64: Chapter 64 No Special Treatment 64: Chapter 64 No Special Treatment “Come in quickly, it’s cold outside!” Bai Yanjiao said with a smile as she ushered Shen Zhihua inside.
“Zhihua is here!” An Shuchao called to him, “Have you eaten?
Come join us for a bite!”
“I’ve already eaten!” Shen Zhihua said politely, “Uncle, my mom made a big pot of food and asked me to bring some over for you to try!”
As he spoke, he set the large enamel basin on the table.
Bai Yanjiao’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the big pot of food, cabbage stew with vermicelli and pickled pork, its fragrant aroma wafting out and almost causing her to drool.
“Goodness, thank your mom for me, will you?
Next time, I’ll go and visit her!” Bai Xue said cheerily.
Auntie, you enjoy it while it’s hot!” Shen Zhihua found himself a stool and sat off to the side, waiting for An Hao to finish eating.
“Class monitor, did you want to see me about something?
Let’s go talk in my room!” An Hao said, getting up from her meal.
“Don’t you want to eat some more?” Shen Zhihua glanced at the more than half-full basin of food and said to An Hao, “I’m not in a hurry.
You don’t have to rush; take your time eating!”
He knew that An Hao’s family was not well-off.
He had also heard about what had happened over the vacation, so tonight, when his family made a big pot of food, he specially brought it over for An Hao.
An Hao’s mom had often interacted with his family while she was alive.
Her mother was skilled with her hands, often helping his mom make cotton clothes for his family—that were both fitting and comfortable.
Now that An Hao’s mom was gone, her mom would occasionally ask him to bring something over for An Hao.
Later, disliking the Bai Family’s mother and daughter’s behavior, the things he brought over seldom reached An Hao, so the frequency of such gifts had decreased.
“I’ve really had enough!” An Hao said, patting her stomach and smiling, “Auntie’s cooking is really great!
I’m so thankful for her!”
“No need to be so polite!” Seeing her happy, Shen Zhiyuan also smiled, a slight pink flush brightening his cheeks, “Well, since you’ve had enough, let’s go talk about the matter at hand.”
Entering the room where An Hao lived, the chilly draft was immediately noticeable.
Even though the weather was still cold, she had stopped lighting a fire.
This was Shen Zhihua’s first visit to An Hao’s room.
This small ten-square-meter room was kept tidy and in order.
The few clothes she regularly wore were neatly folded at the head of her bed, clearly the belongings of a neat young woman.
“Class monitor, have a seat!” An Hao offered a stool, placing it in front of Shen Zhihua, “I’ll go get you some water!”
I’ll just say a few words and then leave,” Shen Zhihua quickly stopped An Hao.
You talk, I’ll listen.
Is it about us going to see Teacher Wei in the city this Saturday?” An Hao guessed immediately.
That’s it,” Shen Zhihua said, “An Hao, tomorrow I will ask the classmates to turn in the money for the books and nutritional supplements.
As for the travel expenses, I discussed it with some other class officers, and they feel it should be covered by each individual.
It will probably be about one yuan and twenty cents per person.
With this in mind, I estimate that two yuan each should be enough.
When the classmates pay, it will be one yuan per person.”
“Okay, we’ll go with your arrangements!”
“What I mean is…” Shen Zhihua began but then hesitated, biting his lower lip, unsure how to express himself softly.
“What’s wrong?” An Hao was puzzled by his sudden pause.
Shen Zhihua quickly organized his thoughts and felt this might sound a bit better: “An Hao, everyone thinks you should only pay for your book.
You don’t have to cover the rest; a few of us class officers have decided to share that expense for you.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than An Hao immediately rejected the offer: “How could that be okay?
Although my family isn’t well-off, I can still afford this money, and I must contribute.
I can’t be treated as an exception!”
“An Hao, listen to me!” Shen Zhihua knew this would happen.
He wanted to pay for her because he wasn’t short of money, and he didn’t want to see An Hao struggle.
“Oh, Brother Zhihua, what’s going on with my sister?” The door opened with a creak and Bai Yanjiao came in, carrying a jar of water.