Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 121

"I had been planning to look for Liu Aihong after school at noon, but I didn’t expect her to come to me on her own."

Yang PeiMin was somewhat surprised.

Looking at the familiar attitude of Liu Aihong in front of her, she couldn’t help asking, "Did Mr. Liu come specially to find me?"

At noon when school let out, teachers and students who lived nearby went home for lunch, while those who lived too far brought their food to eat at school.

Yang PeiMin usually went home to eat, but today, wanting to find Liu Aihong, she brought her lunch over, deciding that no matter what, she couldn’t let herself go hungry.

Since there were other people in the office, it wasn’t a place to talk.

Yang PeiMin followed her out of the school and sat down on a small bench under the trees outside the playground.

"I came to ask you something," Liu Aihong got straight to the point.

Yang PeiMin adopted a listening posture.

"Is that Ou Lei also interested in Mr. Hao?"

Yang PeiMin was stunned for a moment and turned her face to look at her, also puzzled, "Why would you ask such a thing?" She certainly couldn’t see any signs of it.

Liu Aihong huffed, raising her voice, "I know you’re new here and might not be fully aware, or perhaps you haven’t been attentive enough to notice, but that Ou Lei has always been interested in Mr. Hao." The last sentence was said with certainty.

Being called inattentive made Yang PeiMin sweat a bit—who had the leisure to observe others all day to see if they were interested?

"You don’t know, every time I come over to find Mr. Hao, she’s the one who objects to me the most, always using words to mock and ridicule me. I know she wants me to back off, but I won’t let her schemes succeed!"

People holding grudges against her—surely there were a few among the teachers in the office, right? After all, she walked into the office as if it were her own house, and although she helped with cleaning, she often rummaged through others’ desks.

From the words exchanged in the last meeting, she picked up on a few things: they didn’t like Liu Aihong rummaging through their things, they didn’t like her talking loudly in the office as though no one else was there, and they didn’t like her saying nonsensical things to the students, among other complaints.

"Mr. Ou is quite straightforward, and that doesn’t necessarily mean she is interested in Mr. Hao." She gently hinted to Liu Aihong.

Liu Aihong waved her hand dismissively, not listening at all, "Don’t talk to her anymore. She’s definitely trying to get together with Mr. Hao."

Yang PeiMin was also somewhat taken aback. Just now, Liu Aihong seemed to want her opinion, but now she had already made up her mind without Yang PeiMin saying anything conclusive.

"So, Mr. Liu, what do you plan to do?"

Liu Aihong suddenly grabbed Yang PeiMin’s hand, "That’s why I want Mr. Yang’s help to keep a close eye on Ou Lei’s movements, to make sure she doesn’t take advantage of her position to snatch Mr. Hao away."

And she squeezed quite tightly. Pain shot through Yang PeiMin’s hand, gripped by her. She had no more thought to pay attention to what Liu Aihong was saying and quickly asked her to let go.

Fortunately, Liu Aihong was reasonable enough to heed her request and Yang PeiMin was relieved to free her hands.

She tucked her hands into her pockets, feeling safer, before saying, "Sorry, I can’t help you with that."

Liu Aihong’s eyes widened. "Why?"

"Why can’t you help me? Do you also look down on my chances with Mr. Hao? I thought among all these stubborn and dull teachers, you were the most insightful and understanding. I didn’t expect you to have such a worldly perspective, you’re just like them!" Liu Aihong was somewhat angry. Among all the teachers, only the person before her had shown her kindness, reminding her to pour water for Mr. Hao. Wasn’t she one of her own? Why did she have to speak for someone else?

"All three of you are unmarried, and all of you have the right to pursue someone openly, just like you, Mr. Liu. Do you like Mr. Hao? Do you uncontrollably like him despite others’ objections?"

Liu Aihong nodded, somewhat excitedly. "So you knew all along. Yes, I fancy him."

"What is it that you like about him?"

Liu Aihong counted on her fingers, "I like that he’s handsome, cultured, warm-hearted, always ready to help, honest and responsible, patient with children, filial towards the elderly, and he even speaks nicely..."

Yang PeiMin turned her head and blinked at her, unable to help but exclaim, "So many good qualities?"

Liu Aihong lifted her chin in pride, "That’s right. I’ve only mentioned the tip of the iceberg. Just you listen, there’s more..."

Yang PeiMin nodded after listening, "And what about you? What strengths do you think you have?"

"I..." Liu Aihong paused, "I’m simple, strong, good for bearing children, frugal and capable of managing a household, competent, physically strong, and I bring good fortune to my husband..." She forced out a few points, then frowned and thought for a while before squeezing out another, "I can eat..."

Yang PeiMin almost couldn’t help but laugh.

Liu Aihong glared at her with a show of superficial toughness, "What, what are you asking these for? Do you think I’m not good enough for Mr. Hao?"

"You said that."

"You!" Liu Aihong stood up and pointed at her, "Why do you think I’m not good enough for Mr. Hao? If I’m not good enough, do you think you are?"

She began to speak without filter in her anger.

Yang PeiMin feigned innocence, "You forgot, I’m already married."

Liu Aihong sat back down, slapping her forehead, and said carelessly, "Right, I almost forgot. You’re married. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so relieved having you share an office with Mr. Hao."

Yang PeiMin was aware of this; she had previously asked herself about it in a casual manner.

Then Liu Aihong began to scrutinize her curiously about her marriage, asking, "How did you meet your spouse?"

Yang PeiMin told her the story of a heroic rescue.

"I see." Liu Aihong nodded in realization, then bombarded her with questions, "So who pursued whom? How long have you been married? What does he do? Has he given you any money from his family? How does he treat you after marriage? Does he stand up for you in front of his mother? Has he ever hit anyone when he’s lost his temper?"

Yang PeiMin patiently answered each question.

Liu Aihong, somewhat dazed after hearing all this, reconfirmed, "Are you for real?"

Yang PeiMin nodded, "Aihong, there are still so many things in this world worth pursuing and discovering. Love doesn’t represent everything. You feel fearless and brave right now, don’t you? But have you thought about your parents? Would they agree with what you’re doing? Has anyone made fun of them because of this? Can they walk with their heads held high?"

"There are many ways to love, and perhaps this high-profile approach isn’t working. You can try a different method. Also, love requires both parties to be willing. Forcing someone unwilling is torture. But I also understand your infatuation with Mr. Hao is uncontrollable. However, Mr. Hao is an intellectual. Have you thought about writing a letter? This low-key yet beautiful approach might be better than disturbing him every day, as Teacher Huang said, we should also consider what’s best for him if we truly like him."

"Lastly, I also hope you can give yourself some time. If Mr. Hao remains unmoved by then, you will have to learn to let go..."