Chapter 106

Knowing that his son going to try out for the art teacher position wouldn’t inconvenience Shi Tingyu, Captain Han felt relieved.

He planned to have his wife take their son to the school the next day to meet with the principal.

Shi Tingyu suggested, “Why don’t we go together tomorrow morning, Xiaowei?”

Captain Han readily agreed. It was much better than his wife taking him, as she wasn’t familiar with the school at all.

“Alright, no need to be polite then. Tomorrow morning, I’ll trouble you to take our little troublemaker for the tryout,” Captain Han said.

With everything settled, Captain Han took Han Wei back home.

On their way back, both of them walked with a light step.

Upon returning home, Captain Han informed his wife that Han Wei could go for the tryout the next day, which made Han’s wife very happy.

Late into the night, she began to make arrangements, “Xiaolu’s wife has helped us so much. Tomorrow, let Xiaowei bring something over.”

Captain Han quickly stopped her, “Don’t bother. If you send something, it might not be appropriate. We have a deep bond from risking our lives together on the battlefield. They won’t mind such things. Besides, he’s under my care now; I mustn’t shortchange my good brother. There will be plenty of chances to repay them in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Han’s wife understood and settled down.

Captain Han, however, had a talk with Han Wei about workplace matters.

This child was usually reserved and solely focused on painting, not understanding social conventions. This was the time to instill some principles of interpersonal relationships into him.

This time, Han Wei unusually didn’t argue with his father’s words.

He listened attentively.

Han’s wife thought for a moment and asked, “Should Xiaowei bring some of his paintings he does on weekdays when he goes to apply for the art teacher?”

Captain Han replied, “Yes, it’s better to be prepared.”

After hearing this, Han Wei hurried back to his room to tidy up some of his paintings, striving to select the best ones.

Captain Han couldn’t help but shout into the room, “Don’t bring that painting you did for me. It might ruin your chances.”

Han’s wife patted his back gently, “What’s wrong? That painting of yours isn’t good enough?”

Captain Han smiled, not taking his wife’s suggestion seriously.

“I’m doing this for his own good.”

The next morning, Han Wei brought his paintings and went to the Lu family.

At that time, Lu Weiguo and Shi Tingyu were having breakfast.

Seeing Han Wei approaching, Shi Tingyu quickly invited him in to sit.

Han Wei politely greeted both of them.

Lu Weiguo asked, “Have you had breakfast? If not, have some here.”

Han Wei waved his hands repeatedly, “Thank you, Uncle Lu, but I’ve already eaten at home.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Weiguo didn’t inquire further. He peeled a boiled egg and placed it in Shi Tingyu’s bowl.

Then, he began eating on his own.

Han Wei was intrigued by their interaction; his father had never peeled an egg for his mother.

Someone was waiting beside them, making Shi Tingyu eat hurriedly.

Lu Weiguo advised, “Take your time. It’s still early.”

At this point, Han Wei felt a bit uneasy. He had originally planned to come later, but his parents were afraid he would be late, so they rushed him out early in the morning, causing Shi Tingyu to feel uncomfortable eating.

Feeling the need to say something, Han Wei spoke up, “Teacher Shi, please take your time with your meal. I arrived early this time.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Tingyu slowed down a bit, but still ate faster than usual.

After finishing their meal, Shi Tingyu picked up her bag and teaching materials, ready to leave. Lu Weiguo swiftly grabbed a scarf and caught up, helping her put it on.

“It’s December now. Make sure to wear the scarf properly and don’t catch a cold.”

Han Wei felt like he had been force-fed with something; he felt full, as if he had eaten too much breakfast.

Shi Tingyu took Han Wei to the school.

They arrived early today, before any other teachers had come to the office.

She settled her things at her desk and took Han Wei to the principal’s office.

Principal Ren of their school was always the earliest among the staff to arrive.

When colleagues asked why he came so early, he always replied uniformly that he couldn’t sleep due to his old age.

On their way to the principal’s office, Shi Tingyu introduced Han Wei to the school’s infrastructure.

Han Wei listened attentively.

This was what his father meant by listening more, doing more, and speaking less.

Inside the principal’s office, Principal Ren was cleaning up. Upon seeing Shi Tingyu, he warmly invited her in.

He also brewed fresh tea for Shi Tingyu and Han Wei.

“Teacher Shi, you’re here so early today. Who’s this comrade next to you?” Principal Ren asked while handing tea to Shi Tingyu.

Shi Tingyu replied, “This is Han Wei, the son of Captain Han who just joined us. He’s graduated from high school and has a lively talent for painting. He’s here to see if he can become our school’s art teacher.”

Principal Ren immediately became interested. Their school indeed had a severe shortage of art teachers, relying mostly on Shi Tingyu to handle art classes. Having a potential candidate was excellent news.

He saw the sketch papers in Han Wei’s hands and asked, “Han Comrade, did you draw these? Can I have a look?”

“Of course.” Han Wei handed over the sketches eagerly.

Principal Ren carefully flipped through each one. Although Han Wei’s paintings weren’t as well-done as Shi Tingyu’s, they showed decent skill, much better than the previous substitute teacher, Jiang Yu.

Seeing the young Han Wei, Principal Ren considered another test. He pointed to a camphor tree outside the office and said, “Comrade Han, can you draw this camphor tree for me right here?”

Han Wei glanced at Shi Tingyu, who nodded, and then he picked up a sheet of paper and a pen to start drawing.

His method of painting was self-taught from textbooks and not very systematic, but he handled it with ease.

Principal Ren and Shi Tingyu didn’t disturb him. They sat down at the office desk, drinking tea and discussing student matters.

By the time most of the school’s teachers and students had arrived, Han Wei had finished his drawing. He handed it to Principal Ren, and the fate of his application hung on this moment.

Principal Ren looked at Han Wei’s drawing, nodded in satisfaction. It was quite good; teaching elementary school students would be well within his capability.

Finally, Principal Ren assigned Han Wei to teach art for grades one and two, while Shi Tingyu continued with grades three to five.

Han Wei’s face lit up with an excited smile. Finally, at this age, he had something lively to look forward to.

Considering Han Wei had no teaching experience, Principal Ren moved him into Shi Tingyu’s office and relocated Jiang Yu to the neighboring office.

On his first day, Han Wei didn’t officially teach. He shadowed Shi Tingyu, watching her teach, and took meticulous notes.

The school’s staff and students were quite curious about this new teacher.

However, when the lower-grade children learned that their future art classes would be taught by this new teacher, a few of them burst into tears right away.

“I don’t want Teacher Shi to leave!”

“Neither do I!”

“Please don’t leave, Teacher Shi!”

One after another, the cries in the classroom quickly escalated into a chorus.

Han Wei was completely at a loss. He had never faced so many crying children before.

In the end, it was Shi Tingyu who managed to calm everyone down.