Teacher Tang seemed to find her a bit too naive, almost foolish, and his replies became perfunctory.
“What are they going to wash with? Who’s going to boil water? You? Where are you going to boil so much? The school doesn’t have a boiler or a water heater.”
“Besides, where are there enough buckets for them? First and second graders are so young. Who will help them mix the water, who will help them wash? There’s no space either. Let them wait until they go home on Sunday!”
With the weather this hot, everyone ran and jumped around during every break, breaking into a sweat. Yet, they had to endure a whole week before they could take a bath?
Tian Tian was surprised, but she had just arrived and hadn’t sorted out her own matters yet, so she couldn’t attend to others.
As they spoke, they arrived at the dormitory entrance.
Chen Dongyang couldn't go in, so he handed the things back to Tian Tian and advised her.
“Don’t worry about others for now. Take care of yourself. You don’t have any equipment yet, so you can’t wash your hair tonight. I’ll go buy them for you. Rest for a while first, wait here.”
Indeed, she had nothing. It was only now that she realized she couldn’t wash her hair tonight.
However, Tian Tian felt awkward about letting him go alone.
“I’ll go with you.”
It was a good opportunity to spend more time together. Chen Dongyang drove her to the small supermarket.
They bought not only buckets but also shampoo, shower gel, a comb, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and a foot basin.
Having never lived in a dormitory before, Tian Tian realized for the first time how many things one needed to prepare when living away from home.
Chen Dongyang spent over 200 yuan. After getting into the car, Tian Tian transferred 500 yuan to him.
“Part of this is for the things, and part is for gas. Take it, or I’ll feel too embarrassed to ride in your car again.”
It was enough to have the major expenses clearly accounted for. Did she still need to return this small amount?
Chen Dongyang glanced at his phone and said sarcastically in anger.
“Since I get paid for running errands for you every day, I won’t work anymore. I’ll be your full-time errand boy, and you can support me.”
Tian Tian knew he was speaking in jest and retorted, “Dream on.”
After settling Tian Tian in, it was past eight o’clock when he got home.
Chen Dongyang didn't have time to wash up. He first replied to the messages his colleagues had sent him, and then he worked overtime.
Although it seemed arduous, his heart was filled with sweetness, and his spirit was high.
Since Tian Tian arrived, her mental state had improved significantly. Seeing her full of energy every day made him feel that life was full of positive energy.
The next morning, around nine o’clock, after the second class break ended.
Tian Tian sat at the podium, grading homework. As she graded, she noticed a group of female students peeking and whispering conspiratorially by the window, as if they had seen something extraordinary.
They kept looking in her direction.
Thinking something had happened, Tian Tian followed their gaze and looked outside.
Then she saw Chen Dongyang again.
He was dressed very casually today. Seeing him in this outfit instantly reminded Tian Tian of when they first met.
Back then, he was a migrant worker wielding a sledgehammer to demolish walls on a construction site.
A black t-shirt, loose black shorts, and sandals that cost ten yuan a pair.
If he wasn't taller than the principal and younger than the principal, with these clothes, people would have thought they were brothers.
The two brothers stood side by side, gesturing and talking animatedly towards the classroom, discussing the renovation of the music and art rooms.
Chen Dongyang knew that Tian Tian was very concerned about this matter. Since she didn’t have time to plan it, he took it upon himself to handle it for her.
He had worked overtime until past five in the morning yesterday and finally sorted out his work matters.
He could stay at the school all day today and see Tian Tian for eight hours.
Although he was a bit sleepy, he was mostly happy.
When the principal heard that he wanted to renovate the music room, he found it ridiculously naive and took him to see it.
“Look for yourself. This is how big the area is, and it’s all occupied. Where can we squeeze in more space? Are you and Teacher Jiang joking?”
“Of course, your intentions are good. However, our school is really not suitable for these things.”
“Little Chen, why don’t you help me persuade Teacher Jiang? Instead of spending time on these things, it would be better to find a way to improve the college enrollment rate.”
Chen Dongyang ignored his nonsensical talk and stared at the row of teaching buildings. Indeed, there was no space to move.
Building a new room from scratch in the courtyard would occupy the already small playground and also waste time.
His gaze shifted, and he saw the cafeteria on the other side.
He suggested, “If there’s no place, then we won’t renovate. In the future, music and art classes will be held collectively in the cafeteria.”
Hold music classes in the cafeteria?
“There’s only one music teacher anyway. The whole school will attend together. There’s no place more suitable than the cafeteria. However, the cafeteria is too hot. Principal, you’re too stingy. It’s so hot these days, and you can’t even afford to install a fan? I was sweating profusely while eating dinner last night.”
The principal again pleaded poverty. “It’s not that I don’t want to install them, it’s just that there’s no budget.”
Then, he rambled on about the school’s difficulties.
Chen Dongyang stopped him. “Alright, alright. I know it’s difficult for you, and it’s difficult for everyone. I’m not forcing you. I’ll pay for it.”
“Install two fans per row. I’ve checked, and ten should be enough.”
“No need to hire workers. I’ll install the fans myself. Let’s do it when we say so. We’ll do it today. You go buy them, and bring me a ladder.”
That would be great. Someone was paying and putting in the effort, and the principal was eager for the school to improve.
Chen Dongyang gave him 500 yuan, and the principal immediately rode his electric scooter to negotiate with the supermarket owner.
Chen Dongyang found a toolbox under the principal’s desk and carried it towards the cafeteria.
A few bored boys from the sixth grade, seeing his manly demeanor, were both admiring and curious. They timidly followed him, nudging each other, wanting to talk to him but not daring to speak.
After walking a few steps, Chen Dongyang felt the little fellows following him and looked back.
Seeing them staring at his toolbox, he spoke first.
“What’s up? Are you interested in this?”
He spoke standard Mandarin, and he was handsome and young, truly like a male protagonist in a TV series.
Boys of this age were already starting to have idols. Seeing their idol speaking to them, they were all excited.
After pushing each other for a long time, one finally spoke boldly.
“What were you talking to the principal about? What are you going to do?”
Chen Dongyang didn’t look down on them. Instead, he found it interesting to chat with them and said seriously.
“The new Teacher Jiang is going to teach you music and art classes. The principal and I have decided to hold the classes in the cafeteria, and all students will attend there. I’m going to install some fans for you now. Are you happy?”
When they heard this, their faces showed surprised and delighted expressions, mixed with disbelief.
“Teacher Jiang is really going to teach us music?”
Seeing them like this, Chen Dongyang felt a bit proud. “Of course! The keyboard has already been bought. I’ll connect the electricity later. Have you ever seen an electronic keyboard?”
“No.”