Transmigration: Flirted with My Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter 99 - 98 The Fish Has Taken the Bait

Chapter 99: Chapter 98 The Fish Has Taken the Bait

Lin Nianhe swore that asking Zhao Zhuangshi if he would study diligently was definitely not revenge for him climbing over the wall before, nor was it intended to embarrass him.

She was merely getting a tiny bit even for his adamant refusal after finding out she was the teacher.

That was all.

Zhao Zhuangshi had always been afraid of teachers, and now that he had a principal sitting behind him, the very thought made him shiver with dread.

He wanted to cry but had no tears, unsure of how to answer Lin Nianhe’s question.

Lin Nianhe didn’t need to see his expression to feel his resentment. In an instant, her thoughts became clear, her mind brightened.

She didn’t make things harder for him, instead, she turned to Principal Wu and said, "You see, the villagers need to work the fields, take care of their homes and their families. They are already giving it their all for the sake of living. Asking them to attend literacy classes at night is something most people are reluctant to do, and even if they are forced to go, the learning outcome won’t be good."

Principal Wu had been in education for half a lifetime, what didn’t she understand?

She stayed silent, subconsciously massaging her shoulders.

Education is a significant matter, a major concern for the future.

But in such an environment, there was little she could do.

After a long while, she heaved a deep sigh.

The wind picked up, and she couldn’t help but cough a few times.

Lin Nianhe took hold of her hands, which were especially rough from years of holding chalk, and said, "Principal Wu, don’t worry, let me give it a try."

After she finished speaking, Principal Wu’s eyes lit up, and Zhao Zhuangshi suddenly felt every joint in his body stiffen up, every movement an effort.

Lin Nianhe: "Zhao Zhuangshi, driving an ox cart is quite tiring, isn’t it?"

Zhao Zhuangshi, startled, didn’t dare to turn back, and trembling, he asked, "What... what do you want?"

Could this woman be thinking of starting with him?

He had now gotten used to working every day, sometimes bantering with Uncle Guan, no longer finding life as hard as before.

But expecting him to sit in a classroom like a little bastard to learn to read after a full day’s work? Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Lin Nianhe smiled slightly, confident in her victory: "Nothing much. I just saw a tractor delivering bricks before, and I heard that the tractor drivers can rest when they don’t have tasks, and they get a salary and various vouchers every month... It indeed sounds a lot easier than driving an ox cart."

This statement was purely offhand nonsense from Lin Nianhe, simply to hoodwink the uneducated Zhao Zhuangshi.

The tractors nowadays are all hand-cranked and absolutely not easy to operate. Moreover, their commune only had one tractor, which apart from ploughing in spring and harvesting in autumn, was busy transporting goods on regular days... finding leisure time was not easy at all.

Zhao Zhuangshi’s mind was on guard while talking to Lin Nianhe, but his thoughts drifted unconsciously to the tractor currently parked at the Ten Miles Team.

He had seen it before, that great lump of metal, so impressive!

Especially when the tractor driver jumped out of it, it was... well, Zhao Zhuangshi was uneducated and couldn’t describe it.

Anyway, he felt at the time that if he also leapt from a tractor, he’d never be kicked out when visiting any widow’s home again.

Zhao Zhuangshi thought of the widow, then glanced at the old ox in front of him and curled his lip in disdain.

He felt he could drive a tractor too. As long as someone taught him, it would work out—his mother always said he was smart.

He knew he was smart; he just didn’t like studying.

Zhao Zhuangshi subconsciously reached into his pocket—for the widow... no, for the tractor, he decided to inquire. He wanted to learn!

The current tractor driver at the commune looked both dumb and dumber. If he could learn, why would he be any worse?

Once he mastered it, he’d drive that guy away, and this respectable job would be his.

Won’t leave? He’d get beaten up! If once wasn’t enough, he’d do it twice!

Lin Nianhe’s ethereal voice drifted from the backseat: "But not just anyone can drive a tractor. I’ve heard you not only have to learn how to drive but also how to fix it. At the very least, you need to be able to understand those mechanical books... I’ve heard that you have to have at least a high school education."

The small flame that had just ignited in Zhao Zhuangshi’s heart was suddenly doused.

He opened his mouth, unconvinced, and asked: "Why’s that? Can’t drive a tractor without a high school diploma? Are you awesome because you graduated from high school?"

The fish had bitten the bait.

Lin Nianhe chuckled silently.

She replied: "Yes, having a high school diploma is indeed very impressive."

Zhao Zhuangshi: "..."

Lin Nianhe squinted her eyes, gazing at the Qingshan Mountains, and said leisurely: "Without literacy, even if you’re given a book on how to maintain a tractor, however clearly it is written, you won’t understand it. Why would the commune need you?"

Zhao Zhuangshi: "..."

For the first time in his life, Comrade Zhao Zhuangshi felt oppressed by another’s education level, forced to swallow the bitterness of his lack of culture.

He refused to accept it, absolutely refused, through and through.

But he couldn’t help wondering, if only he hadn’t been so playful back then and had gritted his teeth to finish high school, would he now be driving a tractor and teasing the young widows across Ten Miles Team?

Lin Nianhe suddenly changed the topic, addressing Principal Wu: "Right, Principal Wu, I’ve heard that teachers receive a five yuan allowance per month and can earn full points, is that so?"

Principal Wu, originally focused on Zhao Zhuangshi’s changing emotions, intending to seize the opportunity to persuade him to study, was suddenly interrupted by Lin Nianhe. She did not quite understand why Lin didn’t press the advantage but could only nod: "Yes."

Zhao Zhuangshi abruptly turned his head, looking at Principal Wu in disbelief: "Why’s that? Just teach the little bastards a few words, why give ten points and money too?"

Five yuan!

He had never touched that amount of money since he was born!

Principal Wu, stared at by his glaring red eyes, subconsciously responded: "The treatment of private teachers indeed can’t compare to that of public teachers, but our situation here... indeed has its difficulties."

Zhao Zhuangshi was panting heavily.

"Because while you’re out fooling around, we’re studying, while you’re running in the streets, we’re practicing writing, because of what I know that you don’t," Lin Nianhe said, legs crossed, one hand propping her cheek, speaking leisurely.

She knew perfectly well that not everything should be measured by educational attainment; there are many high-scorers with little ability, and lots of big bosses without formal education. But for the kids today, studying is indeed the simplest way for them to leave the big mountains.

An education may not take you anywhere, but it can certainly keep you out of many doors.

Zhao Zhuangshi argued unconvincingly: "Well, there are things I know that you don’t!"

Lin Nianhe wouldn’t respond to such provocation, she glanced at him: "Believe it or not, I could insult you and you wouldn’t even understand."

Zhao Zhuangshi laughed out of sheer anger: "What? There are insults I can’t understand? Go ahead, speak up, I’m listening! I don’t buy it!"

As the former village tough, Zhao Zhuangshi, weighing 130 pounds, was born with 129 pounds of rebelliousness.

Although his mother forbade him from provoking Lin Nianhe, with the tension mounting, it was impossible for him not to fight back.

This was about the dignity of the former village tough!

Besides, it was just about slinging insults. Zhao Zhuangshi was an expert in all sorts of invectives. Could there be any swear words he wouldn’t understand?

Principal Wu watched the two squaring off like fighting cocks, suddenly nervous.

She really feared Lin Nianhe would recite a poem or two, with so many people coming and going, it might cause trouble.

Principal Wu raised her hand to intervene, but Lin Nianhe was one step ahead, pressing down her hand.

She looked at Zhao Zhuangshi, her smile radiant.