The gatekeeper still remembers Zhang Hongmei's kindness; if it weren't for this girl that year, his family wouldn't have been able to eat meat at all during the New Year.
He smiled as he watched the three enter the school before closing the door.
Zhang Hongmei went straight to the principal's office. The door was ajar, and Zhang Hongmei called out from outside, "Is the principal in?"
"Yes, who is it? Come in."
Zhang Hongmei walked in with a smile, "Principal, I've come to see you."
"Haha, it's Zhang Hongmei! Please have a seat. School is about to start, why haven't you returned to the capital yet?"
"Hehe, Principal, I just got back today and came to see you. Here are some supplements for you, please accept them."
"Hehe, then I won't stand on ceremony. Did you come back at this hour for something?"
"Yes, I'd like to meet my two homeroom teachers as well."
"Hehe, wait a moment, I'll go call them. They'll be so happy if they know you're here."
Less than five minutes later, the principal was followed by two teachers: Zhang Hongmei's first-year junior high homeroom teacher and her math teacher. Although Zhang Hongmei rarely attended classes during her first year of junior high, she wouldn't have been able to be so carefree without the teachers' protection.
Zhang Shouyi presented two gifts, the same as the principal's. I did not refuse either of the teachers' gifts.
"Zhang Hongmei, is there something you need that you've come back at this time?"
Zhang Hongmei smiled slightly. "Principal, teachers, I came to see you all and also to say goodbye. I'm going abroad in September."
Zhang Hongmei's junior high school teachers didn't spend much time with her; the only exception was when the principal made an exception and directly admitted her to the first year of junior high.
So the three of them fell silent, until finally the principal spoke up. "Going abroad? Foreign countries are so chaotic now, it's too dangerous. Girls always need to protect themselves."
"Hehe, Principal, it's not as scary as you think. Besides, I'll take good care of myself."
"Although that's what they say, we're still too far apart. To put it bluntly, you're a stranger in a strange land. If they really treat you like a guest, that's fine, but I'm afraid they'll look down on you and discriminate against you. Then you'll have nowhere to ask for help."
“Principal, I went abroad only to learn their advanced technology and make up for my own shortcomings. I did not intend to integrate into their society or try to please them.”
I know humans are social animals, and I can't live without people. However, I don't intend to adapt to them; I'm just going to study. I might come into contact with some people, but I can handle those simple interpersonal relationships.
The three of them fell silent. As teachers, they should support someone with ideals and aspirations, but they were all worried about her, so they all kept quiet.
"Hehe, don't worry about me. I'm like a weed, I can take root and sprout anywhere."
The math teacher, who liked Zhang Hongmei the most, said with obvious worry on her face, "We wish you success in your studies and hope you will return home soon."
"Yes, since you have ambition, then we will support you," the homeroom teacher said, offering her blessings.
"Okay, I won't be a stumbling block for you, and I support you. Just remember, there are many people at home waiting for you to come back."
"Thank you for your well wishes. I will do my best to get home as soon as possible."
Zhang Shouyi stood up and smiled faintly, "Thank you, teachers, for your care and concern for Zhang Hongmei. When she returns, we will come together to thank you all."
After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them left.
Upon arriving at the food supply station, Zhang Hongmei took a box of chocolates and went inside without letting Zhang Shouyi and Xiao Li follow her. It was really inappropriate for Zhang Shouyi to be there in such a busy place.
I searched all over inside but couldn't find Xiao Jiang. What happened?
Just as Zhang Hongmei was about to ask someone for directions, Xiao Jiang came in through the back door. The girl looked the same as before.
"Hello, Sister Xiao Jiang!" Zhang Hongmei moved behind Xiao Jiang and mischievously patted her on the shoulder.
"Good heavens, who is it?" Xiao Jiang turned around and saw... "Oh, it's you! Zhang Hongmei, what brings you back at this hour? Did you get expelled from school?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sister Jiang, the school couldn't bear to expel me." Zhang Hongmei helplessly shrugged.
What's going on here?
"I brought you something delicious, look. Chocolate. Do you want some?"
"Of course I want it! I love this flavor, but I can only eat one or two pieces a year. Now I have a whole box!"
"Here you go. Sister Jiang, I'm going home now. See you later." Zhang Hongmei waved and left.
Xiao Jiang, watching Zhang Hongmei's departing figure, smiled. That's what a friend is.
Zhang Shouyi didn't expect Zhang Hongmei to return so quickly; she hadn't even finished reading the documents.
"Pretty fast."
"Yeah, she's a girl I like, she's very cheerful."
"It's already past nine o'clock, let's go," Zhang Shouyi said with a smile.
"Great, we only need to stop at the township station. I reckon we can make it in time for lunch."
"Okay, no need to rush. Can I go with you this time?"
"No, thank you. They're middle-aged women, they'll probably keep talking forever. I can finish quickly by myself, but if there are more people, I won't have any time. I want to go home for lunch."
"Okay, I'll buy it outside and wait for you."
Xiao Li chuckled to himself, thinking, "This boss is really something, he has no principles at all. I'll probably have to be even more obedient to him from now on."
Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the township government building. Zhang Hongmei got out of the car and refused Xiao Li's offer to help her carry the things, saying they weren't heavy and she could manage on her own.
As I entered the Women's Federation office, Li Juying was reading a newspaper inside. Hearing the door open, she looked up and exclaimed, "Hongmei, you're back?"
"Aunt Li, I've come to see you. These are nutritional supplements I bought for you at the Overseas Chinese Store. You need to eat more of them. There's enough food now, so why have you lost weight?"
"I haven't lost weight, I'm just tired. I'm perfectly healthy, don't worry about me. Also, these supplements are really expensive, take them home and eat them yourself, you're at the age where you're growing."
"Hehe, someone like me, do I need any supplements? I brought these back for you, so just eat them. Don't be stingy; health is the foundation of everything. You must take good care of yourself and contribute more to the country in the future." Zhang Hongmei noticed that Li Juying's face had many more wrinkles, which shouldn't be the case. Now that the disaster is over, what difficulties could there be?
"Hehe, I'm really in good health."
Zhang Hongmei hesitated for a moment before asking, "Aunt Li, is something troubling you? Why do you look so much older? You have so many more wrinkles on your face."
"Sigh! Every family has its own troubles. It's because of the division of the family property that I haven't been able to sleep at night. Please sit down, I'll get you some water."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com