"What’s the point of going to the playground?" Zhao Xinlan looked puzzled, wondering if they they had changed to a physical education class.
"Don’t interrupt her," Wang Jingjing slapped Zhao Xinlan lightly and urged Su Xiaohong, "Go on, keep talking."
"A big boss from the city is going to sponsor students at our school. They’ll announce the list of sponsored students at the playground later on."
In those times, students who received financial aid didn’t feel their pride was hurt; instead, they were grateful to those sponsoring them. The school did this purposefully so the students would remember who their benefactors were.
These sponsored students weren’t all in the same class. If the sponsor had to visit each class to speak, it would take all day, and the busy city bosses didn’t have that much free time to waste.
After discussing it, the principal and teachers thought it was best to gather everyone at the playground.
"What does this have to do with us?" Wang Jingjing asked with a hint of annoyance, curling her lip.
None of the four of them met the criteria to be sponsored.
"Exactly!" Zhao Xinlan nodded in agreement. "They’re sure to sponsor those who can’t afford the tuition."
There were several such students in their class; it was unlikely to be their turn. Follow current novels on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥
Zhou Siyu’s thoughts suddenly stirred, "What are the criteria for sponsorship this time?"
She was studying at the Shen family’s expense but wasn’t part of the Shen family. The Zhou family had three or four siblings and couldn’t afford her education either. If she approached a teacher...
"Siyu, you’re not thinking about getting sponsored, are you?" Wang Jingjing looked at her skeptically. Among the four of them, it was Zhou Siyu who always dressed the best and occasionally had some pocket money.
"No, I was just asking," she replied.
None of them had been particularly quiet during their conversation, allowing Shen Mianmian to hear everything loud and clear.
Had Brother He come to school again?
She had forgotten to return the English book to him last time, and she didn’t know if she would have the chance this time.
They didn’t interact much, nearly always meeting by chance. Shen Mianmian didn’t know when she would see him again if she missed this opportunity.
If he happened to like that girl, would he blame her for returning the book too late?
"What are you thinking about?" Lu Siyuan asked curiously as he saw her holding the book in her backpack and daydreaming, leaning closer, "What’s this book? Show me."
Shen Mianmian slapped away his prying hands, "It belongs to someone else, I have to return it."
She carefully placed the English book back into her backpack.
Lu Siyuan let out a disdainful ’tsk,’ not caring for the old book. His eyes wandered over it, but they didn’t catch anything special.
A few minutes later, Li Qiumei entered the classroom with a smile on her face and announced the news about the sponsorship. Then, she called for the physical education class leader to lead all the students to the playground.
Several classes of students were already standing there.
As the senior third graders were the highest in grade, they were naturally arranged at the back.
Once all the students had gathered, the principal took a megaphone and walked under the five-starred red flag, accompanied by teachers from various classes. However, neither He Nan nor Li Yue was in sight.
Hugging the English book in her arms tightly, Shen Mianmian was just thinking that she wouldn’t be able to give it away again when the principal uttered an official speech through the megaphone.
Finally, he added with a tinge of regret, "Unfortunately, Mr. Li, the sponsor, was unable to reach the school today due to some irresistible reasons, but his friend, Mr. He, has come to represent him."
"Please welcome Mr. He."
With that, the principal led the applause.