Chapter 86: Telling a Story to the Teacher

Tao Tao just left like that.

Hugging a pink piglet plushie, he walked out through the ticket gate.

Watching the young man slowly disappear into the crowd, Jiang Ning actually felt a bit sentimental.

She didn’t have many male friends to begin with.

And now there was one less.

Tsk tsk tsk.

She wondered what kind of expression that little seductress Qi Wen would make once she found out Tao Tao had left.

Just as she was thinking about it, Xia Zhi suddenly spoke up beside her:

“What’s wrong? Can’t bear to part with him?”

“Then why not go with him? I heard a teacher from Ningzhou No.14 High School invited you yesterday.”

“Tsk tsk, that’s Ningzhou No.14 High we’re talking about…”

Jiang Ning looked surprised.

“How do you know that?”

“Word spread after the exam yesterday, okay…” Xia Zhi chuckled and said,

“It might even reach the teachers tomorrow.”

Just the thought of Principal Yang wanting to have a chat because of this gave Jiang Ning a headache.

At that moment—

The two turned around together.

Xia Zhi suddenly asked, “Jiang Xiao Ning, are you free this afternoon? Let’s go hang out?”

“Hang out? Nah, I’ve got stuff to do this afternoon…”

Jiang Ning casually turned her down and then stopped at the entrance of Shi Ning Ji.

Seeing Jiang Ning stop, Xia Zhi also stopped in confusion.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing. I’ve got to get to work. Bye~”

Jiang Ning waved her hand and walked through the doors of Shi Ning Ji under Xia Zhi’s puzzled gaze.

A moment later—

When Jiang Ning came out of the changing room in uniform, she immediately saw Xia Zhi wandering around inside the shop.

“Huh? You’re still here?”

Hearing her voice, Xia Zhi turned around.

When she saw Jiang girl in uniform, her eyes lit up.

“Jiang Xiao Ning, you work here?”

“No, no, no,” Jiang Ning immediately denied it.

“I’m underage—how could I be working?”

“This is my cousin’s shop. I just help out when I’ve got time.”

To be fair, you couldn’t blame Jiang Ning for explaining so fast.

If someone with ill intent overheard what Xia Zhi said, it could easily cause trouble.

“Oh, I see.” Xia Zhi nodded, then pointed at the piglet plushie on the counter.

“How much is this?”

“Not for sale individually. There are three meal sets that come with them, each matching a different size.”

Jiang Ning casually explained, then waved to Wang Chan, who was here for the shift change.

“Chan-jie~”

After greeting her, she turned to Xia Zhi and added,

“Xia Zhi, I’ve got to work. So…”

Her meaning was clear, but Xia Zhi just shook her head.

“No worries, I’ll just hang out here on my own.”

“Alright then.”

Jiang Ning didn’t know what fun there was to be had here, but she couldn’t speak for others. So she simply clicked her tongue and went back to work.

Watching Jiang girl skillfully going about her work as a sales assistant, Xia Zhi blinked and looked down at her phone, typing out a message:

【Today’s update: Target spotted helping out at a relative’s fried chicken shop. Don’t miss me.】

——————

Jiang Ning had originally thought that Tao Tao transferring schools quietly wouldn’t cause much of a ripple.

But in truth, she was wrong.

Forget Class 9—

Even in neighboring Classes 8 and 10, a couple girls had red eyes on the spot when they heard Tao Tao had transferred.

That really surprised Jiang girl.

She hadn’t expected—

That kid Tao had that much charm.

Luckily, Qi Wen didn’t react much.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning—who was eating in the cafeteria—still looked up and glanced at Miss Qi.

Unfortunately, she met Qi Wen’s gaze directly.

“What’s up?” Qi Wen asked, puzzled.

“Tao Tao transferred.”

“I know.”

“You don’t seem to have any reaction at all…” Jiang Ning couldn’t help but voice the question in her heart.

But Qi Wen simply smiled calmly.

“If I gain him, I’m lucky. If I lose him, it’s fate.”

“What’s meant to be mine is mine. What’s not—I won’t force it.”

Well, the logic made sense.

Jiang Ning had lived thirty years in her past life, so she was no stranger to these kinds of inspirational quotes.

But to truly internalize that mindset like Qi Wen had—

That was easier said than done.

After the meal—

While holding Qi Wen’s hand and strolling around the playground to digest, the vice class monitor, Tan Linsen, suddenly walked over waving his hand.

“Jiang Ning~ The boss is looking for you~”

Ah, of course.

Trouble still came knocking.

Five minutes later—

When Jiang Ning entered the leadership office, she was surprised to find Director Liu Liang there too.

“Hello, Teacher. Hello, Director.”

She politely greeted them as she stepped inside and stood in front of the desk, looking at teacher Yang Mei.

“Teacher Yang, were you looking for me?”

With an outsider present, of course Jiang Ning wouldn’t call her “Boss”—that would make Yang Mei lose face.

However, before Yang Mei could even speak, Director Liu chimed in first:

“Jiang Ning, what do you think of our school?”

Hearing that, Jiang Ning instantly got the message. She smiled and laid on the praise:

“It’s great! Beautiful environment, strong academic atmosphere, and students all get along very well.”

Yang Mei nearly rolled her eyes.

Of all things—

Getting along with classmates?

She should really have Jiang Ning copy Rainy Alley a few more times.

But Liu Liang didn’t know what Yang Mei was thinking.

He was all smiles, practically blooming with joy at Jiang Ning’s sweet words.

“Excellent, excellent! Since you love the school so much, I’ll go ahead and nominate you early for next semester’s ‘Three-Good Student’ award.”

???

Jiang Ning didn’t quite get his train of thought at first.

But then it clicked.

Next semester…

Oh boy.

He was really afraid she might transfer out.

Realizing that, Jiang Ning felt a bit exasperated but couldn’t help smiling slightly. On her face was a bit of pretend surprise—and more than a little nervousness.

“Director, Director, is this really okay?”

Seeing the situation, the Director waved his hand boldly.

“I said it’s fine. Don’t worry!”

After saying that, he added a few more words that sounded caring but were really meant to reassure her, then left Yang Mei’s office.

Once the door was fully closed—

Jiang Ning was about to bid farewell and leave as well.

But just then—

Teacher Yang Mei suddenly spoke up:

“Ningzhou No. 14 High really is much better than our Jiangzhou No. 1 High.”

“If you want to go, I can help you sign the transfer.”

Letting a top student slip away—

If the school found out, Teacher Yang Mei would definitely face disciplinary action.

For a moment, Jiang Ning’s mouth opened slightly, unsure of what to say.

But Yang Mei just waved her hand.

“A teacher’s concern is your future.

Nothing else matters.”

Nothing else… matters?

Hearing that, Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes slightly, then suddenly stood up, dragged a nearby chair over to the desk, and sat down, staring at Teacher Yang Mei with sharp eyes.

“Jiang Ning, you—”

Ignoring the surprise on Yang Mei’s face, Jiang Ning coughed lightly and suddenly said with a thoughtful tone:

“Teacher Yang, I know a teacher.”

“She’s kind, warm, treats her students like her own. For over a decade, she’s stood firm on the frontlines of education.”

“She thinks only of her students, cares for them in every way.”

“Yet, this teacher—has a beast of a husband in human clothing.”

“He betrayed his family, got involved with his subordinate…”

Half an hour later—

Jiang Ning walked out of the office.

She looked back at the closed door.

After a moment of silence, she let out a sigh.

In the end, she still told the story—though in the form of a parable.

As for how much Teacher Yang Mei believed it?

Well, judging from her shifting facial expressions before Jiang Ning left—

It must’ve had some effect.

How much? Who knows.

Later—

As Jiang Ning stepped out into the hallway, she happened to see that infamous couple—who were punished during the last sports meet—walking toward another teacher’s office.

Seeing them holding hands so sweetly, eyes full of affection—

Jiang Ning couldn’t help but admire their guts.

Right outside the office door, and still acting so bold?

Aren’t they afraid of being expelled?

However—

Turned out, Jiang Ning had been overthinking.

Because when she returned to class and told Sun Qian, who sat behind her, about it—

Sun Qian’s response shocked her.

“They got engaged.”

“What?! For real?!”

Hearing the exclamation, Luo Shanshan and Zhu Hui also leaned over, all ears.

Gossip like this was way more fun than class.

Seeing their interest—

Sun Qian sneakily glanced at the politics teacher up on the podium.

After confirming they weren’t noticed, she whispered:

“It’s true.”

“Last Saturday night, I was at Qinghuai Renjia for a relative’s baby’s one-month banquet—I saw them.”

“Apparently after they were called in on sports day, their parents realized they were old acquaintances.”

“Then, after hearing about the kids’ relationship, the parents just decided to go ahead and set the engagement. They’ll hold the wedding once they reach legal age.”

This…

This?

This?!

At that moment, Jiang Ning, Luo Shanshan, and Zhu Hui all had the same question in mind:

Is that even allowed?!

Right then and there—

Jiang Ning finally understood.

Why the school had made such a big deal out of it, but in the end only handed down a slap on the wrist.

I mean, it’s just dating, right?

But they’re engaged.

What’s a little affection at school?

In the end—

The school had nothing else to say. Just gave them both a warning.

And odds are, that’ll be quietly lifted before senior year ends anyway.

To this—

Jiang Ning could only sigh:

Truly badass.

——————

Just like that—

As the days went by,

The weather grew colder and colder.

In the blink of an eye—

It was two days before Christmas Eve.

Friday.

That noon—

As usual, Jiang Ning got permission from Teacher Yang Mei to leave campus and headed straight for Jiangzhou College—

Wait no, Jiangzhou University.

The sign had just been changed a few days ago.

At the time, Jiang Ning even teased her cousin about “ascending right on the spot.”

Half an hour later—

She arrived at the store.

As she entered, she saw Tian Wenhao crouched in a corner with a newly hired college student, busy unboxing packages.

Seeing that—

Jiang Ning immediately called out and joined the two guys.

Soon enough—

As the packages were opened, out came pairs upon pairs of couple pig plushies.

These pig plushies were mainly pink, with slight differences in hat or clothing color to distinguish genders.

Jiang Ning picked up a pair at random.

She rubbed the material.

Pretty nice, honestly.

Then gave a sharp tug—with a rip, the couple pigs were pulled apart.

She looked at the seam between them.

A little prickly, but the quality was solid. Definitely something Du Meilan had specially instructed.

Not bad, not bad.

Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

Then she stuck the two piggies back together.

Ripped them apart.

Stuck them together again.

Then ripped them apart again.

Over and over.

Finally, Tian Wenhao couldn’t help asking:

“Ning Ning, what are you doing?”

“I’m just testing if love is really as wonderful as people say.”

“But… they’re toys.”

“Toys can have love too, you know.”

With that, Jiang Ning gleefully continued her little ritual.

Which made the new young clerk—who had previously been a bit smitten with her good looks—

Completely break down.

He quickly lowered his head and focused on his work, muttering under his breath:

“Beauty is like a viper…”

“Beauty is like a viper…”

A moment later.

Having played to her heart’s content, Jiang Ning casually tossed the pair of plush couple dolls in front of the young guy.

“Hey, handsome, help me pack these up, thanks.”

Then she ran off like the wind.

Leaving the guy staring blankly at the thoroughly manhandled couple dolls in front of him.

Back in the office behind the changing room, Tian Wenhao was writing something.

Jiang Ning walked over and asked,

“Cousin, Christmas Eve is almost here. Is the event plan all ready?”

“Right here.”

Tian Wenhao pulled a colorful flyer from the drawer and handed it over.

Jiang Ning took it and looked it over.

It was packed with Christmas elements, and the promotions were just as they’d discussed before.

She scanned it briefly, and once she confirmed everything looked good, she said bluntly,

“Cousin, let’s start this afternoon.”

“Not wait for tomorrow?”

“No need. Wait till tomorrow and the flowers will have wilted.”

An hour later.

Jiang Ning bundled up with a hat, scarf, and gloves.

Armed with a stack of flyers, she hit the streets with a few of the shop’s young guys.

The wind on the street was bitterly cold.

It made Jiang Ning’s pretty little face sting.

But for the sake of the flyers, she still kept up a smile, handing them out one after another to passersby.

Thanks to Jiang girl’s graceful figure and pretty face,

Her flyers were all gone in no time.

Along the way, she even got hit on by several guys, all of whom she politely rejected.

After finishing up the job,

Jiang Ning checked the time, quickly returned to say goodbye to Tian Wenhao, then pedaled her bike back toward the school.

By the time she arrived,

Her delicate face had been whipped rosy red by the wind.

Back in the classroom.

For some unknown reason, the biology teacher hadn’t shown up.

That allowed Jiang Ning, who was technically late, to breathe a small sigh of relief.

However—

Just as she returned to her seat, she was completely stunned by what she saw.

On her chair, in her drawer, even on the floor next to her seat,

Were at least twenty or thirty neatly packed, beautifully wrapped small boxes.

“What the heck is this?”

Jiang Ning glanced at Luo Shanshan, who was snickering with her head down, and at Sun Qian, who was giggling behind a hand—then shifted her gaze to Zhu Hui, who was still drawing.

“Apples…”

“I know they’re apples, but this…”

“There’s way too many, right?”

Luo Shanshan couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into laughter, pointing at the apples.

“Jiangjiang, I think the fruit shop owner must really like you.”

“I think so too,” Sun Qian chimed in with a perfectly timed jab.

“If I were the fruit shop owner, I’d definitely marry Jiang girl no matter what.”

“Then keep her pampered at home every day.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Luo Shanshan laughed along cheerfully.

Seeing how far their teasing was going, Jiang “Old Man” couldn’t take it anymore and lashed out.

With one move of the Shaolin Dragon Claw, she had both girls squealing in surrender.

After a while.

Another apple was delivered over by Li Duoyong, from who knows where.

“Who sent this one? Can I return it?” Jiang Ning asked.

Li Duoyong scratched his head awkwardly and shook it.

No way to return it.

Jiang Ning could only look helplessly as one more apple was added to the growing pile on her seat.

What now?

Throw them out?

That’s just wasting food…

Don’t throw them? She’ll never finish them all…

Still tangled in thought, Jiang Ning suddenly saw Teacher Yang Mei walk in, holding a textbook.

Instantly, her eyes lit up.

She had an idea!

Time to offload them!

(End of Chapter)