Time flew by, and half a month had passed in the blink of an eye.
During these two weeks, Chen Dongyang worked as a sports teacher at the school. Not only did he make the children happy, healthy, and energetic, but he also greatly boosted their enthusiasm for learning.
At the end of the month, they welcomed the first mid-term mock exam of the semester. The children's results were excellent, and they climbed a full six places in the county's school rankings.
Li Yuan, who had been ranked last in the class during the previous exam, improved his math score by a significant twenty points.
Although her Chinese scores didn't improve much, Tian Tian was still very happy.
This was her first time being a teacher, her first time genuinely wanting to help a group of people. They had accepted her, and they were doing as she wished, making her feel that her existence was necessary and that living didn't carry such a heavy burden of guilt.
The sense of accomplishment and excitement, the struggle to break free from immense guilt and catch a glimpse of light, made her want to write a five-thousand-character essay to announce it to the world.
Of course, it was just a thought; her style wasn't that flamboyant.
Feeling a bit better, she thought of Ge'er. Ge'er was three months pregnant, and she really wanted to call her.
After the incident, she had buried her head in the sand like an ostrich, refusing to see the world, leaving all the bitterness and hardship for Ge'er to bear alone. Ge'er, a pregnant woman...
She wondered how things were now.
She tossed her phone back and forth in her hand, repeatedly typing and deleting the number, but she couldn't muster the courage to dial.
She had been too selfish, too awful, and had wronged Ge'er too much during that period.
To think that a few lighthearted apologies would absolve her would be too easy.
Tian Tian couldn't get past her own mental hurdle and put her phone back in her pocket.
She returned to the classroom to share the good news with everyone and encourage them, planning to reward them with a music class.
Just as she was heading to the cafeteria to make arrangements, her phone vibrated.
It vibrated several times in a row. Thinking something was wrong, she took it out and her mood immediately soared to the clouds.
Ge'er had messaged her!
Heavens, the twins were truly in sync! Just as she was thinking of her, Ge'er was thinking of her too!
Seeing the red number 4 in the corner of their chat box, Tian Tian almost jumped for joy on campus!
She had initially thought it was exciting enough that Ge'er had initiated contact, signaling that she had forgiven her.
However, upon reading the contents, she was even more touched.
The first two pictures were ultrasound images. Ge'er's baby was three months old, and the examination results were excellent.
The next two messages were two sentences.
The first sentence: "Hello Tian Tian, I wonder if you still remember me. I am Lei Dongyi. Your sister just returned from a hospital check-up and is sleeping. I am the one talking to you. .oΓg
The second sentence: "I've heard a little about what happened to you recently. If you have time, I'd like to call and chat with you. Although she doesn't say it, she still misses you. Last night, she called your name in her sleep. I hope I'm not meddling. If you see this message and are willing to chat with me, please call me."
Tian Tian was shocked.
She had heard that Lei Dongyi had returned before leaving Nancheng, but it was just hearsay. She never expected...
He was actually with Ge'er? And from the looks of it, they seemed quite intimate!
What did this mean? Had he remained single all these years abroad? Did he still have Ge'er in his heart? Was he preparing to take care of Ge'er and their child for the rest of their lives?
Seeing Lei Dongyi, whom Ge'er had secretly admired for years, suddenly appear and show up at her time of greatest need, Tian Tian was so happy her hands were trembling!
After reading the message, she didn't hesitate to dial Ge'er's number.
As expected, Lei Dongyi answered.
Ge'er's condition had improved considerably recently; she wasn't vomiting as much and could eat and sleep well. Lei Dongyi went to the balcony and chatted with Tian Tian for over an hour.
Learning that Lei Dongyi hadn't deliberately abandoned Ge'er back then, that he had always liked her, that he had now confessed his feelings and would stay by her side no matter what, and that he had received Jiang Nan Fang's support, Tian Tian shed tears of joy for Ge'er, tears of relief.
Afterward, she lost interest in the music class.
There was still someone waiting patiently, waiting for her to figure things out, waiting for her to give him a chance.
Tian Tian suddenly felt he was quite pitiful and wanted to rush to his rescue.
She hurried back to the classroom and told the students that the class would be a self-study session for now.
"Teacher has something urgent to discuss with the sports teacher. Be good, don't make noise. Have a self-study session. Next week, I'll ask him to give you two sports classes."
After nearly two months of interaction, the students knew she was easygoing and dared to be a little cheeky with her.
"Teacher, what do you need to discuss with the sports teacher? Why is it so urgent all of a sudden?"
"Are you two getting married?"
"Teacher, when are you two getting married?"
"Can you get married here? We want to attend your wedding."
"Yes. I haven't been to a wedding in a long time. No one has gotten married in the village for a while."
"If Teacher gets married, she'll be the most beautiful bride in the world. Teacher, just let us watch you get married. We'll pay for it, I can ask my mom!"
"I want to attend too! Teacher, I can have my grandma pay!"
Tian Tian was amused and exasperated, "Where did you get the idea that I'm marrying the sports teacher?"
"Who told you I'm his girlfriend?"
Everyone replied in unison: "The sports teacher said so!"
"He told us long ago that you are his girlfriend, and he said if we are good and get good grades in the final exam, he will..."
"He will what?"
Everyone suddenly stopped, smiling mischievously. Tian Tian knew Chen Dongyang hadn't said anything good.
"Alright, alright, you all have self-study for now. I'm going to talk to him. I promise you, if he behaves well, I'll agree to be his girlfriend and marry him in the future, letting you all attend for free."
"Yay!"
The students erupted in cheers.
Tian Tian didn't have time to borrow the principal's electric bike and ran on foot to find Chen Dongyang.
Usually, with a car, she felt the town was small and she could reach the end in a few minutes.
But walking under the hot sun today, she realized it was quite far.
She walked and ran, panting heavily, and it took her a full twenty minutes to reach Chen Dongyang's house.
The small courtyard gate was locked. Chen Dongyang was working. Suddenly hearing Tian Tian's voice, he thought he was hallucinating.
Tian Tian had to call his name over ten times before he came out to open the door. Seeing her flushed face and heavy breathing, he thought something had happened.
"Why are you here at this time?"
"Why didn't you call me to pick you up?"
"What's wrong? What happened? Don't rush, come in and tell me slowly."
He wanted to help Tian Tian, but he was afraid she wouldn't like it, so he extended his hand halfway and then withdrew it. Tian Tian, however, suddenly giggled and took his hand herself.
"Chen Dongyang."
"What is it?"
"Are you still willing to let me be your girlfriend?"
"Ah?"
"I said I want to be your girlfriend, marry you, and have children with you in the future. Are you still willing?"