Chapter Twenty: Asking Zhong Yi for Help

Concerned about completing the task, Zhou Chen wasted no time and proactively called Zhong Yi the next day.

After hanging up, Zhong Yi walked over to Zhang Xue’er, who had already tidied up and was preparing to go out for lunch.

Zhong Yi and Zhang Xue’er graduated from the same school and had joined Fengfan Primary School as teachers one after another. Zhong Yi taught mathematics, while Zhang Xue’er was the English teacher and homeroom teacher.

Because they were in a romantic relationship, they often spent time together. Since it was the weekend, they had planned to go out for a nice meal. Just as they were about to leave, Zhong Yi received a call from his senior, Xia Junshan.

“Xue’er, it’s my senior brother, Xia Huanhuan’s father. He’s inviting us out to dinner.”

Zhang Xue’er was surprised. “Last time I thought he was just saying it casually. I didn’t expect him to actually invite us. Did he say what it was about?”

Zhong Yi replied, “He said it’s about Huanhuan’s studies, but he didn’t go into details on the phone. He insisted that I come for dinner tonight and specifically told me to bring you along.”

“You two brothers can go together. I’ll skip it.”

“That won’t do. Senior brother specifically instructed, and Huanhuan’s mother will be there too. It’s good for you to have company. Xue’er, you really shouldn’t refuse.”

After some thought, Zhang Xue’er agreed, recalling that Huanhuan had been in low spirits lately due to her declining grades. Finding an opportunity to talk with Huanhuan’s parents seemed like a good idea.

“All right, then.”

That evening, Zhou Chen and the others arrived at the restaurant Nan Li had booked. Soon after, Zhong Yi and Zhang Xue’er also arrived.

“Senior brother, sister-in-law.”

“Teacher Zhong, Teacher Zhang, please have a seat.”

Since the children were at home under their grandmother’s care, Zhou Chen and the others could dine out without worry.

“Senior brother, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Zhong Yi said with a smile as they sat down. They were from the same hometown and alma mater, now living in the same city and both teaching Huanhuan, which naturally brought them closer, though they seldom stayed in touch before.

“Indeed, it’s been some time. The last time we met was at the start of the school term.”

“Yes, almost two months have flown by.”

As Zhou Chen and Zhong Yi chatted, Nan Li and Zhang Xue’er began their own conversation nearby.

“Huanhuan’s mother, you really shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble for us.”

“What trouble is there? It’s only right. We should thank you for taking care of Huanhuan.”

“Huanhuan’s mother, you’re too polite. This is what we teachers should do; it’s not really ‘taking care’.”

The dishes arrived quickly. Nan Li had risen to the position of deputy director at a large company. Despite some difficulties managing her own household affairs, she was a master at navigating social situations. She chose a simple restaurant with homestyle dishes, so Zhong Yi and Zhang Xue’er wouldn’t feel any psychological pressure.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhong Yi asked, “Senior brother, you said on the phone there was something you wanted to discuss. Please go ahead. If there’s anything I can help with, I will.”

Zhou Chen didn’t hold back. Although he hadn’t watched the entire series of “Little Achievements,” from what he had seen, Zhong Yi’s character was already suffering greatly. The story seemed to be heading toward a bleak ending where Zhong Yi lost everything, even his girlfriend.

The drama portrayed Zhong Yi in a negative light, but viewing it as an outsider, Zhou Chen understood Zhong Yi’s hardships.

Though Zhong Yi had his flaws, the fact that he connected well with his students and earned their respect and affection showed he was a responsible and caring teacher.

As for running tutoring classes after school, it was against school rules but also understandable.

In a metropolis like Jiangzhou City, how much could a primary school teacher’s salary really cover? It was barely enough for one person to live on. For someone from a small county town, if they didn’t find ways to earn extra money, how could they dream of marriage, children, or a better life?

Women might not have to worry about these matters, as they could marry and shift responsibilities onto their husbands.

But men, especially those who had come from humble beginnings, aspired to succeed and earn money.

And for a primary school teacher, tutoring was undoubtedly the best option.

Unfortunately, in the plot, Zhong Yi encountered Tian Yulan and Nan Li—two “good sisters”—who transformed him from a sunny, straightforward teacher into a petty, spiteful one.

Though he bore some responsibility, external factors played a greater role, especially Tian Yulan, who was arguably the main cause of his downfall.

What was even more frustrating was that he had Zhang Xue’er, a saintly girlfriend, who, beyond occasional sympathy, often blamed and misunderstood him when problems arose.

Zhou Chen, seeing himself as an ordinary person in this world, empathized with Zhong Yi’s feelings. Since he was now connected to him, he intended to help if he could.

Of course, he would only help if Zhong Yi was worthy of it.

“There is indeed something I want to ask for your help with, Teacher Zhang, junior brother. You both know Huanhuan’s midterm results were disappointing. She’s very upset. We want to help her, but since both my wife and I are busy, we can’t always supervise her. So we’d like to ask for your assistance.”

Hearing this, Zhong Yi immediately patted his chest. “Senior brother, rest assured. From now on, I will supervise her well.”

“No, no, junior brother, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean, senior brother?”

Zhong Yi thought Zhou Chen wanted him to keep an eye on Huanhuan, which he had no problem with. He was aware of Zhou Chen’s family situation and knew they didn’t want to pressure their child.

Since Zhou Chen asked this time, he was definitely willing to help. But Zhou Chen’s denial of that meaning puzzled him.

Zhou Chen explained, “You teachers manage so many students and must be very busy. We don’t want to trouble you. We’d like to hire a one-on-one tutor to come to our home. We wanted to ask if you know any tutoring teachers.”

Both Zhong Yi and Zhang Xue’er were shocked. “Senior brother, you want to hire a tutor, one-on-one and at home?”

Zhang Xue’er added, “Huanhuan’s father, mother, I don’t think that’s necessary. Huanhuan just didn’t do well this once. If she works hard from now on, her grades might improve.”

Zhou Chen said nothing but inwardly scoffed: Yeah, right. If everyone thought like you, the children would be doomed.

Zhang Xue’er’s focus on a child’s mental and physical health was something he didn’t fully agree with.

To him, mental and physical well-being was important, but studying was even more so. Both needed to be balanced, but academics had to come first.

If someone emphasized health to the point of neglecting studies, like Zhang Xue’er, that would only harm the child.