Chapter 46: Preparing Lessons

Zhong Yuxiu covered her mouth and laughed aloud. Professor Ding feigned disappointment and shook his head, but in truth, he was well aware of how dedicated his students were. “They simply don’t know how good they have it. To be under our guidance is their good fortune; it’s only when teachers stop caring that students should be worried.”

“You’re right about that,” Zhong Yuxiu replied, her laughter barely restrained. Professor Ding’s words rang true; when a teacher stops paying attention, that’s when a student ought to feel anxious.

Waving his hand, Professor Ding gestured to a spot by the wall. “Let’s not dwell on this. Having you assist me as a teaching assistant is a waste of your talents; there aren’t enough offices to go around, so you’ll be sharing mine. That’s the principal’s arrangement as well—there’ll be a desk set up for you right over there.”

Zhong Yuxiu turned to look and realized for the first time that there was another workspace in the office, which she hadn’t noticed when she first arrived.

“I’ll be intruding on you, Professor.”

“Nonsense, we’re colleagues. In a few years, you’ll be in my position; perhaps then I’ll be calling you Professor Zhong. Work hard, and you’ll be promoted before you know it.”

His words, filled with encouragement, made Zhong Yuxiu smile wryly. She no longer harbored great ambitions; she simply enjoyed research and longed for a calm, peaceful life. Now she had money, a home, a position as a teaching assistant at the university, and a pension waiting for her upon retirement. Even in death, she would be buried by the state.

She had nothing to worry about.

In life, it is enough to have sufficient means; wealth cannot be taken with you, nor can reputation. She preferred to quietly pursue her research, far from the pursuit of empty fame.

“Do you still have last semester’s textbook?” Professor Ding asked again.

Zhong Yuxiu nodded. “Yes, of course. I would never throw out a textbook, even if I’m not using it.”

“Good. Then go home and fetch it.”

“All right, I’ll go right away.” Zhong Yuxiu cheerfully placed the class roster on her new desk and left the office. As she made her way to the school gate, she was spotted by Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo, who hesitated before approaching her.

“Comrade Zhong, why are you heading out?” Hao Nan asked, puzzled.

Zhong Yuxiu offered a gentle smile. “I need a textbook from home. Could one of you help fetch it? It’s in my room—just ask Gou Dan to help you find it.”

“I’ll go,” Tian Shangguo offered immediately. “Please wait here; I won’t be long.”

Tian Shangguo jogged off, and Hao Nan turned back to Zhong Yuxiu. “Comrade Zhong, you can go back to your work. Once the textbook arrives, we’ll bring it to you.”

“That works for me. I’m using Professor Ding’s office for now, so just take it straight there.”

“Understood. I’ll deliver it as soon as possible.”

Once Zhong Yuxiu had finished giving instructions and thanked them, she left. Hao Nan and his companion returned to their post only after she had walked away.

“You’re back already?” Professor Ding asked in surprise.

“I sent someone to fetch it for me.”

Professor Ding nodded, not pressing further. “Take a look at the class roster, then.”

“All right.”

Zhong Yuxiu sat down and committed the roster to memory, going over every detail recorded there in just a few minutes. Professor Ding continued his lesson preparations, while Zhong Yuxiu, with nothing else to do, spoke up. “Professor Ding, I’m going out to buy some paper and pens—I forgot to bring any with me.”

“I have spares,” Professor Ding replied without looking up, pulling a brand-new fountain pen, ink, and notebook from his drawer. “See if these work for you. If not, you’ll have to go buy your own.”

The notebook was hard-covered, the fountain pen a Hero brand—neither cheap.

“Professor Ding, I can go buy some quickly. It won’t take long.”

“Have you finished looking at the roster?”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded lightly. “Yes, I’ve memorized it.”

“You really do have an excellent memory, to have learned it so quickly.” He didn’t doubt her—someone of Zhong Yuxiu’s caliber wouldn’t bother to lie about such a thing.

“I’ve always been good at memorizing. I’ll go get my supplies, then—please, go on with your work.”

“Just use mine for now and return them when you have your own. No need for an extra trip. I also have some spare lesson-prep notebooks; take one for now. You’ll only be issued your own at the start of term, and I happen to have extras.”

“I really shouldn’t,” she replied. Both the notebook and the pen required not just money, but ration coupons as well. They were clearly new, yet he offered them so freely—she would remember his kindness.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t need them,” Professor Ding said, not caring in the least for the items. He seemed far more attached to his own well-worn pen. “This one was a gift from my daughter, but I’m not using it for now.”

“That makes it even less appropriate for me to take.” It was a present from his daughter, after all. “Someone’s bringing my textbook soon—I’ll have him make another trip and buy the supplies for me.”

Professor Ding finally looked up. “No need to trouble anyone. To buy a notebook and fountain pen, you’d have to go all the way to the department store, and that’s no short distance from our university.”

Zhong Yuxiu smiled. “It’s no trouble. They were assigned to protect me; running errands is part of it. I’ll make sure they get a good meal for their efforts tonight.”

So, they were security personnel?

Professor Ding suddenly understood. “That makes sense—someone with your achievements would never go unprotected. So it’s a secret arrangement. Good, then you can focus more of your energy on academic work, having someone to help with errands.”

“That’s my thought, too. Our time is both precious and not so precious—when you’re busy, not having someone reliable to help is truly frustrating.” Zhong Yuxiu glanced around. “Please, go on with your preparations. I see there’s a newspaper here—I’ll read for a while.”

Professor Ding nodded, giving his assent, and bent over his work once more. Dedicated as he was, he sought excellence in everything, refusing to leave anything less than perfect—a trait shared by most researchers and academics.

Knock, knock, knock...

Zhong Yuxiu turned. “Comrade Tian, you’re here.”

“Comrade Zhong, I’ve brought what you asked for,” Tian Shangguo said, removing a satchel from his shoulder. He didn’t enter the office at once, instead asking, “Shall I bring it in for you?”

“Yes, please—thank you.”

Tian Shangguo entered and placed the satchel on her desk. “No need to thank me. I’ll leave you to your work.”

“One moment,” Zhong Yuxiu called.

He turned. “Is there anything else you need?”

“I need paper and pens. Could you make another trip for me—buy a fountain pen, a notebook, two bottles of ink, and some pencils? If you find any large white drawing paper, please bring a stack. Here are some money coupons—get what you can, and if it’s not enough, I’ll make up the rest when you return.”

Tian Shangguo glanced briefly at the money before tucking it away. “It’s more than enough. There’ll be some left over.”

“Sorry to trouble you again.”

“Not at all—it’s my duty.” With a salute, Tian Shangguo turned and strode out of the office, quickly disappearing down the hall.