Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: She Locked the Door

Pushing her cart, Jiang Weiyue had just reached the school gate when, by a stroke of fate, she ran into Chen Haodong coming out.

“Teacher Chen.”

“Comrade Jiang.”

Almost simultaneously, they both spoke.

“You first.”

“No, you first.”

Once again, in unison, Jiang Weiyue’s delicate, fair face flushed a gentle pink.

Her skin was naturally as white as milk, and the blush only made her look more radiant and charming.

For a moment, Chen Haodong was captivated, unable to look away.

“Teacher Chen, you go ahead.”

Seconds passed—one, then ten—but Chen Haodong remained silent.

Not only silent, but his clear, jade-like eyes were absentmindedly fixed upon her.

This puzzled Jiang Weiyue. Was there something on her face?

Why was Teacher Chen looking at her like that?

She waved her hand in front of him, breaking his trance. Chen Haodong suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing his lapse.

He awkwardly rubbed his hands together. “Sorry, Comrade Jiang Weiyue, I was just lost in thought.”

“I noticed you were staring at my face. Is there something on it?” she asked.

At her words, Chen Haodong’s face turned crimson so quickly it was visibly obvious.

How shameful. Absolutely shameful.

If Jiang Weiyue knew he had been zoning out just staring at her face, what would she think of him? Would she think he was a bad person?

“No, it’s just that you’re so beautiful, Comrade Jiang Weiyue, I was distracted. I apologize for being so forward.”

His eyes were sincere, and his shy tone made his compliment feel genuine—not like those with lascivious intent.

“Oh, I thought I had something dirty on my face. Still, thank you for the compliment, Teacher Chen.”

Jiang Weiyue smiled brightly, and once more, Chen Haodong’s heart skipped a beat.

“Comrade Jiang Weiyue, do you have some time now? Let’s sit and discuss your breakfast catering for the cafeteria.”

“Yes, I do.”

Jiang Weiyue followed Chen Haodong into the school.

This was her first time entering a middle school since arriving in this era.

Truly, it was the largest middle school in the county, with well-equipped facilities and many buildings.

Unlike the elementary school where Jiang Weiyi studied—the desks and chairs were incomplete, classrooms were dilapidated tile-roofed huts, leaking when it rained, windows broken and falling apart.

Here, the teaching building was a three-story structure.

Though the dormitories were still tile-roofed huts, the windows were intact, and the cafeteria was clean and bright.

By the standards of this time, it was top-notch.

They headed to the cafeteria, where classes were still in session, and the melodious sounds of students reading aloud echoed through the halls.

At that moment, a tall, stout man dressed in white work clothes and wearing a chef’s hat approached Jiang Weiyue and Chen Haodong.

“Teacher Chen, is this Comrade Jiang Weiyue you mentioned?”

“Yes, Boss Gao.”

“Hello, Boss Gao. I’m Jiang Weiyue.”

“Ha ha, hello, hello! I’m the manager in charge of this school’s cafeteria. I always thought those who made breakfast were older, but you’re so young and beautiful. Not only that, but your breakfast is delicious.”

“Boss Gao, you’re too kind.”

“Comrade Jiang, you’re too modest. I’m only speaking the truth. Our school used to sell steamed buns, but even at low prices, students didn’t like them.”

“Since then, we stopped selling buns. I thought maybe students just didn’t like them, but then I noticed they were buying buns outside. We wanted to bring in outside buns, but never found the right person—until you came along.”

“Yes, Comrade Jiang Weiyue, yesterday I had the cafeteria manager and the principal try your breakfast. They all liked it very much and decided to cooperate with you.”

“Thank you, Boss Gao and Teacher Chen. I won’t let your trust down.”

“Comrade Jiang, I have only one condition: you must maintain strict hygiene. After all, students are the future blossoms of our country. If they suffer from unsafe food, we cannot bear that responsibility.”

“Boss Gao, Teacher Chen, you can rest assured. I promise never to cut corners on food safety or do anything dishonest.”

“I trust Teacher Chen’s recommendation. I’ve also tasted your buns—they are indeed very fresh.”

“However, Comrade Jiang, considering your home is quite far from the school, students have morning exercises at six and early self-study sessions.”

“For a young girl, traveling back and forth that early every day is inconvenient. Also, to ensure students get freshly made hot breakfasts, I suggest you make the buns here in our cafeteria.”

“Comrade Jiang, come with me.”

Boss Gao spoke as he led Jiang Weiyue to a nearby room equipped with a stove and steamers.

“This used to be our dedicated bun-steaming area, fully equipped. If you don’t mind, you can make buns here. It’ll save you time, and students will get freshly steamed buns.”

Jiang Weiyue looked around, with Chen Haodong following behind.

“Comrade Jiang Weiyue, if you prepare breakfast in the school cafeteria, I’ll apply to the principal for you to have a place in the teachers’ family quarters.”

Chen Haodong’s words strengthened Jiang Weiyue’s resolve.

First, as Boss Gao said, making breakfast while commuting back and forth was indeed inconvenient.

Summer was manageable, but winter was bitterly cold; getting up early was tough, let alone hauling a cart both ways.

Also, the meal times were fixed; students had to eat on time, unlike at the steel factory where being a few minutes late was acceptable.

Secondly, Chen Haodong’s promise to help her secure family quarters was enticing.

If she and Jiang Weiyi moved in, no matter how powerful Song Chuanhe was, he wouldn’t be able to interfere here.

He couldn’t stop workers from buying her breakfast or sabotage her business.

Unlike elementary schools, boarding students at the middle school were not allowed to go out, and security guarded the premises to prevent outsiders.

Following Teacher Chen, the guards barely questioned them—let alone Song Chuanhe.

After careful consideration of pros and cons, she said, “Boss Gao, Teacher Chen, I’ve decided to follow your suggestion and make buns here. Thank you for your care and for applying for the teachers’ family quarters for me.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome. A friend of Teacher Chen is a friend of mine. Teacher Chen, Comrade Jiang, you two chat. I’ll check on the food preparation,” Boss Gao said, giving them a knowing look as he left.

Chen Haodong was efficient; after Boss Gao left, he immediately arranged for her to have a place in the teachers’ family quarters.

The quarters lay behind the student dormitories, a cluster of tile-roofed houses arranged around courtyards.

This kind of housing was better than the steel factory’s family quarters. Each family had a courtyard to grow some fruits and vegetables.

The yard was spacious, with three large tile-roofed rooms, a kitchen, and shared toilets similar to those at the steel factory.

No matter how you looked at it, teachers enjoyed better benefits.

Besides, it was prestigious. Even now and in the future, teaching was a coveted profession.

“How do you like it here, Comrade Jiang? If you don’t like it, I can apply for something else.”

“No need, Teacher Chen. I really like it here. It’s sunny, the yard is big, and thank you for helping me arrange the family quarters. Without you, I couldn’t have reached a long-term deal with the cafeteria or have a place to stay without having to run back and forth early every morning.”

“You’re welcome, Comrade Jiang. If you need anything, just come to me.”

“Alright, Teacher Chen. I’ll treat you to a meal one day.”

“Teacher Chen sounds too formal. Call me by my name.”

“Alright then, but don’t call me ‘Comrade.’ Just use my name.”

Back at her old home, Jiang Weiyue packed up belongings for herself and Jiang Weiyi, bringing along her trusty cooking tools.

She glanced at the clock—almost half past five. Jiang Weiyi would be finishing school soon.

She took some dried noodles from the cupboard, picked two tomatoes from the yard, and fetched two eggs from the chicken coop.

She lit the stove and scooped a spoonful of lard into the hot pan. Within seconds, the lard melted.

Once the oil was hot, she cracked in the eggs. In a minute, the eggs turned golden-yellow and fragrant aromas filled the kitchen.

Flipping the eggs, she cooked them for two more minutes, then removed the golden eggs.

She added the chopped tomatoes, sautéing until juicy.

Pouring in cold water, once it boiled, she added the noodles.

Five minutes later, two enticing bowls of tomato and egg noodles were ready.

Just as the noodles came off the stove, Jiang Weiyi’s clear voice rang from the yard.

“It smells so good, sister! What are you making? Wow, tomato and egg noodles—my favorite! Sister, why are we eating so early today? Don’t we usually eat around six or seven after I finish my homework?”

Jiang Weiyue shared the news of her successful cooperation with the school cafeteria and the move to the teachers’ family quarters.

Jiang Weiyi was thrilled.

“That’s great, sister! I’m about to enter middle school. If I get into Sansui Middle School, I can stay with you all the time.”

Only then did Jiang Weiyue realize that Jiang Weiyi would start middle school after this summer break.

In this era, advancing to middle school required exams, yet few girls attended school.

Most families considered it a blessing if their daughters could even read a few words after elementary school.

Nine-year compulsory education was not yet widespread, and middle school required fees.

Only boys usually had the right to attend school; girls either passed the exam and continued or dropped out to work as temporary laborers and marry early.

“Study hard, Weiyi. I believe you can get into Sansui Middle School.”

“I’ll do my best, sister. But I’m afraid if I pass, Mom and Dad won’t let me go. Grandma has long disliked me going to school.”

“Don’t worry about them. I’ll pay for you. Let’s eat quickly, then pack your things. Tonight, we’ll move to the school family quarters.”

Children loved moving to new places, and Jiang Weiyi was no exception.

“All right, sister.”

Jiang Weiyi was not only a good student but also efficient and helpful. She often helped with chores when not in school.

She relied on Jiang Weiyue a lot. At first, Jiang Weiyue was unaccustomed to having a little shadow following her constantly.

Later, she learned that since Jiang Weiyi’s birth, the original owner had essentially raised her.

Both living in a male-preference era, they naturally sympathized with each other. Jiang Weiyi was kind-hearted and genuinely good to the original owner.

Over the years, Jiang Weiyue had come to regard Jiang Weiyi as the dearest person in this world.

In less than ten minutes, Jiang Weiyi had packed everything.

After glancing at the chickens and ducks they raised, Jiang Weiyue decided that after finishing breakfast duties tomorrow, she’d visit the steel factory’s family quarters to see Wang Lan.

Wang Lan was unemployed and helped tend the chickens and vegetable garden.

At the gate of Sansui County Middle School, Jiang Weiyue saw Chen Haodong’s tall, upright figure from afar.

Night had fallen, and the dim streetlights cast a warm orange glow around him, making him seem even purer and gentler.

Though not as tall as Song Chuanhe, who was nearly two meters, Chen Haodong’s height of 1.88 meters was outstanding in this era.

Jiang Weiyue also noticed Chen Haodong was not skinny.

Though he appeared gentle and refined, once she saw his sleeves rolled up, revealing well-defined muscles on his arms.

“Teacher Chen.”

Chen Haodong turned, smiled, and quickly approached her.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes, Teacher Chen. Have you?”

“I-I have eaten too,” he stammered.

In truth, he hadn’t eaten but hoped to seize the chance to invite her to dinner. Unfortunately, she had already eaten.

“Big sister, who is this handsome uncle?”

Only then did Jiang Weiyue remember she hadn’t introduced Teacher Chen to Jiang Weiyi.

“Weiyi, this is Teacher Chen from Sansui Middle School. He teaches ninth-grade physics; maybe someday he’ll teach you too.”

“Hello, Teacher Chen.”

“Hello, little one.”

Chen Haodong’s gentle temperament and good looks quickly won Jiang Weiyi over.

He himself had a hidden thought—he admitted he liked Jiang Weiyue.

If he could be with her through Jiang Weiyi, it wouldn’t be a bad plan.

That night, as usual, Song Chuanhe climbed over the wall into Jiang Weiyue’s yard.

To his surprise, the front room door and the west room where Jiang Weiyue lived were tightly locked.

What did this mean?

Did they know he would come tonight and purposely guard against him?