Chapter 163

The day for announcing the results of the clay sculpture competition arrived quickly.

Early that morning, Han’s mother bought a newspaper. The competition results were not only notified to individuals but also published in the “Jinling Daily.”

The section for the clay sculpture competition results was not very large. It listed one special prize, two first prizes, three second prizes, and five third prizes.

The special prize came with a reward of 100 yuan, first prize 50 yuan, second prize 30 yuan, and third prize 10 yuan.

When Han’s mother saw Han Wei’s name among the two first-prize winners, she was so excited that tears filled her eyes.

She didn’t care about the money; she valued the honor her child had earned.

When they first arrived at the military district, Han Wei was seen as a kid who did nothing but play with clay all day. Now, he had a job, participated in competitions, and won an award. This was beyond what she ever imagined.

Soon, the award certificate was delivered to their residential area by the postman, and everyone got to know about it.

People couldn’t help but feel a wave of envy.

Everyone knew what Han Wei used to be like. When he first arrived at the camp, he was a recluse with no serious job, always cooped up at home. Now, he had a job and had won a competition.

It was hard not to be envious.

Some people who saw the newspaper noticed that the award list included a column for the guiding teacher, where Shi Tingyu’s name was prominently displayed. They realized Han Wei’s achievement couldn’t have been possible without her help.

Principal Ren, upon hearing the news, put up a banner at the school gate.

Anything that could boost the school’s reputation and enhance its prestige was worth promoting.

The banner read: “Congratulations to our teachers Han Wei and Shi Tingyu for winning first prize in the clay sculpture competition.”

When school ended, Shi Tingyu and Han Wei saw the banner at the gate.

Shi Tingyu blushed deeply.

It was one thing to write about Han Wei, but why include her name too? She wasn’t even the one who participated in the competition.

Principal Ren had his reasons. Shi Tingyu’s name as a guiding teacher was also in the newspaper. Previously, the school’s mural project gained recognition thanks to her. Including her name this time acknowledged her contributions to the school.

Now their school had a bit of fame among other schools in Jinling.

If not for the fact that the school was specifically for children of the military district, there would likely be many children from outside attending.

He wasn’t worried about Han’s family being upset, thinking that Teacher Shi stole Han Wei’s spotlight. The fact that Han Wei acknowledged Shi Tingyu as his guiding teacher showed he wasn’t someone who forgot his roots.

That evening, Han’s mother cooked a nice meal and insisted on inviting Shi Tingyu and her husband to dinner.

Shi Tingyu looked at her husband.

Lu Weiguo smiled and said, “Let’s go. Sister-in-law has invited us so kindly.”

So that evening, Lu Weiguo and Shi Tingyu had dinner at Han’s house.

After dinner, Han Wei tried to give half of the prize money to Shi Tingyu, but she refused.

The competition was Han Wei’s, not a joint creation, and she certainly didn’t need the money.

One day, after school, Shi Tingyu encountered a woman and a teenage boy at her doorstep, carrying some items.

The scene felt familiar.

The woman greeted her warmly, “Teacher Shi, you’re back from school?”

Shi Tingyu nodded and asked, seemingly puzzled, “Ma’am, is there something you need from me?”

The woman smiled broadly and tried to hand the items to Shi Tingyu. Shi Tingyu quickly put her hands behind her back. “Sister, if you have something to say, just say it. We don’t accept gifts.”

The woman’s husband, surnamed Lin, was a battalion commander in the 721st Regiment and lived in the front row of the apartment buildings. The sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy beside her was her only son. She had come to ask if Shi Tingyu could teach her son how to draw.

She had realized that learning to draw had a promising future. Not only could it lead to a teaching job, but it could also open doors to working in propaganda departments or even creating comic strips. If her son could enter a competition, he might secure a better job.

Since their husbands were not in the same regiment and didn’t interact much, Sister Lin brought substantial gifts.

“Teacher Shi, this is my son. Can you take him on as an apprentice and teach him how to draw?” she asked, pushing the items toward Shi Tingyu again.

Shi Tingyu was uncomfortable with such situations. “I’m sorry, Sister, but I’m usually very busy and don’t take on apprentices.”

The smile on Sister Lin’s face faltered. Her husband was at the same rank as Lu Weiguo, so she wondered if Shi Tingyu was looking down on them. Although her husband’s position wasn’t as high as Captain Han’s, being rejected so outright was hard to accept.

“Teacher Shi, my child is very smart. If Han Wei can learn, so can he. It won’t take much of your time.”

Shi Tingyu frowned. “Sister Lin, Han Wei is not my apprentice either. I haven’t taken him on. I simply don’t take on apprentices.”

Sister Lin’s expression changed multiple times. She thought to herself that even though Shi Tingyu hadn’t officially taken Han Wei on, he still had benefited from her guidance. However, she kept this thought to herself.

The supposedly smart boy stood by with an arrogant expression, coldly watching his mother talk to Shi Tingyu as if it didn’t concern him.

Even if she had plans to take on apprentices, Shi Tingyu wouldn’t accept someone with such an attitude.

“No need for formal apprenticeship, Teacher Shi. Just keep him by your side and teach him. No need for titles.”

Shi Tingyu sensed that Sister Lin was determined to place her child with her, so she made her stance clear. “Sister, I don’t take on apprentices. Others have asked before, and my answer has always been the same. If there’s nothing else, please go back. I need to cook.”

As she spoke, she began to open the courtyard gate to head home.

Seeing this, Sister Lin quickly grabbed her. Her eyes flickered, and she insisted, “Teacher Shi, let’s not talk about this today. These gifts are carefully chosen, and you must accept them.”

She thought that if Shi Tingyu accepted the gifts, she could convince her to teach her son.

“What are you doing, Sister Lin? Let her go!”

Mrs. Zhang, who heard the commotion, came out to help Shi Tingyu.

Seeing another person come out, Sister Lin tightened her grip.

Shi Tingyu tried to pull her hand away but couldn’t. Just as she was about to take further action, an urgent voice called out.

“What’s going on here?”

Everyone turned to see Lu Weiguo and Zhang Jin rushing over.

Taking advantage of Sister Lin’s momentary distraction, Shi Tingyu pulled her hand free.

Lu Weiguo stepped in front of her, his face stern as he confronted Sister Lin. “Are you trying to lay hands on my wife?”

Sister Lin was startled by Lu Weiguo’s demeanor and quickly shook her head. “No, no, I wasn’t.”