Ozawa, it would be too troublesome to run back and forth.

Fortunately, Lin Qiao said it was not difficult, "I was just afraid of you... I have never met that friend before, so it will be difficult to get started at the beginning."

That was Xiaoze's business. Since he wanted to do this business, he had to figure things out. Ji Duo put away the recipe.

Now that he has a partner, Lin Qiao no longer has to worry about doing and selling the products on his own. He is free from worries.

No matter whether the other party eventually grows big or small, she just needs to wait for her share of the money. She doesn't have to worry about anything and can concentrate on work and study.

Lin Qiao let out a breath, took out the high school physics textbook and the supplementary book he borrowed from Vice Principal Qi and started reading.

Although teaching high school is tiring and she has to take care of four classes, it also has one advantage: she can access more high school review materials.

Lin Qiao was in a good mood and even washed a plate of plums and placed it in the middle of the two desks.

Water droplets hung on the purple-red fruit, reflecting the light from inside the house, just like her bright eyes and eyebrows, exuding a sense of ease from the inside out.

Ji Duo's eyes fell on the supplementary textbook in her hand, "Are you still preparing to take the college entrance examination?"

When Lin Qiao raised her eyes, she met his obviously deep gaze. She was still a little confused, "Take the exam, why not?"

But she soon figured it out herself, "You want to ask me why I should go to college if I can make more money doing business than working?"

"almost."

Ji Duo was indeed a little surprised. After all, most people go to college for work. Either there are no jobs to take, or the jobs they can find do not satisfy them.

Lin Qiao has a job now and has no shortage of ways to make money. Even if Xiaoze quits in the future, she has the formula in her hand, and she is like a hen that lays golden eggs. She will never worry about not making money no matter who she works with. Why would anyone else go to college? But she obviously doesn't think so.

Sure enough, Lin Qiao said, "I am not good at business. Studying and researching chemistry are more suitable for me."

She was able to seize the opportunity because she came from forty years later. The business knowledge she knew was also known to everyone forty years later.

She just took advantage of the information explosion. If we really talk about business acumen, she can't compare with those who can take advantage of the reform and opening up and make a name for themselves. It is important to know one's own limitations. One should not be arrogant just because he has made some money recently and think that he can do anything.

It is said that the most valuable thing for a person is to know himself, but there are often many people who know but few who can do it.

There are many people who have been in society for most of their lives but still cannot see themselves clearly. She is only 19 years old and has just made a business based on her own ability, and she is able to stay stable.

Ji Duo suddenly remembered Su Zheng's word "baby".

It is really precious and rare to have such a mind and character at this age.

But the word still made him frown subconsciously.

Su Zheng is a man who can really talk about anything. He is a very serious person but he has to make himself look non-serious. He fails every time he goes on a blind date.

He seemed to be thinking about something at one moment, and then frowning at another. Lin Qiao couldn't understand him at all.

Thinking that this man was always thoughtful, Lin Qiao simply didn't delve into it and remembered another thing, "When your friend... buys materials, can you bring some for me?"

"You need it?" The man raised his eyebrows, probably thinking why should he buy materials when he had already handed the business over to others.

Lin Qiao did not hide it from him, "I want to lead the students to do it once. In the last month-end exam, the grades of both classes improved. I promised them that if they can improve again this time, I will let each of them try it. I have to keep my word."

After the handmade soap is made, you can take it home and use it. Nothing is more attractive than an experiment that is both practical and useful.

Ji Duo also knew that the school did not allow her to lead students in experiments. Upon hearing this, he picked up the pen and asked, "What do you want?"

Lin Qiao listed several common oils used in making handmade soap. She thought since she had already asked, she might as well ask for more. She also mentioned several additives and essential oils to enhance the efficacy. "It's mainly the first few. If you have the latter ones, buy them. If not, it doesn't matter."

Ji Duo had never heard of many of these things, but she still wrote them down one by one. She didn't want to trouble her nephew to prepare these little things, and she could help her find them herself.

Thinking of this, the man paused, "Have you always wanted these, or did you just remember to want them?"

"I've always wanted it, but there's still some left, so it's enough even if I don't buy it." Lin Qiao has already started flipping through the book.

The man across the table was silent for a moment, his tone unclear, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Would she rather trouble his so-called friend than to look for him?

Lin Qiao heard it and looked at him inexplicably, "Didn't I come to find you?"

After saying that, I realized that he was talking about a friend of mine. After a pause, I changed my words very cooperatively, "Oh, your friend. Wasn't he going to buy it anyway? Isn't that just a convenience?"

So, when she had something going on at school before, she did look for him first.

Ji Duo said nothing more, and handed the recipe to his nephew the next day. "Your aunt told you to come to her to get the last ingredient when you have all the ingredients."

Ji Ze took it very seriously and said, "Once I have memorized it, I will burn it."

It seems that he is not completely unaware of caution. Ji Duo nodded. For some reason, he suddenly thought of what happened yesterday when Lin Qiao asked him for something. His eyes fixed on his nephew.

Ji Ze was not well at that time.

What's the matter? What did he do wrong?

Although his uncle was cold and aloof, he was not an unkind person, especially towards his family. He had not been so afraid of him before, but since the incident with Lin Qiao, every time he ran into him recently, something would happen to him, and he was almost scared to death.

Seeing his nephew's reaction, Ji Duo was speechless, "Okay, go now."

It can be said that Ji Ze grew up following him. When he encountered problems outside as a child, he would not tell his family but would come to him with tears in his eyes.

He didn't really dislike his nephew, he was just angry at his lack of fighting spirit. But this sentence did sound a bit dislikeful.

As soon as Ji Ze got back, he started harassing his childhood friend whom he had harassed before. Before, he just asked for oil, but now he even wanted to know where to buy the oil.

Meanwhile, Lin Qiao brought the last few pounds of the first bucket of liquid soap to school.

It takes some time for the soap to saponify. Once the remaining bucket in her house is sold, the soap from Ji Duo's "friend" should be usable, and she won't have to worry about it anymore.

Just after sending off a few logistics staff who had ordered soap, someone knocked on the door outside the office. "Excuse me, who is Li Xiaoqiu's homeroom teacher?"

"It's me." Lin Qiao stood up and found that it was a thin, short woman with a slightly broken eyebrow on the left side.

The facial features were obvious, and she immediately thought of the other person's identity.

As expected, the woman was a little embarrassed, but she still spoke fluently, "I am Li Xiaoqiu's mother. I heard that something happened to her at school, so I came here to testify for her."

What happened last Monday, but it only came this Tuesday...

Lin Qiao didn't want to comment, so he pulled an empty chair next to him and said, "The matter has been resolved. Please sit down and talk."

Hearing that the problem had been solved, Li Xiaoqiu's mother was even more embarrassed. "Someone in my hometown came out to take on a project, and I was helping out with some things. I was often not in the same place. I rushed back when I received the letter from home, but I didn't expect it was still too late."

It turned out that it was not a business but a contract project, so there was indeed no fixed address.

Lin Qiao explained what happened but didn't mention what she had done. However, the other party still stood up and thanked her: "Thank you for your concern, teacher. I know Li Xiaoqiu's father. He only complains and has no patience. Without your concern, this matter would not have been resolved so quickly."

Then he smiled bitterly, "If he was just in a bad situation as a teacher, I wouldn't have had to get a divorce and be criticized behind my back."

It turns out that everyone thinks they are right and everyone feels wronged.

Lin Qiao didn't want to answer this question. "You bought a watch for Li Xiaoqiu to compensate her, right?"

Li Xiaoqiu's mother nodded immediately. "When I left, I didn't even have a job. I gave the child to her father. Now I finally have some money."

"Then you should take more time to come back and visit." Lin Qiao said, "Compared to expensive gifts, children need their mother's company more. If you can come back more often instead of leaving for a few years, no one will believe Li Xiaoqiu when she says that the things were bought by her mother."

This made Li Xiaoqiu's mother silent. After a while, she nodded in a muffled voice, "The teacher is right. It's my fault as a mother."

But Lin Qiao is not the other party, so he can't control what the other party does, and this is all he can say.

She picked up the lesson plan on the table and said, "Since you are here, why not go and see the children before you leave? I have a class next period, and I also need to go to the lab to get something."

This is not an attempt to get rid of him, Lin Qiao really has a class next period.

The end of the semester is coming soon, and today is the last class for both classes. She is going to give the students another classic magic pot experiment.

During the experiment, 1 mL each of 5% thiocyanate/ferrocyanide/potassium solution, 3% silver nitrate solution, phenol solution, saturated sodium acetate solution, saturated sodium sulfide solution, 1 mol/L ferrocyanide/ferrocyanide/potassium solution and 40% sodium hydroxide solution were added into seven empty beakers in advance.

Because the amount used is small, it looks like an empty teacup.

Then inject 60 mL of the prepared 10% ferric chloride solution into the seven beakers in turn. The seven beakers will appear red, milky white, purple, brown, golden yellow, cyan and reddish brown in turn.

The whole experimental process was like a magic trick. Every time Lin Qiao poured liquid into a beaker, low exclamations came from below.

After finishing the last few, she simply picked up the pot and said, "Would you like to guess what color the next one is? If any student can guess correctly, he will be the next one to pour."

Guessations of various colors came one after another below, giving the students enough visual feast, and then Lin Qiao wrote a few chemical formulas on the blackboard.

"This is the last class for our class. Everyone, review well and do your best for the final exam. I have prepared all the materials I promised you. It all depends on whether you can do well in the exam."

When the class was over, she said this with a smile, and immediately received a lot of excitement from everyone: “You will definitely do well in the exam.”

Even after everyone left, the students still felt a little unsatisfied, and were looking forward to her promise to allow everyone to try their hand at it.

The soldiers were a little confused. "Do you think I should do well in the exam or hold back? What if our class makes too much progress this time and we don't have any experiments to do next time?"

"With your grades, you're not even up to the average score of our class." His classmates scolded him.

Amid the bustle, a hesitant voice stood out, "Next time... Can Teacher Lin still teach us next semester?"