Chapter 35

After a noisy night, Lin Ting rushed to school the next morning.

Principal Huang’s strict rules didn’t deduct points for being late but required a self-criticism read aloud to all teachers. To avoid embarrassment, Lin Ting barely made it on time, regretting last night.

“Overslept?” Gu Fang handed her a cleaned cup of tea. “I washed it this morning. It’s clean.”

Lin Ting nodded, took the cup, and thanked her.

Gu Fang waved it off. “No need to thank me. You’ve helped me a lot and shared your food.”

Lin Ting smiled, taking out a wooden box from her bag. “Here, today’s snacks.”

Their friendship started not because they sat next to each other but through snacks made by Lin Ting’s mother-in-law, Hu Xiu, who was an excellent cook.

Gu Fang, not one to take advantage, handed Lin Ting a chocolate bar. “Here, my brother Rong Xuan brought this from his trip yesterday.”

She leaned in, whispering, “I heard the airborne regiment’s chief of staff had dinner at your house yesterday. Is he single?”

Lin Ting, planning to share the chocolate with her family, replied, “Yes, he came. He’s Huo Xiao’s subordinate. I believe he’s single.”

Gu Fang eagerly asked, “Is he handsome?”

Remembering Huo Xiao’s jealousy last night, Lin Ting, still sore, coughed lightly. “He’s quite handsome.”

Gu Fang’s eyes lit up, but before she could continue, Principal Huang entered.

She quickly sat upright.

Lin Ting stifled a laugh as Principal Huang approached her. “Teacher Lin.”

Lin Ting stood up. “Principal.”

Principal Huang gestured for her to sit. “It’s about tomorrow’s performance for the soldiers. Teacher Liu Wenyan isn’t well-prepared, and I know you sing well. Can you help oversee it?”

Lin Ting hesitated. “My singing is average, and the chorus was a last-minute plan. It’s normal to have issues.”

Lin Ting realized the differences between military compound students and regular ones, like training with new recruits during summer ^[1]refers to two-week military training for discipline and experience. and weekly military classes. The upcoming performance was for soldiers returning from a rescue mission. Schools participated to foster students’ pride in the military.

Music teacher Liu Wenyan disliked Lin Ting, and while Lin Ting wasn’t afraid, she wanted to avoid trouble.

Principal Huang, unaware of their conflict, smiled. “Don’t be modest. I’ve heard you sing. Just assist Teacher Liu.”

He turned to Gu Fang. “I remember you were in the art troupe. You should help too.”

Gu Fang screamed internally. I was a civilian in the troupe!

But refusing was impossible now. The two exchanged helpless glances and agreed.

After the leader left satisfied, Lin Ting and Gu Fang were unsurprised to receive sympathetic looks from the other teachers.

Liu Wenyan was truly a terrifying person!

Education was highly valued in China. Children were the future of the nation. Even though schools had relaxed in recent years, the army still maintained strict control, ensuring adequate financial support for education.

Lin Ting and Gu Fang walked through the long red-brick corridor to the front classroom. This room was usually empty but served as a rehearsal space for group activities. Though it lacked a curtain or seating, it was still considered elegant for its time.

They expected to find students practicing a chorus. Instead, the classroom was in chaos.

In the center, several girls huddled together, comforting someone. Other students were either sitting around or angrily arguing with Liu Wenyan, who stood defiantly.

Lin Ting frowned, about to intervene, when Gu Fang stepped forward and asked, “What’s going on? Why aren’t you rehearsing?”

She strode inside, and Lin Ting quickly followed, worried she might suffer a loss.

Liu Wenyan, already in a bad mood due to the students’ defiance, scowled upon seeing the two teachers she disliked most. “What are you doing here? This is my class!”

Gu Fang resisted the urge to roll her eyes and replied bluntly, “The principal thinks your progress is lacking, so he sent us to check.”

Ignoring Liu Wenyan, Lin Ting approached the crying girl and gently asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

A short-haired girl straightened her back, her face full of anger. “Teacher Lin, Teacher Liu said Fang Cuihua’s clothes are too ugly, and she isn’t good-looking enough to be in the front row. She said she’d embarrass us.”

Liu Wenyan quickly retorted, “When did I say ’embarrass’?”

A male student snapped, “You didn’t say the word, but your disgusted expression made it clear.”

Liu Wenyan, unmoved, insisted, “I am the teacher. I have the right to decide who stands where! Wang Haitao, watch your words!”

An adult might have swallowed their anger to avoid conflict, but young people, raised with ideals of unity and fairness, would not. Liu Wenyan’s words only fueled their outrage, and the classroom erupted into arguments.

Lin Ting, despite the noise, pieced together the situation.

Fang Cuihua, the eldest daughter of Ding Feiyan and Fang Shuigen, had just entered junior high school. Although younger students were usually not selected as lead singers, her exceptional voice had impressed everyone. The students nominated her, hoping to bring honor to their school in the upcoming commendation ceremony.

However, Liu Wenyan humiliated her instead of recognizing her talent, harshly dismissing her abilities.

Seeing Fang Cuihua’s pale, worn-out clothes made from urea bags, Lin Ting was unsurprised by Liu Wenyan’s attitude. Even in later generations, some teachers judged students based on appearance.

While it was common to choose attractive students for performances, Liu Wenyan’s words had been unnecessarily cruel to a 14-year-old girl.

Lin Ting comforted the crying girl and subtly signaled Gu Fang, who immediately understood. Her eyes lit up, and she rushed out before Liu Wenyan could react.

By the time Liu Wenyan processed what had happened, Principal Huang entered with a dark expression.

After hearing the full story, he was furious but controlled his anger for the students’ sake. He reassured them and handed the event over to Lin Ting and Gu Fang before leading a grim-faced Liu Wenyan away.

The students cheered, thrilled as if they had won a battle.

Lin Ting and Gu Fang hid their amusement but soon restored order. Lin Ting clapped her hands for silence and let the students reorganize the formation as they wished.

Though Fang Cuihua was placed in the center again, she hesitated, unable to sing. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Realizing she was still shaken, Lin Ting quickly stopped her and took her aside. Once she had calmed down, Lin Ting said softly, “We can use plants from the mountains to dye your pants. The red bougainvillea in the back hills has bloomed. We can dye your white pants another color. Would you like to try?”

Fang Cuihua rarely gets close to others. She feels embarrassed and inferior. Her voice is as soft as a mosquito’s hum: “The color of flowers and plants… will fade.”

Lin Ting smiled. “That’s okay. We can dye it a few more times to make the color last. Even if it fades, don’t worry. I’ll help you dye it again.”

Of course, this was just a small reassurance. By tonight, Principal Huang, being responsible, would likely visit Deputy Chief of Staff Fang to discuss fundraising for the child.

Lin Ting doubted Fang Shuigen and Ding Feiyan would refuse to buy clothes for Fang Cuihua after that. Even if they did, as a teacher, she could at least prepare some clothes and bring extra food now and then.

Thinking of Ding Feiyan’s chubby son, Lin Ting gently patted Fang Cuihua’s head to comfort her.

Fang Cuihua didn’t know what the teacher was thinking. She only felt that her English teacher was incredibly kind and couldn’t help but trust him. She sniffled and whispered, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

“Then, you practice singing with the choir while I take the others to pick flowers for dyeing.”

“Alright.”

“Why go through so much trouble? Why not just give her two new pairs of pants? I have some ready-made ones,” Gu Fang said softly after Fang Cuihua left.

She couldn’t understand her friend’s approach. Wasn’t this unnecessary effort?

Lin Ting disagreed. Watching Fang Cuihua, who was clearly in better spirits, she explained that the pants had become a painful reminder for the girl. If they didn’t address it properly, it might affect her emotionally in the future. “Besides, this is a great chance for a physics lesson. Adding alum to plant dye changes its color. Isn’t that fun?”

Gu Fang chuckled. “You even care about physics class now?” But inwardly, she admired her friend’s kindness.

Lin Ting smiled. “Being a teacher—” Before she could finish, a heavenly voice filled the air.

Both women were stunned by the pure, ethereal sound.

“Wow… with a voice like this, even without training, she’s better than the lead singers in my former art troupe. What a talent!” Gu Fang said emotionally.

Lin Ting’s thoughts drifted. Maybe… maybe she could encourage Fang Cuihua to audition for the art troupe. If nothing else, it could be her way out of a suffocating home life.

Having discovered such talent, Lin Ting and Gu Fang no longer minded taking over the rehearsal. Instead, they were motivated.

Who doesn’t want to shine? Who doesn’t want to amaze everyone?

Determined to make a stunning debut, they split responsibilities and worked hard.

By the time the trousers were dyed a deep rose red with alum, the choir’s rhythm and pitch had improved significantly. Then, the noon dismissal bell rang.

The students wasted no time rushing out.

Tired but satisfied, Lin Ting dismissed them and told them to continue in the afternoon.

The children cheered and ran off, except for Fang Cuihua, who walked cautiously.

She was wearing the new pants Gu Fang had given her.

Since the two were about the same height, Fang Cuihua simply rolled up the pant legs, making them fit.

As for her old pants, made from urea bags, they were now dyed a bright color and hung up to dry.

Seeing how much she cherished them, Lin Ting—who had never experienced hardship—felt both uneasy and even more determined in her decision.

“I’ll get her more clothes later. I have plenty I don’t wear anymore,” Gu Fang sighed as they walked back to the office.

Though the Fang family might not actually be poor, Lin Ting didn’t stop her friend’s kindness.

They chatted and laughed on the way, but when they arrived at the office, they found it empty.

Seeing this, they quickly finished their tasks and were about to leave for lunch when they ran into Principal Huang.

For some reason, Lin Ting’s scalp tightened. She had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Principal Huang’s expression darkened when he didn’t see who he was looking for.

“Has Teacher Liu Wenyan left?” he asked.

Lin Ting wasn’t sure what was happening but nodded. “I didn’t see her, so she must have gone home.”

Although Principal Huang was displeased with Liu Wenyan’s absence, he didn’t take it out on them. After a brief pause, he handed over a piece of paper. “This is Liu Wenyan’s apology letter. Her handwriting isn’t up to standard. If you’re heading back to the compound, bring this to her and ask her to rewrite it properly.”

Lin Ting’s bad feeling was confirmed. Frustrated, she wanted to protest. She and Gu Fang were close in age to Liu Wenyan, but they weren’t friends. Why were they always dragged into this?

Before she could complain, Gu Fang readily took the letter.

Lin Ting was speechless.

After Principal Huang left, she turned to Gu Fang. “Why didn’t you refuse?”

Liu Wenyan already rolled her eyes at them before. Did Gu Fang really want more of that?

Gu Fang said proudly, “What am I afraid of? This is a great opportunity! I’ll go to Liu Wenyan’s house and laugh at her for having bad intentions.” She eagerly opened the self-criticism letter and started reading it.

Lin Ting had spent half the day dyeing pants to help students feel less self-conscious. Now, she was physically and mentally exhausted and just wanted to rest. It would be best if Huo Xiao could give her a massage. As for Liu Wenyan, she could do whatever she wanted.

Just as Lin Ting was thinking this, Gu Fang nudged her and said, “Hey, your Huo Tuan ^[2]which is Huo Xiao’s affectionate title, meaning ‘Leader Huo.’ is here to pick you up. How nice, he’s here at noon.”

Hearing this, the sleepy Lin Ting immediately looked towards the gate. Sure enough, she saw a familiar figure and instinctively ran toward him. She suddenly wanted a hug.

***

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