Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Parents' Meeting

There was a commotion in other classes; apparently the teacher had entered the classroom.

Soon, Fang Hongyang, the head teacher of Class 1, also walked up to the podium with the lesson plan.

The children suddenly became quiet.

"Welcome all parents to attend the parents' meeting of Class 1, Grade 9 of No. 8 Middle School. I am the class teacher, Fang Hongyang."

Fang Hongyang is a middle-aged man with sparse hair and short stature.

As he finished speaking, his black-framed glasses slid down to his nose. He quickly raised his hand to push them up and glanced around the classroom.

As usual, the next thing was a set speech, summarizing the class's learning situation in the first half of the semester, and then the next sentence got to the point.

"Please stand next to your parents first," Teacher Fang said to the students standing at the classroom door, leaning on the podium with both hands.

After everyone stood still, he lowered his head and checked his seat. After confirming that it was correct, he continued, "Class monitor, please collect the winter vacation homework. The rest of the students can go to the playground to play first."

Shi Shuwen started collecting homework from the first row, and the other students quickly rushed out of the classroom.

"The next semester is not only a new semester for us in the third year of junior high school, but also the high school entrance examination..."

Next comes the main topic of the parents’ meeting… the high school entrance examination.

Anhuai City is one of the largest cities in the country. With the influx of foreign population, its population has grown rapidly.

There are only a few good schools. If you want your children to be one step ahead in educational resources and environment, the high school entrance examination is the stepping stone to these schools.

"I think everyone has heard of our school's counterpart, No. 8 High School."

No. 8 Middle School has schools from kindergarten to high school, but the high school is located in Shanchang Port, which is a full hour's drive from Guanghua Street.

"Among the 39 high schools in the city, the teaching staff of No. 8 High School ranks in the middle. Based on the college entrance examination admission rates in the past two years, the results are not satisfactory..."

Fang Hongyang was obviously a very straightforward person. With just two sentences, he revealed all the secrets of No. 8 Middle School.

From what the teacher said, we could tell that he actually didn't want the parents in the class to choose the high school department of No. 8 Middle School, even though there would be a certain score advantage in getting admitted to the school.

"Of course! I'm sure most of the students in our class can only go to No. 8 Middle School."

Parents: "..."

"I just told all the parents about the details of further studies. It's up to you to decide..." Fang Hongyang took out a folder and opened it, then called out a group of students' names: "The students I called out have good grades and can get into No. 7 Middle School if they work hard. If they don't work hard, they may not even be able to get into No. 8 Middle School..."

The first batch are those who can get into a better school if they work hard, while the second batch directly asks parents to consider vocational high schools or technical secondary schools.

The number of people in the third group decreased significantly, and the five parents who were called were waiting excitedly for the teacher to speak.

"His grades are at the bottom of the class. Parents don't need to worry about the high school entrance exam. With a bit of luck, he can get into a technical secondary school. If he performs normally, that's all he can do."

If you don't study hard during normal times, at most you will just get beaten up when you get home from the final exams, but when it comes to the high school entrance exams, the consequences will affect your future life.

Those who are admitted to a good school can get into a university and be assigned a good job in the future, while those who cannot even get into a technical secondary school can only stay at home idle, and the most likely option is to go out to work.

At this point, the students who studied and played in the same classroom every day each went their separate ways.

Wang Nian listened very carefully and didn't even know when Shi Shuwen left.

It was not until the teacher closed the lesson plan that Wang Nian realized that Shi Shuwen's name did not seem to be called out.

"Then let's talk about..."

Seeing that the teacher was about to talk about the next topic, Wang Nian raised his hand shamelessly: "Homeroom teacher, I don't think I heard the name of my son Shuwen."

"Shi Shuwen!" Fang Hongyang looked up at Wang Nian and suddenly smiled. "Shi Shuwen and Xia Wei from our class won the first and ninth place in the city in the mock joint exam last semester. I will talk to you individually about the specific situation after the parents' meeting."

First place in the city...

Wang Nian nodded stupidly, feeling as nervous as when he was taking the college entrance examination.

Teacher Fang finally finished talking about the learning plan for the next semester. Finally, she closed the lesson plan and said with a smile: "Today's parent meeting is over. If parents have any questions, you can ask me now."

In an instant, Wang Nian and Teacher Fang were surrounded by students' parents, all of whom asked her about the secret of her child's study.

Wang Nian was responsible for the children's food, clothing, housing and transportation at home. Shi Xiangming had always been in charge of their studies, so how would she know any secrets?

After holding it in for a long time, I finally said, "I didn't have to worry about it."

“…”

The parents thought that Wang Nian was unwilling to share, so they immediately dispersed and changed their attitude faster than turning the pages of a book.

Ding Qin smiled and shook his head: This person... is so realistic.

"Mr. Hongyun said that Shi Shuwen spends all his time reading and studying. I think this child is born to be a student."

Wang Nian smiled: "No one believes me when I tell the truth."

"Teacher Fang is here." Ding Qin stood up, nodded to Wang Nian, and followed the other parents out of the classroom.

Fang Hongyang glanced at Xia Wei first: "Your parents are not coming to the parents' meeting again?"

"They are busy..."

Xia Wei lowered his head, completely lacking the high spirits he had just when he was bragging to his classmates. He became completely different from the person he was just now.

"Can't you even take half a day off?" Fang Hongyang sighed and pointed out: "They didn't come to the parents' meeting last semester. Before the winter vacation, I specifically told you that you must invite your parents this time..."

Xia Wei lowered his head even lower.

Fang Hongyang sighed and reached out to touch Xia Wei's head: "I will go to your house after school today to talk to your parents. You can't just ignore your child because his academic performance is good."

"No one is at my home." Xia Wei replied cautiously, glancing at Shi Shuwen as he spoke: "My parents are getting a divorce, and my mother has gone back to her parents' home... She hasn't been back for several months."

“…”

Xia Wei has always given people the impression of being optimistic and open-minded, smiling all the time. No one would have thought that such a big thing was happening at home.

"Who takes care of your food, drink and studies at home now?" Fang Hongyang asked.

"I asked my neighbor to help buy some food, and then I went home to cook after school."

Fang Hongyang couldn't hide his surprise: "Where are your dad and grandma?"

Fang Hongyang was more familiar with Xia Wei's family situation: both his parents worked and they had two sons. His grandmother was not in good health and could only do housework at home.

"Grandma has been taken away by my second uncle." Xia Wei said in a muffled voice, digging his trousers with his fingers: "My younger brother has also been taken away by my mother."

"What about your...father?"

There are many reasons for couples to quarrel, but Xia Wei's mother was so decisive in taking away only one child, most likely because the two had already decided to divorce.

"My father was transferred to work somewhere else. I don't know where." Xia Wei continued to pick up his pants.

Only then did Wang Nian realize that the knee of his pants, which had been repaired, had been worn open.

"How can you be alone at home? You are at a very important stage in your life now."

Although he said so, for Fang Hongyang, this was all he could complain about.

Whether Xia Wei's father was going to work in another province or getting divorced, it was not something that outsiders could interfere with.

"Then the teacher will help you advise on the school. Do you have any school you want to apply to?" In the end, Fang Hongyang could only ask Xia Wei himself what he thought.

Xia Wei suddenly looked at Shi Shuwen: "Shi Shuwen, which school do you want to apply to? I want to apply to the same school as you and Ding Hongyun."

Shi Shuwen looked at Wang Nian again.

Not to mention, Wang Nian had actually researched all the high schools in Anhuai City a long time ago.

“I prefer No. 2 Middle School.”

"No. 2 Middle School?" Fang Hongyang was puzzled. He took out a table from the teaching plan and handed it to Wang Nian: "You can take a look at the school's admission rate in previous years before considering it."

Wang Nian took it and quickly scanned it, still ending with "No. 2 Middle School".

No. 2 Middle School is by no means a top school in Anhuai, especially in terms of admission rate, which is only average.

But this school has two advantages that other schools do not have.

The reason why the admission rate of No. 2 Middle School is not as good as that of other schools is mainly because of...the imbalance in subjects.

The liberal arts are weak but the sciences are strong, but there are five classes in a grade, only one is a science class and the other four are liberal arts classes.

The total number of students is there, so how can the overall admission rate go up?

The reason for being strong in science is related to the second point. The head of the science class in No. 2 Middle School is Senior Brother Shi Xiangming.

Pan Yuan was once the vice president of Anhua University of Science and Technology. He was known for his strict teaching, but this also offended many people.

As soon as the university was closed, he was reported and sent to a cowshed to work as a cow for six years. In the end, it was Dean Wu who found evidence to have Pan Yuan rehabilitated and return to the city.

After the university started recruiting students again, Pan Yuan was unwilling to go back to teach at the university, and instead chose to teach mathematics at No. 2 Middle School.

Pan Yuan was not well-known outside, but Shi Xiangming knew exactly how good this senior was in mathematics.

Shi Xiangming had already confirmed with Pan Yuan that he would be the head teacher of Class 6 of Grade 1 this year, and would continue to be the head teacher of the science class after the arts or science choices were made.

So these two are confirmed.

"Then choose No. 2 Middle School." Shi Shuwen firmly supported his parents' choice.

Xia Wei thought about it, and then immediately said, "Then I will choose No. 2 Middle School too. Uncle Shi and Aunt Wang Nian must have studied it."

"Don't rush to choose. Let me tell you the reason." Wang Nian held Xia Wei's shoulder with one hand and held Shi Feiying in her arms with the other hand: "You and Shuwen are good friends. You should know that he likes to read engineering books, right?"

Xia Wei nodded.

Wang Niancai went on to explain why the couple chose No. 2 Middle School, and also mentioned Pan Yuan's identity.

"If you don't like science, you definitely can't choose No. 2 Middle School."

"Then Xia Wei should choose No. 2 Middle School." After listening to Wang Nian's explanation, Shi Shuwen answered for his friend first: "Xia Wei is particularly good at physics, but he always lags behind in Chinese in every exam."

Xia Wei nodded awkwardly, but his good friends still understood him.

Fang Hongyang was stunned. He never expected that such a powerful person was hidden in No. 2 Middle School.

“…”

After clearing his throat, Fang Hongyang continued, "If you are sure you want to go to No. 2 Middle School, you can apply for the independent enrollment of No. 2 Middle School in advance and choose your teacher in advance."

The two of them were in the top ten in the city, so not only was it easy for them to get into No. 2 Middle School, but choosing a teacher was also a very easy matter.

Which teacher can refuse to have a class with the best student in the city...

After finishing the conversation with the teacher, Ding Hongyun specifically asked Shi Shuwen and Xia Wei which school they were going to apply to. When he learned that both of them chose No. 2 Middle School, he looked thoughtful and didn't say anything else.

Next, it is the opening ceremony of the whole school.

The most important thing is to award prizes to students who win various competitions in the city.

"Congratulations to Shi Shuwen from Class 1, Grade 9 for winning the first prize in the Anhuai City Middle School Mathematics Competition. Let us invite Shi Shuwen to come to the stage to receive the award..."

Wang Nianyuan stood in the line of parents, accepting the attention from other parents.

Holding Shi Feiying, who was sleeping with a rosy face, in her arms, she looked for Shi Wan who was looking at her.

Finally, mother and daughter looked at Shi Shuwen who was walking up to the award ceremony stage step by step.

The happiness of that moment is still fresh in my memory many years later.

***

The weather in June is unpredictable. After several showers yesterday, there was not a single cloud in sight today.

As Shi Xiangming got out of the car, a wave of heat instantly hit his face.

He didn't have time to lament the hot weather, as all his attention was captured by the shop in front of him with a width of more than ten meters.

There are light blue doors and windows on both sides of the shop, and a blue door in the middle. All the doors and windows have wooden structures on the bottom and glass on the top, so you can see the situation inside the store at a glance.

At this moment, the store is empty, and only large white walls can be seen.

But...where is his front door?

Shi Xiangming stepped back and carefully looked at the number 15 sign next to the door, confirming that this was his front door four months ago.

"Chief Engineer Shi is back from a business trip!"

Because Shi Xiangming came back by bus overnight, it was only seven o'clock when he arrived at his doorstep, and there were few people on the street.

Lao Xiao also went out early because he had to get up early for work.

"Old Xiao, is Wang Nian moving without telling me?" Shi Xiangming said with a smile, "I can't even find my way home."

"The door is there!" Old Xiao pointed to the side of the shop, and Shi Xiangming then saw a small path next to it that was only wide enough for one person to enter and exit.

Walking along the road, I soon saw a small red door.

"Wang Nian." Shi Xiangming shouted while knocking on the door.

After just one knock, the door was immediately opened from the inside, and a figure with a faint fragrance threw into my arms.

Wang Nian hugged Shi Xiangming's waist tightly. Her heart, which seemed to be missing something, instantly settled down when she saw him.

"You're finally back."

The luggage bag fell to the ground instantly. Shi Xiangming smiled and hugged Wang Nian's waist, touching the wet head with one hand.

"Be careful not to catch a cold if you get up so early to wash your hair."

Wang Nian suddenly remembered that he had just smeared soap on his hair, and hurriedly loosened his hands and ran to the laundry table.

While Wang Nian was washing his hair, Shi Xiangming took the time to look at the house which had been completely changed.

The kitchen and study were reduced in size, and a staircase leading to the roof was built next to the room.

A small house was built on the roof of the kitchen, and it seemed that vegetables had been planted on both sides of the floor.

The color of the doors and windows has been changed to new wood, the wood grain is clearly visible under the tung oil, and the living room door has been replaced with a glass window.

The house still looks like a small Western-style building, but the interior has completely changed to Chinese style.

Wang Nian quickly rinsed her hair and hurried over to ask expectantly, "How is it?"

Shi Xiangming understood what his wife was asking and nodded with a smile: "That's exactly what I want. Compared to foreign styles, I prefer the aesthetics of our ancestors."

Wang Nian laughed.

The smile in the corner of his eyes was like a spring breeze, warm as if it was the first day they met, warm and light.

Shi Xiangming just liked to see Wang Nian smile like this, so he didn't say a word and just smiled with his arms open.

The couple hugged each other for the first time in more than four months.

Wang Nian had a lot to say, and Shi Xiangming also had a lot to express.

But...where do parents of three children get any private space?

The upstairs window was quickly opened, and Shi Wan lay on the windowsill, watching her parents hugging her with a smile and then separating awkwardly.

"Dad, you're back."

"What! Dad is back!"

The sound of "dong dong dong" came all of a sudden. Wang Nian shook his head and laughed: "Feiying is here. If you don't buy food to appease him, you will be in trouble!"

Crunch——

The glass door opened, and Shi Feiying, wearing only a pair of shorts and bare-chested, rushed out.

Target...the luggage bag at Shi Xiangming's feet.

"Dad, what delicious food did you bring back?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already unzipped the luggage bag and started rummaging through the contents.

"Take the bag inside and look for it later." Shi Xiangming shook his head helplessly, took a towel from the shelf and wiped Wang Nian's head, saying as he wiped, "The company I'm guiding this time has a branch company specializing in import and export trade. Mr. Wu gave me some daily necessities, which will be delivered in two days... There is a hair dryer inside, so blow dry your hair after washing it in the future."

Wang Nian nodded hurriedly.

"Dad, is this the skirt you bought for Mom?"

Before she could find the food, Shi Feiying actually pulled out a red plaid dress from her bag.

"Your mother looks good in red," said Shi Xiangming.

"Mom, let me try." Shi Feiying ran over with her skirt held up. Wang Nian didn't have time to care about the skirt. His eyes were always on the pair of small feet: "What did you do last night?"

The backs of both feet were covered with scribbles, and judging by the color, they looked like they were drawn with a pen.

Shi Wan immediately complained with a smile: "Feiying drew this in kindergarten after losing a bet with a classmate. Didn't wash it off last night?"

The brothers and sisters all witnessed that in order to avoid being discovered, Shi Feiying, for the first time, washed her feet with soap for half an hour in the toilet before Wang Nian shouted to wash her feet.

Wang Nian: “…”

The troubles that happen every day are so varied and endless.

"Call your brother down to share the goodies." Wang Nian first raised his head and said to Shi Wan, then picked up Shi Feiying and tucked her under his arm: "Try on the clothes tonight."

Shi Xiangming smiled, took the skirt and picked up the bag, then followed the mother and son into the living room.

The house is still the same as before, with no changes to the furniture and appliances.

"Mom said you can choose the furniture when you come back." Shi Shuwen walked down the stairs with Shi Feiying's shirt in his hand.

"After you finish your exams, the whole family can go together."

Shi Wan yawned repeatedly, as if she had not yet woken up from her sleepiness. If Shi Shuwen had not been pulling her back, she would have lay down at any moment.

After Shi Feiying got dressed and finished being beaten, the whole family finally sat together in the living room.

“So much food!”

Except for the piece of clothing I just put in, the bag was full of food...

"Where are your clothes?"

"Send it together with those daily necessities." Shi Xiangming smiled.

"Brother, let's split it in half, and then we can invite Sister Sasha and Brother Xia Wei to eat together with the remaining half." Shi Feiying suggested.

Although the children are noisy, they are loyal to their friends and never forget to give them food when they have it.

"Also call Brother Kangping and Ding Hongyun." Shi Shuwen said.

Shi Feiying nodded, and with a beaming face, she poured out the snacks from the luggage bag and asked Shi Shuwen to divide them.

When Shi Wan saw so much food, his mind instantly became clear.

The three siblings put their heads together and began to share the snacks.

Shi Xiangming quietly held Wang Nian's hand, and they smiled as they watched the children gather around the tea table and share the food.