Chapter 382: Chapter 382

Zhao Gang and Gong Tao were heading to school with a thick stack of books because they only had one set, meaning they had to bring them back home at night.

It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s better than lending them out and having others miss out, causing problems.

Cai Ming and his group reached the school gate and saw a woman pacing in the snow, which seemed strange. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel•fire.net

After glancing at her, Cai Ming and his group intended to head into the school. Since they didn’t know her, there was no need to greet her.

Wan Qiweng had arrived early at the Red Flag Brigade, "Hello, are you Teacher Cai Ming?"

Wan Qiweng had never met Cai Ming, planning to ask at the school. But seeing three people carrying a pile of books, she noticed they were high school textbooks, which delighted her.

"I am, and you are?" Cai Ming was really surprised to find someone was looking for him.

"Hello, I am Wan Qiweng, a sent-down youth from the Red Star Team," Wan Qiweng introduced herself. "I wanted to ask if I could borrow some high school textbooks."

"Of course," Cai Ming had been thinking of spreading the word about available high school textbooks through the students. He hadn’t expected someone at the door first thing, and a sent-down youth at that. Not bad.

"However, you can only copy them here, you can’t take them home. We need to review at night."

"Oh, only here?" Wan Qiweng hesitated a bit. It was quite a distance to get there, and going back and forth every day was really tiring.

Well, the fatigue wasn’t the problem—more like, "Where can we copy them?" Surely they couldn’t do it outside or they’d freeze.

"Yesterday, I arranged with the school to have a room for you, but you’ll need to prepare your own writing supplies."

"In fact, several sent-down youths could team up to copy. Each person could copy a few books and continue at night," Cai Ming thought this way they could quickly finish copying the books.

Considering they had taken over a week to copy them, if these people worked fast, a week would definitely be enough.

Yes, this way they could continue copying at night. "Alright, thank you. We all thought you wouldn’t agree to lend them."

"Why wouldn’t I agree to lend them?" Although he didn’t clarify, Cai Ming suspected Dong Juan might have painted an unfavorable picture of him after returning. "Did you hear it from Dong Juan?"

"I didn’t agree to let her copy because she smeared me, even wanting to replace me as a teacher. Why should I let her copy?"

"Oh, she said you weren’t willing to lend them, and she said..." Wan Qiweng knew there was more to it, humph. She noticed Dong Juan acting suspiciously yesterday and remembered the history between Dong Juan and Cai Ming; otherwise, she would have missed it.

Wan Qiweng, realizing Dong Juan had set them up, was really annoyed. She repeated what Dong Juan had told them yesterday without any embellishment because what Dong Juan had said was already excessive, with no need to add anything.

Cai Ming wasn’t surprised at what Dong Juan had said. "That’s her personality. She’s always like that, thinking she’s superior, and we should accommodate her."

"Truly, she didn’t mention any of you, and I wouldn’t say you all wouldn’t pass the college entrance exam." Cai Ming emphasized, "Actually, Dong Juan approached me yesterday, but it was in front of many people. You can ask the students and teachers."

Cai Ming really didn’t know what Dong Juan was thinking, saying things in front of so many people and still concocting falsehoods. Did she really think no one would expose her?

Cai Ming was really concerned about Dong Juan’s intelligence. This guy’s mentality, at such a level, still wanted to take the college entrance exam. There was no need to waste time.

"The books are mine, not public property. I won’t lend them to Dong Juan and her group to copy. If you’re willing, you can borrow them to copy." Cai Ming reiterated his policy, "I don’t care how others talk about me; I just don’t want to lend them."

"I won’t smile and say I can help after being bullied." Cai Ming shared his thoughts once more, "Anyone else can come here anytime, but I need to take the books home by four in the evening."

"Alright, alright," Wan Qiweng felt four o’clock was a bit early to finish, but the books were his, and there was no choice if that was his rule. "I’ll go inform everyone."

Sigh, such regret. Knowing that Dong Juan was setting them up but not preparing better, or else bringing another person along to stay and copy books.

Wan Qiweng quickly returned to the village to inform her companions to come copy the books. Although she needed to notify everyone, there was an order, and she must let the Red Star Team’s sent-down youth come first, so they could get a head start.

Cai Ming watched Wan Qiweng leave in a hurry, really having no time to shout, "Actually, she could have asked the villagers to help spread the word."

"Let her run if she wants," Gong Tao, who’d been walking alongside, wasn’t tired but was eager to return and work on his assignments. With only 45 days left until the exam, he didn’t want to waste time.

If it weren’t for needing to tend the vegetable plot and the needs of eating and sleeping, Gong Tao really wouldn’t want to waste time on such things. He wanted to devote every moment to studying.

"Thanks a lot today, brother-in-law," Cai Ming knew it was his suggestion that kept Brother Zhao and his brother-in-law busy, which made Cai Ming feel quite embarrassed.

After putting down the books, Gong Tao patted Cai Ming’s shoulder, "If I don’t support you, who will I support? Plus, this way, we can maintain good relationships with these people."

Even if unsure whether these people could get into college, or what would come next, it’s better than offending someone who might be successful in the future.

Perhaps one of them might even become their future classmate; it’s not impossible.

"Yes," given the possibility of becoming classmates, Cai Ming didn’t want these sent-down youth to speak ill of their families when corresponding with classmates.

Maybe those people were merely venting, perhaps unwittingly making an enemy they didn’t even know, which gave Cai Ming a shiver when he thought about it,

"Fortunately, I agreed, or who knows how many enemies I might have made." Cai Ming wasn’t afraid, but he hadn’t even settled into school before people were already targeting him inexplicably, which would have been a major loss.

"So we must do well in our outward behavior," Zhao Gang said, patting Cai Ming’s shoulder before leaving.

Getting older and having been out of school for a long time, if they didn’t work hard, they might end up staying in the Northeast.

On their way back without carrying books, Zhao Gang and Gong Tao felt relieved and started discussing topics. However, all their good moods disappeared upon seeing Li Jian Country.

These days, everyone was avoiding conflicts as much as possible to not completely fall out with each other. Of course, Zhao Gang and his group were also grateful to Li Jian Country for writing recommendation letters.

Without Li Jian Country’s help, even if they could find connections to get such letters, it would’ve taken a lot of time. "Hello, Secretary Li."