Wealthy Beauty in the 60s
Chapter 82 - 81 Introduction

Chapter 82: Chapter 81 Introduction

On the second day of the New Year, all three of Xianghong’s daughters had returned, and this time Yongfang didn’t bring up the matter of Xiumei, and the Gao family enjoyed a harmonious period without conflict.

As the New Year passed, Xuehua and the others came back, but there wasn’t much happiness among them. It seemed there was no hope of returning to the city this year, which soured everyone’s mood.

And Jiaxing’s mood was even worse because his teacher had fallen ill this term, and Xiumei had unexpectedly transferred to Guangming Middle School to become his homeroom teacher. Nothing could depress Jiaxing more.

"That woman is like a bad penny, always turning up." Back at home, Jiaxing grumbled, "Bro, hurry up and take care of that woman, she’s so annoying."

Xianghong said, "She had a good position in the county school, so why come to your school, and even become your teacher? What is Teacher Wang trying to do?"

Jiazhi stayed silent while Jiaxing said, "What else could she want, obviously it’s about my brother, trying to curry favor through me."

"Why would Teacher Wang bother, since there are so many better options in the county," although Xianghong was proud someone fancied her son, Teacher Wang was an exception.

"Maybe it’s just a coincidence, don’t overthink it. Focus on your studies and try to get into a good high school," said Guoqiang.

Only then did Jiazhi join in, "It must be a coincidence. I’m not a hot cake, and if she really wanted to ingratiate herself, she’d be better off becoming your high school teacher."

"Hmph, I just don’t like her. And she even made me a class officer," Jiaxing said, clearly unhappy.

Once Jiaxing mentioned this, the family perked up with interest, even Guoqiang looked intrigued and asked, "Oh, what kind of class officer?"

Xianghong’s eyes lit up, "Don’t tell me she made you the class president?"

Jiazhi said, "It’s probably not the class president." Although his brother was good, his grades just weren’t there. It would be impossible unless Teacher Wang was really biased.

"The sports committee member," Jiaxing finished, prompting everyone to laugh.

"I don’t want to do it. She’s practically seeking me out every day. If I become a class officer, she’ll have even more excuses. I’m even thinking of dropping out."

Hearing Jiaxing say this, Xianghong hurriedly said, "Don’t overthink it. The most critical part of ninth grade is this term. Once you’ve finished your exams, she won’t be able to affect you."

"Yeah, Jiaxing, don’t worry so much. Just study hard and try to get into a good high school," Jiazhi also chimed in.

This term, as Jiaxing was preparing for the high school entrance exams, even Guoqiang hadn’t arranged for him to work in the production team, which showed how seriously they were taking Jiaxing’s education.

However, Jiaxing didn’t spend all his time at school; it was more like intermittent attendance, but as long as he finished his homework and did well on exams, it was fine.

Jiaxing didn’t like Xiumei, so he was unwilling to attend her classes. He preferred being tutored by Jiazhi or Xia Xiao, whose lessons he actually enjoyed.

Yet, it was precisely Jiaxing’s truancy that gave Xiumei an excuse to visit the Gao Mansion for a home visit, leaving the Gao family speechless.

Jiaxing’s face soured at the thought of Xiumei’s meddling, but fearing she might spread rumors, he was also reluctant to stay away.

Wang Xiumei once again set foot in the Gao family residence, her purpose this time intentional, unlike her previous inadvertent visit.

Her feelings were mixed. Though the Gao Family looked down on her, Wang Xiumei found herself drawn to them, and she would compare every match her family introduced—even those willing to marry into her family—to the Gao brothers. She felt that aside from the family’s social status, the two brothers were better than any of the prospective suitors.

Her gaze settled on Gao Jiazhi, and her heart favored him, but it was tinged with discontent. She was just as good in every way, except for the fact that she had been divorced. Gao Jiazhi’s indifference towards her, which she assumed was due to her divorce, made her particularly unhappy and all the more determined to marry him.

"If you need something, talk to my parents. Why are you looking at my brother like that?" Gao Jiaxing said with dissatisfaction, not liking the way Wang Xiumei looked at Gao Jiazhi, which he felt was predatory.

"Jiaxing, you should show some respect to the teacher," Gao Guoqiang felt compelled to intervene.

Gao Jiaxing said no more, but he then told Gao Jiazhi, "Brother, go check on the traps and see how they’re doing."

Gao Jiazhi nodded and left, not wanting to stay any longer.

Gao Yongfang had been seeking him out quite often, but Gao Jiazhi paid no mind. He truly had no interest in Wang Xiumei. The only reason he hadn’t left was because of Gao Jiaxing’s hostility towards her, and he took the opportunity to observe Wang Xiumei a bit.

When Wang Xiumei finally left, and Gao Jiazhi had returned from the mountain, Gao Jiaxing commented, "I don’t like the way she looks at Brother. It’s the way we look at prey."

This description left the Gao family speechless, and indeed, their impression of Wang Xiumei was not favorable.

Yet, Gao Jiaxing’s irritation with Gao Yongfang was to come later, as she often visited Guangming Middle School to find him and even invited him to their home for dinner, which was like a weasel greeting a chicken for the New Year—not with good intentions.

Having been at odds since childhood, Gao Jiaxing knew his sister’s duplicity even better than the rest of his family. Their parents hadn’t enjoyed a single meal with her, and the same went for their well-meaning brother, whom she had now invited for dinner.

Gao Jiaxing wasn’t foolish and had no intention of acknowledging Gao Yongfang’s overtures, so he just walked away, leaving Gao Yongfang fuming.

Furthermore, Gao Yongfang harbored resentment towards Wang Xiumei as well. After years of failed match-making attempts with Wang Xiumei, who was obstinately fixated on Gao Jiazhi, Gao Yongfang was upset by Wang Xiumei’s attempts to curry favor with Gao Jiaxing.

Gao Yongfang was extremely displeased, thinking that if Wang Xiumei wanted to pursue Gao Jiazhi, she should simply go directly to him instead of making efforts with Gao Jiaxing. Better to charm Gao Jiazhi directly.

But Wang Xiumei was very independent-minded and not easily swayed by Gao Yongfang’s advice, which added to Gao Yongfang’s discontent.

When word reached the Gao Mansion that Wang Xiumei had taken a liking to Gao Jiazhi, Old Lady Gao was pleased at the prospect, thinking that if Gao Jiazhi married Wang Xiumei, the family could also move to the city and share in the good fortune.

However, Lin Xuebi countered, "Mom, if Jiazhi marries Teacher Wang, it’s not certain that we can share in the good fortune."

Yang Hua, with her baby bump, suggested, "Then let the second brother marry her. He’s not inferior to Jiazhi."

Lin Xuebi’s eyes lit up. Yes, her younger son was no less capable than Gao Jiazhi. She immediately proposed, "Mom, I think Jianhua would be a good match with Teacher Wang."

Old Lady Gao scoffed, "At least Jiazhi is a high school student; Jianhua didn’t even finish middle school. Would Teacher Wang consider him?"

Although Old Lady Gao doted on the two grandsons she raised, she had to acknowledge that they were less educated than the younger ones. Teacher Wang was a college graduate and a teacher who surely preferred someone well-read.

"That may not be the case. If she really liked well-read men, the city was full of them. Why did she seek out someone from the countryside? I heard it was Yongfang who introduced them. Mom, since Jiazhi is unwilling, let’s consider Jianhua. It’s a chance to move to the city and ’eat public grain’ [enjoy public benefits]."