People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Chapter 186 Old Wu's Thoughts

After finishing her two afternoon classes, Zhuang Chaoying greeted the grade leader and told him that she had no classes that afternoon and was going to attend a parent-teacher meeting at the affiliated high school.

The grade leader readily agreed. "Since you don't have any classes, go ahead, Ms. Zhuang."

Zhuang Chaoying rode her bicycle straight to the affiliated high school.

Upon arriving at the school, he went straight to Pengfei's teacher, who was his former colleague.

Teacher Wang greeted her warmly and found Pengfei's test paper in the file box. "Teacher Zhuang, it's been a long time! Come and sit down."

As he spoke, he handed the test paper to Zhuang Chaoying. "These are Xiang Pengfei's scores from the last two mock exams. Overall, he has made great progress, a significant improvement compared to his scores in the second year of junior high. He's now ranked in the top fifty in his grade, and with these scores, getting into the top high school shouldn't be a problem."

Teacher Wang pointed to the physics and chemistry papers and analyzed them carefully: "Look, he got most of the big questions right, but his basic knowledge is weak. Teacher Zhuang, you're a teacher too, you must understand that a weak foundation is like building a house; if the foundation is unstable, the house is likely to collapse!"

Zhuang Chaoying looked at the test paper carefully, nodding repeatedly. "Okay, thank you very much, Teacher Wang. I'll help him review the basics when I get back. You need to discipline this kid strictly; don't be shy with him."

Teacher Wang and Teacher Zhuang, who were being transferred, were old colleagues who had worked together for more than ten years. Teacher Wang patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Zhuang. With me watching over him, he won't be able to run away."

After leaving the affiliated high school, Zhuang Chaoying rode her bicycle straight to Xinhua Bookstore.

He picked out some review questions for the first and second years of junior high school in the bookstore, thinking that he would have to give Pengfei a "strong dose" when he got back to improve his basic knowledge.

When he returned to the alley, he ran into the postman coming from the opposite direction.

Postman Xiao Zhao. "Teacher Zhuang, that's great! I have your mail here, so I won't have to go into the alley!"

Zhuang Chaoying took the letter and casually put it in the bicycle basket. "Thanks, Xiao Zhao, come over to my house for a drink of water!"

Xiao Zhao often delivered letters to him, especially those from your province, which arrived on time every month. Over time, they became old acquaintances.

Xiao Zhao patted the water bottle he was carrying and replied with a smile, "I brought my own. Teacher Zhuang, I can't chat with you any longer, I have to hurry and deliver to the next customer!"

Zhuang Chaoying pushed her bicycle into the yard. At this time, Huang Ling had already returned from get off work and was carefully picking vegetables in the yard.

As Zhuang Chaoying spoke, she placed the letter on the table. "Ah Ling, a letter has arrived from Hualin!"

Huang Ling dusted off her hands, stood up, and picked up the letter from the table. "Chaoying, why are you back so early today?"

Zhuang Chaoying parked her bicycle steadily against the wall, walked to the sink, and washed her hands. "After class this afternoon, I went to the affiliated high school to talk to Pengfei's homeroom teacher."

Huang Ling sat to the side, looking at Hua Lin's letter.

In the letter, Hua Lin recalled that when he was sent to the countryside, he thought that a vocational school diploma would be enough.

But with the rapid development of the times, she increasingly feels that if she had persisted for two more years and been admitted to university or junior college, she might have been able to transfer her household registration back to Suzhou.

That's why she always earnestly hoped that Pengfei could go to high school and then get into university, even if it was just a junior college. In the letter, Hualin also expressed his deep gratitude to his sister-in-law and elder brother.

Huang Ling poured twenty yuan out of the envelope. "Chao Ying, Hua Lin means that he hopes Peng Fei can pass the high school entrance exam."

He handed the letter to Zhuang Chaoying and continued, “I agree with Hua Lin’s idea. You see, society and the times are progressing. Take Tu Nan for example, there’s no comparison between a vocational school and a university. People’s perspectives are completely different.”

After washing her hands, Zhuang Chaoying sat down next to Huang Ling. "Ling, your thinking is very much in line with the times, that's good. Teacher Wang told me today that Pengfei's grades are basically fine, he should have no problem getting into the top high school, it's just that his foundation is a bit weak. I bought him some practice papers, and I plan to focus on helping him catch up on his basics starting today."

At this moment, Song Ying returned from school and was cooking in the kitchen with Wu Feng.

Hearing the commotion in the yard, she quickly came out of the house and greeted them warmly. "Teacher Zhuang is back!"

Zhuang Chaoying and A Ling were still picking vegetables together in the yard.

"You're back. What did Mr. Dongzhe say at school today?"

Song Ying called out to Wu Feng inside the house, "Wu Feng, you cook the dishes, I need to chat with Sister Ling and Teacher Zhuang for a bit!"

Then he took a small stool and sat down next to Sister Ling. "Sister Ling, Teacher Zhuang, their teacher said that Dongzhe's only problem right now is his writing. Apart from writing, he should have no problem continuing to study at No. 1 Middle School. As long as he performs as usual and his essays don't go off-topic, he'll be fine. You know, everyone around here has taught Dongzhe how to write essays. I've come to understand now, learning is all about luck!"

Zhuang Chaoying nodded. He used to be a staunch materialist, but now he had no choice but to believe; he believed in fate.

"Yes, it depends on fate, it depends on fate!"

Song Ying looked at him in surprise. "Teacher Zhuang, have you resigned yourself to your fate too?"

"Yes, I've accepted my fate."

Huang Ling gently nudged Song Ying with her shoulder. "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We're so anxious, but those two little ones are still all smiles, letting it go in one ear and out the other. Besides, Dongzhe and Pengfei's grades have improved a lot recently, we should be content!"

"Sister Ling, you're right, be content! I'm quite content."

,,,,,,,

After dinner, Zhuang Chaoying suggested taking Huang Ling out for a walk to help her digest her food.

The two strolled slowly to the alley entrance and saw Song Ying, Zhang Amei, and Lao Wu sitting there.

What are you all talking about sitting here?

Zhang Amei looked up at the two of them. "What else can we talk about? The kids, of course!"

Old Wu sat next to Zhang Amei, still with that same wretched face.

Shanshan is a junior in high school this year and will take the college entrance examination next year.

Old Wu was conflicted. Was it the right move for him to oppose Shan Shan going to high school?

On the one hand, he was afraid that Shanshan would fail the college entrance examination and not be able to get into university. He would have to find someone to pull strings to get her a job, and then his sister would definitely blame him and her face would probably not look good.

On the other hand, he worried that if Shanshan really got into university and went far away, he would not only have to watch his sister's mood, but he was also afraid that Shanshan would disown him as her father, and that Shanshan would not care about him when he got old.

But then he thought again, as long as Xiaojun is still at home, Shanshan misses her brother and will definitely not abandon him; she will still come back.

Looking at everyone, Zhang Amei felt that her decision for Xiaomin was absolutely right.

"If you ask me, it would be much better to go to a vocational school or technical college. My Xiaomin will be officially assigned a job next year. You all worry so much about your children, but what's the point? Besides, Pengfei is just a nephew. You, Teacher Zhuang and Huang Ling, are so concerned about him. Who knows if he will appreciate your kindness in the future?"

Holding a popsicle, Huang Ling calmly replied, "Since Pengfei is in my house, Chaoying and I have an obligation to keep an eye on him. Even if he complains about us in the future, we just need to do our best to have a clear conscience."

Song Ying looked at Huang Ling with admiration: "Sister Ling, with such a spirit, if you ask me, Sister Ling is the most magnanimous person in our alley."

Huang Ling reached out and patted Song Ying. "Song Ying, you're always trying to make me happy."

Then he handed the half-eaten popsicle to Zhuang Chaoying: "Chaoying, I can't eat anymore."

Zhuang Chaoying naturally took it and continued eating the half popsicle.

Song Ying then said, "Sister Ling, should we go to the temple and pray again, so that Dongzhe and Xiaoting can continue to attend the same high school?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Amei immediately perked up: "If you two go, include me! I'll also pray to Buddha to bless my Xiaomin so she can get a job smoothly!"

Zhuang Chaoying ate her popsicle with gusto, thinking to herself, "How can a Bodhisattva have so much energy? Everyone has so many wishes, how can she possibly manage?"

He couldn't help but recall how Zhang Amei had chosen a school for Xiaomin, vehemently refusing to let her apply to a nursing school, convinced that her decision was right. He figured they'd find out the results once the assignments came out, and maybe she'd regret it then.

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