Chapter 25: Tingting 23

The three of them found the Han residence using the address. At that moment, Han Cunming happened to be returning from the paddy fields. He was barefoot and carrying a shovel on his shoulder, looking exactly like a typical rural farmer.

Seeing a crowd gathered at his doorstep, Han Cunming couldn't help but quicken his pace. "What happened?"

An elderly bystander pulled Han Cunming aside. "Cunming, Tingting's results are out! I heard from her principal that she did exceptionally well!"

Han Cunming pushed through the crowd. "Teacher Qin, Teacher Zheng, Principal Tang—how much did Tingting score?"

The Dean, who was also Teacher Zheng and Tingting's homeroom teacher, strode forward. Without any hesitation, he took the shovel from Han Cunming's shoulder and set it aside.

"Uncle Han, we came today to find Han Tingting. Where is she? Her high school entrance exam results are out, and we came specifically to congratulate her."

The congratulations were a pretext; the real goal was to get Han Tingting to sign her enrollment agreement as soon as possible.

"Tingting went to a nearby garment factory to work a summer job. She's currently learning pattern making from a master."

"That child is so hardworking! I heard from Xiao Yang that she's already following the pattern master around to learn!"

The neighbors chimed in one after another. In a rural village, whatever happens in the morning is common knowledge by noon.

Han Cunming washed his hands. "I'll go to the garment factory to call her back."

"There's no need to trouble you, Uncle Han. Let Teacher Zheng go with you; he can get there very quickly by car." Principal Tang smiled like a plump fox, looking exceptionally kind and approachable.

Han Cunming replied, "Then Principal Tang and Teacher Qin can rest at home. We'll be back shortly."

As the two headed toward the garment factory, the remaining villagers did not leave; they stayed in the Han family courtyard. Naturally, the center of the gossip remained Han Tingting, with people mostly asking about her usual behavior and performance.

Teacher Qin spoke kindly, "Han Tingting is very hardworking at school. You rarely see her out playing."

"Yang Shun is in the same class as Han Tingting; you can ask him."

"He won't come back and talk about Tingting's business," an auntie said with a pout. "Speaking of which, it's such a pity for Tingting this time..."

"It's not a pity," Tan You replied calmly to the factory director's question. "That is the result of someone else's parents' efforts; it's just that I didn't have parents like that. There is nothing to be jealous of; one cannot choose their parents."

The factory director praised her, "So magnanimous! Tell you what, go home today and finish your paperwork first. Here is a red envelope from the factory to congratulate you on your excellent exam results."

As the director handed over the red envelope, Tan You accepted it without hesitation. "Thank you, Uncle Yang. I'll head back now."

The director smiled. "Alright."

He had heard someone was looking for Han Tingting at the factory and had rushed out of his office, thinking someone was trying to poach her. Only upon approaching did he learn about her exam scores—scores so high they made the director feel a bit dizzy.

He had a son as well, only a few years older than Han Tingting. Thinking back to his son's exam scores, even doubling them wouldn't match Han Tingting's; the director felt a twinge of envy.

When Han Cunming and Teacher Zheng returned, Tan You efficiently signed the enrollment agreement for the main district high school. The school offered excellent terms: all tuition and miscellaneous fees for three years were waived, and she would receive a monthly living allowance of 300 yuan.

Because Tan You had performed exceptionally well, the school also awarded her an extra 10,000 yuan.

Principal Tang said, "Our school is just a township middle school; we can't offer you much."

Tan You replied, "This is already a lot. Even when I was at my lowest, my teachers never gave up on me. You have all given me so much already."

Teacher Qin patted Tan You on the head. "It's only you—you are the greatest miracle I have encountered in my teaching career. I hope you continue to work hard and strive for excellence in the future."

"Of course," Tan You pursed her lips and handed both the prize money and the red envelope from the director to Han Cunming. "Grandpa, please keep this for me."

Han Cunming grinned, showing his gap-toothed smile. "Alright, I'll go to the bank to save it for you this afternoon."

The old man didn't have much concept of "key middle schools"; he only knew one thing: his granddaughter wouldn't have to worry about her high school years, as long as she focused on her studies.

With the most important matter settled, Teacher Qin felt inclined to ask Tan You about other things. "I heard from your grandfather that you're even busier this summer than when you were at school? Working a job and previewing the tenth-grade curriculum?"

Tan You said, "It's not exactly 'busy.' There's only so much time, and it would be a waste not to use it for learning. Lately, I've been learning pattern making from a master. This kind of opportunity is rare, so I want to learn as much as I can."

Principal Tang added, "Your thirst for knowledge is unmatched. Since you performed so well, will you be holding a banquet to thank your teachers?"

Tan You shook her head. "No. My family's circumstances are what they are. I will prepare small gifts for all the teachers later. You've all gone to a lot of trouble for me over the past two years, and everyone has looked after me very much."

Teacher Zheng smiled. "Alright, I'll look forward to it. Just make sure it's within your means."

Tan You replied, "I know. I will act according to my ability."

Principal Tang sighed. "It's a pity the other party received bonus points. If they hadn't, the rewards from the county and city would likely be even higher. Now, they've been almost halved."

Tan You was surprised. "There are bonuses too?"

Principal Tang replied, "Of course. They will be issued to the school in due course, and you will be notified when there is news. By the way, leave a contact number for the factory so we don't lose track of you next time."

Once the important business was finished, the teachers departed. The small courtyard of the Han family became lively again, with the topic shifting to how much scholarship money Han Tingting would receive.

"Studying is clearly useful. Look at Tingting—not only does she not have to pay for high school, but the school even gives her a monthly allowance."

"That's because Tingting has great grades. In all these years, I've only heard of one person like her!"

"Yang Shun's mother's eyes are going to turn red with jealousy again!"

The neighbors laughed knowingly. Living in the same village, everyone knew everyone else's business.

The release of the exam results did not significantly impact Tan You's life. She didn't even wait until the next day; she returned to work at the garment factory that very afternoon.

Her time learning from Master Hu was limited; how could she bear to waste it? Her mindset was as steady as an old dog. Seeing this, the people around her praised her once again, thinking that since Han Tingting hadn't become arrogant after her success, she would surely have a bright future.

"I think we could add a small shoulder pad here to make it look more structured," Tan You suggested in Master Hu's studio. After circling the sample garment twice, she had a new idea.

"Shoulder pads?" Master Hu frowned. "The exaggerated kind?"

"Of course not," Tan You smiled. "Just a little bit. If it's too much, it won't look delicate enough."

The sewing team leader was also in the office. "It already looks very good and quite neat."

Tan You replied, "Not enough. How about you modify the sample again? Adding a small shoulder pad will definitely make a huge difference."