Chapter 73.2

During the exams, the students were very quiet. Fantuan finished writing early and went to watch Xiao Doubao draw. He also grabbed Xiao Doubao’s hand to help him correct his stroke order.

Xiao Doubao shook off his brother’s hand in anger and refused to let his big brother guide him.

It wasn’t until the bell rang that Su Xiaoxiao asked the students in the last row to collect the test papers one by one.

Xiao Fantuan collected the test papers, while Xiao Zhuzi led Xiao Doubao behind Fantuan.

Xiao Doubao stood on tiptoe and handed the small blackboard to his mother, handing in his “test paper”.

Xiao Fantuan put away the papers handed over by another student and said, “Teacher Su, let me help you take the papers to the office.”

At school, Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi usually call Su Xiaoxiao “Teacher Su.”

Su Xiaoxiao enjoyed being called that by the children.

One cub helped her carry the test paper, while another cub carried Xiao Doubao on his back. Su Xiaoxiao effortlessly carried the small board and returned to her office.

The other teachers in the office are envious.

Su Xiaoxiao gently picked up Xiao Doubao from Zhuzi’s back and said, “Xiao Doubao, say goodbye to your brothers. Behave well in class. When the class is over, go straight home.”

Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi spoke in unison, “Teacher Su, we are very obedient in class.”

Teacher Chen taught first-grade mathematics, and she smiled and said “I can testify that Zhang Zhu and Han Jing are both well-behaved in class.” ^[1]Zhang Zhu – Zhuzi, Han Jing – Fantuan.

After bidding farewell to the other teachers, Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi returned to their classes. 

Su Xiaoxiao planned to go to the market today to buy some ingredients for a tofu soup and intended to bring the test papers home to check.

Teacher Mo’s son is also in Su Xiaoxiao’s class. Knowing that Su Xiaoxiao conducted a diagnostic test today and seeing her leave without checking the papers, she asked her. “Teacher Su, aren’t you going to finish checking the papers before you leave? I wanted to see how many correct answers my son got.”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and replied, “I have something to attend to right now, but I’ll check the papers this afternoon. We’ll know tomorrow.”

After Su Xiaoxiao left the office with Xiao Doubao, Teacher Mo said, “Taking it home to check? Her own two children will surely get a perfect score. What if other children fail? Who can they complain to? Ah, being a teacher for your own children is great. You don’t even need to give them a perfect score. Just tell them the exam questions in advance, and they will still get a perfect score. That way, it makes your own children appear smart and others’ children appear dumb. It’s quite an advantage, isn’t it?”

Sometimes, Teacher Chen really can’t stand Teacher Mo’s behavior. Although she is a good person, once she has a prejudice against someone, she will stubbornly hold on to it.

“Don’t be bitter. Her two children will always score a hundred no matter what. I assess mathematics arbitrarily, and I definitely didn’t leak the questions. Instead of wasting time being bitter here, why don’t you think about how to encourage your own child to study? Don’t blame me if your child got a failing grade because of your lack of proper guidance. ” 

After Teacher Chen finished speaking, she took the lesson plan and went out of the office.

There are no other teachers in the office yet. Teacher Mo’s comment was just a casual remark to diminish Su Xiaoxiao’s reputation. But now, after being reprimanded by Teacher Chen, it felt as if the whole office was watching her as if she had become a laughingstock. She couldn’t maintain her dignity any longer.

Su Xiaoxiao doesn’t care about office politics or office culture. After leaving school, she asked the little cub to walk slowly after holding him for a while. By the time she arrived at Old Hu’s place, most of the good meat had been sold, leaving only some offal, pig’s head, and pig’s trotters.

“Old Hu, give me these pig’s trotters, Su Xiaoxiao said.

“Teacher Su, are you finished with your classes?” Old Hu asked, after making sure that there was no one around. “I saved a front trotter for you. This is a hind trotter, which has more bones and less meat. The front trotter has more meat.”

Su Xiaoxiao: “Okay, thank you, Old Hu.”

Old Hu helped Su Xiaoxiao chop it into smaller pieces and handed it to her. “There’s no need to thank me. You’ve seen all there is. These are the leftovers.”

Su Xiaoxiao paid and said, “You don’t need to keep one for me tomorrow. This trotter will be enough to eat for another day.”

Old Hu nodded and said, “Okay, Teacher Su, take care on your way.”

After leaving Old Hu’s store, Su Xiaoxiao took Xiao Doubao to buy a piece of tofu, but she was surprised to find that tofu was quite expensive.

Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and remembered that there was a small stone mill at home. She decided to buy some soybeans and lime to make tofu herself. If she didn’t oversleep, she could also grind some soy milk, saving Zhao Xianfeng the trouble of buying it every day and wasting money. It would be nice to have a warm bowl of soy milk on such a cold day.

Meanwhile, Han Cheng had just gotten off the train.

The weather in the capital is much colder than in the south. He was wearing a military coat, but the cold north wind still made him feel uncomfortable as it blew on his face.

He was about to find a car to go to the guesthouse when Chen Bingyang’s voice rang out behind him. “Comrade Han, where are you going? I have a car here to pick me up; I can give you a ride. You don’t have to be polite to me. When I ate your smoked fish, I didn’t hold back either.”

Since the conversation had reached this point, Han Cheng couldn’t really refuse. “XX Reception Center. If it’s not on your way, then never mind. There’s a direct bus over here.”

“What a coincidence. ” Chen Bingyang suddenly said. Then he continued: “I’m also going to XX Reception Center. Are you here to attend the International Medical Exchange Conference as well?”

Originally, their relationship was casual, but Chen Bingyang was several years older than Han Cheng. They clicked instantly and had a lot of conversations in the car, but neither of them had any intention of prying into each other’s privacy. They had never talked about their professions or the reason for going to the capital, and so on, only to find out that they were attending the same academic conference.

Han Cheng remembered seeing Chen Bingyang at the city train station, but he never thought he was attending the same conference. He didn’t have anything to hide, so he nodded and replied, “Yes, I’m representing our military hospital.”

Chen Bingyang carefully looked at Han Cheng and suddenly remembered something: “Military hospital? Your surname is Han, and you are Han Cheng, Director Han?”

Han Cheng was also stunned. Did he ever mention his name to him?

Chen Bingyang has already taken Han Cheng’s hand and said: “Now I’ve truly stumbled upon a great person. Comrade Han Cheng, I’ve heard your name for a long time and had the privilege of reading many of your papers in medical journals. I always thought Han Cheng was an elderly director. I didn’t expect you to be so young. My eyes have deceived me.” ^[2]Originally, an idiomatic expression was used here, “A great flood has washed over the Dragon King’s temple,” which means unexpected or extraordinary circumstances have occurred, … Continue reading

Although Chen Bingyang knew the name, Han Cheng, he had never been in contact with the “Director Han” of the Military Regional Hospital.

Han Cheng shook his hands and said, “Please, there’s no need for such praise.” Being sent a dedicated car indicated that he was a towering figure in the medical field, but Han Cheng didn’t dare to be arrogant.

Chen Bingyang really likes this young man and lightly patted his shoulder and said, “Alright, my car has arrived. Let’s get in the car and continue our discussion. I still have many details to consult with you about the last heart surgery.”

“Please, don’t be so polite. I really don’t deserve it.” Since the conversation had reached this point, Han Cheng had no choice but to get in the car with Chen Bingyang.

……….