Chapter Seventy-One: The Old Master and His Daughter-in-Law

Jiang Hong was well aware of his son's recent surge in academic performance. He had achieved excellent results in several consecutive mock exams, so he didn't take his son's promise as mere empty words.

But his son seemed to know the reason Director Fang had summoned them to school, so he pressed, "Xiwen, I trust your promise. With your current level, it's entirely possible for you to break into the top ten. But judging from your tone, you must know why Director Fang wants us at the school tomorrow. Have you gotten into trouble recently?"

"Don’t worry, Dad. No matter what Director Fang says tomorrow, just treat it as entertainment," Jiang Xiwen responded earnestly.

Jiang Hong looked at his son and said, "You saying that only makes me more uneasy. What exactly happened?"

Jiang Xiwen shook his head, "If I knew what it was, I’d have told you already. Dad, don’t worry. When the time comes, we’ll handle whatever comes our way."

"You child, what are you talking about? Are you treating teachers as enemies?" His mother, Wang Yanan, had finished preparing her lessons and came out, overhearing the conversation about meeting the dean the next day.

"It’s not that I see them as enemies, but rather that this couple treats me as one. Last time, Director Fang’s wife thought I was distracted in class and made me do exercises. I got everything right, leaving her embarrassed in front of the whole class. Then I participated in a computer competition and didn’t attend class for a month—this was specially approved by the principal. She held a grudge and complained to the principal, claiming I was just using the time to play, not actually learning computers. But I won first place in the competition, embarrassing her again. I won’t mention what happened afterward. Now her husband is coming after me—do you think anything good will come of this?" Jiang Xiwen succinctly explained his conflict with Zhu Wen to his parents.

"You child, how could a teacher be so petty?" Wang Yanan doubted him. Jiang Hong remained silent, tacitly agreeing with her skepticism.

"Mom and Dad!" Jiang Xiwen adopted a tone of heartfelt persuasion. "Think about it, in all your years growing up, have you ever encountered someone like I described?"

Before his parents could reply, he continued, "Teachers are people too, with their own personalities. But when students criticize teachers, adults usually dismiss it as childish and disrespectful. Yet in reality? Yes, most teachers care about their students, but you can't rule out some who are petty. Put another way, if I were working now as a teacher at Second High, and I told you that my colleague Zhu Wen kept making trouble for me, would you still doubt me?"

Jiang Hong and Wang Yanan exchanged glances, unable to refute their son's words. What he said made perfect sense—everyone understood it, but few adults ever seriously pondered it. Even when they do, they subconsciously defend their dignity, resisting the urge to change their ingrained mindset. Wang Yanan sighed, "Alright, Xiwen has really grown up, able to say such things. We can't control him anymore."

Jiang Xiwen pouted, "Mom, don't worry yourself, and Dad, you too. As long as your son does well in school and doesn't misbehave, what else is there to worry about?"

"Son’s grown up." After a moment of silence, Jiang Hong spoke first. "I’ll listen to you. Tomorrow, let’s see what Director Fang has to say. If he’s really just looking for trouble, I won’t blame you."

Jiang Hong’s willingness to change his preconceived notions so quickly made him more open-minded than most adults. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to write that sharp, innovative article—“A Brief Proposal on Governing Impoverished Counties”—that had made Zhang Song slap the table in admiration.

“Good, Jiang Hong, like father like son…” At that moment, Zhang Song was holding the latest issue of Yangjiang Daily, having just finished reading Jiang Hong’s article. He was so excited his words tumbled out incoherently.

The article not only boldly pointed out many problems facing Yangning County but also offered excellent solutions. There are plenty of leaders who can see the issues clearly, but very few—if any—who actually have ways to solve them.

“Zhang Ya, explain to me what’s going on. Since you were little, I’ve never had to go to school because you got into trouble. But Director Fang’s tone on the phone was very unpleasant. What did you do?” Her mother, Qin Shu, raised her voice by an octave. Qin Shu was deputy director of the municipal performing arts troupe, once the belle of the group in her youth, her folk singing was famously beautiful. So now, even when she scolded her daughter, though her voice was high, it was still far more melodious than Mistress Meng’s.

Yet to Zhang Song, the old master, her voice was grating. Frowning with discomfort, he picked up his pen and immersed himself again in Jiang Hong’s article, marking important sentences.

“You still say you don’t know? If you didn’t know, Director Fang wouldn’t call personally. That’s the dean, not the homeroom teacher—if it wasn’t a serious mistake, your homeroom teacher would have sufficed…” Whatever Zhang Ya replied, it only made Qin Shu’s voice rise further, forcing Zhang Song to set aside the magazine and head out.

He had initially opposed his son marrying Qin Shu, but his son’s stubbornness matched his own when he was young. Whether in work or love, he was resolute, so Zhang Song had to acquiesce.

Qin Shu had been fairly good since marrying into the Zhang family, but lately, approaching forty and menopause, her temper had grown harsher, and her discipline of Zhang Ya increasingly strict. The old master had admonished her several times, and things improved a bit. Just a few days ago, she had even sincerely discussed things with him. He hadn’t expected her to flare up again today.

When Zhang Song entered his daughter’s room, Qin Shu’s tone immediately softened, though her face still bore traces of anger. She managed an awkward smile. “Dad, why are you here?”

“What’s going on?” Zhang Song asked sternly.

Qin Shu quickly explained, “It’s nothing much. Director Fang called, asking me to come to school with Zhang Ya tomorrow. I just wanted to know what’s going on.”

Zhang Ya pouted aggrievedly, “I didn’t say anything about Teacher Zhu, but Director Fang is retaliating. They’re awful.”

The moment she said this, Qin Shu’s temper flared. “Who taught you to gossip about teachers behind their backs? Why are you acting out like this?”

“Qin, enough!” Zhang Song’s voice suddenly intensified, and as Qin Shu froze, he softened his tone, “You didn’t even ask what Zhang Ya meant, and you’re already scolding her without distinguishing right from wrong. How many times have I told you—before dealing with any issue, you must first understand what happened. If you act this way at work, how can you be deputy director?”

Qin Shu said nothing, seemingly aggrieved, head bowed and motionless.

“Alright, I won’t say more. I’ve never interfered in Zhang Ya’s studies; whatever happens, you two can discuss it.” Zhang Song finished and left Zhang Ya’s room.

Qin Shu struggled to hold back her tears. After Zhang Song left, she coldly said to her daughter, “If it turns out tomorrow that it’s your fault, see how I punish you. Everything I do is for you, the Zhang family’s daughter. Don’t let me down!”

Her mother’s cold words echoed in Zhang Ya’s mind. She felt utterly miserable, unsure how to explain things to her mother. She feared that if her mother learned she’d led the whole class to protest at school for Jiang Xiwen, the consequences would be dire.

What to do? Zhang Ya bit her lip and tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. If only Jiang Xiwen could help her. She pictured his smiling face in her mind.

It was this same person who had taken down those kidnappers with a few blows, and who, for her sake, had slapped Mistress Meng.

She didn’t know how much time had passed, but eventually Zhang Ya grew sleepy and soon fell into dreams.

The next morning, in front of the office building, Zhang Ya finally saw Jiang Xiwen as she had hoped. Qin Shu, who had been stern-faced all morning, softened upon seeing Jiang Xiwen and his father. The two parents nodded politely to each other and exchanged a few words.

On the way, Zhang Ya, who had been weighed down by worries, was now elated upon seeing Jiang Xiwen. All her troubles seemed to vanish when she was with him—something Jiang Hong noticed, though Qin Shu failed to pick up on her daughter’s change.

When everyone realized they had all been summoned by Fang Sixiang, each was a little surprised.

Jiang Xiwen blurted out, “Could it be that Fang Sixiang plans to continue his old tricks, tormenting us over so-called conduct issues?”

“What?” The other three were puzzled by his words.

The difference was that Jiang Hong and Zhang Ya merely looked confused, while Qin Shu frowned. She had never liked Jiang Xiwen’s temperament, though her opinion had improved after he saved her daughter. Especially that day when he was a guest at their home, his manners had been exemplary, making her change her view somewhat.

But now, hearing Jiang Xiwen’s tone and seeing his demeanor, she once again saw the little rascal she had first encountered at the Zhenxing Teahouse.