Chapter 58: The Senior from the Teachers’ College

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“Cartoons, games?” Yu Ziqing frowned slightly. She couldn’t imagine what could be learned from such things. In school, she had always been an exemplary student, never indulging in any hobbies. While she didn’t view extracurricular activities as monsters to be avoided, she was strict with herself and never spent time on books outside the curriculum.

It was, after all, a different era, and old-fashioned college students were still quite common. Jiang Xiwen noticed Yu Ziqing’s confusion and changed the subject, teasing them, “Sisters, it’s so late—aren’t you afraid of bad people? Recently, there’s been a perverted man around here, targeting pretty women.”

Li Yuling immediately grabbed Yu Ziqing’s hand, saying, “Ziqing, let’s stick to the main road.”

“Mr. Wu’s house is inside the alley. If we could take the main road, I wouldn’t need you to come with me. Don’t worry; we’ll go in together.” Yu Ziqing seemed a bit braver.

But in truth, it was she—the pure, beautiful girl—who should be most concerned, not Li Yuling.

Jiang Xiwen offered, “Don’t be afraid, sisters. I have to pass through this alley to get home, so how about I escort you?”

“Great, but what about when we leave Mr. Wu’s house?” Li Yuling pressed further. Though Jiang Xiwen was just a middle schooler, he was taller than the two university girls. Having heard from Li Xuan that Jiang Xiwen might know martial arts, Li Yuling naturally hoped the child could provide some sense of security.

Yu Ziqing quickly said, “Xiwen, don’t trouble yourself when we come back. Right now, it’s perfect to go together. Thank you.”

Jiang Xiwen pursed his lips and feigned innocence, “Ziqing, could you drop the ‘little schoolmate’ part? I’m not that small, you know.”

Yu Ziqing giggled, “Alright, alright, let’s go.”

As they walked, the alley grew darker and Li Yuling whispered, “Mr. Wu isn’t a bad guy, is he? Nowadays, few people hire tutors, and he wanted us to come at this hour…”

“No, don’t worry. This is just after work—very normal. It’s hard to find a tutoring job, I can’t give it up…” Yu Ziqing stopped mid-sentence.

“Sister Ziqing, are you looking for a tutoring job?” Jiang Xiwen’s thoughts stirred. He didn’t directly ask if she needed money, but phrased it differently. He remembered how, in this era, few students worked during college unless they were truly short on funds.

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Last time, he heard Yu Ziqing speak English with Inaba Kanno—she was fluent, far above his own level, which prompted him to ask.

“Ziqing’s father has been ill for a long time, running a small business, and she has a younger sister. Her mother passed early; the family has had a tough time, so she has to find a job. I heard parents in big cities hire tutors, so she tried looking in Yangjiang. Surprisingly, there are people here who want one too.” Li Yuling spoke quickly, perhaps a trait inherited from her family.

“Oh, Sister Ziqing studies English? I know someone who wants to learn spoken English. I wonder if you could teach him?”

“We’re English majors. Ziqing is excellent—level eight, top-notch spoken English, chatting with foreigners is effortless, and she knows all those little cultural nuances.” Again it was Li Yuling, now acting as a news spokesperson.

Jiang Xiwen nodded, “Perfect! Sister Ziqing, let’s meet at the gate of Yangjiang Normal University this weekend. I’ll bring the student—don’t miss it. The payment will certainly satisfy you.”

Yu Ziqing managed to speak before Li Yuling could, and she sounded delighted, “Thank you so much, Xiwen.”

Li Yuling hurried to add, “Then we don’t need to go to Mr. Wu’s house anymore, do we?”

Yu Ziqing insisted, “No, since we agreed, even if I decline the job, I should tell him in person. We must keep our word.”

“Alright, hurry back out,” Jiang Xiwen said. “I’ll wait here and escort you out of the alley.” Yu Ziqing’s manners left a deep impression on Jiang Xiwen—her beauty was certainly part of it.

“Thank you, Xiwen.” Yu Ziqing was genuinely grateful, and she led Li Yuling into a small, detached house in the alley. About ten minutes later, the two emerged.

Li Yuling muttered, “He’s just looking for a tutor for himself, definitely suspicious. That Wu creep, the way he looks at people, it’s always so lecherous.”

Yu Ziqing shook her head, “Don’t assume the worst about everyone. He just has small eyes.”

After escorting them, Jiang Xiwen uttered a famous line: “Studying at the same university, I just can’t understand—why is there such a gap between people?”

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Returning home, Jiang Xiwen of course didn’t mention the conflict with Mie Jue Wen to his father. Having won first prize in the city computer competition, his parents had been in good spirits for days.

Before dinner, he received a call from Gong Xiang. Everyone knew Jiang Xiwen was unharmed, but they were still speculating about how he had managed to subdue Mie Jue Wen. Yesterday afternoon, while Jiang Xiwen was in the computer lab, the third-year classes had become a forum for storytelling, with all sorts of versions circulating.

Jiang Xiwen explained the situation briefly to Gong Xiang, omitting the involvement of Zhang Ya’s father, and simply said that the principal was aware of the whole affair, believed Zhu Wen was also at fault, and decided to let the matter go.

After dinner, Jiang Xiwen saw his father hunched over his desk, busily writing an article for “Yangjiang News.” An idea occurred to him, so he approached, “Dad, what are you writing?”

“Just an article, Xiwen. Have you finished your homework?”

“All done, Dad. I heard you’re running for county governor?”

“Hmm, no real hope. I’m just a supporting candidate. Why are you, a child, so curious about these things?” Jiang Hong’s tone was casual, as if he didn’t care.

“Dad, I know how talented you are. If you won’t be elected, why not write your management suggestions for Yangning—a poor county—in Yangjiang News? The new governor might read it. I know you dislike the tricks of officialdom, so this is the only way to influence things indirectly.

I believe, to be an official, you must be smart, deeply understand the machinations of the bureaucracy, gain real power, and then do good. Otherwise, you’ll just be an old man admiring yourself, never able to use your abilities to their fullest.”

Jiang Xiwen deliberately kept his words simple and childish, but the principle remained true.