Chapter 13: Old Sun
After Old Sun took over as the homeroom teacher, Chen Nuo had to sweep snow for three consecutive days.
The first day was because he failed a pop quiz—as if he'd ever pass one fairly.
The second day, Chen Nuo passed by copying a classmate's answers, but he was still careless.
Under the guise of not having turned in his homework, Old Sun made Chen Nuo join the volunteer snow-sweeping team again.
On the third day, Chen Nuo arrived at school early and copied the homework...
"Today, there's no quiz and no homework check. Instead, we'll have a random review of current affairs questions," Old Sun said leisurely, standing at the front of the class.
The students below heaved a collective sigh of relief.
"When was the Fifteenth National Congress held?" Old Sun pointed at the class president.
The class president stood up. "From September 12th to September 18th, 1997."
Old Sun nodded. "How many delegates attended?" He pointed at the academic representative.
The academic representative stood up. "A total of 2,074 people, including official delegates and specially invited delegates."
Old Sun pointed at Chen Nuo. Chen Nuo stood up.
With a deadpan expression, Old Sun asked, "The names of these delegates?"
Chen Nuo was speechless. Are you deliberately making things difficult for me, Old Sun?
***
When school let out, Chen Nuo shouldered a broom and listlessly swept a bit in the east corner of the playground, then dragged it a bit in the west.
He understood now; Old Sun was deliberately targeting him.
It wasn't just him; the entire class understood.
It wasn't just the entire class; the entire grade probably understood.
Occasionally, groups of two or three students would walk across the playground after school. Seeing Chen Nuo sweeping snow, they would point and giggle.
"Damn, is that the hero who hit on the Dean of Studies' daughter?"
"What a true warrior!"
Sigh, why did it have to be like this?
Then again, he had really brought this upon himself.
Old Sun probably just wanted to give Chen Nuo a show of authority on the first day of snow sweeping.
But who would have known that while Chen Nuo was sweeping snow after school that day, the school beauty would come bouncing over? Not only did she bring him a thermos of hot water, but she also found another broom and started sweeping with him.
Old Sun, watching from the window of the grade-level faculty office on the second floor, nearly had a heart attack!
So, to be precise, Chen Nuo truly deserved the snow-sweeping duties on the second and third days.
***
「On the fourth day.」
Old Sun walked into the classroom with measured steps.
The students stood. "Good morning, teacher."
The students had just sat down when Chen Nuo instantly became fully alert.
He had to see what new tricks Old Sun would pull today.
Over the past three days, to counter Old Sun, he had spent one evening memorizing the key points from this semester's political studies textbook and another memorizing a hundred current affairs questions.
Yes, and he had turned in today's homework too!
If you dare ask me to name over two thousand delegates again, I'll...
Just as he was thinking this, Old Sun began to speak.
"Chen Nuo, you will stay after school today to sweep snow."
What?!
No quiz?
No questions?
No homework check?
Old Sun, you're not playing by the rules!
You're not playing fair!
"Why?" Chen Nuo glared.
Old Sun slowly picked up his thermos, opened it, blew on the steam, and took a leisurely sip before saying, "Didn't you submit an application to join the Youth League this semester? It's good to do more collective labor to cultivate your sense of collective honor and responsibility."
Chen Nuo stared at Old Sun.
I used to think I wasn't a good person, but you're a real piece of work, Old Sun!
In an instant, Chen Nuo made a decision!
Tonight, when the school beauty brings Old Sun his dinner, I'll intercept her and eat both his chicken drumsticks!
No, Old Sun, you won't be having any chicken drumsticks for the rest of this month!
***
After school, as Chen Nuo carried the broom towards the playground for the fourth time, someone suddenly called out to him.
The class president hurried over. "Chen Nuo, Teacher Sun wants you to go to his office, now!"
"Hmm?" Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow. "What, I don't have to sweep the playground anymore?"
The class president shook his head. "I don't know."
However, before walking away, he chuckled, patted Chen Nuo's shoulder, and secretly gave him a thumbs-up. "You're awesome!"
Chen Nuo slung the broom over his shoulder, tucked his hands into his pockets, and strolled leisurely towards the grade-level faculty office. He opened the door and pushed aside the thick cotton curtain; a wave of warm air from the stove inside washed over him.
Old Sun was sitting at his desk. When Chen Nuo walked in, Old Sun looked up, his expression somewhat complicated... Hmm, does the old fellow look a bit guilty and embarrassed?
A person seated on the office sofa stood up and walked towards Chen Nuo.
Chen Nuo frowned.
The person was dressed in a police uniform.
"You must be Chen Nuo."
"That's me," Chen Nuo replied steadily, then his gaze shifted to Old Sun.
Old Sun sighed, his tone very grave. "Chen Nuo, this is Instructor Zhang from Longtan Prison."
As Old Sun spoke, Instructor Zhang took out his credentials and showed them to Chen Nuo.
"Is there something you need?" Chen Nuo's expression was calm, showing no sign of disturbance.
"It's like this. Your mother, Ou Xiuhua, is currently undergoing reform in our prison. Last year, due to her good behavior, her application for family visitation was approved. The prison notified her next of kin—that's you. According to our records, you were the one who answered the phone when we called."
Chen Nuo nodded. Of course, I don't remember this. It clearly happened before my rebirth.
Instructor Zhang's tone softened a little. He said slowly, "But it's been half a year since the visitation request was approved, and you haven't come to the prison to visit. Ou Xiuhua asked us to come and talk to you. Um, let me put it this way: I'm not very familiar with your family's circumstances, but based on my experience with ideological rehabilitation in the prison, family visits are beneficial for an inmate's reform."
After a pause, Instructor Zhang looked at Chen Nuo and said in a low voice, "Your mother has been in very low spirits recently. Son, don't you want to go see her? She misses you very much."
Old Sun, standing nearby, looked somewhat emotional.
He walked over and patted Instructor Zhang's shoulder. "Instructor Zhang, he's my student. Let me talk to him. How about you head back first?"
As he said this, Old Sun did something that surprised Chen Nuo.
Old Sun stepped between Chen Nuo and Instructor Zhang. He looked at Instructor Zhang and said, his voice not loud but very firm, "He's still just a child, after all! There's no need to say any more about certain things, to avoid putting pressure on him... I'm his teacher. I'll talk to him slowly. Instructor Zhang, please go back for now. If there's anything, I'll contact you by phone."
Instructor Zhang hesitated for a moment, then nodded, sighed, shook hands with Old Sun, and left.
Chen Nuo remained silent. Actually... I'm a bit bewildered, wondering how to handle this.
But in Old Sun's eyes, the boy's silence could be misinterpreted.
Old Sun first walked to the door, glanced outside, and then closed it. Turning back into the room, he pointed to the sofa. "Sit down."
Chen Nuo sat down. He suddenly felt a surge of goodwill towards Old Sun for his recent actions.
Old Sun really is a good person.
"Want some water?"
Chen Nuo shook his head.
Old Sun poured him a cup anyway.
"Young man, I understand that having such a burden is difficult. I've read about your family situation in the school records. Um, when I took over this class, your former homeroom teacher, Teacher Wu, also mentioned it to me. I was planning to visit your local neighborhood committee in the next few days to understand things better."
Old Sun tried to soften his tone. "I know that at such a young age, you're caught in such difficult family circumstances. Actually, Chen Nuo... you're a very smart kid, and you have a lot of character. Regarding this matter, as your teacher, I won't pressure you, and you shouldn't put any pressure on yourself either. The people from the prison were just here to get an understanding of the situation. The final decision rests entirely with you, so don't worry. If you have any difficulties, you can always talk to me."
Chen Nuo scrutinized Old Sun, seeing sincerity in the middle-aged man's eyes, along with genuine, serious concern.
After a moment's thought, he said with a playful smile, "Can you give me a cigarette then?"
Old Sun glared. "Don't be ridiculous!"
As he spoke, he fumbled in his drawer and pulled out a pack of fruit candies. "Why would a young lad like you want to smoke? Have some candy!"
Old Sun watched Chen Nuo unwrap a piece of candy and pop it into his mouth before finally smiling with relief.
He glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. Um, there's probably no one at your home to cook dinner. Come on, come to my place for dinner."
Chen Nuo was slightly surprised, but after a moment, he grinned. "If I don't go, will you punish me by making me sweep the playground again tomorrow?"
Old Sun shot Chen Nuo a sideways glance. "Don't try to be clever with me. Do you think you don't know why I made you sweep the playground? I'm telling you, don't you dare get any ideas about Keke. Otherwise, you'll be sweeping this school's playground until the day you graduate, believe it or not!"
Chen Nuo couldn't help but laugh. "Old Sun, you're absolutely crazy about your daughter."
"Alright, stop fooling around. Let's go, time for dinner! My wife is making braised chicken drumsticks tonight. Her cooking is excellent."
Well, Old Sun, you might not believe this, but those braised chicken drumsticks... I know they're absolutely delicious.
***