Chapter 1297: Studying for the Rise of China

Zhou Andong looked at the old principal: "Old Principal, I have my own coal mine in Hulunbuir. From now on, leave the school's heating coal to me."

The old principal opened his mouth as if to say something, but Zhou Andong hurriedly said: "You don't need to say anything. If I didn't have this ability, there would be nothing I could do. But now that I do, doing something for the school is something I must do."

"Good, very good!"

The old principal grabbed Zhou Andong's hand and shook it vigorously. He didn't know what else to say, just repeating that it was good.

Zhou Andong changed the subject and pulled Jian Qiu over: "Old Principal, let me introduce you. This is my wife, her name is Jian Qiu."

"Old Principal, hello." Jian Qiu bowed to the old principal: "Dongzi often mentions you to me, saying you are the person he respects the most."

At this moment, Yao Jun also introduced his wife to the old principal: "Old Principal, this is my wife, Tang Wenjuan."

"Old Principal, hello." Tang Wenjuan also bowed to the old principal.

The old principal looked at Jian Qiu, then at Tang Wenjuan, his face full of gratification.

"You two boys are blessed to have married such beautiful wives."

Zhou Andong chatted in the old principal's office for a while, then went to the large office next door.

Many teachers were there, and upon seeing Zhou Andong, they all stood up.

"Zhou Andong!"

"How did you get here, kid?"

"Yeah, why didn't you give us a heads-up before coming?"

Those who said this were all Zhou Andong's former teachers.

There were also some young teachers who hadn't attended Teacher Cao's birthday banquet because they had classes.

They were too shy to greet him, so the old principal, who had just entered, introduced them to Zhou Andong.

"Where is Teacher Cao?" The old principal looked around but didn't see Cao Shuzhen.

A teacher said: "She had a class last period and hasn't returned since it ended. She's probably keeping the students back."

"Oh my, why is it so lively here?"

Just as the teacher finished speaking, Cao Shuzhen walked into the office.

Because everyone was standing and Zhou Andong and Yao Jun were surrounded, Cao Shuzhen didn't see them at first.

"Teacher Cao!" Zhou Andong called out.

Only then did Cao Shuzhen notice Zhou Andong, and a smile immediately appeared on her somewhat weary face.

"Zhou Andong, Yao Jun."

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "I came here specifically to see you, the old principal, and all the teachers."

Cao Shuzhen snorted: "You came to see me empty-handed? You didn't even buy me a pack of cigarettes?"

"Teacher Cao!" Kan Xingjiang interjected: "Didn't you quit smoking?"

Cao Shuzhen glared and said with a straight face: "You brat, are you trying to undermine me?"

Kan Xingjiang chuckled: "Teacher Cao, how would I dare undermine you? I was just stating the truth."

Cao Shuzhen tried to keep a straight face, but she couldn't hold it, started laughing, and then shook her head.

"In the blink of an eye, you've all grown up, and we have all grown old."

The old principal said: "Zhou Andong didn't bring you a gift, but he brought a gift for our school."

All the teachers in the office pricked up their ears.

Cao Shuzhen asked curiously: "What did he bring?"

"Coal!" Zhou Andong said: "From now on, I will be responsible for the school's heating coal. Before the New Year, three hundred tons of coal will be delivered."

Everyone smiled upon hearing this. No matter who it is, as long as they are human, they are never truly satisfied.

In the old school building, the wind leaked from everywhere, and the coal for the stove was just a small handful per class each day, burning out in two hours.

There was no other way; if the students didn't want to freeze, they had to bring firewood and corn cobs from home to school.

Back then, every winter, on Sundays, Zhou Andong would go to the mountains to cut a bundle of branches to bring to school on Monday.

Now that they were in a building with special insulation added to the exterior, even if the heating wasn't fully on, it was much warmer than before.

But, as the saying goes, how can people ever be satisfied? Who wouldn't want to work in a better environment?

Teacher Cao patted Zhou Andong's shoulder heavily: "Good, good child."

Zhou Andong smiled, looking just like a child who had received praise from a teacher.

"Teacher, let me introduce you." Zhou Andong pulled Jian Qiu's arm: "This is my wife, Jian Qiu."

"Teacher!" Yao Jun also pulled Tang Wenjuan: "This is my wife, Tang Wenjuan."

Cao Shuzhen grabbed Jian Qiu and Tang Wenjuan's hands, a loving smile on her face.

"Not bad, really not bad. Such beautiful girls, it's really a grievance for you two rascals."

"Ding-a-ling..."

At this moment, the class bell rang, and Cao Shuzhen said: "You stay in the office for a while; I have one more class. Come to my house for dinner tonight."

Jiang Hui, who had been silent, felt helpless upon hearing Cao Shuzhen's words.

It seemed that going to Wang Dayou's place for drinks tonight was impossible.

Sure enough, she heard Zhou Andong say: "Okay, it's been a long time since I've eaten Teacher's cooking."

"Teacher Cao!" The old principal asked: "Is this class for the experimental group?"

Cao Shuzhen nodded: "Yes!"

The old principal said with a smile: "Skip this class. Let Zhou Andong say a few words to the children."

Cao Shuzhen was stunned, then immediately smiled: "That's a good thing."

Zhou Andong gave a wry smile, and Teacher Cao looked at him, saying with dissatisfaction.

"What, you're not willing?"

"No!" How would Zhou Andong dare to deny it.

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go." Cao Shuzhen turned and walked out of the office.

Other teachers who didn't have classes followed them out.

Class 1, Grade 6 was on the third floor. When they reached the classroom door, they could hear shouting, laughter, and table-slapping inside, a chaotic mess.

Teacher Cao kept a straight face, pushed the door open, and walked in. The chaotic scene immediately quieted down.

Zhou Andong followed into the classroom and stood by the podium with a smile.

The students looked at this guy who had appeared suddenly with a smile on his face with great curiosity.

Teacher Cao asked: "Do you know who he is?"

After a moment of silence, a little girl raised her hand.

Teacher Cao said: "Li Yao, you say."

The little girl stood up: "He is Uncle Zhou Andong."

Teacher Cao smiled: "Right, this is Uncle Zhou Andong. He was also my student once, just like you, all in the experimental group."

Zhou Andong walked onto the podium: "Hello, students."

"Hello, Uncle Zhou." The children shouted at the top of their lungs.

Zhou Andong asked with a smile: "Students, do you know why we study?"

"I know." A little fat boy raised his hand and, without waiting for Zhou Andong to call on him, shouted: "Study for the rise of China."

"Right!" Zhou Andong picked up a pen and wrote the words "Study for the rise of China" on the blackboard.

Seeing that Zhou Andong had already started, Teacher Cao walked off the stage and then to the back, watching Zhou Andong on the podium with a smile on her face.

This was the student she had taught, and also her proudest student. Today, he came to the school to give a speech to his juniors, and her face as a teacher was full of glory. ===== CHAPTER 1298 =====