Chapter 161: Knowledge Is the Greatest Wealth
The next morning, since the textile factory hadn’t called, Su He turned to Principal Chen and said, “Principal, there’s nothing much going on today. Why don’t I take you for a stroll along the riverside?”
Principal Chen immediately agreed. After all, coming to the city without visiting the riverside felt like something was missing.
Su He hailed a tricycle, and the two of them rode to the river.
Even in this era, the riverbank was bustling with people—locals and out-of-towners alike. The river itself was busy with cargo ships and a few primitive-looking wooden boats that Su He found quite unimpressive, though Principal Chen seemed thrilled.
Despite his usual frugality, the old man couldn’t resist the idea of taking some photos.
Su He thought to herself, No matter the era, photos are always a must for older tourists.
In the end, they each took solo portraits and a photo together. Su He paid for it.
Principal Chen felt uneasy about letting a young girl spend money on him. Though he knew she had earned a decent amount recently, he still insisted on paying her back.
“It’s fine. We’ll just ask Director Tian to reimburse us later,” Su He said casually.
Principal Chen hesitated, then said, “Little Su, I was standing in that photo. I’d like to take a seated one as well. And earlier, there weren’t any cargo ships in the background—but now there’s one. Would be a shame not to capture it…”
Su He: “…”
In the end, Principal Chen happily took two more photos.
Around noon, they found a state-run restaurant by the river and each had a bowl of noodles. It wasn’t because they couldn’t afford meat dishes—more so that their meals at the Jinxiang Hotel had been rich lately. With the hot weather, neither of them had much of an appetite.
After lunch, Su He was about to call a ride back to the hotel when Principal Chen suggested, “Little Su, I’ve always wanted to visit S City Jiaotong University. Since we’ve got time today, shall we go take a look?”
Su He nodded. “Sure.”
What Principal Chen really wanted was for Su He to experience the atmosphere of a university. He still believed it was a shame for her not to attend college.
S City Jiaotong University had a long history—nearly a century—and a strong academic tradition. Maybe a stroll through the campus would change the young girl’s mind.
They arrived at the university gate. Although there was a gatekeeper, entry wasn’t strictly controlled, since the staff housing was inside and people came and went regularly. As long as someone didn’t look suspicious or too poorly dressed, no one questioned them.
With his briefcase, Principal Chen looked like an old professor, while Su He easily passed for a student. They entered the campus without issue.
“Little Su,” the principal said, “this campus probably isn’t what you imagined, right? You really can learn a lot in college, and there are plenty of dedicated teachers here. If you change your mind, it’s not too late—otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next year…”
While he earnestly tried to convince her, Su He let his words pass from one ear out the other. She couldn’t very well tell him that college entrance exams would be reinstated the year after next.
Seeing her indifferent expression, Principal Chen grew frustrated. “You’ll regret it someday! I’ve always believed that, no matter the era, knowledge is the greatest wealth!”
Su He, seeing how riled up he was, smiled sweetly. “Don’t be upset, Principal! I’ll earn some money this year, and next year I’ll go to college—just like you said!”
He looked at her suspiciously. “Really?”
Su He nodded. “Really!”
Only then did Principal Chen breathe a sigh of relief. Bringing her here was clearly the right move!
Just then, someone accidentally bumped into Su He.
A college boy around twenty quickly apologized, “Sorry, classmate, I didn’t mean to!”
Su He smiled, “It’s okay.”
The boy was momentarily stunned by her beauty. “Classmate, which department are you from?”
Before Su He could answer, Principal Chen scowled, “Why do you care what department she’s from? Don’t be so nosy!”
Where did this brat come from, trying to chase after our An County’s precious girl?!
The boy, thinking Chen was a professor, panicked and ran off as his friends signaled him frantically.
Su He asked curiously, “Principal, why’d they take off in such a hurry in the middle of the day?”
The principal huffed, “Why do you care why they ran? We’ve walked enough—let’s go back!”
Su He didn’t really mind and turned to leave with him.
Just then, they passed a group of elderly women rushing by, gossiping loudly:
“The Nie family is at it again! I heard Nie Wenjie is going to kick out her brother and sister-in-law!”
“No way she can. They’re clearly trying to claim everything for themselves! Living in a faculty building is way better than some rundown house! And they’re already benefiting from Teacher Yuan’s salary and benefits!”
“Pfft, Nie Wenjie always acts so aloof, but her household is a complete mess!”
Su He’s ears perked up. “Aunties, are you talking about Nie Wenjie from the Materials Department?”
After confirming, Su He turned to Principal Chen. “Principal, let’s go take a look.”
“Look at what?”
The old women had spoken in S City Dialect, as did Su He, leaving the principal completely confused.
As they walked, Su He explained, “To watch the drama!”
The principal was speechless. You’re not even a student here. What business do you have watching someone else’s family fight?!
But Su He was already trailing behind the gossiping aunties, and he had no choice but to follow.
They jogged to a teaching building that was already surrounded by a crowd.
Su He squeezed to the front just in time to see an elderly woman—about fifty—sitting on the ground wailing dramatically.
“Everyone, please judge for yourselves! My sister-in-law never married, has no kids. I’ve been the one washing her clothes, cooking her meals, running her household!
We even got our son and daughter-in-law to take care of her, planning to support her in her old age.
Now she wants to kick us out?! Has she no conscience? And she’s a university professor?! This is how she teaches students?!”
Next to her knelt a middle-aged couple, chiming in:
“Auntie, if you’re unhappy about anything, just tell us—we’ll change! You’re getting older, and if no one’s around to help, what if you get sick?”
“Yes, Auntie. My mother might say harsh things, but she means well. Isn’t it better for us to live together happily than for you to be alone?”
Across from them stood a tall, pale-skinned woman in her early forties, trembling slightly, trying hard to restrain her emotions.
As the crowd grew, she finally spoke coldly, “Enough. You must move out. If not, I’ll return the apartment to the university and live in the dorms.”
The wailing woman suddenly jumped up, shouting, “Nie Wenjie, you heartless snake! You really mean it this time?
All because I used a few of your old papers in the toilet? Because Huwazi tore up a few of your stupid letters for fun?
You’re really not going to let this go?!
Oh, I get it—you’re still thinking about Yuan Xingzhi, that blacklisted intellectual! He probably died in some ditch already…”
Su He: …Wait, Yuan Xingzhi—isn’t that Teacher Yuan?!
She quietly pulled out a folded note from her small bag—the one Teacher Yuan had given her, telling her to seek help from the person named on it if she ran into trouble.
It read: Nie Wenjie, Materials Department, S City Jiaotong University.
All this time, she had assumed Nie Wenjie was a man. Who would’ve thought she was a woman—and someone with a past involving Teacher Yuan, no less?
A woman surnamed Nie… a man surnamed Yuan…
Wasn’t this… a tragic romance?!
