"Because I am good at spotting potential exam questions," Song Zhengguo said with self-satisfaction, "I’ve been teaching for more than a decade, and from that experience, I always buy a set of junior high textbooks every year. Now that I’m not teaching anymore, I have even more time to research the possible final exam questions."
"So... did you also figure out this term’s final exam questions?" Zhou Siyu asked, trying to keep her excitement in check while looking at him intently.
Enjoying such a gaze, Song Zhengguo smiled and said, "Of course, I figured them out. Next year, I plan to start a tutoring class specifically for students preparing for the middle school entrance exam, charging ten yuan per student."
Ten yuan per student?
Was Song Zhengguo mentioning this because he planned to charge them ten yuan?
Zhou Siyu and Zhao Xinlan’s expressions changed slightly as they exchanged a glance, then spoke in unison.
"We don’t have any money."
Their families wouldn’t spend that much on tutoring for them.
Song Zhengguo chuckled twice, took the last sip of wine from his cup, and said, "You two are lucky. I haven’t officially started the tutoring class yet, so it’s free."
Then, his tone shifted as he let out a sigh and became melancholic, starting to talk about his personal life.
"Ever since I was falsely accused, my wife divorced me, and my child refused to have any contact with me, I’ve been alone. Even though I’m living quite well, sometimes I can’t help feeling lonely."
"Uncle Song, the innocent are always clear of blame. Those who framed you will not end well. Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied," Zhao Xinlan said indignantly, as if she truly believed in Song Zhengguo.
Song Zhengguo nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing this, Zhou Siyu immediately joined in with flattery, "If you stand straight, do not fear a crooked shadow. Those people are just jealous of your teaching abilities, afraid that you would overshadow them, that’s why they framed you."
"Having your trust is enough for me," Song Zhengguo nodded, seemingly quite consoled.
He picked up his cup again, this time drinking all the wine in one go, "I’m teaching you, and I don’t want your tutoring fees. It’s simply because I see potential in you. Your admission into high school would be the greatest reward for me. But... to say I don’t have any selfish intentions at all would also be untrue. After all, no one is a saint; doesn’t everyone have a bit of selfishness?"
As he said this, he paused for a moment, observing their reactions. Seeing that they didn’t have much reaction, he continued.
"I’m someone who fears loneliness. If you are willing to keep me company and trust me, I guarantee that you’ll be admitted into high school. If you despise me for it, I won’t force you. You can go back now, and we can act as if we were never destined to meet."
With that, he fell silent and quietly waited for the two to decide.
Zhou Siyu and Zhao Xinlan hung their heads, neither making a sound, yet neither made any move to leave. Content orıginally comes from 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
Before coming, both of them had thought for a long time. If it meant being admitted to high school, what did a little compromise matter?
As long as they didn’t speak of it, no one would know.
Once admitted to high school, even if they didn’t get into university, if they worked in the city, they would have preferential employment opportunities. And if they were lucky enough to date a city boy, they’d never have to return to this wretched place.
After waiting a while and seeing no movement from the two, Song Zhengguo gave a sly smile with a glint of impropriety in his eyes. He got up and returned to the inner room. Shortly after, he came out with a handwritten test paper and handed it to Zhou Siyu.
"You can start working on this here. Leave blank whatever you don’t know, and later I’ll explain it to you."
"Uncle Song, and what about me?"
Zhao Xinlan’s face flushed red like a shrimp as she looked up at Song Zhengguo and then quickly lowered her head again.