The next day, Su Qing went to school.
She arrived early, as usual, and until the morning class started, Su Qing didn't see Jiang Sui.
The only difference was that Hu Yifan had arrived.
He even greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning, Su Qing!"
Hu Yifan, a black band-aid plastered across his nose, couldn't help but glare at Su Qing's deskmate, Zhang Yihan, as he walked to his seat.
This person has been stealing glances at his brother wife-in-law.
Su Qing, unlike Hu Yifan, wasn't as forthcoming; she was being polite.
"Good morning."
However, this greeting drew quite a bit of attention. Hu Yifan, who was facing away, didn't notice. But Su Qing, facing Hu Yifan, could see the glances of the students behind him drifting toward her.
"Why didn't Brother Sui come?"
Hu Yifan asked Su Qing naturally, clearly assuming she knew.
Su Qing shook her head and pinched the book beside her.
"Eh, that's not right. I called him last night, but his voice sounded off, like he had a cold."
Hu Yifan frowned thoughtfully. Looking at Su Qing's troubled expression, he had basically figured it out.
It looked like the two of them had a quarrel and hadn't reconciled. He'd thought they'd reconciled after he and his sister left yesterday, but they hadn't made up yet today.
So he deliberately brought up the phone call last night.
Su Qing pursed her lips, a flicker of worry in her eyes. They must have gotten caught in the rain last night...
May be he'd been out in the rain longer than she had.
Hu Yifan's words had left Su Qing's mind wandering for the entire day, except for class.
Will he be sick...
Su Qing was considering whether to ask for leave to go see Jiang Sui.
During break, the classroom teacher called Su Qing to the office.
Perhaps because it was morning exercises, the office was quiet and empty. Li Ran, in her black business suit, looked energetic. Her ponytail exposed her forehead, and her young face held a stern look.
Su Qing stood in front her, quietly waiting for Li Ran to speak.
"Su Qing, do you know why I called you?"
Li Ran's voice brought Su Qing's vacant gaze back to focus. She shook her head and wondered if it was about the bonus, but then she remembered that the bonus was awarded by the school, and that she had already registered her bank account when she enrolled. School meal allowances and other expenses would be deposited into the account regularly every month.
Su Qing thought carefully and concluded that it shouldn't be a big deal.
Li Ran looked at the frail young woman in front her. She'd initially objected when the idea of a transfer student was mentioned, assuming a transfer student at that time wouldn't be able to enroll, and their exam scores wouldn't count.
But the school said the girl agreed to use her exam results for publicity and to help the school participate in competitions. She was originally teaching English, and after looking at the girl's impressive English grades, she even gave a short speech and spoke very well.
She finally agreed.
She was indeed exceptional. She had already been in the top 20 in her grade since her arrival, scoring perfect scores in English, chemistry, and even Chinese at one point.
Physics and math seemed a bit weaker.
Occasionally, when observed her during study time, could tell she was diligent. She was shy, quiet, and immersed in her textbook.
She took a quick look at her clothes: washed-out jeans, simple canvas shoes, and a plain pink backpack—nothing extravagant.
But the report and the items in the photo still forced Li Ran to call her in.
"Did you bring your phone to school?"
Li Ran didn't ask directly, but instead asked, in a nonchalant tone, if she had her phone.
Su Qing hesitated for a moment, but nodded without quibbling.
Actually, there was nothing wrong with this; there was no explicit ban on cell phones in school.
"Give me your phone. I'll take a look."
Li Ran took a sip and said, looking at Su Qing, who was giving her a puzzled look.
As the phone rested on Li Ran's desk, her expression grew serious.
The phone was indeed exactly the same as in the photo.
She picked it up and briefly glanced through it. It looked brand new, as if she'd just bought it. It was indeed the latest model from the TV commercial.
As Li Ran's expression grew serious,
Su Qing's face paled for a moment, then a thought struck her. She vaguely remembered Jiang Sui using the same phone as hers, and this was the one he'd given her...
Her fingers mingled lightly at her side.
She then leaned over to Li Ran and pulled out a few photos from her drawer. Su Qing's expression grew vacant, her eyes widening...
Those photos were...
She and Jiang Sui went to that steakhouse...
And she and Jiang Sui talked on the side of the road...
There were so many...
Although only half of her face was photographed, Jiang Sui wasn't in the picture.
The school didn't allow premature love, and she didn't actually have one, but seeing these photos in front her eyes made Su Qing's imagination run wild.
"Teacher..."
Su Qing stared at the photos in front her, unsure how to explain herself, and could only speak dryly.
"It's not what you see..."
Li Ran placed the thermos on the table, put away the photos, and looked at Su Qing's pale face.
"Su Qing, you've seen it too. The place you're entering and exiting is probably one of the more upscale places in Wuzhen. I checked, and the average cost per person in this place is around 1,000 yuan. And your phone, too, is worth over 10,000 yuan."
As Li Ran finished speaking, Su Qing's eyes turned bewildered, a hint of confusion.
Isn't that about her and Jiang Sui...
She frowned, then gradually heard Li Ran say something even more threatening.
"The school's subsidy was previously based on your family's financial difficulties. Now, with this situation, it seems unnecessary."
As she spoke, Li Ran also began to frown. She had always been a good judge of character, and she felt that the sweet and gentle girl in front her was definitely not the type to lie, but the truth was clear.
Cancel the subsidy?
Su Qing's lips paled, her eyes cold and clear. "Teacher... my family is truly in dire straits. These, these photos are a misunderstanding."
Her voice was weak and feeble, her words lacking any conviction.
"Su Qing, it's useless to say these things. You've been reported, not just to me, but also to the school committee. If the school doesn't handle it, they might even reach the Education Bureau."
"The school can't possibly provide a subsidy... You know how social trends and the internet are so advanced these days. These photos will bring the school a very bad reputation. You know why the school chose you."