His decisive style was just like his teaching attitude. By the time Chen Shulan got downstairs, she had finally processed everything. "Your homeroom teacher seems very strict," she praised.
The mother from another family, who had come out of the classroom with them, smiled and chimed in, "Teacher Wu is a provincially-recognized master teacher. He looks young, but he's already taught three graduating classes. His college acceptance rate is always this."
The woman gave a thumbs-up and leaned in conspiratorially. "Countless parents are fighting tooth and nail to get their kids into his class. The fact that he's paying special attention to your daughter means her grades must be top-notch."
Chen Shulan had known her daughter's grades were good, but she hadn't realized they were *this* good until today. She had never even heard Xu Su mention anything about being the county's top scorer.
For one, Xu Su wasn't the type to show off. Coupled with the fact that she was somewhat distant from her parents, she was even less likely to bring it up on her own.
And while Grandma Xu knew her granddaughter's exam scores, she assumed the girl had told her own parents. Besides, they didn't even have a phone at home. Every time she contacted her daughter and son-in-law, she had to go to a phone booth in town during market day. Since the calls were expensive, they rarely chatted about mundane things.
That was why Chen Shulan was so pleasantly surprised. Though she was grinning from ear to ear, she still offered a few humble pleasantries.
Xu Su glanced at the new classmate standing between her parents—a girl with a ponytail, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of casual pants.
She thought for a moment and confirmed she had no memory of this classmate. Seeing the girl look over, Xu Su smiled and took the initiative. "I'm Xu Su."
Hearing this, the ponytailed girl's eyes lit up. She darted over in a couple of steps, immediately linking her arm with Xu Su's. "Looking at you just now, I thought you were all cool and aloof," she said cheerfully. "But you're even prettier when you smile! We're classmates from now on. Oh, right, my name is Huang Feng."
'In her past life, Xu Su had gone straight home after school to help with chores and tutor Xu Yang with his homework. She never socialized at school. In three years of high school, she couldn't even remember all her classmates' names, let alone have a friend close enough to link arms with.'
Suddenly having a classmate link arms with her felt a bit strange, and Xu Su was a little stiff at first. It took a few steps for her to relax.
Chen Shulan was also chatting happily with Huang Feng's mother, while Huang Feng's father followed alongside them, carrying their things. Xu Su and Huang Feng trailed behind, whispering to each other.
"Are you from Chang City? What school did you go to before?"
"I went to Kang County First Middle School for junior high. I tested in."
"That explains it! If you'd gone to school in Chang City, there's no way I wouldn't have heard of you. I have friends in every middle school in Chang City. Someone as pretty and smart as you definitely wouldn't be a nobody."
Xu Su: "..."
"We're classmates, so we're friends now. Can I call you Susu?"
The girl's enthusiasm was a little overwhelming for Xu Su, but she nodded. "You can."
"Susu, I went to junior high here at First High, so I know the school really well. Why don't we be roommates for military training?"
Her new classmate's friendliness brought a broad smile to Xu Su's face.
Chatting and laughing, they arrived at the dormitory building. After they gave their names, the dorm manager glanced at the list in front of her and asked, "Do you two want to be in the same room?"
After getting an affirmative answer, she took out two keys. "Dorm 215. Here are the keys. Head on up. Brooms and mops are in the bathroom at the far end of the hall. If you didn't bring a cleaning rag, you'll have to buy one. Hot water is available on the first floor. If there's anything else, just ask the other students."
The mention of hot water made Chen Shulan exclaim, "Oh dear, we forgot to bring a thermos! Susu, remember to bring one from home when you come back for military training on the ninth."
'It dawned on Xu Su then as well. All those people I saw carrying thermoses on the way here... I thought they were for winter, but I guess they're for drinking water.'
'That makes sense. Given the standard of living in this era, not many families could afford the luxury of drinking bottled water for the entire two weeks of military training.'
Just then, Huang Feng's mother held up the thermos in her hand. "Don't worry, we brought one. The two girls can just share it."
After a brief, polite protest, Chen Shulan's smile grew even wider.
The dorm room was on the second floor. Inside, the eight-person room was furnished with four bunk beds—the most common kind, with simple metal frames. At one end of each bunk, against the wall, was a small metal locker for personal belongings. The locker door had a latch, but you had to provide your own lock.
Two other new students were already in the room. They had probably also tested in from the surrounding counties. Their luggage, bags big and small, was spread all over the floor. Despite the sweltering heat, they had even brought thick cotton quilts.
When they saw people enter, the two students who were wiping down their beds with rags, along with their parents who were busy unpacking, all looked over at once.
As new classmates meeting for the first time, everyone exchanged polite and courteous greetings.
The dorm manager hadn't assigned specific beds, leaving it up to the students to choose for themselves on a first-come, first-served basis.
Xu Su and Huang Feng had arrived relatively early, so there were still two bottom bunks left—one for each of them.
'Military training is exhausting. Who would want to climb up to a top bunk after a long day? Not to mention, if you're a restless sleeper trying one of these beds for the first time, you might even fall out in your sleep.'
Once they had claimed their bunks, Xu Su took out the basin and rag she had brought, filled the basin with water, rolled up her sleeves, and started scrubbing her bed frame.
Chen Shulan didn't stay idle either. She went to the bathroom at the end of the hall, found a broom and a mop, and set about cleaning the dorm room floor.
After wiping all the dust off the bed frame, Xu Su laid down a cooling mat woven from straw. It was the cheapest one Chen Shulan could find on the pedestrian street; since she would only be sleeping on it for half a month, buying an expensive one wasn't worth it.
She then took out the pillow and the sheet and blanket she'd brought from home, and her bunk began to look properly set up.
Chen Shulan placed the soap, shampoo, mosquito repellent, and other things she had prepared into the locker. Then she took out a small lock, secured the locker door, and handed the key to Xu Su.
"Keep this safe. Don't lose the key. This lock cost three yuan."
Xu Su took the key and put it in her pants pocket.
The two classmates who had arrived earlier finished unpacking and were taken out to eat by their parents. Two more new students came in and started setting up their beds. With six people now moved into the eight-person room, plus all the family members helping out, the already small space felt even more crowded.
Xu Su was almost done, and Huang Feng had also finished getting her things in order. Huang Feng's father glanced at his watch. "Everything's taken care of. Should we head back? Didn't Teacher Wu say military training doesn't start until the ninth?"
Huang Feng looked at the new friend she had just made, reluctant to leave.
Xu Su waved her hand. "We're in the same class, so we'll have plenty of chances to see each other. You should go ahead. My mom and I have to go home too once we're done here."