“Jiang Cheng, did you say you’ve memorized the geography textbook?”

Geography Teacher Li asked. Several teachers who hadn’t left the office yet turned their attention to Jiang Cheng, the student who had become their favorite after just one class.

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

The teachers collectively let out an inexplicable sigh of relief.

“Not just geography, I’ve memorized all the textbooks.”

Crash

Clang

The sound of books and teacups hitting the floor echoed.

“How is that possible?”

“Jiang Cheng, you can’t just say things like that.”

“Let’s just keep this among ourselves. Don’t go spreading it outside, or people will laugh at you!”

“Right, let’s stay grounded. If there’s anything you don’t understand, we’ll help you.”

The teachers’ reactions made Jiang Cheng smile.

Each teacher here might have their own little quirks, but there was no doubt they were all good teachers.

In an era when the status of teachers was low, they still maintained their passion for education.

Supporting their families was one thing, but deeper down, they understood a saying: “Teaching and nurturing people brings merit to the present and benefits to the future.”

They were more willing than anyone to see an outstanding next generation that would help China soar!

“Teachers, I’m telling the truth. However, I’ve only memorized the texts. I don’t fully understand the meanings, which is why I want to ask more questions.”

After speaking, Jiang Cheng took out three sheets of paper from her backpack and handed them to Chinese Teacher Wen, Politics Teacher Hu, and Chemistry Teacher Liu.

“Teachers, please help me. I really want to study hard. When I achieve academic success, I will contribute my part to the Four Modernizations of our country.”

Jiang Cheng spoke earnestly, and the teachers were deeply moved.

This child has such a pure heart!

At this moment, whether or not he had memorized the textbooks didn’t seem so important anymore.

They were teachers, and answering students’ questions was what they were supposed to do.

The teachers, moved, agreed to help. Jiang Cheng thanked each of them one by one and then left the office.

That night, Geography Teacher Li woke up in the middle of the night, lit an oil lamp, and took out the geography textbook.

“Old Li, what are you doing?”

Teacher Li, wearing glasses, didn’t turn his head as he replied, “I’m just reviewing the textbook.”

Teacher Li’s wife got up, puzzled, and touched his forehead.

“You’re not running a fever. Why are you talking nonsense? You’ve been teaching this book for years. What’s there to review?”

Teacher Li held the oil lamp in his left hand and flipped through the book with his right, taking a deep breath. “I just feel like Jiang Cheng might be telling the truth.”

Teacher Li’s wife: “?? Who’s Jiang Cheng?”

After Teacher Li explained, his wife summed it up: “So, you’re afraid this student Jiang Cheng might catch your mistakes?”

Teacher Li’s face twisted in confusion. It seemed like that, but also not quite. He couldn’t explain it clearly. In any case, he just wanted to flip through the book to calm his mind.

Teacher Li’s wife shook her head and laughed, thinking the whole thing was absurd. A teacher getting up in the middle of the night to study because he was scared of a student?

If the two of them had known about the future, they would have used a word to describe this situation accurately—involution!

The next day, Jiang Cheng still got up at 4:30 a.m. to study, read, and exercise.

After breakfast, Shen Xing and Shen Yue stayed home to rest since it was the weekend.

As a temporary substitute worker, Jiang Cheng didn’t have weekends off. Instead, she had three days off a month, which she could use as she saw fit.

The morning passed with more sorting and compiling of statistics. Jiang Cheng looked at the three account books she had organized, deep in thought.

There were no sales records on the 20th of every month, and this had been the case for the past three years.

“Xiao Jiang, go get lunch.”

“Coming, Sister Wang.”

Jiang Cheng got up, took her lunchbox, and followed Sister Wang.

“Sister Wang, I noticed there are no sales records on the 20th of every month in the account books. Is that a special day?”

“The 20th? That’s our monthly inventory day. We don’t do business that day.”

“Oh, I see.”

The two of them arrived at the cafeteria entrance. Before they even entered, they could hear Sister Kong’s hearty laughter.

“Oh my, why are you so happy today?”

Sister Wang walked in, chatting familiarly, while Jiang Cheng quietly followed behind.

Sister Kong finished serving food to the sorting guy, took Sister Wang’s lunchbox, and said, “I’m happy! I’ve never been this happy before. My Da Dong found a job.”

Sister Wang was genuinely surprised.

That Da Dong, who was good at nothing and ate everything in sight, actually got hired by a factory?

Sister Wang asked curiously, “Where is he working?”

“At that… what’s it called? I didn’t quite remember, but these past few days Da Dong has been going out to work every day, and he even brought me some meat at night.”

Sister Wang instinctively wanted to ask something less pleasant, but Jiang Cheng interrupted her from behind.

“Sister Kong, I’ll have some green pepper and shredded pork. It’s been a while since I’ve had meat. I need to satisfy my craving!”

“Xiao Jiang, you should buy some meat to eat. I’ll give you an extra portion!”

It was clear that Sister Kong was in a very good mood.

Sister Wang also belatedly realized that it wasn’t appropriate to say anything that might dampen Sister Kong’s spirits.

Her family had reminded her many times to think before she spoke.

After Sister Wang and Jiang Cheng got their food, they returned to their small office.

“Xiao Jiang, thank you!”

“Sister Wang, what are you thanking me for?”

Jiang Cheng looked genuinely confused, as if she really didn’t understand. Sister Wang smiled and said it was nothing, and the two of them started eating.

After the little episode, the afternoon continued with work, and then it was time to get off.

Jiang Cheng still rushed to night school, thinking about whether she should treat himself to some beef today.

She happened to have some warm beef shank in her space.

Just as she was planning her meal, she arrived at the night school and was stopped.

Stopped by Principal Wang.

“Jiang Cheng, we made too much food at home. It’d be a waste not to eat it. Take this to add to your meal.”

Principal Wang, afraid that Jiang Cheng might feel too embarrassed to take it, directly placed the lunchbox on the ground, turned around, and ran off.

“Cherish food, waste is shameful!”

Hearing Principal Wang’s shout, Jiang Cheng smiled helplessly, picked up the lunchbox, and wiped the dust off the bottom with her palm.

“Jiang Cheng, this is from Teacher Lü.”

Uncle Wang, the gatekeeper, handed out a military-green metal water bottle through the window. A bright red five-pointed star shone prominently in the middle.

“And this, take it to quench your thirst.”

Uncle Wang also handed out two green-skinned cucumbers, washed clean.

“Uncle—”

“Hurry up, or you’ll be late for class!”

Uncle Wang’s face turned stern, and with a swift motion, he slid the gatekeeper’s window shut, giving Jiang Cheng no chance to refuse.

“Yes, sir!”

Jiang Cheng accepted graciously, carrying the lunchbox, water bottle, and cucumbers to the classroom where she usually ate.

Inside the lunchbox was a large mixed-grain steamed bun with scrambled eggs and tomatoes.

Nothing too special, but it was much better than yesterday’s dried radish.

For this meal, Jiang Cheng didn’t add anything extra. She ate until she was full.

With her stomach satisfied, Jiang Cheng, carrying the green water bottle, knocked on the office door.

“Come in.”

As soon as Jiang Cheng entered, Teacher Lü noticed the water bottle on her back.

Teacher Lü felt a little embarrassed but also somewhat pleased, though her face remained cold.

“It’s 5:15. Not being late is the most basic rule for a translator. You’ll be punished by standing during class.”

“Yes!”

Jiang Cheng stood straight, her attitude impeccable, accepting the punishment perfectly.

What a stubborn yet adorable old lady!