The others didn't answer her questions, only allowing her to sit down.
Then they asked some questions they thought the students might be willing to answer.
"Classmates, how many music classes do you have a week?"
No one spoke. After a while, they all shook their heads.
"No music classes? What about art classes?"
As expected, there were none.
The teachers' lounge was empty. Apart from a few worn-out desks, there wasn't even a blackboard display. How could there be art classes?
"Are there any physical education classes?"
Again, silence.
Tian Tian understood. Break time had also arrived, so she told everyone to go out and rest for a bit, then took her textbooks back to the office.
The other teachers and the principal also entered the office one after another.
Tian Tian chatted with them, asking if other grades had music, art, and physical education classes.
Teacher Tang, who was the liveliest, was the first to respond.
"It seems our thoughts are all similar. The first thing new teachers notice is this. We've all asked these questions before. No."
"We have no equipment, no staff, and no facilities. How can we teach art and music?"
"The parents of these children are mostly uneducated. They think they're doing great earning three to five thousand yuan a month working in the city. They advocate the uselessness of education. As long as their children are safe and healthy, and can start working at fifteen or sixteen, they don't care about anything else."
"We tried to fight for it at first, but now..."
She shrugged. Tian Tian understood.
But, "Art and music might not be offered, but why not physical education? The children are mentally and physically exhausted from only having core subjects all day."
Teacher Tang spoke again, "There are only a few of us female teachers. Who would be the PE teacher? You? Or me? Besides, the campus is so small, and there aren't many activities we can do."
Perhaps it was because Tian Tian intended to stay here long-term, or perhaps she was naive and romantic.
She felt that the problems Teacher Tang mentioned were not really problems.
"PE teachers don't have to be men. Sports are for everyone, regardless of gender. We female teachers can also lead them in physical activities."
"The venue doesn't need to be very big. As long as everyone can run and jump, and clear their minds, that's enough."
"If I'm willing to be the PE teacher, can we arrange classes from now on?"
The principal, besides being the principal, was also a handyman, handling all sorts of miscellaneous matters.
He was busy and didn't have much interest in making changes.
"Teacher Jiang, you might have just arrived and don't know. Our school's college entrance examination pass rate has always been the lowest among the towns in the county."
"I think our primary task is to raise the pass rate. You're teaching the graduating class, so you need to focus on that..."
This meant that she shouldn't get involved in other distractions.
Tian Tian knew that the principal had his considerations, but she still felt that students should have extracurricular activities beyond just lessons.
If for no other reason, it would at least provide them with happy childhood memories to recall when they grew up, and give them more material for writing essays.
"Principal. When you have time, let's have a meeting. I think we should make arrangements."
The other teachers didn't know Tian Tian's background, but the principal did.
Although he didn't quite agree with the naive and romantic ideas of this young lady, he didn't dare to say much.
"Everyone has classes to teach, so they're probably busy. If you're willing to sacrifice some of your lunch break..."
The other teachers all lowered their heads.
The principal smiled, "Perhaps you can coordinate with the other teachers first?"
Tian Tian knew it wasn't good to ask for others' break time, and empty talk would only be annoying.
She nodded and didn't continue the conversation.
But she already had an idea.
After the third class, during the half-hour break, the teachers were chatting at the entrance of the second-grade classroom. Tian Tian walked over.
"Do we eat lunch in the cafeteria too?"
The teachers were discussing this newcomer, a brave newcomer from nowhere. Seeing her approach, they all put on smiles.
"Yes, from now on, we'll have all three meals in the cafeteria."
Tian Tian said, "Everyone has been eating there for so long, they must be a bit tired of it. How about I treat everyone to lunch? Is Old Zhang's Fast Food the only restaurant in our town?"
She wanted to treat everyone to lunch right after arriving? She was only here to teach, was it necessary to spend so much?
But, it was a meal.
Teacher Tang again took the initiative to say, "There's also a more upscale restaurant, one that specifically handles weddings and funerals. Are you really going to treat us?"
"Yes, let's eat and chat at noon, and discuss the matter I brought up this morning. This way, we won't delay everyone's time, and we can get to know each other better. It will be a bit of trouble for everyone to go out on such a hot day, alright?"
Seeing her good attitude and the prospect of delicious food, everyone agreed.
Tian Tian was very happy. "Then I'll go and make a reservation, order the dishes in advance. But I don't know where the restaurant is. Teacher Tang, can you take me there?"
They borrowed the principal's electric scooter, and Teacher Tang drove Tian Tian out.
Because they still had classes, Tian Tian didn't even get a clear look at the menu. She waved her hand, told the owner to make ten of their most popular dishes, paid a two hundred yuan deposit, and returned.
On the way back, Teacher Tang couldn't help but ask her.
"Teacher Jiang. Where are you from? Which school did you graduate from? Why did you decide to come here to teach?"
Tian Tian said, "I graduated several years ago. I failed in my business venture and felt that staying in the big city was boring, so I wanted to come out and change my environment."
"You've started a business before? No wonder you're so generous."
Teacher Tang fell silent.
Soon it was time for school to end. The teachers invited the principal to go to the restaurant together.
Entering the air-conditioned private room and seeing a large table full of delicacies, the principal thought to himself, this young lady is truly here for charity.
During the meal, everyone ate diligently, and Tian Tian spoke earnestly.
She was willing to fund the school with an electronic piano, buy paints and drawing paper, and arrange music, art, and physical education classes for all grades on a specific class period.
This way, it wouldn't cost the teachers much extra, and the students could experience the joy of extracurricular activities.
She was providing both the money and the effort, so no one else had to do anything, and of course, they didn't object.
The matter was happily settled.
However, she couldn't get away from classes from Monday to Friday, so she would have to go shopping for these items on the weekend.
While everyone else went to take a nap at noon, Tian Tian didn't want to climb onto the upper bunk, it was too much trouble, and she couldn't sleep anyway. So she stayed in the office to prepare for the afternoon classes.
Unexpectedly, shortly after she sat down, Chen Dongyang arrived again.
He thoughtfully bought her a new teacup, brewed some chrysanthemum tea, and brought a thermos with her lunch.
"I was afraid you wouldn't get used to the school cafeteria food, and thought it wasn't hygienic, so I made you fried rice with egg. Try it quickly."
"Weren't you tired after a morning of classes? Why didn't you rest?"