Chapter 112: The Gap Between People
Tian Xiaotao covered her mouth with a laugh. “Our station chief is ruthless! A 10,000-character self-reflection? That’s half a notebook!”
Su He smiled but said nothing. Right now, the person Station Chief Liao disliked the most was Zhang Wenbiao—he was just asking for trouble.
After a while, Zhang Wenbiao returned, looking utterly dejected.
Someone jeered, “Zhang the Scholar, you lost the bet fair and square. Hurry up and apologize to Su He, and call her ‘Teacher Su!’”
“Exactly! The ancients had great respect for those who taught even a single word. It’s not shameful at all!”
“Better apologize fast, or the chief might add another 10,000 characters to your self-reflection!”
…
Zhang Wenbiao fumed inside. He couldn’t understand why Station Chief Liao had changed his tune!
Not only did he not revoke Su He’s special correspondent title, but he even gave her a salary and benefits!
But with so many people watching, he couldn’t back out. Otherwise, he’d have no place in the broadcasting station anymore.
Clenching his molars, he said stiffly, “Teacher Su, I’m sorry!”
Su He beamed. “Little Zhang, let’s just let bygones be bygones. If it weren’t for your reminder, I wouldn’t have even thought to ask about a salary. I should be thanking you!”
Zhang Wenbiao: “…”
I’m over forty, and you’re calling me Little Zhang?
Still, he had no energy to argue anymore and wished he could crawl into a hole.
After that incident, even those who had secretly gloated began to dial it back. A few even had the nerve to try and cozy up to Su He.
Su He didn’t mind—it’s human nature to flatter the successful and step on the down-and-out.
If you’re doing well, the people around you naturally become “good people.”
After lingering at the broadcast station for a bit longer, Su He grabbed the soybean oil and returned to the courtyard house.
Old Madam Su scolded jokingly, “Su He, we still have oil at home. Why’d you buy another jug?”
Su He grinned. “Grandma, the station gave it to me! And a bag of premium flour too. I’ll ask my second uncle to help carry it home another day.”
Old Madam Su’s face lit up with joy. “My eldest granddaughter is amazing! I’m not bragging, but there’s no girl in the entire An County more capable than you! I don’t even know what kind of lucky brat will end up marrying you. Just thinking about it breaks your old grandma’s heart!”
Old Madam Zhao also wanted to chime in with praise, but Old Madam Su had already said everything, leaving her speechless.
After dinner at home, Su He headed straight to night school.
Tonight, both Cao Hongmei and Su Yongshi were present.
Su Yongshi often worked night shifts, so he didn’t attend as regularly as his wife. But although he missed classes, Cao Hongmei had already shared all of Su He’s achievements with him.
To Su Yongshi, it felt like a dream. He and his wife had been treated coldly at night school for a long time, yet little He had just arrived and was already thriving. That’s the gap between people.
Su He first visited Principal Chen’s office and knocked.
Principal Chen was fixing his hair with a small comb and quickly stashed it away when he heard the knock.
Su He entered with a bright smile. “Principal, I suddenly remembered today—we forgot to send an invitation to the county broadcast station! So I went there in person.”
“Not only did Station Chief Liao agree to attend, but he even offered to lend us a speaker and microphone! He said he’d have them delivered tomorrow morning.”
Principal Chen slapped his forehead—he had indeed forgotten about the broadcast station.
No doubt about it, this girl Su He really got things done properly!
Just as he was about to praise her, she continued, “You know, Station Chief Liao is such a generous person! Not only did he lend me the equipment, but he also suggested giving me a monthly salary. He even made up the Dragon Boat Festival benefits I missed!
“Principal, we’re all from An County, but how can the difference between people be so big?!”
Principal Chen: “…Go outside and close the door.”
This little girl actually had the nerve to indirectly roast him?! She’s really getting bolder!
What’s odd is, he’d dealt with Liao before. That man was a seasoned old fox. When did he become so generous?
Su He chuckled as she left the principal’s office and headed to class.
As soon as she sat down, her classmate Yuan Xiaolan turned to her excitedly. “Class rep! The first period is Chinese! The teacher is that male teacher I told you about yesterday!”
Bai Lili was equally thrilled. “I saw him when I arrived—he looks just like a movie star!”
Su He’s eyes twitched slightly but joined in the banter.
A few minutes later, a young male teacher around twenty-four or twenty-five entered the classroom.
Several female students gasped in admiration.
Even in this era, good looks were a real advantage.
Su He looked up at the podium. She had to admit—he was indeed handsome. But compared to her golden-rich-fish of a man, he was just average.
“Hello everyone, I’m Fu Peng, your Chinese teacher. Let’s learn and grow together.”
As he spoke, he wrote his name on the blackboard.
Su He narrowed her eyes at the characters “Fu Peng.” The name sounded vaguely familiar.
Then her pupils contracted as she remembered—
Fu Peng was indeed a character in the book. He was also a night school teacher.
After the original Su He was dumped by Lin Bo, she spiraled into despair. If Su Yongguo and his wife hadn’t kept a close eye on her, she might’ve tried to end her life again.
Then, when the national college entrance exam was reinstated, the original Su He clung to that hope like a lifeline.
On a seemingly chance trip to the county to buy books, she met Fu Peng.
He was handsome, well-employed, and seemed unconcerned about her past. The original Su He quickly fell for him.
Under his manipulation, she gave up on taking the exam.
Later, she became pregnant.
But before the baby was born, Fu Peng abandoned her and insulted her viciously—accusing her of being morally loose, calling her “used goods.”
The trauma caused her to miscarry. Worse, she had to undergo a hysterectomy and could never bear children again.
Fu Peng, on the other hand, was transferred to the provincial capital and became a university professor—living large.
The book only mentioned the night school part during his background reveal and didn’t go into detail, especially since all this would happen two years later. That’s why Su He hadn’t connected the dots earlier.
Now she squinted at the confidently speaking Fu Peng.
She wasn’t unreasonable—she wouldn’t judge someone for things they hadn’t done yet.
If Fu Peng left her alone, she wouldn’t bother him either.
But if he tried anything, she’d make sure he learned why the flowers are so red!
Halfway through the lesson, Fu Peng began asking questions.
The first person he called on was Su Yongshi.
With his limited education, Su Yongshi fumbled and couldn’t answer.
But Fu Peng didn’t scold him—he even offered some encouragement.
After a few more students, he called on Cao Hongmei.
She answered well, and Fu Peng praised her generously.
Cao Hongmei thought to herself that this young teacher was quite nice. Too bad her mother-in-law had warned her not to play matchmaker. Otherwise, he might’ve been a good fit for Su He.
During the break, many female students crowded around Fu Peng under the guise of asking questions.
Fu Peng patiently answered them all—winning over yet another wave of admirers.
