My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Unprofessional Teaching Assistance. “Vortex”

There were a total of twenty-eight students at the school. The children’s ages varied greatly. Due to limited school resources, Zhang Qingyue was both the principal and the only teacher, taking charge of teaching Chinese, Mathematics, Physical Education, and Tibetan language.

That day in Zhang Qingyue’s office, she casually brought up He Mu. I asked her how they met, and Zhang Qingyue countered by asking why I wanted to come here to help the impoverished. I took an old photo of the school out of my wallet. Qin Yun had given me that photo before she passed away, saying she wanted to come back and see the place if she ever had the chance. Unfortunately, her wish became a lingering dream.

So, among a series of carefully arranged plans, I proposed to He Mu that if You Feifan really showed up, I wanted to bring her here to volunteer. At first, He Mu was very confused, believing it would waste too much time and energy, and that the two factors had no significant connection. We argued fiercely over it.

My reason was: You Feifan is our “door knocker,” so how can we win over this “brick” as quickly as possible? It’s simply by winning her heart and showing genuine sincerity. If she doesn’t deeply recognize my friendliness, how can she lower her guard? In the end, He Mu compromised. He said the only people he had ever compromised with in his life were Qin Yun and me.

He then scoffed, saying that not only my actions but even my appearance was starting to resemble Qin Yun. I didn’t answer that question, perhaps because loving her was so agonizing and hating her loss was so wrenching that it made me live the way I do today.

However, everything flowed naturally and was within our expectations. For us, we were one step closer to Lan Feiyi and Guan Shuyun. You Feifan was far more important than we imagined.

Getting back to the main point, Zhang Qingyue looked at the photo in my hand, a lonely smile gracing her lips: “A long time ago, Ah Mu and I met right here. His girlfriend, Qin Yun, was also with us then. We spent over two months together as volunteers. At that time, there was only one uneven basketball court here, and the children studied outdoors. If it rained, they could only hide in tents. The conditions were incredibly harsh, beyond your imagination. Later, there were benches, desks, and a blackboard. It felt like hope had arrived.”

Mentioning Qin Yun’s existence, Zhang Qingyue turned her head to look at me, her piercing eyes seeming to see through everything. After a long silence, Zhang Qingyue let out a small sigh: “I know… she passed away. I still remember when everyone left here, Qin Yun said she would definitely come back one day to build a truly hopeful school. Years later, she left but kept her promise.”

Seeing my red-rimmed eyes and emotional state, Zhang Qingyue stood up, walked over to me, and patted my shoulder: “You really resemble her. Let’s not talk about unhappy things. How long do you plan to stay here?”

I twiddled my fingers and thought for a moment, but I didn’t actually know how long I wanted to stay, so I shook my head wordlessly. Zhang Qingyue then continued: “He Mu said he needed my help with something and mentioned you can only stay here for one month. After one month, you must leave; more important matters await you.”

After speaking, she looked out the window, her gaze falling on You Feifan, who was walking out of the container. Judging by her expression, she likely knew something about our plan and the significance of You Feifan’s presence. Finally, she said to herself: “Regardless, we are friends. I don’t know whether your intentions are good or bad, but I will help you.”

…

You Feifan is undeniably great with kids. I remember she lived with Lan Feiyi’s daughter for many years, managing to raise a baby into a mischievous little rascal. I heard she was a quite competent “housewife.” So, within a few days, she not only completely adapted to the monotonous and difficult life here but also quickly earned the title of “King of the Kids.”

Zhang Qingyue rearranged the class schedule. You Feifan followed her around all day, trying to wheedle her way into becoming the math teacher. In the end, He He successfully became the music teacher, giving the children a music lesson every day, which the kids treated as a fun, liberating activity.

“Teacher Zhang, just let me teach one math class! Look, look, this is my carefully prepared lesson plan! Just let me try once. Why can He He be a teacher, but I can’t? I have a mid-level financial accounting title; I’m perfectly capable of doing calculations. Just let me teach the children!”

Zhang Qingyue continued to ignore You Feifan. I suggested: “Don’t mislead the children. I think you’d be a great life skills teacher, which is still a teacher, technically. Over the past few days, I’ve visited the homes of several students who live far away, and we’ve agreed that they can bring their own rice and stay at the school for free every week. We just need a life skills teacher to manage their food and daily life. I think you are particularly suitable.”

“Huh??? A nanny?”

Seeing You Feifan’s stunned expression, I stifled a laugh. Zhang Qingyue nodded, thinking the suggestion was good: “Hmm, we do need a life skills teacher.”

You Feifan remained stunned, wailing: “Ah??? You really want me to be the life skills teacher?!”

Zhang Qingyue looked sideways at the children having their music class: “I see you get along very well with the kids. It’s decided then.”

“Hey, no, you can’t do that… Hey… Don’t go!”

Zhang Qingyue prepared to go to the container to get ready for the next class. You Feifan looked at her retreating figure innocently, then glared at me sadly: “It’s all your fault, coming up with such bad ideas!”

…

So, watching You Feifan carrying a bamboo basket on her back and wearing rubber boots, returning heavily loaded with firewood, became the start of my happiness every day. She quickly integrated into the simple rural life and even enjoyed it. She became close friends with the grandmothers and aunts in the village less than half a kilometer from the school. Every now and then, she would go to their homes to help out and would return with some fruit and vegetables to share.

I was very surprised, even marveling that she wouldn’t starve even if she were thrown into a ravine. In short, she was a weed that grew fiercely wherever the wind blew. Zhang Qingyue commented that someone like You Feifan was wasted living in the city; her true romance belonged to the simple happiness of a comfortable farming life.

Although she strongly protested and hadn’t yet achieved her dream of teaching a math class, watching her happily playing “Eagle Catches Chicks” with the children at school, I couldn’t find a trace of longing for Lan Feiyi on her face.

The livelihood of all thirty-odd people, big and small, depended on her. This girl learned to start a fire in the stove pit and was constantly covered in soot. Cooking over the large iron pot, wearing sleeves, she was no different from a chef tossing food in a school cafeteria. The children loved gathering around her during meals, giving her thumbs up and loudly proclaiming how delicious the food was.

Until late one night, after making sure the children were in bed and the lights were out, she dragged her tired body to the playground to smoke. I followed her out. You Feifan jumped in surprise as if she had seen a ghost: “Ouch! You walk without making any sound!”

“You just didn’t hear me, don’t blame me. Are you used to life here?”

She blew out a smoke ring contentedly: “I absolutely love it!”

“What, are you reluctant to leave now?”

She held up her phone and rotated it in circles toward the sky, but she couldn’t find a signal. Forget checking moments; even making a call was a problem. This place was like a natural barrier, isolating us from the outside world. But precisely because of this, it suited my purpose. No one being able to find her was the best outcome.

She shook her head helplessly, then opened her photo album to show me: “My daughter. Isn’t she cute? She started primary school this year!”

You Feifan looked smug. I looked at the little girl in the photo; her features were unique, and one could tell at a glance that she was mixed race. The file mentioned that the little girl was conceived through IVF by Lan Feiyi and a French man. It was said that this drama was staged to fight for the family property. It was hard to imagine how terrifying this woman’s ambition and guts were, frightening enough that she didn’t hesitate to bring a life into the world this way.

“Do you miss her?”

My question silenced You Feifan. She rubbed the photo with her fingers, shaking her head and then nodding. She clearly knew whether she missed her or not. Her eyes were full of tenderness, as if the little girl were her lover from a past life. She sniffled and said with a smile: “Qingfan was raised by me. Although I’m not her biological mother, she’s the most attached to me. I wonder how she’s doing while I’m away.”

After hearing her words, I knew the long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived. I took You Feifan’s hand and pointed firmly into the distance: “In this journey, you’ve traveled from south to west, how many cities have you seen, how much scenery? Unconsciously, you’ve become very calm and much better. No matter how difficult things were in that distant city you came from, you must eventually go back. Nothing is more important than your child, You Feifan. Don’t be stubborn; it’s time to go home.”

She widened her eyes and stared at me, then covered her face with her hands and cried painfully. She loved her new life but missed the person she loved. The choice between a brand-new beginning and secondary hurt made her fall into a dilemma. I didn’t intend to force her to leave; at this moment, I just wanted to quietly stay by her side. If it weren’t for revenge, if it weren’t for the long-brewing plan, setting aside all other factors, if we had genuinely met by chance in this world, I think she would be the one to rescue me from the pain of the past. I liked her.

I moved closer to her, reaching out to gently rub her head as a sign of comfort: “Your hair has grown longer.”

She sniffled tearfully: “Why did you suddenly say that?”

“I just suddenly noticed…”

She continued to sob: “If we really have to leave here, can you do me a favor…”

Seeing her pitiful state, I asked with a smile: “What favor?”

“Can you help me say something nice to Teacher Zhang? I really want to teach one math class…”

I sucked in a cold breath. I truly admired You Feifan. She was already crying so sadly, and yet she still wouldn’t give up! I rolled my eyes. Was this woman here to appeal for sympathy? “Fine, fine, I’ll try.”

After speaking, I turned to leave. Suddenly, she tugged at my clothes. I turned back impatiently, waiting for her: “What else do you want?”

She continued to hang her head pitifully: “When are we leaving the school?”

“Actually, when we first arrived, I discussed it with Teacher Zhang. We’re only staying for one month. We should be leaving around the end of this month.”

“Can’t we stay a few more days?”

“No, I need to take you home.”

I spoke the truth without reservation. She froze: “Take me home?”