Chapter 45 Wonton Shop
During her free time between classes, Teacher Yuan curiously asked another female teacher about Bai Lianlian.
"Bai Lianlian?" The female teacher's surname is Tang. She teaches art and is a new teacher who has just graduated. The students all call her Teacher Tangtang. In dealing with Teacher Lili, the troublemaker, Teacher Xiao Yuan and Tangtang have reached a united front alliance.
"Yes, Bai Lianlian from Class 1."
Teacher Tangtang blinked and lowered her voice and said, "There are all kinds of rumors about Bai Lianlian. I heard that she was admitted to a mental hospital when she was a child."
Teacher Xiao Yuan thought of Bai Lianlian's eyes. Most students' eyes were pure and peaceful. But Bai Lianlian was different. Her dark eyes were full of anger, as if she wanted to yell at the world all the time. But when Teacher Xiao Yuan tried to approach her, she would hold back all her anger, like a calm surface of water or a silent underwater volcano.
In any case, her words and actions did not seem to indicate that she had mental problems.
"I think it's still a family problem. Her mother is quite weird."
"oh?"
"Let me put it this way, Bai Lianlian's school registration does not include a father."
Teacher Xiao Yuan quickly asked, "So she has no biological father?"
"No, no."
"Then she has no legal father."
"Yes." Tangtang whispered , "She is an illegitimate daughter. Her mother is not a decent person. I heard that she did it in that kind of club before."
"Sex worker?"
Tangtang blushed, as if Teacher Xiao Yuan had said something shameful, "It's OK for you to know, don't say it so directly."
Humans have many taboos about sex, and Teacher Xiao Yuan has always known this. It is obvious that not only those girls, but even most people including Tangtang are consciously or unconsciously despising Bai Lianlian. She does not understand the shame of human sex workers. Even if it is a shameful thing, should the responsibility of parents be borne by their children? She does not understand the logical relationship of humans at this level.
Bai Lianlian was not a student in her class, nor did she have any vested interest in her. Teacher Xiao Yuan quickly forgot about her. She had a grand goal today, which was to finish get off work with Teacher Feng.
But her plan quickly fell apart.
The director called all the English teachers in the grade to hold a small meeting after school. Teacher Lily sat next to the director with a smug look on her face. It was obvious that the impromptu meeting was her suggestion to the director.
The topic of the meeting was that the director was going to organize an English competition for the whole grade. Teacher Lily stood up and spoke of her ideas and suggestions with great energy. The director kept nodding with satisfaction, while Teacher Xiao Yuan cursed her a thousand times in her heart.
After finally waiting until the meeting was over, Teacher Feng had already left work. Teacher Xiao Yuan looked at Teacher Feng's empty seat, picked up her bag and walked out of the office in frustration. Yan Zhenzhen walked out of the classroom with a dustpan. It was his turn to clean the classroom today.
Maybe the expression on her face was too sad, even Yan Zhen's eyes showed sympathy. He said, "Teacher Xiao Yuan, Teacher Feng chatted with us for a while before, and he just left."
Teacher Yuan rushed down the stairs quickly and secretly decided that she could allow Yan Zhen to not hand in his homework three times.
Just as Yan Zhen said, Teacher Feng didn't leave for long. His figure appeared at the intersection of the school street. Teacher Xiao Yuan rushed to the bicycle shed, rode his bicycle, and chased after Teacher Feng.
As she sped up, she thought about the words to greet him. Should it be "What a coincidence" or "You just got off work?" How can she show her casualness and coincidence? This is a big thing that needs to be thought through in a few minutes.
Five meters to go, she will catch up with Teacher Feng. Teacher Yuan took a breath, slowed down, and ran her hands through her hair. Calm down, calm down, and greeted him as usual.
Mr. Feng in front stopped. He parked the car in front of a store and walked in.
This is a wonton shop with a sign that reads "Qingquan Wonton Shop".
Is this a stop for dinner?
Teacher Xiao Yuan parked the car and pushed open the door of the wonton shop.
The wonton shop was obviously newly opened. The shop was very clean and there were five or six diners sitting inside. It was quite lively. Teacher Feng was talking to the proprietress.
She found an empty seat and sat down, waiting for Teacher Feng to find her. When Teacher Feng lowered his head to pick up the plate, Teacher Yuan saw the face of the proprietress.
She must be a very beautiful woman, because almost all the customers in the store were secretly looking at her. Her skin was white and rosy, her hair was tied up softly, and there was a little crystal sweat on her forehead. Xiao Yuan felt that she looked familiar.
Teacher Feng did not turn around. He sat facing the kitchen of the proprietress. He watched her busying around the stove with great interest, ignoring the guests around him.
Teacher Yuan was struck by lightning.
(Love Rival)
(Love Rival)
(It's a love rival)
The individuals spoke in unison.
(Requesting the Unification's approval to eliminate the threat)
(Expel the love rival)
(Expel the love rival)
Teacher Xiao Yuan turned off all the individual noises. Teacher Feng sat in front of her, his lips slightly raised. He was always like this, smiling all the time, kind and lovely. But she had never seen him gaze at a member of the opposite sex with such a gentle expression.
(Love Rival)
(Love Rival)
Individuals were making noises. Teacher Yuan felt like the speaker of the House of Representatives who banged the gavel to ask for silence but no one paid attention. She counted the chopstick holder on the table. There were 6 pairs of chopsticks in it, and three small condiments were listed next to it: garlic powder, vinegar, and hot sauce.
(Love Rival)(Love Rival)(Love Rival)
The individuals are clamoring.
The unity was overwhelmed by its individuals. She told them that he was just a passerby and Teacher Feng just stopped by to have a meal.
(Annihilate the love rival) (Annihilate the love rival) (Annihilate the love rival)
The individuals are clamoring.
Teacher Feng sat in front of her, staring at the proprietress. The proprietress handed him a bowl of wontons. They looked at each other. Teacher Feng pushed the seasoning bottle on the table, but accidentally knocked over the hot sauce, and the red sauce spread on the table. The proprietress groaned and picked up a rag to wipe the table.
Teacher Feng kept saying sorry. He never even glanced at Teacher Yuan from beginning to end.
Maybe I should leave here, Teacher Yuan thought.
(Annihilate the love rival) (Annihilate the love rival) (Annihilate the love rival)
I must leave before the restlessness of the individuals causes the integration to collapse. Teacher Yuan thought, I need the ball, I need to synchronize again. The noise of the individuals makes it impossible for me to unify my will.
The door of the wonton shop was pushed open again, and a student walked into the shop.
He said, "Mom, do you need help?"
"Go back and do your homework. Mom doesn't need help." said the boss's wife.
"I have finished my homework." The student said in surprise: "Hello, Teacher Feng. Are you here, Teacher Yuan?"
Teacher Xiao Yuan recognized him. He was Liu Xingquan from Class 2.
Excellent, she thought, the mother of my best student seems to be my rival in love.
Liu Xingquan picked up a rag and started wiping the table. Although his mother didn't let him help, he always wanted to do something for his mother when he was free.
"Teacher Feng is always polite every time he comes and even buys a box of wontons to take away. I feel a little embarrassed. Today even Teacher Xiao Yuan is here. Your teachers are so nice." Luo Qingxi said.
"Yeah. My teachers are all very nice." Liu Xingquan said. His mother's shop had just opened a few days ago, and the business was better than expected. Teacher Feng happened to discover the shop on the first day of opening, and then introduced it to his familiar neighbors and friends. Liu Xingquan felt embarrassed and thanked Teacher Feng several times. But Teacher Feng said that the food tasted really good, otherwise there wouldn't be so many repeat customers.
Even Teacher Xiao Yuan came today. Liu Xingquan remembered the surprised look on Teacher Xiao Yuan's face when she saw him, and he knew that Teacher Feng had not publicized the fact that his mother opened a wonton shop in the school.
But it won’t be long before everyone in the school knows about it.
There is nothing to worry about. There is no shame in opening a wonton shop and making money on your own, Liu Xingquan thought.
"Xingquan, try this." Luo Qingxi held the bowl and picked up a wonton for him.
He took a bite and it was a new flavor he had never tasted before. "Delicious. Is it shrimp?"
"Well, I tried to make it these past two days." Luo Qingxi said with a smile, "I think the guests should like it."
"Mom, your cooking must be delicious, but I think you are too tired these days."
"I'm not tired. I used to think that when your dad stops working for Uncle Yan, my husband and I will start a small business together." Luo Qingxi said, "It's a pity that your dad is gone now, otherwise he would be very satisfied."
This was the first time his mother mentioned his father in a calm and non-sad tone after his father passed away. Liu Xingquan looked up at his mother and heard her continue, "By the way, Xiaozhen used to love the dishes I cooked. Ask him to come over to my place to eat wontons."
"OK."
"Xingquan, I remember that you and Xiaozhen used to go home together after school. Why are you alone now?" Luo Qingxi's tone was gentle, but Liu Xingquan felt that it was a bit blaming. "Did you and Xiaozhen have a fight?"
"……No."
"Really?"
"No."
"Then ask him to come over for wontons next time."
"OK."
"Xingquan, you and Xiaozhen are best friends, right?" Luo Qingxi looked at him. Rather than asking Liu Xingquan what he thought, she was eager to get some kind of confirmation. Her voice was like drizzle, light and gentle, sliding across Liu Xingquan's heart.
"Yes, we are best friends."
"That's good." Luo Qingxi whispered. When Liu Xingquan looked up, he only saw his mother's back.
We were indeed best friends, Liu Xingquan said to himself.
