bestfiction Chapter 392 Wu Shanshan Returns to Suzhou
Chapter 392 Wu Shanshan Returns to Suzhou
The end of the semester is fast approaching, and Xiaojun will soon face the crucial high school entrance exam that will determine his fate.
Just a few days ago, Wu Shanshan took some time to call a small shop in Suzhou and learned that Xiaojun had applied to a vocational school.
She knew in her heart that, given Xiaojun's actual situation, this was indeed the best option at present.
Moreover, she was deeply grateful for the extra help Ms. Zhuang provided during this time. Without her, Xiaojun's grades could never have improved so much.
With that in mind, she decided to stop doing her part-time job for the next week and go home to help Xiaojun prepare for the high school entrance exam.
It's been a year since I last went home.
Last year during the Spring Festival, due to the severe outbreak of hepatitis A in Shanghai, she chose to stay at school.
That Spring Festival, she was alone in her dormitory, feeling cold and lonely.
Fortunately, one of her roommates, whose home was in Xinjiang Province, also didn't go home. The two lonely girls stayed together, comforted each other, and spent that special New Year together.
This time, Xiaojun is taking the high school entrance exam, and she is determined to go back no matter what.
She was worried about her younger brother, so she started packing her luggage early and took a detour to visit her classmate Wang Jiang.
I need to tell Wang Jiang, otherwise it would be too inappropriate for him to go to the trouble of helping me find a tutoring job, only for me to miss the appointment because I'm going home.
The two stood downstairs in the boys' dormitory; the morning sun was quite strong.
"Wang Jiang, my younger brother is taking the high school entrance exam, so I have to go home. I'll be back as soon as he finishes the exam."
Wang Jiang wasn't very tall, just over 1.7 meters. He wore black-rimmed glasses, had his hair combed back, and wore a clean white shirt, making him look refined and cultured.
He looked at the girl he had always secretly liked with heartache and gently gave her some advice.
“Your brother’s high school entrance exam is a big deal, so you definitely have to go back. Be careful on your journey. I’ll help you find a tutoring job here when you get back, so don’t worry about it.”
Wu Shanshan smiled slightly, revealing a genuine smile, and nodded gently. "Thank you, Wang Jiang. I'll be going now."
After that, she turned and left.
Watching Shanshan's retreating figure, Wang Jiang couldn't help but sigh.
He recalled the scene when he confessed his feelings to Shanshan. At that time, Shanshan rejected him because she planned to go abroad in the future and did not want to hold him back.
Since then, Wang Jiang has stopped mentioning matters of the heart, and instead silently and diligently helps this resilient and strong-willed girl in all aspects of her life and studies.
Wu Shanshan's nickname "Desperate Saburo" is not just an empty title; it was given to her by her classmates.
At school, she studied hard and not only consistently ranked among the top students in her class, but also actively participated in various school activities.
Sometimes, when Wang Jiang watched her busy figure, he wondered what a girl had gone through to work so hard.
Although he had never asked Shanshan about her family situation, he could guess from her behavior that her family must be in dire straits.
. . . . . .
As Wu Shanshan carried her luggage, basking in the sun and drenched in sweat, she stepped through the door of her home, a place she hadn't visited in a year. A complex mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity welled up within her.
It was very hot. In the yard, four old hens listlessly huddled in a small shady spot in the corner, lying on the ground, looking dejected.
Her father was wearing a vest, and sweat had completely soaked the area around the collar, making it darker in color.
Old Wu was holding a plane, planing the wood, one stroke after another. Hearing footsteps at the door, he subconsciously looked up, and when he saw Shanshan, he was somewhat dazed and involuntarily took a step back.
"Shanshan? Why are you back?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Old Wu realized his mistake, quickly put down the plane in his hand, and patted his mouth to make sure he had said the right thing.
"No, that's not what Dad meant. It's just that you didn't let us know beforehand so I could pick you up at the station. It's so hot now."
Seeing her father's slightly flustered appearance, Wu Shanshan smiled and nodded gently. "Dad, I'm back."
"It'll be good to come back, it'll be good to come back."
He had been regretting it ever since he made the last phone call, fearing that Shanshan had become distant from him.
In his mind, Shanshan is promising now, and even if she can't stay in Shanghai, she can still get a good job back in Suzhou.
By then, Shanshan will not only be able to help Xiaojun, but she herself may also benefit from it and enjoy the blessings of her daughter.
Old Wu, somewhat uneasy, quickly took the bag from Shan Shan's hands. "Shan Shan, are you still resentful towards your father? I regretted it as soon as I made the call last time. You called back looking for Xiao Jun. You're my own daughter, how could I possibly abandon you?"
Wu Shanshan walked into the house, her eyes sweeping over the newly added appliances.
Xiao Jun had told her on the phone before that Xiao Min had helped him buy the color TV and washing machine at home.
It seems that Xiaomin has indeed made a lot of money selling clothes, which is good. Although Xiaomin doesn't have a formal job, her income is considerable.
In fact, many times, Wu Shanshan not only envied Xiaoting, but also Xiaomin, because they both had a mother who wholeheartedly protected them.
Wu Shanshan turned to look at her father.
"Dad, are you alright? Xiaojun has an exam coming up, but I still wanted to come back to visit and thank Teacher Zhuang."
Old Wu put down his bag and, without a moment's delay, quickly went into the kitchen.
He took out the watermelon, picked up a knife, cut it into small pieces, and put them on a plate.
"Okay, I'm fine. Xiaojun did well on his recent exams. His teacher looked at his estimated score and said he's basically guaranteed a place in vocational school. I have to thank Teacher Zhuang for helping with the tutoring."
Old Wu responded loudly while cutting the watermelon.
In his view, this time he had truly benefited from Teacher Zhuang and Huang Ling's family.
Not only did they tutor Xiaojun for free, but Xiaojun also seemed to have suddenly grown up during this period, becoming sensible and motivated.
Is it really true, as rumored, that Professor Zhuang's family was able to raise three college students because of their family's influence and education? He is also the father of a college student.
Wu Shanshan washed her hands, went into the small room partitioned off by wooden boards, and sat on her younger brother's lower bunk. "Dad, I'm going to buy some pastries later. Thank you, Teacher Zhuang and Aunt Huang. I'll also visit Aunt Song while I'm at it."
"There are always long queues at these time-honored restaurants. The sun is so strong now, let's eat some watermelon before we go."
As he spoke, Old Wu carried a plate of watermelon out of the kitchen, placed it on the table, and then called out to the small room, "Shanshan, come and eat some watermelon, it's quite sweet."
Wu Shanshan walked over and frowned as she looked at the simple vegetarian dish and the bowl of porridge on the table.
“Dad, I don’t need your money for school anymore, and Xiaomin is working now. Why are you so frugal? Prices are rising fast these days, and money is becoming less and less valuable. Saving money is like letting it depreciate.”
Old Wu was eating watermelon when he heard his daughter's words. "We have to save some money. Xiaomin has started dating, you know. Weddings cost a lot of money, furniture and appliances, all of them cost money."
As he spoke, he glanced at Shanshan across from him, and seeing that she didn't even lift her eyelids, he quickly added, "You'll get married someday too."
Wu Shanshan turned to look at the pile of wood outside the yard. "Are you making furniture for Xiaomin?"
Old Wu waved his hand and quickly explained, "No, no, it's because the eldest son of Deputy Factory Director Liu is getting married, and he asked me to help make a set of sofas."