Chapter 321: Kowtowing Like a Pestle Grinding Garlic

At ten a. . on the first day of the New Year, the rest of the eight-person group had all arrived; they had agreed to pay New Year's respects to Principal Chang.

Respecting teachers and valuing education was still widely accepted in this era, especially among students who had achieved success; only by looking back on past experiences could they understand what their teachers' slaps had truly meant.

"Principal, Happy New Year."

"Ah, Happy New Year, happy New Year! I was just expecting you all. Wow! It's been a year, and you all look even more like real college students now!"

Compared to two years ago, Principal Chang had clearly aged, but his complexion was still good, his voice loud, his eyes sharp; seeing seven college students from Beijing arrive together, he was extremely pleased.

Li Ye and the others had been happy too, but after entering Principal Chang's home and seeing several classmates, their expressions changed and their smiles faded.

Xia Yue, Jin Shengli, and He Weiguo were all classmates from the same retake class as Li Ye.

Among them, Xia Yue and Jin Shengli had once fiercely competed against the eight-person group.

As for He Weiguo, there was no resolving the grudge between him and Li Ye; if Li Ye hadn't held back that day, the leg of that stool would have left a permanent mark on his head.

"Come in, come in! I was just talking about you all! I've taught for so many years, but your graduating class was the most accomplished—back then, over a dozen got in, and later even more passed."

Principal Chang, aware of the tensions among them, quickly smoothed things over: "You all know Jin Shengli—he got into Northwest Industrial College. Xia Yue, a year behind you, got into the English Department of Qufu Normal College."

"You're all grown-ups now; once you enter society, you'll realize how precious classmate bonds truly are."

Li Ye had not known Xia Yue had been accepted into Qufu Normal; he only knew she had gone alone to Linxian to study last year—apparently, after a year of hard work, she had finally made it.

But it still fell short of her original goal of entering Beijing Foreign Languages College.

Yet now, facing Li Ye and the others, she showed no regret or shame; instead, she appeared calm, even with a faint smile on her face.

From Li Ye's two-lifetime experience, he could tell that after everything she'd been through, Xia Yue's character had matured greatly.

But when that troublemaker He Weiguo spoke up, Xia Yue's emotions stirred sharply.

"Hey, you didn't know? Last year, Xia Yue actually scored really high—she could've gotten into Beijing with her marks, but she applied too conservatively. If it were me, I'd have retaken the exam another year."

"."

Jin Shengli said: "He Weiguo, don't bring that up. Our school even had a student who scored six hundred points! The college entrance exam, like fate, is full of variables—no one can guarantee perfection."

He Weiguo seemed to realize he'd said the wrong thing and quickly agreed: "You're right. Like me—I should've become a teacher at Yuhong Middle School, but by some twist of fate, I ended up at Daliu Township Primary. Xia Yue, don't take it personally—you're far better off than I am."

"I don't mind," Xia Yue said calmly. "A measured compromise isn't necessarily defeat—it can be a graceful turn. I'm actually quite content now."

"You're right," He Weiguo said. "When I first got to Daliu Township, I couldn't understand it either. But through dedicated teaching, I built up valuable experience, which eventually let me move up to a middle school."

Xia Yue slowly turned her head, looking at the "eloquent" He Weiguo, and finally revealed a trace of contempt—exactly the same look she'd given Li Ye and the others two years ago.

Li Ye and the others sat for a while in Principal Chang's home, then left.

After leaving, the straightforward Han Xia whispered: "Did you all see Xia Yue's eyes just now? She hasn't changed—she's just pretending."

Yan Jinbu said: "You can't blame him. He Weiguo's just a high school graduate teaching elementary kids—what's so shameful about that? Why compare himself to Xia Yue?"

Fu Yingjie smiled: "He Weiguo has relatives at County No. 2 High. You think they came to Principal Chang's today for what reason?"

"He's not trying to get transferred to teach at No. 2 High, is he? Maybe before, but not anymore!"

"Not just unlikely—I heard from school teachers that only college graduates will be allowed to teach middle schoolers from now on!"

"No way! Then what about Xia Yue today—"

Everyone chattered, all thinking it impossible that only college grads could teach middle schoolers.

But Li Ye knew clearly: in a few years, all this would become reality.

Xia Yue's momentary caution had wasted her last chance to defy fate.

There was still a difference—sometimes a big one—in job assignments between Beijing undergraduate institutions and provincial ones.

On the second day of the New Year, Li Ye's aunt Li Mingxiang arrived early at Li's home with her husband Zhao Yuanchao and daughter Zhao Meiwen.

As soon as they entered, they saw their eldest niece Li Yue tying a large bundle of colored firework tubes onto a wooden pole with her two younger cousins.

"What are you three doing?"

Li Yue smiled but said nothing, focusing on tightening the tubes.

On New Year's Eve, she'd only watched; on New Year's Day, she'd only watched—today, finally, it was her turn.

Fortunately, Li Ye had bought enough colored firework tubes, or there wouldn't have been enough for the whole family to use.

Hearing her aunt's question, Li Ying replied smoothly: "My brother taught us this trick—he says it was inspired by a machine gun from the United States, called a Gatling. At night, it spits fire like a machine gun—tutututu."

"Like a machine gun? That does look similar! Lighting up all these tubes together must be amazing."

"Then don't leave tonight—wait until six. You can start firing at half past five."

"Okay okay, I'll stay after dinner."

Hearing Li Ying's explanation, even cousin Zhao Meiwen became interested, squatting on the ground chattering with Li Juan and Li Ying.

But before they said much, a hateful voice suddenly came from behind: "What are you girls playing at with machine guns? This is nonsense! If anyone finds out, how will you ever find a husband?"

Li Yue and the others all looked up, their faces instantly long.

Aunt Li Mingyue and Uncle Cui Zhi had just entered the house, along with their nephew Cui Aiguo.

Everyone in the family had seen Li Ye beat up Cui Aiguo.

Later, when Li Kaibian took Li Ye to Dongshan Railway Station for school, he returned and said something to Grandpa—Li Zhongfa smashed several hot water flasks.

Since then, Aunt Li Mingyue's family had never visited again. Though Li Yue and the two younger girls didn't know what had happened, from Grandpa's fury at the time, they knew something major had occurred.

So today, with Aunt Li returning—there might be a show.

Sure enough, as soon as Cui Aiguo stepped inside, he ran straight to Li Zhongfa and bowed his head to the ground.

"Grandpa, I'm kowtowing to you."

"Bang bang bang~"

"Grandma, I'm kowtowing to you."

"Bang bang bang~"

"Uncle, I'm kowtowing to you."

"Dong dong dong~"

"Auntie, I'm kowtowing to you—"

"Aunt Two, Uncle Two, I'm kowtowing to you—"

Good heavens—he knocked out dozens of solid head-bangs, utterly sincere.

His uncle-by-marriage Zhao Yuanchao clicked his tongue and reached into his pocket for his wallet.

During the New Year, children kowtowing to close relatives received kowtowing money; seeing the bright red swelling on Cui Aiguo's forehead, you'd feel guilty not giving him at least five yuan.

But Aunt Li Mingxiang quickly grabbed her husband's hand and nodded toward her father Li Zhongfa.

If Li Zhongfa didn't speak today, Cui Aiguo could bang his head until it cracked—it wouldn't matter.

But Li Zhongfa stared at Cui Aiguo, head bowed like a broken spine, for five full minutes before coldly saying: "Your father and mother can come in. You go wander around the county town."

"."

Cui Aiguo looked up at Li Zhongfa in disbelief, as if he didn't recognize his own grandfather.

In the past, Li Zhongfa had adored this grandson.

Smart, articulate, perfect in every way.

But now, why was he so heartless?

"Father, Aiguo knows he's wrong."

Aunt Li Mingyue pleaded, voice trembling.

But Li Zhongfa turned to her: "Would you like to go for a walk too?"

"."

Cui Aiguo opened his mouth to beg, but his father Cui Zhi grabbed his collar and shoved him out the courtyard gate.

"Don't you know how many lives your grandfather's taken? Today he didn't beat you to death is already more than expected—why are you still standing here? Waiting for Li Ye to beat you again? Who's going to stop him?"

"Oh oh~"

Cui Aiguo snapped awake at his father's words and scrambled away in panic.

Back then, he'd only argued with Li Ye a few words—and Li Ye nearly crushed his skull. Later, he'd reported Li Ye. Now, unless Li Ye grabbed a cleaver, no one would lift a finger to intervene.

Because of Aunt Li Mingyue's arrival, the New Year reunion lunch was gloomy.

Still, Aunt Li had come prepared and kept trying to liven the mood.

"Father, the organization has already spoken with Zhixian—he'll be promoted next year, transferred into the county!"

"."

No one responded.

Li Mingyue was frustrated and annoyed—she thought she had leverage now, yet still wasn't welcomed.

But Li Mingyue still had her trump card.

"Mother, didn't Xiao Yue drive some friends to Hebin Township before the New Year?"

Wu Juying replied indifferently: "Yes. So what? Are you going to charge us a toll now that we're on your turf?"

Li Mingyue pouted: "Mother, why do you always assume the worst? I have good news to tell you."

Wu Juying raised an eyebrow: "Good news from your mouth? That's rare—haven't heard any in years."

"Mother, I really do have good news."

Li Mingyue took a breath and continued: "Last year, a college graduate was assigned to Hebin Township—you know, one of those sent there just to gain experience."

"He's one seventy-five tall, very handsome. And it just so happened—Xiao Yue took her friends to the Hebin reservoir, and they ran into him. Guess what?"

Li Mingyue glanced around, then said: "He took a liking to Xiao Yue. After asking around, he asked Zhixian to propose on his behalf!"

After Li Mingyue finished, Li Zhongfa remained expressionless; Wu Juying frowned.

If what Li Mingyue said was true, it might not be a bad thing—hard to refuse outright.

But Li Zhongfa hadn't decided what to say when Li Yue spoke coldly.

"A college student from the city? Which university did he graduate from?"

Li Mingyue heard this and thought she had an opening; she tilted her chin slightly and said, "He graduated from XX Junior College. His starting salary is 56 yuan a month, but the salary is the least important—his future is limitless!"

Li Yue narrowed her eyes, a mocking curve forming at the corner of her mouth.

"Pfft, just a junior college grad? What kind of limitless future is that?"

"."

Everyone's mouth hung open—except Li Ye.

After a long stunned silence, Li Mingyue shot back defiantly, "Xiao Yue, then what kind of young talent do you think is good enough for you?"

Li Yue stretched her neck lazily and said, "At the very least, he needs to be a Peking University undergrad."

Good grief.

Even Wu Juying widened her eyes, her gaze brimming with lethal intent.

【At home you complained about everything and everyone—now that you've been in Beijing for half a year, have you turned into a spirit?】

(End of Chapter)