Volume One, Chapter Five: Raising a Hand to Slap Him

“What is there that you can’t tell me? I’ve eaten your family’s corn buns and promised your mother to take care of you, so there’s no need to hold back with me.”

Su Li smiled motherly, encouraging her to speak boldly.

“Teacher Su, the academic office notified me that the school decided to revoke my poverty subsidy quota, saying there are other students more in need of assistance,” Zhao Xinran said, tears streaming down her face.

Su Li was momentarily stunned, then feigned shock. “How could this be? Wasn’t it already announced yesterday?”

Zhao Xinran sniffled and sobbed, “The director said last night an anonymous complaint was received, claiming my family isn’t actually poor. Teacher Su, you know my situation—I really need this subsidy.”

Heh, the national poverty subsidy was only eight yuan a month, enough for her to cover half a month’s meals.

She could do some part-time work during holidays to help support her family, and next semester she could relax and even buy pretty clothes like the girls in the city.

Su Li thought to herself, you’ve come to the right person; just wait and see.

But on her face, she furrowed her brows with righteous indignation. “Bring your bike to the bike shed for me; I’ll go to the academic office and see how they can just take it away like that.”

Zhao Xinran had been waiting for this, quickly wiping away her tears and handing over the bicycle.

“Thank you, Teacher Su!”

Watching Zhao Xinran ride toward the bike shed behind the playground, Su Li smiled slightly.

The shed was quite a distance from the teaching building, and with the blazing sun, riding there and back always left one drenched in sweat. If someone was willing to do it for her, why not?

Su Li sat down in the office, took a sip of water, and held a fan.

She would definitely go to see the director, but first she needed to rest and feel better.

No sooner had she fanned herself a few times than the director came looking for her.

“Teacher Su, come to my office for a moment.”

Su Li quickly put down the fan and followed. “Director Zhang, do you need something?”

The director was a woman in her forties with kind eyes, always gentle with young teachers like them.

But there was one thing: she was never tolerant of any nonsense.

“Teacher Su, Zhao Xinran from your class has always been a good student. You recommended her for the poverty subsidy; the school verified and announced it publicly. But last night we suddenly received a report that she’s wasteful and has an improper private life.

“So the moral education and academic offices held a meeting and decided to cancel her quota this year. You need to handle the student and don’t spread the report around, as it would harm her reputation.”

Director Zhang despised two types of students most: those who lacked ambition and wasted their time even at university, and those who were unchaste—especially some female students who thought that just attending university made them special.

Hearing this, Su Li feigned urgency. “Director, could there be a mistake? Zhao Xinran’s grades and discipline are good, and her family’s situation truly is difficult…”

Director Zhang waved her hand. “Teacher Su, I understand how you feel. You probably don’t know the full story, but we’ve received the complaint. If she really did nothing wrong, or fixes it, she can reapply next year. Our national poverty subsidies aim to cultivate talent, not encourage mischief. Go back and explain this to her.”

Su Li did not argue further, lowering her eyes and nodding. “I will guide her properly. By the way, Director, please consider me for the training program in the provincial capital. I think you were right before—young people should keep improving.”

“You’re a good girl. Last year you said your family was too busy and gave the opportunity to someone else. This year you’re proactive. If there’s a spot, I’ll consider you.”

“Thank you, Director. I’ll go talk to her now.”

Exiting the academic office, Su Li saw Zhao Xinran standing at the stairwell, her face flushed, bangs sticking to her forehead, eyes eager.

Su Li glanced at her without a word and walked straight toward the corridor exit.

Zhao Xinran silently followed closely.

“Xinran, I did my best. Director Zhang only said someone reported you, but nothing definite. Think carefully—did you do anything you shouldn’t have?”

Zhao Xinran shook her head repeatedly. “No, Teacher Su. I went home only with you and stayed at school all the time. I didn’t do anything.”

She looked into Su Li’s eyes, then suddenly froze for a moment before lowering her head, thinking no one could possibly know.

Could it be that someone saw her holding hands with Shao Ting’an at the school gate last night?

Seeing her unable to meet her gaze, Su Li sneered inwardly. “After exams, you can earn quite a bit at the newspaper office. Besides, with me and Brother Ting’an around, we won’t let you go hungry.”

Zhao Xinran looked up with reddened eyes. “Thank you, Teacher Su. You’re really good to me.”

Su Li thought to herself, I haven’t been good enough—I’ll be even better!

“I heard next month the newspaper has a follow-up report at Pingjiang Mechanical Factory. If you want, I’ll pull some strings so you can go. The factory’s environment isn’t like the paper office’s, but it should come with extra allowances.”

At the mention of Pingjiang Mechanical Factory, Zhao Xinran’s eyes brightened, nodding quickly. “I don’t mind. I can do anything. Teacher Su, you know that.”

Brushing the stray hair off her forehead, Su Li nodded. “Yes, you’re very capable—you can do anything. Now go back to class quickly.”

Zhao Xinran’s mood lifted notably; even her steps grew lighter.

Going to the factory meant she’d be even closer to Shao Ting’an, and money would no longer be a worry.

Watching her leave, Su Li’s gaze grew cold. You really are capable—not only at seducing but also at killing.

Even when she got home after work, Su Li’s spirits remained fairly good; she even looked forward to seeing how Zhao Xinran would fare at the factory.

Shao Ting’an also got off work early that day. Hearing her humming softly while picking vegetables in the kitchen, he quietly approached and hugged her from behind.

Su Li pretended to be bullied, suddenly turning around and slapping him. “Help! Somebody save me!”

Shao Ting’an ignored the sharp sting on his face and hurriedly covered her mouth. “Su Li, wife, it’s me, it’s me.”

Of course, Su Li knew it was him; she wasn’t deaf—how could she have missed the sound of the door opening?

Moreover, the kitchen window faced the corridor entrance; she had seen him locking his bike out of the corner of her eye.

She did it on purpose!

“Ouch, Ting’an, sorry, sorry—I didn’t realize it was you.”

Seeing the prominent five-finger handprint on Shao Ting’an’s face, already swelling, Su Li felt quite satisfied; she had put considerable strength into it. Yet on her face was still a look of anxious concern. “Quick, get a towel and apply cold water.”