Chapter 64 The Beginning of the New Year
  1992 was a brand new year.

  This year, the country implemented many policies. As the economic situation became better and better, Jingtan County also began to encourage individual businesses. For a time, all kinds of small shops could be seen everywhere. As the economic situation improved, prices gradually rebounded, and people's average wages also gradually increased.

  After the New Year, Fang's father was transferred back to the county from the countryside and stayed at the Water Conservancy Bureau.

  The Fang family's restaurant was officially transferred to Fang Qing's uncle's family after the New Year. Now, the uncle's family is running the business more and more smoothly, and their lives are gradually getting better.

  The other branches of the Fang family are also very quiet.

  It seems that the eldest aunt is still playing stocks. I heard that she made a lot of money this time and is going to the province to buy a house for Sister Mimi.

  Old Mrs. Fang and the eldest aunt have been very honest recently and have not made any trouble, but it was still very unpleasant when they met.

  When the uncle discovered his girlfriend was with someone else, he was furious, but instead of picking a fight like he had in his previous life, he drank alone at Fang Qing's house. The next day, he went back to work with Boss Wang, vowing to make a killing and give that gold-digger a good slap.

  His aunt gave birth to a chubby boy just after the Lunar New Year, a moment of great joy for the family. Fang Qing happily made a ton of baby clothes for the little nephew, and his aunt loved them immensely.

  At the turn of spring, Teacher Qiu arrived at the Fang family's home with a trove of gifts. A man named Qiu Dahai wheeled Teacher Qiu to the Fang family's door to thank them for their care over the past year.

  Teacher Qiu then took Fang Qing's hand, tears welling in his eyes. "Qingqing, I'm old, and after what happened, I'm a little scared. So I'm going to retire south with my nephew Dahai."

  Fang Qing was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing this news. She was happy that Teacher would have someone to care for him, but also sad that they, someone they had so long trusted, would be separated again.

  Fang Qing looked at Teacher Qiu's head of white hair, heartbroken. "Teacher, thank you for all your dedication to teaching me over the years. I will study hard, and you should take good care of yourself. When I'm successful, I'll definitely come to see you."

  Teacher Qiu wiped a tear from his eye and happily patted Fang Qing's hand. "Okay, teacher, I'll be waiting."

  The two spoke reluctantly for a long time. Finally, Qiu Dahai frowned from behind, reminding them that time was running out. Teacher Qiu finally wiped his tears and said goodbye.

  Teacher Qiu pointed to the box on the ground. "I don't have anything valuable to leave you. These are some of my old painting tips and some paint. I don't have the energy to paint anymore, so I'll leave them all to you..."

  Teacher Qiu left, before the cherry blossoms bloomed, on a long green train, bound for the warm south.

  Fang Qing, clutching the notes Teacher Qiu had left behind, watched him go, vowing to herself that she would achieve academic success and reunite with Teacher Qiu.

  ...

  After the spring, Fang Qing, facing a demanding schedule, applied to live on campus again, both for safety and to save time.

  In March, peach blossoms bloomed one after another on the campus of No. 1 Middle School. After class, students sat under the trees, enjoying the spring scenery, or gathered in groups in the square.

  The school was recently holding a spring sports meet, and each class encouraged students to sign up, but none of them bothered to participate. They'd rather have the time to enjoy a illustrated novel.

  Looking at the few names on the registration list, Zhang Haiyan, the physical education instructor, worried about failing to deliver, turned her attention to her friend.

  After some very polite deference, Fang Qing was finally able to register for the 1500-meter run and long jump, with Zhang Haiyan grabbing her collar and holding her hands.

  Seeing Fang Qing's worried expression, Zhang Haiyan volunteered to be her coach, "Don't worry, with me here, even a blind bear can jump far."

  Fang Qing cut back on her rest time and came to the playground every day to practice with Zhang Haiyan.

  The 1500-meter run was easy enough; she usually did a night run after evening self-study classes, and Fang Qing was already used to running, so it wasn't difficult.

  But the long jump was a bit more challenging.

  Fang Qing watched Zhang Haiyan dash out like an arrow, bouncing and whizzing into the distant sand pit. Her movements were fluid and handsome.

  Fang Qing applauded with admiration, and then, under everyone's encouraging gaze, she imitated Zhang Haiyan and began to run faster, then bounced, striding...

  and landed steadily outside the sand pit.

  The onlookers were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Oh, Fang Qing, you didn't even touch the pit, you'd be eliminated without even the preliminaries..."

  Fang Qing felt a little embarrassed. It wasn't that she was deliberately not jumping well, but her weak athletic ability made her unable to grasp the key to the triple jump.

  But the registration form had already been submitted, so she had no choice but to practice every day.

  Zhang Haiyan had a field training that day, leaving Fang Qing alone in the playground.

  A group of teenagers arrived nearby, first running laps, then starting a competition on the basketball court.

  Perhaps because Fang Qing's movements were so clumsy and funny, the students passing by glanced in her direction.

  Zhang Mingyu, who was playing basketball, saw his teammates distracted, so he immediately threw the ball and asked everyone to do fifty push-ups on the spot.

  "If you don't pay attention during practice, how are you going to play in the future? Fifty push-ups each, to teach you a lesson. Start the timer!"

  The team members didn't dare to complain, and lowered their heads to do push-ups honestly. Zhang Mingyu then looked at the lonely girl not far away.

  Zhang Mingyu looked at the clumsy figure of the person and felt that he had seen her before. He was frowning and looking at her when a team member behind him climbed up.

  "Boss, have you noticed that girl too? I heard that she is the most beautiful girl in the second year of high school, and seems to be a top student. But I heard that her personality is too cold. Many people wanted to pursue her before, but they all hit a wall. Are you interested too?"

  Zhang Mingyu tutted, and without turning around, he elbowed the person behind him in the stomach. "I think fifty's too little, so I'll give you another fifty."

  "No, no, no, I'm going to practice. Boss, you take a break." With that, the boy grabbed the ball and ran away, fearing another punishment from the boss.

  Zhang Mingyu sighed. Although he didn't like what his teammate had just said, he couldn't help but look in that direction. But when he looked again, the figure was gone.

  "You ran pretty fast."

  But finding someone was easy for Zhang Mingyu. He just had to tell his team to look for a cool and beautiful female student in each class of the second grade, and then wait for news.

  Strength in numbers, Fang Qing's name soon appeared on his desk.

  "Fang Qing, so your name is Fang Qing..."

  During recess, Wang Xuefei, trying to lose weight, pestered Fang Qing to play badminton with her.

  The snow-white badminton flew across the blue sky as the two played increasingly fiercely. Suddenly, Fang Qing threw a smash, and Wang Xuefei missed it, sending the ball flying far out, landing directly at the feet of a group of boys.

  The boy leaned down, catching the badminton with his slender fingers. His bright eyes darted towards Fang Qing in the distance, and he raised his eyebrows. "Long time no see, classmate Fang Qing."

  (End of this chapter)