novelraw Chapter 112: Farewell
Chapter 112: Farewell
Jiang Cheng did a little show-off, and after finishing the firepot meal, Principal Wang and Teacher Yu were still debating how many bodies could be buried with over three hundred thousand.
After the meal, Jiang Cheng called on the night school students to help clean up the tables.
The meal cost money, but the favor came from the state-run restaurant.
After cleaning up, Jiang Cheng went to the kitchen to thank the head chef.
After giving his thanks, everyone gradually walked out of the state-run restaurant.
The things in Jiang Cheng’s hands had long been taken away by the eager night school classmates.
She was responsible for leading the way, empty-handed.
A group headed to the department store.
The night school classmates all had jobs, and knowing they were coming to the provincial city, each had something to buy.
Some were for themselves, others were items for family or friends to take back.
Jiang Cheng was in charge of building rapport with the sales clerks, while the classmates focused on shopping.
After selecting items at the department store, the night school classmates, who originally thought they were leaving, were taken by Jiang Cheng to the ceramic factory.
The factory manager personally came out to greet them, leading the night school group straight to the ceramic factory’s warehouse.
Jiang Cheng stood at the warehouse door and generously said, "Pick whatever you like, everything here doesn’t need a bill."
The classmates stared at the heaps of ceramic basins, spittoons, enamel mugs, and other items usually requiring trade coupons, their eyes gleaming.
Could they really choose freely?
Though tempted, everyone held back a bit.
Principal Wang, slightly worried, pulled Jiang Cheng aside to ask, "We can’t conduct private sales."
"Principal, why is there any problem with our night school purchasing some welfare items?"
"It’s institution to institution, perfectly fine."
"Did you bring the stamp? If not, it’s okay, I have papers pre-stamped."
As Jiang Cheng spoke, she took out a blank sheet of paper already stamped.
Hearing this, Principal Wang’s eyes brightened.
He turned away, saying, "Handle it yourself, I need to go pick something!"
With the eager Principal Wang moving, the rest of the night school people were also motivated.
Jiang Cheng stood at the door chatting with the ceramic factory manager.
The factory manager had a very good impression of Jiang Cheng; their order of tableware priced at fifty-seven US Dollars was largely from the ceramic factory.
After making their choices, the night school collectively made the payment.
Once the paperwork was completed, Jiang Cheng said farewell to the ceramic factory manager and led the night school group back to the guesthouse.
Arriving at the guesthouse, the night school students returned to their rooms to organize luggage, preparing to leave the next day.
Jiang Cheng took a red ceramic basin to chat with the guesthouse aunt downstairs.
"Jiang Cheng, thank you so much, this red one is hard to get! My son’s in a hurry to get married, and without something bright red, it feels like something’s missing."
The aunt handed the bill and money to Jiang Cheng.
She thought to herself how she casually mentioned it, but this girl actually brought it as promised.
Jiang Cheng pocketed the bills and cash adeptly, saying, "It’s fate, here’s my number, if you need anything urgent, just contact me."
The aunt, not being foolish, immediately responded, "That’s great, my family’s from the provincial drama theatre, if there’s something new, I’ll let you know."
Jiang Cheng’s smile deepened.
That’s exactly what she wanted to hear.
Though the aunt might not truly pass news to her, better safe than sorry.
Jiang Cheng was wary of Feng Jiaojiao, even though she might not seem threatening for now, who can tell?
Better to keep a card up her sleeve than not.
After conversing with the aunt, Jiang Cheng returned to her room on the second floor, chatted with Jian Yueer for a bit, then went to bed early.
Early the next morning, the night school people, packed and ready, prepared to head to the train station.
When Jiang Cheng came down, the guesthouse aunt called her over.
As she walked over, the aunt handed her a warm cloth bundle.
It looked like it contained three large aluminum lunchboxes.
Jiang Cheng: Did her charisma really grow this much? An aunt giving her something? Doesn’t seem right?
"Mr. Jiang, someone dropped this off this morning, there’s a message inside."
So that’s how it is.
Feeling the warmth in her hands, Jiang Cheng had a guess in her heart.
"Thank you, we’ll meet again if fate allows."
Jiang Cheng bid the aunt farewell and left the guesthouse with the warm cloth bundle.
Outside the guesthouse, Jiang Cheng gazed far ahead, and across the street saw Shen Que sitting in a wheelchair.
In the thin early autumn mist, Shen Que wore a white shirt, sitting motionless, like a statue.
Jiang Cheng: What time did this person arrive? His hair’s all wet.
Seeing Jiang Cheng come out, Shen Que’s spirits instantly lifted.
Like a small desert flower about to wither, suddenly revitalized by sweet dew, bursting with life.
Their eyes met.
The sun dispelled the mist, Jiang Cheng smiled faintly, mouthed two words: Thank you.
Seeing Jiang Cheng smile, and without any intention to return the lunchboxes, Shen Que immediately understood Jiang Cheng didn’t mind his gesture.
Concluding this, Shen Que smiled foolishly.
His hand awkwardly lingered mid-air, waving a simple goodbye, something he couldn’t manage!
Shen Que’s clumsy action deepened Jiang Cheng’s smile.
Seeing Jiang Cheng’s bigger smile, Shen Que’s grin grew even sillier, his smile couldn’t close even until Jiang Cheng left his sight.
The tall guy pushing Shen Que, kept glancing back and forth between Shen Que’s face, lightly touching Shen Que’s neck with a finger.
Warm.
He’s real.
Not possessed by some wild ghost from a deserted village.
Shen Que turned back.
"What are you doing?"
The tall guy said honestly, "Your smile is scaring me."
Shen Que blissfully replied, "You’re not married, you wouldn’t understand."
The tall guy sheepishly said, "Captain Shen, you’re older than me, and you’re not married either."
Shen Que’s uncontrollable smile finally settled.
His expression turned solemn, speaking with gravity.
"Do you think I’m old?"
The tall guy thought: Who are you really!!!
*
Seeing Shen Que there to send them off, Jiang Cheng mentally gave Shen Que an extra point one.
Can’t give too much, lest he gets smug.
The group walked to the train station and successfully bought tickets.
In less than an hour, everyone was squeezed onto the train amidst the crowd.
Perhaps due to the high population in the provincial city, their seats weren’t all together.
They were scattered, some seated, some standing.
Regardless, they still followed the rule from their arrival, ensuring no one acted alone.
Safety first!
Jiang Cheng managed to secure a seat.
It wasn’t by her own doing, it was strategically arranged by the night school’s plan for her.
The night school instinctively pampered Jiang Cheng, not letting her handle any trivial tasks.
Jiang Cheng didn’t fake refusal, she sat down first, planning to swap after sitting for a while.
Seated, Jiang Cheng opened the three lunchboxes Shen Que sent.
All three were filled with dumplings, mouth-wateringly fragrant.
Jiang Cheng immediately took out two boxes, sharing them with the night school classmates.
Keeping one box to share with a few children and teachers, including Principal Wang.
Principal Wang eyed the dumplings, then looked at Jiang Cheng already holding a note, feeling a sense of urgency.
Unexpectedly, this kid pulled it off, sneaking dumplings over when he wasn’t looking!
Principal Wang looked back at Jiang Cheng.
After a long look, he still didn’t see the girlish shyness on Jiang Cheng.
Principal Wang had a sudden realization: It seemed like if Jiang Cheng were to date, the man would be at the disadvantage??