Free Web NovelChapter 419: Chapter 419: Yanxi 27
Jin Xiuyu perked up. "I know, right? Teacher Xu is a computer whiz. Just think about it—for a hacker like her, how hard could it be to find something out?"
"Word on the street is, Teacher Xu found his Achilles’ heel. Apparently, his family’s business was involved in some shady stuff. Even though the parent came to apologize, their business wasn’t as prosperous afterward."
"Our very own Senior Xiuzai learned computers from Teacher Xu. He started making his own money back in high school—he’s amazing! I heard he’s now an official police officer. I’m so envious."
"And there’s more. Think about it, how long would it take to buy a house on a teacher’s salary? That’s how Teacher Xu earned most of her money. I heard she owns several properties."
"I heard she also has a place near the university, and the upperclassmen go find her there whenever they don’t have class. Her place is even livelier on the weekends."
Sheng Zhou finally understood why she’d said her place near the university was a bit bustling. ’So that’s the reason.’ With so many students around, it would naturally be difficult to have some peace and quiet.
This was the first time in his life he’d attended a parent-teacher conference for someone, and he never expected to run into his neighbor. What’s more, his neighbor had truly been an eye-opener. After hearing everything, Sheng Zhou’s impression of this Teacher Xu was that she was impressive. Extremely impressive.
Recalling the scene of her standing so timidly outside his door, Sheng Zhou suddenly felt a sense of delight. After all, in everyone else’s eyes, Xu Yanxi was the epitome of elegance and power.
But with him, Xu Yanxi was somewhat reserved. ’He was probably the only one who’d ever seen this side of her.’
Xu Yanxi was speaking with the parents one by one, and Sheng Zhou listened in. The supposedly dull and boring parent-teacher conference had become fascinating to him, though he was still grumbling to himself.
’The first parent-teacher conference I’ve ever attended in my life, and it’s for you, you punk.’
Jin Xiuyu tossed his hair. "Uncle, you can’t blame me for this. Who asked you to be my dad’s friend? I told my dad about the conference a long time ago, but he’s tied up with work and can’t get away. There’s nothing I can do."
"And don’t even get me started on my mom. She flew overseas after the divorce and basically never comes back. I can only count on you."
Sheng Zhou thought about Jin Xiuyu’s family situation and couldn’t help but feel that the kid had it tough. "Alright, it was just an offhand comment. You’ve got an answer for everything, don’t you? Is it almost your turn?"
"Yeah, it’s almost my turn. We’ll go up together in a minute." Jin Xiuyu looked at Xu Yanxi on the podium, his eyes filled with adoration. "Teacher Xu is really great. So warm."
As the two were whispering, Xu Yanxi flipped through the roster. "Jin Xiuyu."
"Here!" Jin Xiuyu, who had been listening with one ear pricked, answered loudly and gave Sheng Zhou a tug. "Let’s go, Uncle."
Sheng Zhou stood up, leisurely buttoning his suit jacket. By the time he reached the podium, Jin Xiuyu had already darted in from the main entrance. Standing before Xu Yanxi, the young man gave her a smile that was absolutely radiant.
Xu Yanxi was indeed quite fond of Jin Xiuyu, and her expression softened considerably. "Xiuyu has always performed very well, and he gets along well with his classmates. His attitude toward his studies is excellent, and he has a wonderful character."
"In terms of subjects, his physics is a little weak. I suggest he works on strengthening it over the winter break. His other subjects are fine. If he can maintain his current performance, getting into a public university won’t be just a dream."
Jin Xiuyu grinned from ear to ear. "I know, Teacher. I’ll find a tutoring class as soon as I get back."
Xu Yanxi smiled too. "Good. Why didn’t your father come today? I’ll get in touch with him later."
Sheng Zhou said calmly, "I’ll pass that on to his father. I’m a friend of his dad’s. He had to leave on an urgent business trip yesterday and won’t be back until the day after tomorrow."
Xu Yanxi nodded slightly. "Alright. Xiuyu, keep up the good work. You can do it!"
Jin Xiuyu gave an encouraging gesture in return. "Don’t worry, Teacher!"
Sheng Zhou glanced from the energetic Jin Xiuyu to Xu Yanxi. "When do you finish? How about we grab dinner together later? You can tell me more about Jin Xiuyu’s situation in detail then."
Xu Yanxi refused flatly. "I’m sorry, but I don’t eat with students’ parents. It’s against school regulations."
Sheng Zhou chuckled. "Then let me rephrase. When are you heading back to your apartment in the city? I bought some fresh salmon today. Shuangshuang should like it."
Xu Yanxi’s brow twitched. The mere mention of salmon now made her skin crawl. Although she had given him a return gift later, Xu Yanxi, who valued her dignity above all else, felt incredibly embarrassed in front of Sheng Zhou.
But she still had to answer. "I’m on vacation after the parent-teacher conference ends. I should be heading back to the city tonight. I’ve already prepared food for Shuangshuang, so I won’t trouble you."
Jin Xiuyu felt like a bystander watching a drama unfold. He could understand every word they were saying, but for the life of him, he couldn’t grasp the meaning behind them.
He tried to butt into the conversation. "Teacher, who’s Shuangshuang?"
"She’s a little cat I’m raising," Xu Yanxi couldn’t have been more grateful for the interruption. Turning to Jin Xiuyu, her tone became noticeably brighter. "You should head back now. If there’s anything you don’t understand with your studies, feel free to ask in the group chat. I’m always online."
"Got it, Teacher. I’m heading out then." Tugging Sheng Zhou again, Jin Xiuyu took the lead in leaving. Sheng Zhou had no choice but to follow, though he felt a bit disgruntled.
’I’m so busy, yet I made a special trip to attend this parent-teacher conference for this little punk, and this is how he repays me?’
As soon as Sheng Zhou left, Xu Yanxi breathed a sigh of relief. The rest of the parent-teacher conference went exceptionally smoothly. It wasn’t until around five-thirty that Xu Yanxi’s first-ever parent-teacher conference officially concluded.
Walking into the office, Xu Yanxi couldn’t help but rub her lower back. "Being a homeroom teacher really is hard work."
Teacher Wang, who was pouring a glass of water, laughed. "That’s because you’re too dedicated. That’s why you’re so tired. The rest of us finished a long time ago."
Xu Yanxi quickly waved it off. "I’m just subbing, so I didn’t know much about the students beforehand and naturally had to spend more time. But honestly, I have no desire to be a homeroom teacher. It’s way too exhausting."
Teacher Wang said, "Who does? If it weren’t for the monthly stipend, I would’ve quit being a homeroom teacher long ago. You have it easy, Teacher Xu. With your special skills, you don’t have to worry about money at all."
It was an open secret throughout the school that Tan You used to have a side hustle. To be blunt, it didn’t violate school rules, so everyone was merely envious, not jealous.
At the end of the day, a school is a bit purer than the outside world. Besides, Xu Yanxi was the only oddball of her kind in the entire school. If there were more people like her, others might start to have opinions. But since she was the sole exception—and often used her "cash power" in the office—no one was really jealous.
