Chapter 116: Picking Up Guests at the Bus Station
Su He could immediately tell from Principal Chen’s expression that her manipulative tactics had worked well—but she wasn’t done yet.
“Principal, no matter what his intentions are, on the surface he’s offering to help with our night school. It wouldn’t look good to turn him down outright.
How about this? Don’t we need flowers? Let’s have him go pick wildflowers on the outskirts of the city the day after tomorrow. It’s a poetic and delicate job—perfect for someone like him!”
Principal Chen: “…Alright.”
He’d finally realized it—this girl really didn’t like Fu Peng!
And it made sense. Su He had been the one to organize the whole performance event, and now Fu Peng wanted to swoop in and take the spotlight? Wishful thinking!
Chasing this girl? Hah, good luck with that!
Someone like her—sharp and calculating—despised being manipulated. Fu Peng had touched a nerve.
As Su He returned to the classroom, she ran into Fu Peng in the hallway.
With a smile on his face, Fu Peng greeted, “Su He! You went to the principal’s office?”
He assumed Principal Chen had called her in to confirm he would be co-hosting the event. It never even crossed his mind that the principal might refuse. After all, he was confident in his appearance and qualifications.
Su He gave a cool nod, saying nothing.
Fu Peng smiled even more broadly. “The principal must’ve talked to you about me co-hosting, right? Let’s rehearse after school today. I’m not very familiar with the script yet, but I have hosting experience. I’m sure we’ll work well together.”
Su He frowned. “Mr. Fu, what are you talking about? Hosting? I thought I was the only one hosting the performance.”
Fu Peng blinked. “Didn’t the principal tell you? I volunteered to co-host the report performance with you.”
“He just asked about my rehearsal progress. Nothing else.
Mr. Fu, are you saying you want to host? This is a student event. Isn’t it inappropriate for a teacher to take part like that?
Even if a teacher were chosen, wouldn’t it go by seniority? That wouldn’t be you.
For example, Mr. Lin from the literacy class once worked at the county broadcasting station. I think he’s more qualified than you.”
Coincidentally, Mr. Lin walked out of the literacy class right as she said this and heard everything.
He’d had a decent impression of Fu Peng before, but now? It dropped to rock bottom.
Trying to steal the spotlight right after arriving?
Did he think the rest of them were idiots?
Su He was right—even by seniority, it wasn’t his place!
Mr. Lin strolled over, half-smiling. “Su He’s right. This is a student showcase. We teachers should just support them from behind the scenes. Let the students have their moment.”
Fu Peng’s smile froze completely.
After a long pause, he forced out, “I just wanted to contribute to the school. I guess I didn’t think it through. Pretend I never said anything.”
Mr. Lin patted his shoulder. “Fu, as a teacher, you need to think things through. Don’t do reckless things like this again.”
Then he walked off.
Fu Peng’s face twisted through several expressions as he looked at Su He.
“Su He, do you have something against me? It feels like you’re targeting me.”
Expressionless, Su He replied, “Mr. Fu, we barely know each other. Why would I have any personal grudge against you? I’m just calling things as I see them. Anything else? If not, I’ll head back to class.”
Fu Peng swallowed his frustration and nodded. “Go ahead.”
He watched her walk away, resentment flashing in his eyes.
He had thought she’d be easy to fool—a naïve little girl. But she turned out to be sharp and tough.
Still, maybe he had been too hasty. He’d have to take things slower from now on.
Back in the office, Mr. Zhou greeted him, “Mr. Fu, the principal said the performance will focus on the students, so he didn’t approve the co-hosting idea.”
Fu Peng smiled stiffly. “I see. That’s fine—I was being too forward. I only wanted to help the school. I didn’t think it through.”
Mr. Zhou chuckled. “It’s good that you understand. The principal knows you meant well, so he’s given you another task.
There will be many leaders attending, and he wants to arrange a flower presentation ceremony.
But we can’t get enough flowers in such a short time, so he wants you to go pick wildflowers on the outskirts on the day of the performance…”
Fu Peng almost exploded.
Pick wildflowers? That old man actually thought of that?
Seeing Fu Peng’s frozen expression, Mr. Zhou quickly added, “You won’t be alone—Mr. Lin from the literacy class and a few others will go with you.”
Fu Peng felt even worse.
It wouldn’t have bothered him before, but now Mr. Lin clearly disliked him. Who knew if he’d be ganged up on?
But he couldn’t say no—he’d already made his high-minded speech.
*
Soon, June 20th arrived.
Early that morning, Su He was already at the bus station. She was there to receive leaders from the various communes.
Principal Chen hadn’t thought of this, let alone asked her to do it.
But for a social butterfly like Su He, how could she miss such a golden opportunity?
So, when the commune leaders got off the buses, the first thing they saw was a bright, pretty girl with a radiant smile.
Su He had never met any of them, but leaders always stood out from the crowd—like cranes among chickens.
She had no problem identifying each commune director and warmly greeting them.
Every single one of them walked away singing her praises.
“Comrade Little Su really knows how to get things done!”
A few even tried to invite her to lunch, but she politely declined.
Normally, the night school should foot the bill to host them, but in this era, such customs didn’t exist. Besides, Principal Chen was too stingy—he clutched his money like it was more precious than his hair.
So, Su He didn’t spend a dime, and still managed to get herself known among the commune leaders.
After a while, she spotted Director Shen from Xiangyang Commune.
After some polite small talk, Director Shen lowered his voice. “Little Su, you haven’t forgotten to announce our commune first during the name roll call, right?”
Su He nodded. “Don’t worry—Xiangyang Commune will be listed before all others.”
Director Shen cleared his throat. “And about my speech…?”
“Of course! It’s all arranged. You’ll definitely get a chance to speak on stage.”
Director Shen finally relaxed.
Just imagining himself speaking in front of all the other leaders made him straighten his posture.
He showered Su He with praise, making her grin.
“Director Shen, since you think so highly of me, how about letting me hold a position in your Xiangyang Commune?”
Director Shen blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I could be your liaison! That way, when any orders come down, I can allocate some to Xiangyang Commune too.”
Director Shen: “…”
