"Nianhua, has something happened at home? Or if you’re facing any difficulties, you can talk to your teacher," said Teacher Lin. She had heard that Xu Nianhua had failed her foreign language exam and sighed, Foreign language only counts for thirty percent, which is thirty points, but in the high-stakes college entrance exam, every single point can make a huge difference, let alone Nianhua’s thirty points—she hadn’t scored a single one.
Her usual grades, plus English, she should be able to pass, who knew...
Having known about this, Teacher Lin felt particularly sorry for Xu Nianhua.
"No, there’s nothing,"
Xu Nianhua looked up at Teacher Lin with a blank expression, not understanding why Teacher Lin was asking this.
"Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re having difficulties." Teacher Lin, with kind eyes and a gentle expression, was just over forty. She had a daughter, Lin Wei, who had already been admitted to university.
Both Teacher Lin and her husband were teachers, and she took her responsibility towards every student seriously. Several students couldn’t afford to continue their education or their families wouldn’t allow them to study, and Teacher Lin would always try to persuade them or help out in any way she could.
"Teacher Lin, I really am fine. It’s just that I was sick before and then realized I had forgotten quite a bit of what I had learned," said Xu Nianhua truthfully, and somewhat embarrassedly looked at Teacher Lin, "But you don’t need to worry, Teacher Lin. I’m completely healthy now, and I study the texts every day. By the time the college entrance exam comes around, I won’t lose those points."
"That’s good to hear. If you have just forgotten some texts, you can simply keep memorizing them," said Teacher Lin, reassured by this news.
The foreign language teacher, Li Teacher, spoke up, "Nianhua, your foreign language has improved a lot."
"Li Teacher, I have to thank you for teaching well and for some good luck. I got to know a big brother who is a university student from Ningbei; his foreign language is very good, and I picked up a few tips from him, which helped me improve," Xu Nianhua said, half truthfully. She added, "Right, he also gave me a set of self-study books for math, physics, and chemistry, as well as a lot of exam papers. Teacher Lin, I think we could print more of these and let everyone practice more problems. That could help improve everyone’s results."
Xu Nianhua’s words immediately shifted the attention of both teachers.
Restudying for the college entrance exam for a second year, materials like exam papers were always in short supply.
Xu Nianhua’s willingness to share her papers excited both Teacher Lin and Li Teacher. Having more practice material to study could be incredibly beneficial for the students.
"Big brother, these papers..." Xu Nianhua had spoken directly to the teachers, completely forgetting to discuss it with her brother.
Xu Nian’an said with a stern face, "That’s a good thing, do you think I would disapprove?"
"How could I? You’re the best big brother," Xu Nianhua flattered him.
Xu Nian’an handed over his pocket money to Xu Nianhua.
This was after the family’s earnings had increased, leaving more money in hand.
"Big brother, you scored seventy points,"
Xu Nianhua looked at the money in his hand, not understanding why.
Xu Nian’an stuffed the money into her hand, saying, "Take it, buy yourself some lollipops."
"Big brother, do I look like a three-year-old?"
Xu Nianhua pouted, not at all pleased by Xu Nian’an treating her like a toddler, and pushed the money back, saying, "I don’t have anything to buy, so I’m giving it back to you."
Xu Nian’an said gravely, "I’m giving my little sister some spending money."