"Finished... already?" The deputy director was somewhat taken aback.
Coming to his senses, he stepped forward and picked up the test paper on the desk.
At first, he thought the child had scribbled nonsense, trying to brush it off casually.
He felt a bit displeased.
But soon, the deputy director fell silent.
His expression gradually turned serious...
It took him about ten minutes to finish reviewing the answers, and his look had shifted from serious to astonished.
He looked at Zhou Zedong.
He was clearly just a boy of a little over ten, yet there wasn't a trace of nervousness on his face, utterly calm and composed.
Si Nian stepped forward and asked, "So, how is it? Any problems?"
The deputy director quickly shook his head: "No, no problems. On the contrary, it's excellent! I couldn't even find a single wrong answer. And this is the best essay I've ever seen written by a child. Zhou Zedong, right? You're amazing! Weren't you supposed to have never studied English? How do you even know how to do these questions?"
"Your handwriting is also so beautiful. I've never seen such a young child write so neatly and with such sharp strokes. It doesn't look like a child's handwriting at all."
If the boy hadn't been sitting right in front of him writing the test, the deputy director wouldn't have believed that these answers, this handwriting, came from a ten-year-old.
It was simply too unbelievable!
However, upon hearing such high praise, Zhou Zedong showed little change in expression.
He had been praised by all sorts of teachers at school since he was little, so he naturally didn't feel much about the deputy director's compliments.
"Mom taught me," he said succinctly.
He almost seemed like the one assessing the deputy director, who appeared more like the student being tested.
Hearing the praise, Si Nian was even happier than Zhou Zedong, her joy showing on her face: "Deputy Director, are you saying Xiao Dong's results are acceptable?"
"Completely acceptable!"
The deputy director declared confidently: "Although Old Wu, the head teacher of our fourth-grade elite class, can be a bit picky. But I believe once he sees Xiao Dong's test paper, he'll be convinced too."
"This child is so outstanding, I will do my best to secure the best possible conditions for you!"
After all, every school wants talented students.
For a child so young to be this capable, especially given the educational circumstances in the countryside...
From what Sister Chen said, Si Nian hadn't been married for long either,
which meant that even if Si Nian had taught him English, he had only been learning for a few short months.
This was simply not something an ordinary person could achieve.
He was a genius!
The deputy director was happier than anyone about gaining a top student for the school.
He was someone who cherished talent.
Moreover, with Zhou Zedong's results, it wasn't really up to the school to place him anymore.
It was his own choice.
He had earned that right!
Hearing the deputy director's words, Si Nian felt a surge of joy in her heart.
She had always thought Xiao Laoda (the eldest) was excellent and capable.
But she hadn't expected him to be this strong.
This child was simply extraordinary. "That's wonderful, then we'll trouble you to help with the arrangements, Deputy Director."
"Don't mention it," the deputy director smiled, his face crinkling like a chrysanthemum.
By the time school matters were settled, it was already afternoon.
Si Nian prepared to take the children home. These past few days, she had become familiar with the Jiang family next door, exchanging gifts of candy and pastries.
Today, when Grandma Jiang heard she was taking the two children to school, she immediately offered to look after Yaoyao for her.
Si Nian didn't stand on ceremony.
Grandma Jiang even said that if she had known they hadn't registered yet, she would have told Jiang Jiu's parents not to notify the school in advance and just report directly, so they could have come together with the two children.
Si Nian learned that the child's parents were likely significant scientific research figures.
She heard they also had another son, but he was too young and stayed with the parents.
Jiang Jiu was also a pitiful child; because of his parents' special work, he was sent to be cared for by his grandparents right after weaning.
That's why he now loved running over to the Zhou house.
When Grandma Jiang asked why, the little guy said it was because the Zhou house had the feeling of a home.
It made Grandma Jiang's heart ache terribly, her eyes immediately reddening.
So she actively worked to build a good relationship with Si Nian.
The school was very close to their old East Street.
It was only about a twenty-minute walk.
The two children wouldn't have to get up before dawn like they did in the countryside.
Xiao Laoer (the second son) clamored that he needed to use the bathroom, so Zhou Zedong took him.
Si Nian walked to the school gate to wait for them when someone called out to her: "Nian Nian?"
She looked up and saw a strange young man walking towards her.
He was wearing a suit, leather shoes, and silver-rimmed glasses.
His hair was parted three-seven.
But it didn't look greasy; instead, he appeared rather handsome and scholarly.
He was looking at her with a complicated expression.
Before Si Nian could speak,
he said: "I heard from people in the compound that you were coming to our school to be a teacher. I thought it was just a rumor, but I didn't expect it to be true."
The compound?
Someone from the military compound?
The original owner actually knew such a handsome guy?
Si Nian's question of 'who are you' did a loop in her throat before she swallowed it back.
She racked her brains, thinking of the book's content and the original owner's memories.
But she found she simply couldn't recall who this obscure side character was.
So she replied evasively: "Yes."
Unexpectedly, the other person said delightedly: "So you do remember me?"
Si Nian: "..." I was pretending.
"I have a bit of memory, but I've forgotten your name," she coughed awkwardly.
"Is that so?" The young man instantly deflated like a balloon, then smiled bitterly: "Well, it's been ten years since I left. You probably don't remember me. I haven't been back home long either, and I didn't expect to hear about your situation so quickly."
"My name is Wu Ren'ai. We went to the same school as kids. I've only been back for three months, and I just started working at the school not long ago."
"I heard about what happened with you and Fu Yang. Why didn't you tell me?"
He had returned from abroad this time specifically after hearing from his family about this matter.
But by the time he rushed back, it was already too late.
Si Nian had already been sent down to the countryside to get married.
Si Nian gave him a strange look; it had been ten years since they last met: "That's my private business, isn't it?"
Wu Ren'ai choked on his words at that: "You... you said, if there was no Fu Yang, then, then you would...."
Si Nian: "Would what?"
Wu Ren'ai's face flushed red instantly.
"Then you would...."
Si Nian immediately cut him off: "Alright, don't say it."
The novel wrote about the original owner's story after she grew up; how would she know about childhood events?
She certainly didn't know the original owner had, besides Fu Yang, actually made some 'if it weren't for him' type of promise to someone else?
Wu Ren'ai immediately looked at her, wounded, living up to the 'Ren'ai' (benevolence/love) in his name.
Si Nian didn't want to hear any more. Looking at the sky, it was getting late; she needed to hurry back to cook.
Turning her head, she saw the figures of the two children walking over. She hastily brushed him off.
"If there's nothing else, I have to go."
Wu Ren'ai was even more hurt.
"Wait, I don't mean anything else. I just wanted to ask if you're doing well."
"If you have any problems, you can tell me. I can help you."
