Chapter 479: Chapter 479

Chuchu was just about to start the car downstairs when Lin Xiaozhi ran out with her son in tow, a hint of embarrassment in her smile as she said:

"Sister-in-law, are you by any chance going to Huangjiagou Primary School? I overslept this morning, can you give us a ride? If it’s inconvenient, never mind, I can just walk there."

Wan Chu’er raised an eyebrow. As one of only three teachers at the school, she had managed to oversleep on the very first day of term.

Many children from the residential area who were headed to school at Huangjiagou had already set off, yet here she was, a teacher who was even later than her students.

She must have been waiting to hitch a ride, and wanted to show off her special status!

However, Lin Xiaozhi had a way with words, and after a brief consideration, Wan Chu’er let her and her son get into the car.

"Sister-in-law, how come I don’t see Qiqi?"

In the two weeks before school started, Lin Xiaozhi finally returned from her hometown with her son, only to find that the school was already bustling with activity. Even Mai Qiqi, who wasn’t technically involved, was working hard, so Lin Xiaozhi, who knew how to socialize, naturally started helping out as well.

After spending more time with Mai Qiqi, their relationship had grown closer, so she affectionately began to call her by her nickname, ’Qiqi.’

Wan Chu’er replied with a faint smile: "Qiqi isn’t a teacher at the school, and now that the school is running smoothly for the new term, she won’t be interfering with school matters anymore."

"Ah?" Lin Xiaozhi exclaimed, surprised, feeling a bit disappointed. Mai Qiqi had a car, too; if she continued to come to the school daily like before, with the relationship they had, Lin Xiaozhi could get a ride every day.

But if Mai Qiqi wasn’t going to the school, then she and her son would have to walk like everyone else. It was fine on a sunny day, but when it was windy or raining, the dirt road would be difficult to navigate.

"We’ve all come to see Qiqi as part of the school; she wouldn’t think she’s interfering," sighed Lin Xiaozhi, before continuing: ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

"Everyone has seen the work Qiqi put in for the school this past month. Just yesterday we talked about attending the opening ceremony together. Has something happened to Qiqi? If there’s a problem, we can all help to solve it together."

Wan Chu’er calmly said, "Nothing has happened, she’s just tired and wants to rest."

Lin Xiaozhi, sensing that Wan Chu’er was not warm to the subject, considered for a moment and did not press further. However, she decided in her heart that once she got to the school, she would tell the other teachers, so that Principal Huang could personally invite Mai Qiqi back.

After a while, Wan Chu’er said, "This village primary school is privately run, and the hiring of teachers is entirely up to the village committee. You know how much Village Chief Huang values the school."

Her abrupt words were initially puzzling to Lin Xiaozhi, who even thought of agreeing before holding back just as the words were about to leave her lips.

Wan Chu’er’s words were a warning to her—or more like a reminder. Lin Xiaozhi felt a chill in her heart.

She bit her lip and asked hesitantly, "Does it mean... could it be that Huangjiagou’s village committee would... fire... fire me... and Teacher Zhang?"

She found it difficult to ask, and tried to bring up Zhang Yuhuan in a concealing manner at the end.

Interiorly chuckling, Wan Chu’er replied indifferently, "The school is theirs, the children are theirs; of course, they want nothing but the best for both. That’s why everything about the school is for them to decide. As long as you give it your all and the school keeps improving, nothing of the sort will happen."

In other words, if you do your job well, there won’t be a problem, but if you’re just trying to get by, then you’re in danger.

Lin Xiaozhi couldn’t swallow the indignation in her heart, but still muttered, "But the funds to build the school were provided by you, and the desks and chairs were also from our troops. How can they just dismiss Teacher Zhang and me so easily?"

Wan Chu’er glanced at her lightly, "I will not interfere with any of the school’s decisions, and the troops will probably care even less."

Once the car reached the open space outside the school, Lin Xiaozhi said, "Thank you," then immediately opened the door, got out of the car with her son, and hurried toward the school. She felt some regret for being careless.

It seems she took it to heart, Wan Chu’er smiled and saw Principal Huang coming to greet her, so she turned off the engine and got out of the car.

Although the school only has three teachers, there still needs to be some order. Huang Yan had been teaching in the county before and returned here solely to contribute to her hometown. Not to mention her ten years of teaching experience, which was far more than both Lin Xiaozhi and Zhang Yuhuan.

Moreover, Huang Yan was from Huangjiagou, the daughter of Village Chief Huang, one could say she’s a local influencer in Huangjiagou. If there were any issues at the school within the village, it would be best for Huang Yan to step in.

Thus, Huang Yan becoming the principal was unopposed by anyone.

"Chuchu, you’re here," Huang Yan followed Mai Qiqi in calling her ’Chuchu,’ smiling as she said, "We were just waiting for you." One could tell she was in high spirits.

Not seeing Mai Qiqi, Huang Yan was quite surprised. "Where’s Qiqi? I haven’t seen Qiqi."

Wan Chu’er responded, "She had something to take care of today, not sure if she can make it."

"Ah?" Huang Yan was puzzled. Mai Qiqi had poured so much heart into this school and had looked forward to the opening ceremony for so long. Why, on such an important day, would she not show up?

However, noticing that Wan Chu’er’s demeanor was indifferent and she did not seem inclined to elaborate, coupled with the pressing time, it was not the moment to inquire further. So, she just nodded haphazardly and pulled Wan Chu’er inside.

The school was extremely lively today. There was joyful music playing through the loudspeakers, audible throughout the entire village.

In the open space in front of the classrooms, the impeccably arranged students in their new uniforms stood in lines according to their grades, while some parents from the village lingered, watching the bustling scene.

The officials from the village committee were all standing upfront, clearly beaming with joy. Zhang Yuhuan and Lin Xiaozhi, meanwhile, were smiling and standing behind the students, whispering something to each other.

Huang Yan pulled Wan Chu’er to the front, having Wan Chu’er stand with the village officials first, then she briskly walked to the podium at the frontmost.

"Ladies and gentlemen, students, and villagers of Huangjiagou, our Huangjiagou Hope Primary School opening ceremony now officially begins!" The excited voice echoed non-stop through the loudspeakers.

Following this was a round of enthusiastic applause, with the atmosphere growing even more cheerful and excited.

After Huang Yan’s brief speech, it was the village chief’s turn to talk. With a few simple words, he encouraged the children to study hard and then passed the microphone to Wan Chu’er.

Wan Chu’er hadn’t planned to make a speech, but the village chief nevertheless handed her the microphone. After a moment’s thought, Wan Chu’er said into the microphone just one simple sentence:

"The students who rank top three in their exam results at the end of each semester will have their tuition fees for the following year covered by Mai Qiqi and me."

For a school in a poor mountain area, this was the best form of motivation.