The person who leaked this news couldn’t sleep well.
Those afraid that Chiang Xiao would really do well enough to skip a grade couldn’t sleep well.
And neither could those who were anxious and worried about her.
Song Tianyang arrived from Siyang Village early in the morning and waited for Chiang Xiao at the entrance of the town’s middle school.
Chiang Songhai brought Chiang Xiao over, that morning, Liu Pei had cooked her two eggs, and even went out to buy her a bowl of soy milk.
The entire family sent her off like she was a hero going into battle, with earnest and solemn looks, making Chiang Xiao both cry and laugh.
She really wasn’t that nervous, but seeing their dark circles, she felt somewhat guilty.
Seeing Song Tianyang by the school gate made her unconsciously touch her forehead.
"Teacher Song, you’ve buttoned your shirt incorrectly."
Song Tianyang was startled, quickly looked down, and indeed, the top button matched the bottom hole. His clothes were in utter disarray.
He hurriedly rebuttoned his shirt correctly.
Then he heard Chiang Xiao say, "Teacher Song, there’s toothpaste foam at the corner of your mouth."
Hehehe, Song Tianyang’s face instantly reddened.
Chiang Xiao handed him her handkerchief.
Her grandma, who followed her in doing handicrafts, sewed handkerchiefs and then, struck by inspiration, she used some scraps to piece together a rather unique handkerchief for her to carry around.
At that time, handkerchiefs and tissues weren’t readily available for purchase, so they were accustomed to carrying handkerchiefs with them.
Song Tianyang, seeing the unique handkerchief, was initially reluctant to use it, but Chiang Xiao said, "Hurry up and wipe, just wash it and give it back to me later!"
He quickly cleaned himself up and stuffed the handkerchief into his pocket. Then, looking somewhat embarrassedly at Chiang Songhai, he said, "Uncle Chiang, you’re here too."
"Eh, eh. You’ve taken great troubles for Little, Teacher Song," said Chiang Songhai without a hint of mockery. He had heard from Chiang Xiao that Song Tianyang was truly dedicated and thorough in his teaching, so he was very grateful.
"As I should be, as I should be," replied Song Tianyang, glancing at the sun. "It’s getting late, Chiang Xiao. You’re going to take the exam with the second-year students today—nervous?"
"What do you think, Teacher?" Chiang Xiao winked at him.
Song Tianyang felt slightly embarrassed—okay, it seemed that he was the one who was nervous.
"Well, let’s go in, then."
He looked at Chiang Songhai again, "Uncle Chiang, you might not be able to enter the school temporarily—it’s examination time."
"I won’t go in, I won’t. I’ll just take a walk and come back to pick up Little after the exam is done," said Chiang Songhai.
Looking at the town’s middle school, which was clearly three times the size of Siyang Village Primary School, Chiang Songhai felt a bit reverent. This was an institution of learning. In their era, not many people had the opportunity to attend such a place.
"Grandpa, you should go back. You don’t need to come pick me up," said Chiang Xiao. "I might hand in my paper early, and I’m unsure when I’ll be finished."
Hand in her paper early...
Song Tianyang silently wiped his sweat.
He had just been thinking of reminding her that if she felt she didn’t have enough time for all the questions, to focus on the ones with higher marks first. But instead, she was suggesting she might hand in her paper early!
He accompanied Chiang Xiao into the school, and Chiang Songhai didn’t leave until he could no longer see them. As Chiang Xiao had said there was no need to wait, there was no point in staying; she was quite capable now. Plus, the middle school wasn’t far from Osmanthus Alley, so waiting at home was the same.
Chiang Songhai felt he should go home and prepare some good food to reward her.
Song Tianyang first led Chiang Xiao to the principal’s office.
Principal Chu had a heavy workload, and when they arrived, he was still engrossed in writing with his head down.
"Come, Chiang Xiao, this is Principal Chu. You being able to take the grade-skipping exam is also thanks to his personal approval."