Chapter 48: Teacher’s Wife

These days, there were only a few people Ji Ze could interact with, and even fewer who could make him so gleeful.

Ji Duo pondered momentarily, about to speak, when Ji Ze raised his hand in surrender, “Alright, I know you can guess it, Uncle.”

Playing guessing games with his uncle brought no sense of achievement, so Ji Ze straightforwardly said, “The person who stole the formula has been caught.”

Not only the person who stole the formula but also those who instructed him to steal it were all taken into custody.

The Qin family father and son were quite unlucky. They spent 250 yuan on an incomplete formula, waited half a month, and couldn’t make it work. Then, they spent 1,300 yuan to identify potassium hydroxide. They thought they could finally make it work, but after more than ten days, it was still just a pot of soapy water.

Who could tolerate that? A total of 1,550 yuan, almost all the money they earned in the first half of the year, was gone.

Qin Chuan smashed the ladle they used, reducing their total assets by one more. The father and son couldn’t swallow this anger and spent the past few days looking for the person who sold them the formula. They suspected he was playing them, either not knowing the correct formula or deliberately selling them a fake one.

The person who sold the formula hadn’t fully figured it out before selling it and only charged 250 yuan; clearly, he was not a farsighted person. If he had been more thoughtful, he would have spent more time figuring out the last part of Ji Ze’s formula. But he just wanted to make quick money. Once he got the 250 yuan, he stopped looking for work and spent his time at the bar or gambling table.

After much effort, the Qin family father and son finally found him at a gambling table. Before they could beat him senseless, someone reported the incident. When the police from the nearby station arrived, the group was still fighting, with the Qin family father and son red-eyed and cursing as they fought. So, everyone, including the person hosting the gambling session, ended up at the police station.

Once in custody, the Qin family father and son calmed down and stopped talking, fearing they might reveal more incriminating information. However, when the police arrived, they had already heard some details and found the situation familiar. They went back and checked the records.

Sure enough, someone had previously reported that their worker had stolen something, and the description matched the person who was beaten.

That person didn’t hold back. When the police questioned him, he revealed the involvement of the Qin family’s father and son. Ji Ze was stunned when he received the notification that the case had been solved. He had reported the theft to mislead the other party, not caring whether the thief was caught, as the stolen materials were of low value and wouldn’t leave a criminal record. Unexpectedly, the group turned on each other, sending themselves and the masterminds behind the theft to the police station.

“They even spent over a thousand to get an identification?” Lin Qiao couldn’t help but laugh when she heard this from Ji Duo. “How foolish can they be?”

They hadn’t earned a penny but had already spent 1,550 yuan. No wonder the police couldn’t find them; they found the thief themselves, driven by hatred. They were skilled and bold, thinking that having made soap before, they could figure it out without verifying the formula, daring to invest so much.

Sitting on the sofa, Lin Qiao glanced at the accounts and asked, “This amount isn’t enough to leave a criminal record, right?”

“No, it’s not.” Ji Duo, who had just entered, sat on the other side of the sofa, drinking water. “But their group fight was severe enough to leave a record.”

“Pfft!” Lin Qiao burst into laughter.

How tragic, stealing a formula didn’t get them caught, but their internal fight did, leaving them with a criminal record.

They spent 1,550 yuan and now had to pay fines and hospital bills. If they had known, they wouldn’t have had such crooked thoughts in the first place.

Ji Duo sat on the side where Lin Qiao’s mole was visible. Her smile lit up her face, making her look lively and elegant in the dimming evening light, captivating yet dignified.

Lin Qiao didn’t notice. After checking the accounts, she happily counted the money again.

These were her means of livelihood. Even if this man turned against her and refused to share the money one day, she could still live a good life.

“Are you happy?” Ji Duo asked softly from the side.

Lin Qiao turned to see the man holding a cup, gazing at her intently, his tone revealing no emotion.

However, this man seemed to be asking more questions lately, unlike before when his words were mostly instructions and directives—simple, direct, quick, and efficient.

Lin Qiao thought about it and decided it wasn’t a bad thing. Honestly, his previous way of interacting felt more like a superior to a subordinate or an elder to a junior. Everything was well-arranged, and he took care of people, but there was a lack of closeness, even among partners.

Of course, when the lights were out at night, they were anything but distant. No one knew each other’s bodies better than they did.

Thinking of this, Lin Qiao recalled their recent intimate moments, during which the man was different from his daytime self and spoke even less. Several times after their encounters, she would turn around and find him quietly watching her, lost in thought. Since returning from the hospital, he had been like this. Not finding the person had been a significant blow to his elder and affected him.

Lin Qiao smiled, “Happy, of course. Who doesn’t like money?”

When JJWXC authors say they’re giving out red envelopes, the comments section lights up enthusiastically.

She pulled a few bills from a thick stack and slipped them along the man’s belt line, looking up at him, “Give this rich lady a smile, and all this will be yours.”

It was quite improper, and Ji Duo’s brows furrowed immediately, “Where did you learn this?”

Lin Qiao teased him, enjoying his serious demeanor.

Seeing him frown, she didn’t withdraw her hand. Instead, she hooked her finger into his military pants’ waistband and traced the outline of his abs downward, “What? Not enough?”

She acted like a wealthy lady in a nightclub touching a male model. She even felt luckier than a wealthy lady because this man’s body was better, and his waist was stronger. Her slender fingers, separated by a layer of shirt, were more provocative than when they were bare at night. Ji Duo’s abdominal muscles tightened, and he couldn’t help but move his Adam’s apple.

This made his gaze even deeper, “Lin Qiao.”

Calling her name clearly hinted danger, but Lin Qiao’s hand paused and didn’t let go.

“We’re about to go to the cafeteria for dinner.”

At this time, could an old cadre do anything to her on the sofa?

His response was a crisp “click” as he placed the cup back on the coffee table.

Almost reflexively, Lin Qiao jumped up, grabbed the money and accounts from the table, and ran, “I’ll take these upstairs.”

She darted around the sofa and quickly reached the living room door like a little fox escaping.

Even as footsteps echoed from the stairs, the man didn’t get up to catch her or do anything else. Instead, he picked up the cup and took a sip. This movement made the foreign object at his waist more noticeable. He looked down and slowly pulled out the bills. She didn’t say what needed to be said, didn’t ask what needed to be asked, but her boldness in teasing him was growing.

Sitting on his lap, stepping on his knee, now hooking his waistband and touching inside—when he seemed ready to act seriously, she ran faster than anyone. In the end, she was still young, only nineteen. No matter how mature she acted, she occasionally showed her immature side. But this playful interaction was more comfortable than her calm, uninquiring demeanor.

When Lin Qiao returned downstairs, Ji Duo’s expression had returned to normal, and the bills were gone.

As if unaware of her gaze, the man stood up and walked with her to the cafeteria, discussing the data.

“I’ll bring him over after evening self-study,” Lin Qiao said. “I’ve said all I can. The rest is up to him.”

It sounded like he would force the other party; he didn’t even care about Xiao Ze. Ji Duo responded with a faint “Hmm.”

In the evening, Lin Qiao went to the school to supervise self-study and called Junzi out to discuss the matter.

When Junzi heard that Ji Duo wanted to see him, he became nervous, “What does Captain Ji want with me?” It’s strange that he wasn’t afraid of Captain Liang but was scared of Ji Duo.

“Nothing much, just heard you want to join the military and wants to understand the current views on enlisting.” Lin Qiao’s words reassured Junzi, but he couldn’t help muttering, “There are so many people in the whole military district. Why did they pick me? Being close isn’t always good.”

What a character! Lin Qiao couldn’t help but pat his head, “Go back to your self-study. Come with me after school.”

“Got it!” Junzi ran back, immediately whispering something to the people around him, looking very proud.

Lin Qiao was about to return to the podium when she noticed Qi Huaiwen looking at her and walking over.

She didn’t rush, returning to the corridor and waiting for him to follow. Once he did, she asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Since Wu Haiyang left, Qi Huaiwen had been somewhat silent these past two days, clearly not in high spirits.

This was understandable. Qi Huaiwen didn’t necessarily dislike Wu Haiyang; he was more concerned about Vice Principal Qi’s attitude and behavior. However, because of the incident between them, he couldn’t interact with Wu Haiyang like an ordinary person.

Now that Wu Haiyang had left voluntarily, it was natural for Qi Huaiwen to feel conflicted, but he would get over it in time.

Facing Lin Qiao, the boy wasn’t as cold as usual. When she asked, he said, “I heard Teacher Lin wants to take the college entrance exam next year.”

Lin Qiao had mentioned this in Principal Zeng’s office, so many people knew. There was nothing to hide, “Yes, why?”

“Do you have first-year review materials and notes?” Qi Huaiwen lowered his eyes, looking a bit uneasy.

Previously, when he was slacking off and not studying well, he always looked Lin Qiao in the eye, appearing very straightforward. Now that he wanted to study, he felt uneasy.

Lin Qiao wanted to laugh but didn’t, “Yes, do you want to start from the first year?”

Feeling exposed, the boy became even more uneasy, “Didn’t you tell me to find a way to catch up on my studies?”

She had asked him to catch up on the few days he missed at the beginning of the term. She didn’t expect that once he figured it out, he would want to catch up on everything he missed in the first year as well.

This was a good thing, and Lin Qiao naturally wouldn’t discourage his enthusiasm, “Which subjects do you need? I’ll bring them next week.”

Tomorrow is Sunday, and their school doesn’t have classes.

Unexpectedly, Qi Huaiwen, who usually doesn’t ask for much, seemed a bit urgent this time, “Can I go with you to get it after evening self-study?”

It was clear that Junzi had boasted about going to her house tonight when he returned to his seat.

They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and students who cause more concern always get more attention from teachers, especially those she personally brought back. Lin Qiao thought about the good security in the military district and the short distance, so she didn’t refuse, “Alright, you two can come with me tonight.”

So, after Ji Duo finished watching the news and sat on the sofa reading the newspaper, he noticed Lin Qiao had brought back not just Junzi but another person.

It wasn’t that Lin Qiao couldn’t bring students home, but this particular student, with those peach blossom eyes, reminded Ji Duo of Lin Qiao’s question, “Do you have anything else?”

Seeing Ji Duo, Qi Huaiwen probably remembered the hospital incident, too. After Junzi greeted him, Qi Huaiwen looked at him and said, “Teacher’s wife.”

Teacher’s wife? Ji Duo’s expression froze, and Junzi almost burst out laughing, quickly covering his mouth and turning his head to the side.

“Is something wrong?” Qi Huaiwen asked coldly.

“No, no.” Junzi waved his hand repeatedly but couldn’t help glancing at Ji Duo’s expression.

Lin Qiao hadn’t expected the boy to be so obedient. She had introduced him as the teacher’s wife, and he really called him that.

Seeing Ji Duo remain silent, she quickly explained, “I was joking at the hospital that day.”

He should have known it was a joke, yet he still called her that. Truly bold.

With years of experience leading soldiers, Ji Duo could tell if someone was genuinely obedient or just pretending. However, as an elder and a teacher’s family member, arguing with a young student was unnecessary. He simply asked Lin Qiao, “Is there something you need?”

“He wants to borrow first-year review materials and notes. Tomorrow is Sunday, so I brought him back with me.”

Students visiting a teacher’s home would naturally be nervous, especially with Ji Duo’s serious expression and strong presence. To ease the atmosphere, Lin Qiao brought out the soda, “Qi Huaiwen and I will get the materials in a bit. You two can talk in the living room.”

“Teacher, we don’t need soda. You keep it for yourself.” Junzi quickly refused, and Qi Huaiwen didn’t seem interested either.

“I’ve already brought it out. Don’t be polite with your teacher.” Lin Qiao started looking for the bottle opener she had bought a few days ago.

But after searching for a while, she couldn’t find it, and the two students were waiting to finish their conversation and go home.

Lin Qiao decided not to waste time searching and handed the soda bottle to Ji Duo, “Can you open this for me?”

This was the soda he bought for her, and now she was giving it to others, and he had to help open it. Ji Duo felt a bit conflicted, but he looked at her delicate hand and then went to the kitchen to get a chopstick.

Junzi took the soda, scratching his head with a smile, “Just a few questions to ask me, and you’re treating me to soda. It’s too much.”

So quickly, asking questions became a consultation. No doubt, the kid was getting cocky again.

Lin Qiao found it amusing, and sure enough, Ji Duo looked over, questioning with his eyes. She whispered the explanation in his ear.

The man seemed speechless but didn’t say anything, just glanced at the still-pretending Junzi.

Lin Qiao handed another bottle of soda to Qi Huaiwen and was about to take him out when she glanced back at the coffee table in the living room.

Ji Duo was about to ask when she had already taken the enamel mug, “Talk to him properly. Don’t act like an old cadre in a meeting.”

This remark reminded Ji Duo of their previous conversation with the enamel mugs, and his expression subtly froze again.

Once the footsteps faded, he pointed to the sofa, indicating that Junzi should sit, and tried to soften his tone, starting with the reason Lin Qiao had given.

Meanwhile, Qi Huaiwen followed Lin Qiao like a well-behaved student. When they reached the second floor, he didn’t try to enter Lin Qiao’s room. Seeing him politely stop at the door, Lin Qiao brought out the materials and let him choose in the hallway.

The boy took math, English, and biology, returning the rest to Lin Qiao, “Thank you, Teacher Lin.”

“Don’t you need physics?” Lin Qiao was a bit surprised, remembering that his grades in this subject were the worst, and he never passed even when he didn’t hand in a blank paper.

Qi Huaiwen hesitated, “No, I know it all.”

This response left Lin Qiao silent. She finally put away the other materials and notes, “Study well. I’m looking forward to your next exam results.”

After sending Qi Huaiwen off, Ji Duo had finished talking with Junzi. When Junzi came out, he seemed preoccupied and only briefly greeted her, “Teacher Lin.”

“Do you need me to walk you home and explain to your family?”

“No need. Has Qi Huaiwen left?” Being a good deskmate, Junzi didn’t forget to ask.

Hearing that he had left, Junzi also said goodbye, “Goodbye, Teacher Lin. Goodbye, Captain Ji.”

Lin Qiao watched him enter the gate of the neighboring yard before returning to see Ji Duo closing the gate, “What did you tell him?”

Ji Duo didn’t stop moving, “The promotion ratios from last year, the year before, five years ago, ten years ago. The ranks of those who went to military school for further training and those who didn’t, the units soldiers are assigned to after discharge, and the units officers are assigned to after transitioning to civilian life.”

Relying entirely on facts, this data likely had a more significant impact than Captain Liang’s countless words at home about joining the military being less beneficial than attending military school. If Junzi still chose to join the military early without finishing high school, there was nothing more she could do.

“Isn’t this data hard for ordinary people to get?” Lin Qiao was about to ask the man when he finished locking the door and suddenly looked at her at night. “Teacher’s wife?”

She was stunned, “I said I was joking. You wouldn’t take that seriously, would you?”

Ji Duo didn’t say anything. He walked a few steps into the living room and put away the soda bottles and the data he had shown to Junzi.

Lin Qiao stood by the door, waiting for him to finish. As soon as she turned off the living room light, she was scooped up like a child, one arm under her armpits and the other under her legs.

She was startled, her voice rising involuntarily, “What are you doing?”

The man said nothing, carried her back to the sofa, and took out a few familiar bills from his pocket, “Didn’t you give me money?”

No way, she had teased him before dinner, and now it was so late. Had he been holding back all this time, waiting for it to get dark?

Lin Qiao reached out and took the bills, “I’m not giving it now, okay?”

However, the man’s kiss had already landed, one hand holding her neck and the other pressing her against the sofa, leaving her no room to retreat.

Lin Qiao’s resistance was weak, almost non-existent. After a few kisses, she had only one concern left, “Protection.”

The answer was the sound of plastic packaging in the silent darkness, and not just one…

When Lin Qiao went downstairs the next day, she couldn’t look directly at the sofa or the coffee table in front of it. Being a wealthy lady wasn’t easy; it required not only wealth but also good legs and a strong waist.

However, after a good meal, her mind was clear. Thinking of Junzi and Qi Huaiwen, she couldn’t help but recall her past life and her classmates.

They say the college entrance exam is a watershed in life, mainly determining your future. However, most students have no concept of this so-called future until after the exam, when they start choosing their majors. It is when they graduate and enter society that they realize it.

Unlike later times, there wasn’t an information explosion, making it harder for students to understand society. So, she wanted to add a practical lesson for them.

“You want them to see and experience jobs in factories, stores, and other industries?” Vice Principal Qi repeated Lin Qiao’s words.

Lin Qiao nodded, “You know the current college entrance exam admission rate. Each class has at most two or three undergraduates and about ten vocational school students; the rest must work or join the military. I want them to see what they can do after graduation and plan for their future.”

No matter what they choose, they shouldn’t regret their decisions ten or twenty years later because they were ignorant at the time.

“I can’t make that decision. I’ll ask Principal Zeng for you.” Vice Principal Qi didn’t promise but strongly persuaded Principal Zeng.

Principal Zeng, who had taken students to the countryside to help villagers, hesitated but eventually agreed. However, there were many conditions: reasonable time allocation, student safety, voluntary participation, and teachers contacting units to organize student practice.

Everything else was manageable, but Lin Qiao couldn’t take everyone to a construction site to move bricks.

After much consideration, she chose the first practice location at a printing factory that had some dealings with their school. In those days, some schools ran their own factories to increase income and provide jobs for staff families. However, their school was already a place for military families, with sufficient funding and few people, so they didn’t run a factory. Their books were printed at other printing factories. Lin Qiao found time to discuss it, and they agreed to let the students visit on a day when the workers were off.

Next, it was time to coordinate the students’ schedules. In those days, single-day rest was common, and some units didn’t have unified rest times.

As Lin Qiao walked out of the printing factory, ready to head to the bus stop, she saw a young man carrying two buckets on a shoulder pole, starting to sell at the factory gate.

“Liquid soap! The whole Yandu is using liquid soap! Great for washing hands and hair, only two yuan for three jin! Two yuan for three jin!”

She stopped in her tracks.

Two yuan for three jin?

Wasn’t their price set at one yuan per jin?