Chapter 42

“Some parents are just unbelievable.”

Lin Ting usually stayed behind after school for about twenty to thirty minutes to review the day’s lessons. But today, she packed up as soon as the bell rang, eager to get home.

Just as she was about to leave, Teacher Wang stormed in with a stack of test papers, clearly upset.

Lin Ting had a good relationship with her colleagues, so it felt inappropriate to leave at that moment.

Gu Fang, who was more familiar with Teacher Wang, noticed her frustration and asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen with the exam?”

Teacher Wang, who taught both first-year junior high and sixth-grade elementary school math, had just finished invigilating a sixth-grade midterm exam.

When people are upset, they often bottle it up until someone asks. Then, all their grievances spill out.

Teacher Wang slammed her teacup onto the desk and said angrily, “During the exam, Xu Xiaohai’s mother was passing cheat sheets to her child through the window!”

Lin Ting’s eyes widened. “Wait… what? Parents actually help their kids cheat?”

Gu Fang, who had been teaching a little longer, wasn’t surprised. “It happens all the time. The midterms aren’t too bad, but just wait until the promotion exams in June. If students fail, they have to repeat the grade, so parents get desperate.”

Seeing Lin Ting’s astonished expression, Teacher Wang sighed. “When you invigilate English exams, keep an eye on the students— and the windows.”

Lin Ting shook her head, half amused. “Well, that’s… unexpected knowledge.”

Teacher Wang chuckled. “It sure is. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot. Didn’t you want a sewing machine ticket? I got it for you.”

Lin Ting’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Of course! I was going to give it to you this morning, but I didn’t see you.” Teacher Wang pulled a ticket from a book and handed it over.

Lin Ting took it eagerly, examining the special sewing machine ticket before carefully tucking it into her bag. She then handed over the foreign exchange coupons.

Teacher Wang looked surprised. “You had these ready for days?”

“Yes,” Lin Ting replied. Most of the family’s money and vouchers were in her hands. A few days ago, Teacher Wang had mentioned the sewing machine ticket but required foreign exchange coupons for the trade. So, Lin Ting had already prepared them.

Gu Fang frowned. “Weren’t you worried about losing them?”

Of course not. Lin Ting had kept them locked away safely. But she simply smiled and stood up. “Thanks, Teacher Wang. I’ll head home now. Fangfang, are you coming?”

Gu Fang quickly packed her things. “Let’s go together.”

_

When Lin Ting got home, her mother-in-law told her that her second brother hadn’t returned yet. She wasn’t too worried—just curious.

Would the director choose him?

And if they did, what choice would he make?

Still, she would have to wait for his return to find out.

After dinner, Lin Ting was about to take Miaomiao to the brigade commander’s house for her painting lesson and then play logic games with Guoguo, as usual.

But Huo Xiao took over. “You’ve been in the car for hours today. You must be tired. Go wash up and rest early.”

Lin Ting glanced at the clock. “It’s only 6:30. Besides, do you even know how to play with Guoguo?”

Huo Xiao pointed at Dong Cheng, who was about to leave. “He’ll do it.”

Dong Cheng stiffened, then grinned. “Yes, sister-in-law, you should rest. I’ll take care of the kid.”

Even with the two men taking over, Lin Ting wasn’t fully reassured.

So, after seeing Miaomiao off, she brought out a dozen small cloth balls she had made earlier and set up a game. The goal was to throw and match colors—whoever got more matches won.

Dong Cheng, initially thinking he’d just entertain Guoguo, immediately squatted down and got competitive with the four-year-old.

Huo Xiao frowned. “Be gentle. Don’t make him cry.”

Dong Cheng, still focused, replied without looking up, “I got it, I got it.”

Huo Xiao: …

Back in the bedroom, Lin Ting didn’t go to wash up immediately. Instead, she pulled out a notebook and began summarizing the day’s lessons.

“Still preparing lessons?” Huo Xiao asked, noticing the fatigue in her eyes. He felt a pang of concern.

Lin Ting shook her head. “The students have an exam tomorrow, so there’s no need.” She then pulled out the sewing machine ticket from her book. “Mom’s birthday is in half a month. Lately, she’s been into making things, but she always has to borrow a machine. So, I got this for her. You can decide when to buy the sewing machine as her birthday gift.”

Huo Xiao was stunned. He never expected this and had never considered choosing gifts to celebrate his family’s birthday.

No, that wasn’t right. Most people nowadays didn’t even have this concept. At most, they would cook a special dish on a birthday.

Yet, his wife was willing to spend time and money just because her mother-in-law liked it.

How could she… How could she always surprise him, making him feel even luckier to have married her?

Thinking of this, Huo Xiao stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

Lin Ting was sitting on a stool when she was suddenly embraced. Amused, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Huo Xiao didn’t answer. Instead, he tightened his grip as if he wanted to merge her into his bones and blood.

Seeing this, Lin Ting turned slightly and hugged him back, gently patting his back.

She was used to this. After all, Captain Huo rarely acted clingy.

To her, she hadn’t done anything extraordinary. Her mother-in-law was genuinely kind. People should treat kindness with kindness, shouldn’t they?

_

Lin Wei returned around eight in the evening.

Since it was late, Huo Xiao went to open the door, while Lin Ting, already worried, hurriedly threw off the quilt and got out of bed.

In her haste, she accidentally kicked one of her slippers under the bed.

When Huo Xiao entered the bedroom, he saw his wife bending over, reaching under the bed.

Thinking of the baby in her belly, Huo Xiao broke into a cold sweat. “Tingting, what are you doing?”

Lin Ting had already retrieved her slipper. She placed it beside her and stood up with her husband’s help. “I accidentally kicked my shoe under the bed.”

Huo Xiao steadied her with a firm hand on her waist. Then, he frowned. “Next time, just call me. You scared me.”

Lin Ting, knowing she wasn’t fragile, chose not to argue. Instead, she smiled and said, “Alright, I understand. Let’s go out.”

Her perfunctory tone was obvious. Huo Xiao sighed but still led her out of the bedroom.

“Second Brother, have you eaten?” Lin Ting asked Lin Wei, who was sitting on the sofa sipping tea.

Lin Wei smiled. “I ate on set and even brought some back.”

This caught Lin Ting’s interest. She quickly sat beside him. “Does the director think you’re suitable?”

Lin Wei nodded.

“So what do you think?”

Lin Wei rubbed his chin and answered, “I have to return to my hometown tomorrow.”

“Ah…” Lin Ting was a little disappointed.

Seeing how easy she was to fool, Lin Wei tapped her forehead playfully. “Why are you so silly? I have to go back to resign and complete the political review for the art troupe. It’ll take about a month before I return.”

Lin Ting swatted his hand away. “Have you really thought it through? Are you willing to leave your job?”

Lin Wei, full of confidence, replied, “There’s nothing to hesitate about. I’m still young. Even if I take a detour for a few years, I can always go back to being a worker.”

This wasn’t a detour! This was becoming a star! You could make so much money!